Portsmouth to win outright: best price 6/5 with bet365
Portsmouth to win to nil: best price 11/4 with Paddy Power
Frederic Piquionne to score anytime: best price 24/13 with expekt.com. No, I've never seen a bet priced at 24/13 either
Showing posts with label Hull City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hull City. Show all posts
Friday, 19 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Portsmouth v Hull City, Saturday 20th March
My Thoughts
First off, an apology for the lack of action on here recently- this writer has been busy plotting his first step on the property ladder (and having a stinking run at Cheltenham), while Graeme has been setting up his own blog, graemelikes.blogspot.com.
On to the match. Both sides effectively had their relegation confirmed this week- Portsmouth's 9-point deduction for entering administration was confirmed, while Hull appointed Iain Dowie (who would win an ugliest face competition even when up against Carlos Tevez and The Elephant Man) as their new manager.
The Verdict
In all probability, this will be a Championship fixture next season, and hence that is the standard of football that these 2 are likely to serve up. Hull's away form (0-4-11) is truly shocking, and they ship goals at a rate in excess of 2 per game. Add to this the remarkable stat that Portsmouth have failed to score at home just 3 times this season (the most recent of those against Everton in September), and it's very difficult to see Hull keeping a clean sheet. Portsmouth's recent run of form (Monday's 4-1 defeat at anfailed notwithstanding) is actually half-decent considering their position, with Avram Grant's side winning away at Burnley and claiming a point at home to Sunderland in the last 5 league games, as well as reaching the FA Cip semi-finals- they may just sneak another win here. You'd have to be a bit brave and/or mental to back the team bottom of the league to win, but regular readers of this blog know that this writer falls into both of those categories.
The Bet
Portsmouth outright should be worth taking around the 6/4 mark (sorry folks, I'm at work. Odds to follow later), and if you're feeling really brave, Portsmouth to win to nil could be worth considering. Also worth considering could be Frederic Piquionne anytime scorer for Pompey, who is beginning to find his feet in the Premier League (they were at the bottom of his legs all along).
First off, an apology for the lack of action on here recently- this writer has been busy plotting his first step on the property ladder (and having a stinking run at Cheltenham), while Graeme has been setting up his own blog, graemelikes.blogspot.com.
On to the match. Both sides effectively had their relegation confirmed this week- Portsmouth's 9-point deduction for entering administration was confirmed, while Hull appointed Iain Dowie (who would win an ugliest face competition even when up against Carlos Tevez and The Elephant Man) as their new manager.
The Verdict
In all probability, this will be a Championship fixture next season, and hence that is the standard of football that these 2 are likely to serve up. Hull's away form (0-4-11) is truly shocking, and they ship goals at a rate in excess of 2 per game. Add to this the remarkable stat that Portsmouth have failed to score at home just 3 times this season (the most recent of those against Everton in September), and it's very difficult to see Hull keeping a clean sheet. Portsmouth's recent run of form (Monday's 4-1 defeat at anfailed notwithstanding) is actually half-decent considering their position, with Avram Grant's side winning away at Burnley and claiming a point at home to Sunderland in the last 5 league games, as well as reaching the FA Cip semi-finals- they may just sneak another win here. You'd have to be a bit brave and/or mental to back the team bottom of the league to win, but regular readers of this blog know that this writer falls into both of those categories.
The Bet
Portsmouth outright should be worth taking around the 6/4 mark (sorry folks, I'm at work. Odds to follow later), and if you're feeling really brave, Portsmouth to win to nil could be worth considering. Also worth considering could be Frederic Piquionne anytime scorer for Pompey, who is beginning to find his feet in the Premier League (they were at the bottom of his legs all along).
Friday, 30 October 2009
Silly Graeme's Bet Here's
With Tottenham undergoing their traditional complete loss of form as the clocks go back, compounded by the suspicious team selections that have nothing to do with Harry seeking ever more funds this coming January (http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Harry_Redknapp ), we can expect to see a heavy defeat for Spurs in the early kick-off this Saturday.
