You’ll find the latest Premier League Transfers (January 2012) listed here. Archives for older transfer seasons are at the end of this page. For the latest transfer rumours and confirmed transfers for other leagues, see our football transfer lists page.

If you find a transfer not listed here let us know and we’ll add it.

Last Updated: 1 February 2012

Arsenal

In: Thierry Henry (loan, New York Red Bulls); Thomas Eisfeld (£600,000, Borussia Dortmund)

Out: Luke Freeman (undisclosed, Stevenage); Vito Mannone (loan, Hull City); Daniel Boateng (loan, Swindon Town); Gavin Hoyte (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Paulo Botelho (loan, Levante); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Sanchez Watt (loan, Crawley Town); Wellington (loan, CD Alcoyano); Sead Hajrovic (loan, Barnet); Rhys Murphy (loan, Preston North End); Ryo Miyachi (loan, Bolton Wanderers)

Aston Villa

In: Enda Stevens (undisclosed, Shamrock Rovers); Robbie Keane (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy)

Out: Nathan Delfouneso (loan, Leicester City); Shane Lowry (undisclosed, Millwall); Fabian Delph (loan, Leeds United); Elliot Parish (undisclosed, Cardiff City)

Blackburn Rovers

In: Anthony Modeste (Bordeaux, loan), Bruno Ribeiro (Grêmio Barueri, free); Marcus Olsson (free, Halmstads BK); Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Queens Park Rangers)

Out: Jason Roberts (undisclosed, Reading); Keith Andrews (free, West Bromwich Albion); Ryan Nelsen (free, Tottenham)

Bolton Wanderers

In: Tim Ream (£2.5m, New York Red Bulls); Ryo Miyachi (Arsenal, loan); Marvin Sordell (£3m, Watford)

Out: Gary Cahill (£7m, Chelsea); Jack Sampson (loan, Southend United)

Chelsea

In: Gary Cahill (£7m, Bolton Wanderers); Kevin de Bruyne (£6.7m, Genk), Patrick Bamford (£1.5m, Nottingham Forest)

Out: Nicolas Anelka (undisclosed, Shanghai Shenhua); Alex (£4.5m, Paris Saint-Germain); Rhys Taylor (loan, Rotherham); Sam Walker (loan, Yeovil); Ben Gordon (loan, Kilmarnock); Patrick van Aanholt (loan, Vitesse Arnhem); Josh McEachran (loan, Swansea City); Gaël Kakuta (loan, Dijon)

Everton

In: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Manchester United); Landon Donovan (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy); Nikica Jelavic (£6m, Rangers); Steven Pienaar (loan, Tottenham)

Out: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (£5m, Spartak Moscow); Aristote Nsiala (loan, Accrington Stanley); James Wallace (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Tottenham)

Fulham

In: Jack Grimmer (£200,000, Aberdeen); Pavel Pogrebnyak (£3m, VfB Stuttgart); Ryan Williams (undisclosed, Portsmouth)

Out: Alex Kacaniklic (loan, Watford); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Queens Park Rangers)

Liverpool

In: Jordan Ibe (£500,000, Wycombe Wanderers); Danny Ward (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Danny Wilson (loan, Blackpool); Martin Hansen (undisclosed, Viborg FF)

Manchester City

In: David Pizarro (loan, AS Roma)

Out: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Queens Park Rangers); Ben Mee (undisclosed, Burnley); Kieran Trippier (undisclosed, Burnley); Harry Bunn (loan, Preston North End); Alex Nimely (loan, Coventry City); Chris Chantler (loan, Carlisle United); Wayne Bridge (loan, Sunderland), Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester United)

Manchester United

In: Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester City)

Out: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Everton); Daniel Drinkwater (undisclosed, Leicester City); Mame Biram Diouf (£1.5m, Hannover 96); Joshua King (loan, Hull City); Féderico Macheda (loan, Queens Park Rangers); Ravel Morrison (£650,000, West Ham United); Oliver Norwood (loan, Coventry City); Scott Wootton (loan, Nottingham Forest)

Newcastle United

In: Papiss Demba Cissé (£10m, SC Freiburg)

Out: Alan Smith (loan, MK Dons); Philip Airey (loan, Gateshead); James Tavernier (loan, MK Dons)

Norwich City

In: Jonny Howson (£2m, Leeds United); Ryan Bennett (undisclosed, Peterborough United)

Out: George Francomb (loan, Hibernian); Oli Johnson (loan, Oxford); Korey Smith (loan, Barnsley); Chris Martin (loan, Crystal Palace)

Queens Park Rangers

In: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Manchester City); Taye Taiwo (loan, AC Milan); Féderico Macheda (loan, Manchester United); Samba Diakité (loan, AS Nancy Lorraine); Djibril Cisse (£4m, Lazio); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Fulham)

Out: Matt Connolly (loan, Reading), Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Blackburn Rovers)

Stoke City

In:

