The Trots could hamper Ancelotti - Betting News with Betfred

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It has been a long time since Chelsea have won two games on the bounce in the Premier League, and there is no tougher place to travel to than Bolton Wanderers as they seek to end this slump live on Sky on Monday night.

The Blues have had a high-profile period of struggle in recent months with only two wins out of their last ten in the Premier League. Carlo Ancelotti's side have shown signs of recovery after thrashing Ipswich in the FA Cup and then beating Blackburn last weekend, and the Premier League betting indicates that they are are still in with a chance of landing the title. Betfred currently make Chelsea fourth favourites at 15/2 to lift English football's biggest domestic prize.

The West London side go searching for their first back-to-back Premier League wins since October, when they travel to the Reebok Stadium to take on a Bolton side riding high in the table. The Trotters have only suffered one defeat at home all season, but Ancelotti's men are a short priced 8/13 to take all the points on Monday evening, to keep them in the title hunt.

Chelsea fans will be anxious to learn of the extent of the injury Frank Lampard sustained in training in midweek, and there is no sign of a return to first team action for either Alex or Zhirkov. However confidence in the Chelsea ranks should still be high, as they look to do 'the double' over a Bolton side they beat 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in December.

Bolton have not had the strongest form in recent weeks, with only one win in their last six, but there is no doubting the dangers Owen Coyle's side posses, especially considering some of the football they have played so far this season, and the football odds make them a generous 5/1 with home advantage, to heap more misery on the visitors.

The Trotters have signed David Wheater this week and he could be in contention to make his first start against Chelsea, where he would come up against a Blues forward line that has not been firing on all cylinders recently.

Chelsea know they cannot afford to lose any more games if they want to remain in the Premier League title hunt and they will need to rise to the challenge that will be posed to them by a strong and resolute Bolton side.

My Tip of the Weekend:

As already mentioned Bolton have only lost once at the Reebok Stadium all season and that record will remain intact as this game will be a draw, which is an 11/4 shot.
If you fancy that the game will end 1-1, that is 6/1 with Betfred.
Kevin Davies is a handful for any defence and at 8/1 to open the scoring, he would be a decent shout.

Monday 24th January: Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Back Wayne Rooney to crush Algeria - World Cup Betting News with Betfred

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Following England's horror show against the USA, someone needs to step up and carry the flag for the Three Lions and could that man be Wayne Rooney.

Fabio Capello's men face a crucial match against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday.



The World Cup odds make them 2/9 to win the game, while the draw is 11/2 with Betfred and, according to team-mate Matthew Upson, Rooney is the man to fire England to victory.



Upson, who hopes to replace the injured Ledley King in the heart of England's defence, has seen Rooney in training over recent weeks and is confident the goals will come for the Manchester United forward.



Rooney has scored only once in eight internationals over the past year, but remains a 12/1 shot in the World Cup 2010 betting to win the Golden Boot. However, if he wants to be top scorer he will need to start finding the back of the net, starting on Friday.



Upson claimed that despite Rooney's recent disappointing international scoring record, there is no need for the striker to panic and "start thinking" about the problem.



"It will happen. Wayne's movement is great. He is a class player and he is totally gifted," the West Ham defender said.



"He just needs to relax, play his game and the goals will come because he is top draw."



England fans could have received a great boost with the confirmation from Capello that Gareth Barry is back from injury and will start the Algeria clash.



The balance of the England side had looked a little off during the draw with the USA, but the return of Barry could give Frank Lampard more chance to push forward which means 7/4 for him to score at anytime could be a good bet.



My Tip of the Weekend:



England should rediscover their goalscoring boots against a sloppy looking Algeria side, so the 3-0 at 13/2 with Betfred is my pick. Over 2.5 goals also looks attractive at 4/5.



Remaining Group C games:



Slovenia v USA - Friday 18th June, kick-off 3pm, live on the BBC.

England v Algeria - Friday 18th June, kick-off 7.30pm, live on ITV.

England v Slovenia - Wednesday 23rd June, kick-off 3pm, live on the BBC.

USA v Algeria - Wednesday 23rd June, kick-off 3pm, live on the BBC.



By Drew Swainston

(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

It's Crunch Time In The Premier League - Betting News with Betfred

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The last weekend of the season looms and the Premier League title is on the line, so at least we all have one exciting last hurrah before contemplating another summer waiting for the domestic football to return - at least there's the 2010 Football World Cup to tide us over.

Obviously all eyes are going to be focused on Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this Sunday as title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United face Wigan and Stoke respectively.

If Chelsea can beat the Latics then the title is theirs, and the football odds make them massive 1/10 favourites to win the match. Wigan, on the other hand are 25/1 shots to spring a surprise.

A shock slip-up by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge means a United victory over Stoke would see the trophy remain at Old Trafford, but Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard feels Chelsea are going into this vital game with great momentum.

"There is still another game to go but we are in a good position. If you are going to win titles you are going to have these moments," he said.

The England midfielder has been instrumental yet again for Chelsea this season so there would be no surprises if he got on the scoresheet to help win the Premier League title for Chelsea - he can be backed to score first at 3/1 with Betfred.

It is important to note that in the case of a surprise Chelsea defeat, nothing but a United win will suffice, as a draw at Old Trafford will still hand the title to Carlo Ancelotti's side on goal difference.

However, as this game should be a walk in the park for Chelsea the real betting value lies elsewhere this weekend, specifically at Old Traford where Manchester United could buckle under the strain of a long season.


My Tip Of The Weekend:
Although Sir Alex Ferguson's sides are renowned for achieving the impossible, the current crop have looked fragile at times this season, particularly in defence. I think the pressure could get to United, and they are playing a tough no-nonsense Stoke outfit, so Betfred's 13/2 for a draw at Old Trafford looks the value bet of the day.

Chelsea v Wigan - Sunday 9th May, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.
Man Utd v Stoke - Sunday 9th May, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 3.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)