Arsenal to win 3-1: 10/1 @ William Hill
Fortress Turf Moor!
Hull and Brown to sink- 1-0 Burnley
Weekend Accumulator:
Chelsea to win
Sunderland to win
Stoke Wolves Draw
Fulham Torres Draw
30/1 @ William Hill
Friday, 14 August 2009
Shifty's Season Preview Part 4 of oh jeebus I'm pushing it to have them all on by Saturday afternoon
Everton
Last season was Everton's strongest for many years: 5th place, reaching the FA Cup Final and bloodying the noses of all those above them. David Moyes' stock grows with each passing day, and one cannot help but admire his steely resolution in his desire to keep Joleon Lescott. The retention of Lescott, along with all their other key players, give Evertonians reason to believe they can compete near the top again. Hope will still remain that Moyes can add to his squad in terms of quantity: it will be intriguing to see just how well Everton perform in the Europa League this season: European success is the last box that Moyes needs to check if he is to be considered as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, a role that many have tipped him for.
Verdict: Last season, Everton keeper Tim Howard set a club record 15 league clean sheets. Retaining their key players should give them a platform to build on this, however (I had to put a however in somewhere) one cannot help but feel that they will struggle to match last season's achievements without 1 or 2 additions, particularly upfront: Jo looks a shrewd addition in loan, but will Saha and Yakubu stay fit? They should be close to last season's 5th place finish
The Fulham Football Club
It's hard to think of anyone who actually dislikes this quaint, tidy club. Last season they were superb, qualifying for the Europa League (in which they have already comfortably dispatched Lithuanian side FK Vetra) as a result of finishing 7th. Crucial to their hopes will be maintaining last season's excellent defensive record, and crucial to this will be the retention of 18ft 7 centre-back Brede Hangeland. A lot will again be expected of keeper Mark Schwarzer, while the likes of Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson and Danny Murhph will be expected to source and score goals, while Bobby Zamora simply has to improve on last season's meagre tally of 2 league goals. Reinforcements have arrived in the forms of right-back Stephen Kelly and midfielders Bjorn Helge Riise and Kagiso Dikgacoi (I'm going to award myself a Gold Star for spelling that right) (at the time of writing, Damien Duff was mooted as a possible arrival), but one suspects that 1 or 2 more may be needed if Fulham are going to be able to compete in the Premier League and the Europa League.
Verdict: This writer's gut instinct says mid-table obscurity. Retaining Hangeland is critical to their hopes, but they will face even more intense competition to make last season's 7th place
Hull City are still in the Premier League. No, really
Despite a horrific 2nd half of season nosedive that a drunken pilot would be disappointed with, Hull City somehow kept themselves in the Premier League. Phil Brown will be acutely aware of his side's desperate need for improvement, given that he does not want to go home. "This is the best trip I've ever been on", he says. Quite.
The Tigers have made a few interesting signings: it will be fascinating to see how US international striker Jozy Altidore adapts to life in the Premier League: fast, strong, and with a powerful shot, he could be tailor made for the Premier League, once he gets over the language barrier between English and East Yorkshire. Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana will offer bite in midfield, and slightly more mobility than George Boateng, while expect Stephen Hunt to furiously buzz around on the wing. Hull could probably still do with a right-back, though, given the departure of Sam Ricketts. The early season fixture list has been kind to Hull, with many winnable games in the opening weeks (remember, they were the only side last season to remain unbeaten from trips to Stamford Bridge, a field and the Emirares). They will need to start in a similar manner to last season if they are to survive.