Out: Danny Pugh (undisclosed, Leeds United); Florent Cuvelier (loan, Walsall); Ben Marshall (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Soares (loan, Hibernian); Ryan Brunt (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Matthew Lund (loan, Bristol Rovers); Michael Tonge (loan, Barnsley); Danny Higginbotham (loan, Nottingham Forest); Ben Marshall (undisclosed, Leicester City)

Sunderland

In: Wayne Bridge (loan, Manchester City); Sotiris Kyrgiakos (loan, VfL Wolfsburg)

Out: Trevor Carson (loan, Hull City); Louis Laing (loan, Wycombe Wanderers); Blair Adams (loan, Northampton Town); John Egan (loan, Crystal Palace); Billy Knott (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Jordan Cook (loan, Carlisle United); Ryan Noble (loan, Derby County); Nyron Nosworthy (loan, Watford)

Swansea City

In: Darnel Situ (£250,000, Lens); Josh McEachran (loan, Chelsea); Gylfi Sigurdsson (loan, Hoffenheim); Curtis Obeng (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Vangelis Moras (loan, Cesena); Lee Lucas (loan, Burton Albion)

Tottenham

In: Iago Falqué (undisclosed, Juventus); Ryan Nelsen (free, Blackburn Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Everton)

Out: David Button (loan, Doncaster Rovers); Dean Parrett (loan, Yeovil Town); Andros Townsend (loan, Leeds United); Iago Falqué (loan, Southampton); Harry Kane (loan, Millwall); John Bostock (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Carroll (loan, Derby County): Sebastien Bassong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Vedran Corluka (loan, Bayer Leverkusen); Roman Pavlyuchenko (£8m, Lokomotiv Moscow); Steven Pienaar (loan, Everton); Adam Smith (loan, Leeds United)

West Bromwich Albion

In: Scott Allan (£300,000, Dundee United); Keith Andrews (free, Blackburn Rovers); Liam Ridgewell (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Roman Bednar (free, Blackpool); James Hurst (loan, Chesterfield); Romaine Sawyers (loan, Shrewsbury Town); Lateef Elford-Alliyu (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Chris Wood (loan, Bristol City); Gonzalo Jara (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Joe Mattock (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion)

Wigan Athletic

In: Jean Beausejour (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Daniel Redmond (loan, Hamilton Academical); Nouha Dicko (loan, Blackpool); Jordan Mustoe (loan, Barnet)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In: Eggert Jonsson (£250,000, Hearts); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Arsenal); Sebastien Bassong (loan, Tottenham)

Out: David Davis (loan, Chesterfield); Sam Winnall (loan, Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Jamie Reckord (loan, Scunthorpe United); Sam Vokes (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Adlène Guedioura (loan, Nottingham Forest); Matt Doherty (loan, Hibernian); Andy Keogh (undisclosed, Millwall)

Premier League Transfer Archives:

Summer 2006
January 2007
Summer 2007
January 2008
Summer 2008
January 2009
Summer 2009
January 2010
Summer 2010
January 2011
Summer 2011

For the latest transfer rumours and transfer lists for other leagues, see our transfer news section.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With Tottenham tied on points with Manchester United and City hitting a bump in form, the title race is becoming more wide open, and in turn it leaves three teams – three of the original Big Four, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea – fighting it out for the fourth place. Here’s a look at the best betting odds for the weekend’s top games:

Liverpool v Stoke

Liverpool turn their attentions back to the Premier League this weekend after their 1-0 FA Cup win over City at the Etihad and are 1.44 with Betfred to take care of Stoke.

The Reds go into the clash boosted by the news that skipper Steven Gerrard has signed a new long-term deal which is likely to see him end his playing career at Anfield.

His return to action has been a terrific boost for the side following Luis Suarez’s controversial ban, and he is beginning to hit top form.

Liverpool, who now sit in sixth spot in the table, are looking to to maintain their push to finish in the top four and that mean’s that Kenny Dalglish is likely to put out his strongest starting X1 for this game.

The stats are certainly good as far as Liverpool are concerned, as Stoke have never won in 48 top-flight visits to Anfield (39 defeats, nine draws).

Liverpool have also lost just once in 19 games at home since Dalglish took over it’s hard to see the Potters posing any real threat.

The last time the two sides met at the Britannia it was Suarez that inspired Liverpool to a convincing League Cup win.

In his absence, Andy Carroll will be expected to finally start delivering the goods and he is a 6 shot with Paddy Power to net the opener.

That looks a decent price, and the big man is certainly due a goal.

In the correct score market,  Liverpool to win 2-0 makes plenty of appeal at the 6.5 on offer with Paddy Power.

Chelsea v Sunderland: Another upset at the Bridge?

A couple of months ago Chelsea would have been expected to comfortably beat Sunderland, but the arrival of Martin O’Neill has seen the Black Cats turn around their season and they look value at 6.5 in the draw/no bet market with bet365 in their game at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Since O’Neill took over the Black Cats they have looked a different outfit and have won five out of seven games

They were 18th when O’Neill selected his first Sunderland side and they are now 10th and looking solid. having at one time looking to be relegation material they are now looking pretty certain of a top half finish.

The stats reveal that the Blues have won 13 of their last 14 games against Sunderland, and that’s presumably the reason why bookies make them 1.4 shots for another victory.

But Chelsea have only won four of their last nine home games across all competitions and  will be without Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba due to Africa Cup Nations commitments.

Sunderland showed when beating Man City 1-0 recently that they are not a side to be taken lightly anymore, and have the ability to grind out results.

That makes them look terrific value at 6.5 in the draw/no bet market given that they are as short as 8 in the outright betting.

Can Bolton hand Manchester United a third league defeat in a row?

Following their terrific performance to knock City out of the FA Cup it’s back to Premier League business this weekend for Manchester United who are a top priced 1.16 to beat Bolton at Old Trafford.

The performance put in by the Red Devils to beat City 3-2 at the Etihad would have delighted Sir Alex, and if they turn up in the same frame of mind for this one then three points look assured.

United have won 12 of their last 14 meetings with the Trotters and thrashed them 5-0 at the Reebok earlier in the season.

They have also won their last 8 league home games against Owen Coyle’s men and it really should be a matter of how many they put past them to register another victory.

OK, Bolton have managed to secure 7 out of the last 12 available and United come into this following back to back defeats in the league.

However it’s more than 10 years since Sir Alex’s team lost three league games in a row, and I can’t see that happening here.

I think that they will win this with a bit to spare, and fancy Rooney to net the opener and fire them to a wide margin victory.

He is a top priced 3.75 with bet365 to score first, and that looks a big price given his current form and the fact that he is as short as 3 with several firms.

I fancy United to win 3-0, which is is a 7.5 shot with bet365 and Paddy Power.

Henry could start for Arsenal away to Swansea

Arsenal face tough away trip to Swansea on Sunday knowing that a win will get them back into the Premier league top four, and they are 1.8 shots with bet365 to emerge victorious.

The Gunners trail fourth-placed Chelsea by one point after losing 2-1 to Fulham in their last league start, but regained some confidence with a 1-0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup thanks to a goal from Thierry Henry.

Whether the on-loan Frenchman will make his first league start for the club in five years remains to be seen as Arsene Wenger can confirmed that Robin van Persie will be making the coach trip down to Wales.

The flying Dutchman has scored 17 of Arsenal’s 36 goals this season and since he has been rested Arsenal have looked to be lacking badly in front of goal.

But given that Swansea have a good home record and only one side – Manchester United – have managed to secure three points on their own patch this season he will surely be in the starting X1.

He is a 4 shot with bet365, Boylesports and Paddy Power to net the opener, and If anyone is going to break the deadlock for the Gunners it will surely be him once again.

bet365 also go 1.91 about him scoring anytime and that also looks worth a punt.

It definitely won’t be easy for the Gunners, but I think they will edge it 2-1 and that scoreline can be backed at  and 8.5 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The New Year weekend will most likely see Manchester United end 2011 at the top of the table (albeit having played a game more than City), although City will be away to Sunderland on Sunday and it should be business as usual at the top of the table for them come Monday morning.

Here’s a look at the top games this weekend and the best football bets on offer:

Manchester United v Blackburn

Manchester United are 1.14 shots to round of their fantastic festive period by beating Blackburn at Old Trafford, and it’s hard to envisage anything but a wide margin win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The Red Devils come into this having registered back-to-back 5-0 wins over Fulham and Wigan and the Premiership whipping boys should be easy fodder for them.

The stats are also good as United are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against Blackburn (winning seven) and have won all of their last seven games against Steve Kean’s men in all competitions.

The visitors have also kept just one clean sheet in their last 28 Premier League away games and currently sit bottom of the table after some truly shocking performances.

United registered a 7-1 victory over them in this fixture last season and it really should be a case of how far they win by.

Dimitar Berbatov, who scored five goals in that emphatic victory, will surely be relishing the chance to shine again following his hat-trick against Wigan and makes plenty of appeal in the first goalscorer market at 4.5 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power.

He is also 1.91 chance to score anytime with Paddy Power and that also looks solid value for a striker in form.

It will also be a major surprise if they do not win both halves in this game, and at 1.44 with Paddy Power in the double result market that looks an extremely attractive punt compared to the 1.14 on offer in the outright market.

I fancy United to win 4-0 or 5-0, and those scores can be backed at 9 with Boylesports and 13 generally.

Arsenal v QPR

Arsenal are 1.29 shots to end the year with a bang and win their derby game against QPR at the Emirates and they really should prove too strong for the Hoops.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolves but they have still picked up 26 points from their last 12 games and that ratio, over the course of an entire campaign, would have been enough to win them the title last season.

By stark contrast their opponents have mustered just 10 points from a possible 39, and that’s clear relegation form given that they have also taken just two pints from their last six games.