Verdict: Phil Brown divides opinion unlike most other Premier League managers. While he is idolised on Humberside, so is the Greek god Poseidon, with local teenage girls regularly sacrificing their 1st born child to him. Others are sceptical of Brown, complaining about his lack of charisma and control over the econo...oh, wait a minute, wrong Brown. Phil Brown will need to demonstrate all his managerial skills (maybe put in a call to his mate Sir Alex, Fraizer Campbell and Manucho have both impressed on loan in the past) in order to keep the Tigers roaring in the Premier League. And he might just do it.
Last season was Everton's strongest for many years: 5th place, reaching the FA Cup Final and bloodying the noses of all those above them. David Moyes' stock grows with each passing day, and one cannot help but admire his steely resolution in his desire to keep Joleon Lescott. The retention of Lescott, along with all their other key players, give Evertonians reason to believe they can compete near the top again. Hope will still remain that Moyes can add to his squad in terms of quantity: it will be intriguing to see just how well Everton perform in the Europa League this season: European success is the last box that Moyes needs to check if he is to be considered as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, a role that many have tipped him for.
Verdict: Last season, Everton keeper Tim Howard set a club record 15 league clean sheets. Retaining their key players should give them a platform to build on this, however (I had to put a however in somewhere) one cannot help but feel that they will struggle to match last season's achievements without 1 or 2 additions, particularly upfront: Jo looks a shrewd addition in loan, but will Saha and Yakubu stay fit? They should be close to last season's 5th place finish
The Fulham Football Club
It's hard to think of anyone who actually dislikes this quaint, tidy club. Last season they were superb, qualifying for the Europa League (in which they have already comfortably dispatched Lithuanian side FK Vetra) as a result of finishing 7th. Crucial to their hopes will be maintaining last season's excellent defensive record, and crucial to this will be the retention of 18ft 7 centre-back Brede Hangeland. A lot will again be expected of keeper Mark Schwarzer, while the likes of Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson and Danny Murhph will be expected to source and score goals, while Bobby Zamora simply has to improve on last season's meagre tally of 2 league goals. Reinforcements have arrived in the forms of right-back Stephen Kelly and midfielders Bjorn Helge Riise and Kagiso Dikgacoi (I'm going to award myself a Gold Star for spelling that right) (at the time of writing, Damien Duff was mooted as a possible arrival), but one suspects that 1 or 2 more may be needed if Fulham are going to be able to compete in the Premier League and the Europa League.
Verdict: This writer's gut instinct says mid-table obscurity. Retaining Hangeland is critical to their hopes, but they will face even more intense competition to make last season's 7th place
Hull City are still in the Premier League. No, really
Despite a horrific 2nd half of season nosedive that a drunken pilot would be disappointed with, Hull City somehow kept themselves in the Premier League. Phil Brown will be acutely aware of his side's desperate need for improvement, given that he does not want to go home. "This is the best trip I've ever been on", he says. Quite.
The Tigers have made a few interesting signings: it will be fascinating to see how US international striker Jozy Altidore adapts to life in the Premier League: fast, strong, and with a powerful shot, he could be tailor made for the Premier League, once he gets over the language barrier between English and East Yorkshire. Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana will offer bite in midfield, and slightly more mobility than George Boateng, while expect Stephen Hunt to furiously buzz around on the wing. Hull could probably still do with a right-back, though, given the departure of Sam Ricketts. The early season fixture list has been kind to Hull, with many winnable games in the opening weeks (remember, they were the only side last season to remain unbeaten from trips to Stamford Bridge, a field and the Emirares). They will need to start in a similar manner to last season if they are to survive.
Verdict: Phil Brown divides opinion unlike most other Premier League managers. While he is idolised on Humberside, so is the Greek god Poseidon, with local teenage girls regularly sacrificing their 1st born child to him. Others are sceptical of Brown, complaining about his lack of charisma and control over the econo...oh, wait a minute, wrong Brown. Phil Brown will need to demonstrate all his managerial skills (maybe put in a call to his mate Sir Alex, Fraizer Campbell and Manucho have both impressed on loan in the past) in order to keep the Tigers roaring in the Premier League. And he might just do it.
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