It really should be a comfortable win for Arsenal on paper, but Arsene Wenger must decide whether to rest Robin van Persie, who is two shy of equalling the Premier League record for goals, as his fitness is the key to them keeping up their challenge for a top four place,

However it will be a surprise to me if Wenger does not give van Persie a start and a chance to equal or beat Alan Shearer’s record, and at 3.25 with bet365 and Betfred to net the opener he looks a terrific price.

I fancy Arsenal to win this 2-1, and that’s a 9 shot with Betfred. Both teams to score also looks value at 2.1 with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power.

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Chelsea are a top priced 1.3 with Paddy Power to round off the year with a win over Aston villa at Stamford Bridge, and anything but three points will be utter disaster for the Blues.

AVB’s boys looked to be back to their best when beating Man City 2-1, but since then they have failed to go and have registered three 1-1 draws on the bounce.

However Villa have won none of their last nine visits to The Bridge in the Premier League and have also failed to score in five of their last 7 games.

They are a negative side who seem to find bagging three points as hard as opening a letter, and it will be a major surprise if Chelsea do not take advantage and register a comfortable success.

So that brings us to the matter of who is going  to score the first goal and fire them to the expected victory.

Step forward Frank Lampard who has scored five goals in the last two home Premier League games against the Villans, and can be backed at a very tasty looking  6 with bet365,Betfred and Paddy Power.

For those who like to play in the correct score market I am going to suggest that Chelsea will win this either 2-0 or 3-0, and those scorelines can be backed at 6.5 with Paddy Power and 8 with Betfred.

Split stakes on both should hopefully net us a nice bit of profit.

Stoke v Wigan

Stoke have rediscovered their form of late and look cracking value at 1.67 to beat Wigan at the Britannia.

Tony Pulis’s men spent most of November in the bottom half of the table but they have put together a good run of results which have seen them climb back up the table to a very respectable 8th.

They have beaten Spurs, Blackburn, Wolves and Everton in recent weeks, and a repeat performance of any of those wins would see them easily dispose of a woeful Wigan outfit.

The Latics are already odds-on for the drop, and it’s hard to see how a side that lacks any fight is going to be able to cope with a Potters side who like to get stuck in.

I can see Peter Crouch causing the Wigan defence all sorts of problems, and the frontman makes plenty of appeal at 6 with Paddy Power to score the opener.

Stoke to win 2-0 is my idea of the outcome and is an 8 shot with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Premier League clubs are all set for Boxing Day showdown as 14 teams take to the field on Monday, with the remaining 6 playing on Tuesday. Here’s a look at the choicest fixtures from the next two days and the best betting odds for them.

Stoke City v Aston Villa

Stoke play host to Aston Villa in Sky’s televised match on Boxing Day (7.45pm KO) and the Potters look a terrific punt at 1.91 to maintain their terrific record against the Villans.

The Britannia has not been a happy hunting ground for Villa who have won only four times their in 26 attempts since World war II! Tony Pulis’ men have also won two of the three home meetings between the two sides since they got promoted back to the top flight in 2008, and really should prove too strong for a Villa side who have registered just one win on the road this season.

That victory came against lowly Bolton and shows just how hard they find life away from their own patch.

So given that Stoke have drawn with Chelsea and Man United and beaten Liverpool and Spurs at home this season this encounter should hold no fears for them whatsoever.

I think they are worthy favourites and at the 1.91 on offer with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power they rate the best bet of the day.

Peter crouch is the type of player who could cause the Villa defence all sorts of problems, and at 6.5 with Paddy Power who looks the value bet to score first and fire Stoke to victory.

Manchester United v Wigan

Manchester United are beginning to bang in the goals again, and I can’t envisage anything other than a goal fest in their match against Wigan at old Trafford.

Bookmakers are not surprisingly offering a best price of just 1.17 about them after impressive victories over QPR and Fulham in their last two games and they simply cannot be opposed.

Victory at Craven Cottage meant that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have now won all 8 games against bottom-half opposition this season, and they look certainties to make it nine in his one.

With Wayne Rooney back to his very best the Latics are likely to be in for a thrashing, and United’s talisman makes plenty of appeal at 3.75 with bet365 to open the scoring – and the floodgates.

I fancy United to put three or four past Wigan without reply, and you can get decent odds on both outcomes with Boylesports. The Irish firm go a standout 7.5 on 3-0 and are also top priced 10 about a 4-0 mauling.

Liverpool v Blackburn

Liverpool are 1.29 shots to take care of Blackburn in their clash at Anfield, and they really should stroll to victory against the Premiership whipping boys.

Rovers have actually scored more goals than the Reds, but they have also been leaking at an alarming rate and have let in 38 so far this season. Their defending has become horrific, and Kenny Dalglish’s men will surely take advantage and hammer home a comfortable wide margin win.

Luis Suarez has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the Uruguayan striker will surely be keen to put that right by getting on the score sheet. He is a 4 chance with Paddy Power to let his feet do the talking and score the opener, and that looks a cracking punt.

You can also get 1.67 with Betfred and Boylesports about him netting anytime during the 90 minutes, and that could be better value than backing Liverpool in the outright market at 1.29 if you like to play at odds-on.

Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea are 1.3 shots to get back on the winning trail and beat Fulham, and if the stats are anything to go by then a comfortable home win looks on the cards.

After looking back to their best, AVB’s men have failed to maintain the momentum in their last two games – drawing  1-1 away at Wigan and Spurs.

However they haven’t lost any of their last 11 matches against the Cottagers, who have managed just four goals on their travels this season and come into this on the back of a 5-0 thrashing at home by Manchester united.

Martin Jol’s side have also failed to score in 11 away games, and simply don’t have enough backbone or fight to pose a threat to Chelsea.

It really should be a case of how many Chelsea win by, and I fancy them to keep a clean sheet in the process. They are even money (2) to do so with bet365 and Paddy Power and that looks a fair price given Fulham’s goal scoring record.

In the first goal scorer Frank Lampard looks worth a punt at a standout 7 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

This weekend, the big teams have a chance to catch up with the Premier League leaders Manchester City, and you can get great betting odds for United, Arsenal and co. to cut down on the lead and make the title race more interesting.

Manchester United v Wolves

Manchester United have endured a horrendous week, crashing out of the Champions League and then losing Vidic for the rest of the season due a knee injury. They need to bounce back, and the visit of Wolves to Old Trafford this weekend gives them a glorious opportunity of doing just that.

Bookmakers make than a best priced 1.25 to beat Mick McCarthy’s men, and they cannot be opposed. United have not lost at home to Wolves for 31 years. They have won the last five and are unbeaten in the last six on their own patch.

Wolves have also scored just one goal in those last six visits, and although some will argue that now is the best time for them to be taking on a United side not playing at their best they are forgetting about on sir Alex Ferguson.

The United boss has proved time and time again that he is capable of lifting his players when things haven’t gone right, and I think Wolves will suffer the backlash this weekend.

What the Red Devils have lost in recent weeks is their killer instinct in front of goal. Wayne Rooney hasn’t looked the same player since his England sending off and has now not found the back of the next in the league since September.

I’m convinced that he will bounce back, and a top priced 4.33 with bet365 to net the opener in this, he makes plenty of appeal.

United to win 3-0 or 4-0 is my idea of the outcome, and those scorelines can be backed at 8 with Boylesports and 12 with bet365.

Liverpool v QPR

Liverpool are a top priced 1.36 to beat QPR at Anfield this weekend and and the stats suggest that they will do just that.

The visitors have won just one of their last 20 league visits to Merseyside, and the Reds are unbeaten in their last seven home games.

Kenny Dalglish’s men once again saw red in their shock 1-0 defeat away at Fulham last weekend, but if they keep their heads in this then there should only be one outcome.

They have the joint-best defensive record this season having conceded just 13 goals so far, and I think that they should be able to win this with a bit to spare and keep a clean sheet to boot.

They are 2.1 chances with Paddy Power to win to nil, and that has to be a fair punt given their cramped odds in the outright market.

Charlie Adams celebrates his 26th birthday in this game, and at 9 with bet365 to bag the opener looks value to kick-off his big day in style.

Arsenal v Everton

Arsenal are a a top priced 1.57 to beat Everton at the Emirates this weekend, and look bankers at those odds to bag all three points.

The Gunners have won six and lost none of the last eight Premier League games against the Toffees and have taken 19 points from their last seven games.

That’s the same number of points that they took from the previous 18 games, and clearly shows what terrific form they have been in of late

Arsene Wenger took the decision to rest virtually all of his first choice XI for the midweek Champions League trip to Olympiakos, and it was a shrewd move given that they had already qualified and had everything to lose but nothing to gain by risking their key men.

It means that he will be able to field his first choice team for this, and you have to think that they will comfortably prove to strong for a struggling Everton side and land the odds of 1.57 available with Betfred and Paddy Power.

Having said that it would be no surprise to see the visitors net a goal as they have have scored 11 goals in the last 11 meetings between the two sides. They have failed to score just once, but have only netted more than one goal on one occasion.

Therefore the 1.83 on offer with bet365 and Betfred about both sides netting makes plenty of appeal from a punting perspective .

Stoke v Tottenham

Stoke take on to in-form Spurs in front of Sky cameras at the Britannia (4.30pm KO) and Harry Redknapp’s side look worth a punt at 2.1 with Paddy Power.

Three Premier League meetings between the two sides at the Britannia have ended 2-1 with Spurs winning the last two visits.

The London outfit come into the game having won their last three on the road, and although they have never won four on the bounce I strongly fancy them to do so.

They have a side full of quality who play slick attacking football and I can see the Stoke back line having real problems against the lies of Peter Crouch and the in-form Gareth Bale.

Crouch, who netted twice against his former club when they met at White Hart lane in April is a a general 8 shot to grab the opener, and that looks decent value.

However Bale, who has scored four and assisted four goals in his last five Premier League appearances, will be carrying my money in the same market at 9.5 with bet365.

For those that like to play the correct score market it has to be a 2-1 win for Spurs at 9 with Betfred.

Chelsea v Manchester City

Chelsea play host to league leaders Manchester City on Monday night, and the in-form Blues have to be worth a punt at 2.5 with Betfred and Boylesports to beat Roberto Mancini’s City slickers.

The Blues triumphed 2-0 in this fixture back in March and come into the game on back of arguably their best performance of the season.

They looked back to their clinical and organised best when trouncing Valencia 3-0 to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, and had previously proved far too strong for Newcastle when registering a 3-0 victory over the Magpies at St James’ when last seen in Premiership action.

Andre Villas-Boas seems to have turned things round, and this promises to be a great game filled with goals – despite the fact that in recent years City have struggled to score at Stamford Bridge.

They have actually have failed find the back of the net in  eight of their last nine league visits to London, but they are a different proposition now and come into this unbeaten in their last eight PL away games (won six).

So given that Chelsea have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 8 games at the Bridge but have also not found it difficult to find the target at the other end of the pitch, backing both sides to score looks a standout bet at 1.62 with bet365 and Betfred.

*bet365 are offering a £50 free In-play bet on this game.

To qualify simply place a bet before kick-off, then once the game starts place another bet on any In-Play market. If your FIRST In-Play bet loses we will refund this stake, up to the same value as your largest pre-match bet (max £50).

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis 34% of Stoke City’s attempts on goal in the Europa League this season have been headers.

The English team have been put down for only posing a threat from set pieces and long balls, a view backed up by 14 of Stoke’s 41 shots in this season’s Europa League being headers. Only Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers have such a high percentage of headed attempts.

However, Stoke seem to have found considerable success with their direct tactics in European competition and go into the 5th matchday on top of their group requiring only a draw to qualify for the next round.

In this season’s Europa League, Stoke City are the team that have attempted the fewest passes (1161) and have also attempted the fewest in the opposition half (624).

On top of this the English team have had only 1888 touches of the ball in the 2011/12 Europa League group stages, by far the least of all the teams in the competition.

Yet, despite having an approach to football that requires little technique, Stoke’s other aspects of the game are well honed and quite possibly the key to their success in this year’s Europa League.

Tony Pulis’s side have launched more  successful long balls than any other team (70)  and also have the most precise long ball delivery (59.3%) in the 2011/12 Europa League.

To add to this, Stoke City also have the most precise crosses in the competition with 37.1% of them reaching team mates.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Stoke City continue to impress in their debut European season, as a 2-1 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel on Thursday night sees Tony Pulis’ side on the brink of qualification from Group E of the Europa League.

Second half goals from Dean Whitehead and Peter Crouch gave the visitors the three points, and one more positive result will see The Potters progress.

The introduction of Crouch for Jonathan Walters on the hour mark shows the strength in depth that Pulis now can call upon, and the England international got the all-decisive match winning goal. Soccer stats show the lanky hitman’s eye for goal in Europe; he is now the Britannia Stadium club’s top goalscorer in the tournament, and despite struggling domestically last season for Tottenham, scored some integral goals on the continent for Harry Redknapp’s men.

Stoke’s heroics are made all the more impressive by the group that they have been dealt, with Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev both seasoned European competitors. The fact that all three other pool sides are based in Eastern Europe means that Pulis’ men have had to overcome the travel aspect of the games, which so far has not been a problem.

The key to beating Tel Aviv in Israel was Stoke’s domination of the midfield, with the returning Wilson Palacios, Salif Diao and goalscorer Whitehead grasping the game by the scruff of the neck and foiling the home side’s attacks. Despite Tel Aviv being the weakest side in the group, travelling to play in Israel is never an easy feat, given the geography and atmosphere at the game.

The effort of the Stoke players showed exactly how much they wanted to win the tie, and this is refreshing given other clubs such as Spurs fielding weakened teams in the tournament.

Pulis told Sky Sports after the game:

“I thought the lads were brilliant tonight.

“The balance looked good. There was a bit of a lapse at the end but that’s a little bit of tiredness I think. I’m very pleased. They huffed and puffed a little bit but I thought we coped with it smashing.”

Stoke must now be careful not to let their European efforts hinder their English Premier League form, as after the previous four games in the Europa League, Tony Pulis’ men have lost the next domestic match and most recently this Sunday at the Reebok Stadium where they lost 5-0 to Bolton.

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Arsenal host Stoke City in the Premier League this Sunday as the Gunners will be hoping to maintain their fine recent form. Statistically speaking, it looks like Arsenal will edge this meeting. Arsene Wenger’s charges have won five of their last six games but the Potters will prove a stern test as they have enjoyed a strong start to their season with just two defeat  in their first 16 competitive matches of the season.

The North London side will be feeling positive ahead of this fixture as it comes on the back of two consecutive late wins for the club. After Robin van Persie’s heroics against Sunderland last weekend, Aaron Ramsey copied the Dutchman’s feat by netting a crucial late winner of his own away to Marseille in the Champions League. Stoke also have reason to be in a buoyant mood after a comprehensive win in Europe added to their gorwing confidence in what is certain to be a hotly-contested  encounter.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s only new injury worry after his team’s expedition to France is Carl Jenkinson. The summer signing was substituted after picking up a knock to his knee at the Stade Veledrome and is rated as ”highly unlikely” to play by his manager but the bulk of the Marseille match-winners are expected to retain their starting berths. However Gervinho and especially Aaron Ramsey have given Wenger food their thought after their impressive performances the last night after replacing disappointing duo, Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin.

The three-time Premier League champions are still without Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna for several months yet. However with the news of Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby being available for action in two weeks, things are finally looking up for Wenger as his side will continue to try and climb up the Premier League table after their horrible start.

Aaron Ramsey is a picture of relief after his late strike secured all three points against Marseille

Stoke City

Tony Pulis’ men sauntered through a relatively simple Europa League run-out as they beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 3-0 despite playing most of the match with just 10 men after Cameron Jerome’s dismissal. Despite his sending off, he will be in contention for the visit to the Emirates stadium. However with Kenwyne Jones, Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters also available for selection, it is difficult to know which two Pulis will choose up front for the occasion.

Rory Delap and Wilson Palacios were totally rested from continental duty midweek and they should be starting on Sunday. Stoke are only missing Ricardo Fuller through injury and are fortunate to have nobody suspended as they venture to London on Sunday quietly confident they can go back to their hometown with something.

A Jekyll and Hyde night for Cameron Jerome as he scores and gets sent off within the first 43 minutes

Arsenal v Stoke City Prediction

With both teams boasting solid form in the past few weeks, it will be difficult to call a winner in this game. However with the Gunners new-look defence finally starting to gel, boosted by the safe hands of Wojciech Szczęsny, they could be able to repel Stoke’s physical, aerial threat. If van Persie maintains his red-hot form up front, he could prove be the deciding factor as Arsenal are slight favourites to edge this match.

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The top two go head to head on Sunday when Manchester United take on neighbours and arch rivals City at Old Trafford, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have to be the call at odds-against.
 

Manchester Derby: The title decider?

Indeed it’s not often that United can be backed at 2.1 to win at home, but Boylesports and Victor Chandler go that price about the Red Devils bagging all three points in the Derby clash and regaining top spot in the league from Mancini’s men.
 
The stats are good as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have lost none of their last six games against the Citizens – winning five and drawing one.
 
United have also lost none of their last 25 league games at Old Trafford and have had by far the more testing fixtures of the two sides this season.
 
They have played -  and beaten – Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs and drew with Liverpool last week when Rooney was surprisingly left out of a defensive looking starting line-up.
 
City have only faced Spurs from last season’s top six and have so far had an easy run of games against inferior opposition. This will be the acid test for them
 
Michael Owen, who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League games against the Blues, may not figure in Ferguson’s starting line-up but given his record will surely make an appearance at some point and the 3.5 on offer with Victor Chandler about him scoring anytime looks attractive.
 
Predicting the score line is a really tough call as United have scored with a higher percentage of their shots than any other team in the Premier League (24%), while City are ranked second scoring with 20%.
 
That suggests that both sides could well find the back of the net, and United to win 2-1 is my idea of the outcome and that score line at 8.5 with bet365 and Victor Chandler.
 
 
There are two other games on Sunday that throw up some potentially interesting punts.
 

Arsenal v Stoke City: van Persie for the win!

The first features Arsenal who play host to Stoke at the Emirates, and are odds-on at 1.57 to win and continue their rise up the table after a poor start to the campaign.
 
The Gunners have won all three of their home matches against the Potters in the PL, and come into the game having won six of their last seven games at the Emirates in all competitions.
 
Stoke, on the other hand, have never excelled in away games against London clubs, winning three and losing 12 of their visits to the capital.
 
That makes Arsenal look “good things” to land the odds, but better value could lie in a couple of markets featuring their red-hot striker Robin van Persie.
 
The Dutchman’s double against Sunderland last weekend means that he has now scored 23  in 25 Premier League games in 2011, and it’s not hard to see him adding to that tally.
 
The red-hot striker is a 4.5 chance with Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Stan James to net the opener and that makes plenty of appeal.
 
However even better value surely has to be the even money (2) about him scoring anytime in the 90 minutes.
 
He is generally odds-on to do so and as short as 1.73 in a place. That makes the 2 on offer with Boylesports and Stan James look an absolute steal.
 
 

QPR vs Chelsea: The London derby, so to speak

Staying in London, Chelsea travel to near neighbours QPR and cannot be opposed at 1.4.
 
QPR are still awaiting their first home win in the Premier League this season and have won just one of the last 14 matches in all competitions against the Blues.
 
Neil Warnock’s side are difficult to predict as they have put in some good performances in beating Everton and Wolves away, but were woeful when hammered 4-0 by Bolton and 6-0 by Fulham.
 
By stark contrast, Chelsea are really beginning to find their stride and the decision by  Andre Villas-Boas to introduce fresh blood into his ageing squad is really beginning to pay dividends.
 
A 3-1 win over Everton was followed by a 5-0 romp against Genk in the Champions League and it’s impossible to see the Hoops being able to halt their winning run.
 
Chelsea have so far won all their five matches against teams in the bottom half of the league, and an in-form striker in Dean Sturridge who is now beginning to realise his full potential.
 
He has so far scored four goals in the PL means and looks worth a few quid at the 5.5 on offer with bet365 to net the opener.
 
Chelsea have now gone seven Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet for the first time since 2003, but this surely represents a chance to put things right.
 
They are 1.91 with bet365 not to concede, and that looks another good bet.
 

Liverpool vs Norwich: Three points for the Reds

On Saturday, Liverpool should prove too strong for Norwich in their clash at Anfield but at a top priced at 1.33 make little appeal from a punting perspective.
 
Kenny Dalglish’s side are now unbeaten in their last four, and sit just two points behind Newcastle in fifth spot in the league.
 
They will be eager to take over that coveted Champions League spot from the Magpies, and this is the type of encounter which they will surely win comfortably.
 
The visitors come into the game on the back of a 3-1 thrashing of Swansea and also have a number of key players missing through injury.
 
They will be without former England under-21 striker James Vaughan, ex-Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala, Elliot Ward, who are all suffering with knee injuries as well as centre-back Zak Whitbread will be absent with a pulled hamstring.
 
By stark contrast Liverpool don’t have any major injury worries, and with Stevie G pulling the strings in midfield should be able to create plenty of chances for Luiz Suarez and Andy Carroll.
 
However those two are plenty short enough in the first goals scorer market and the value bet has to be Charlie Adam at a standout 10 with bet365.
 
Adam is always a threat at set pieces, and is a short as 7 with many bookmakers to net first. The Stoke firm seem to have made a rick in pricing him up at 10 and he has to be worth an interest at those odds.

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Sky cameras are at Main Road on Saturday to see Manchester City take on Everton (12.45pm KO) and the bookmakers make the home side red hot favourites at 1.44 to bag all three points.

However the stats suggest that it may not be as clear cut as the odds suggest.

Everton beat Manchester City 2-1 in both encounters last season, and have won seven and lost one of their last eight Premier League games against Mancini’s mega-bucks men.They have also won their last four away games against the Citizens, and have made a solid start to their campaign despite all the financial problems at the club.

That makes the 8.5 on offer with Stan James and Victor Chandler look huge, and the Toffees look a tasty bet at that price to cause an upset.

Tim Cahill has opened the scoring in three of the last four games he has started against City, and is a 12 shot with bet365 and Paddy Power to repeat the dose.

City’s neighbours United travel to Stoke in a bid to extend their glorious winning streak, and news that Javier Hernandez is fit and available for action will not be welcomed by Potters fans.

United are general 1.53 shots to bag another 3 points, and that’s not surprising given that they have won all their six Premier League games against Stoke – conceding just two goals in the process.

Add to that the fact that they are unbeaten in five this campaign and have netted 21 goals in doing so and you can see why the bookies are running scared.

They are impossible to oppose and one bet that screams out value is the 2.3 on offer in the half time/full time market with bet365, Boylesports and Stan James.

Given how quickly Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns have been out of the blocks this season, odds against looks a cracking bet.

In stark contrast to United’s flying start, Arsenal have made their worst ever beginning to a Premiership campaign since the 1953-54 season.

Arsene Wenger’s men currently sit in 17th place in the table, and they play host to Bolton in what has become a must win game.

They are 1.44 to beat the Trotters, and the match looks a gilt edge opportunity for them to get their season back on track.

The Gunners have won nine and lost none of the 12 Premier League home games against Bolton, with Bolton’s last league win in north London coming back in January 1962.

Bolton have also conceded 13 goals in the opening five games of the season, and a back on song Arsenal attack would surely be able to wreak havoc among their defence.

Robin van Persie, who needs just two goals to reach his century for the Gunners, is the obvious one to net the opener and is a 4.2 chance with Victor Chandler.

Arsenal to win 2-0 or 2-1 is my idea of the outcome, and those scores can be backed at 7.5 with bet365 and Paddy Power, and 8.5 with bet365 respectively.

Finally a big win looks on the cards for Chelsea who take on Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

The Swans are finding life tough in the top flight, so it’s no surprise that the Blues are a top priced 1.2 to inflict even more misery on the Welsh side.

They have won just one of their last 8 games away from the Liberty Stadium, and given that Chelsea’s have won 8 and lost none of their last nine home games at The Bridge a wide margin victory to nil looks on the cards.

bet365 and Paddy Power both offer 1.91 about a clean sheet and a win for Chelsea and that looks better value than backing them in the outright market.

Chelsea to win 4-0 or 5-0 is my idea of the outcome. The former is a general 10 shot whilst the latter is available at 19 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News