EPL Weekend Bets

Wigan v Manchester Utd

English Premier League
Sunday, 3pm (UK time)

Manchester United can win the Premier League title with victory at Wigan on Sunday. However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men know any slip-up would probably be fatal, as Chelsea play Bolton in what is surely a three-point banker for the home side.

But this last fixture of the season will certainly be no cakewalk for the champions. Wigan have been revitalised since manager Steve Bruce took the reins and last weekend’s superb 2-0 win at Aston Villa has secured their top-flight status with a game to spare. Wigan are unbeaten in their last seven home games and haven’t lost in their last five games anywhere. So they will be no pushover.

Moreover, Wigan are now unbeaten in their last three meetings against Big Four clubs, drawing with Liverpool (1-1 away), Arsenal (1-1 home) and most impressively Chelsea (1-1 away) this term.

Despite having won just two of their last five league games (and haven’t won away in their last three), United’s record at the struggling sides (ie below 12th in the league) this season is highly impressive. Their away record against these teams reads: P8, W6, D1, L1.

It should also be noted that United have won all five of their previous league encounters with Wigan since their promotion to the Premiership in 2005.
So, with the title at stake here there doesn’t seem much point in opposing United but with match odds of 1/4 we’re not going to get rich and there is better value elsewhere.

Recommended Bets

1pt on Draw/Man Utd in the Half-Time/Full-Time market

1pt on Cristiano Ronaldo to score first at 11/4



Chelsea v Bolton
English Premier League
Sunday, 3pm (UK time)

Chelsea have to keep up their end of the bargain by beating Bolton to force Manchester United into a result at Wigan. The bookies have this down as a no-brainer and go a best-priced 1/6 on another three points for Chelsea.

But there are a couple of warning signs for anyone looking to put their mortgage on a home win. Bolton’s record at Stamford Bridge in recent years has been one of the best in the league. Since 2003, it reads: P4, W1, D2, L1, F7, A10. And they come to west London in pretty good nick, having won three of their last four games to ensure survival when it looked like they were slipping through the trap door in March.

However, as with the Wigan vs United game, psychology enters this game more than any other time in the season. Bolton’s win over Sunderland last weekend was the worst possible result for Man Utd as barring a mathematical miracle, Bolton are safe from relegation and the players are probably thinking of their summer holidays rather than one last meaningless league game.

Perhaps the best way to find value in this match is to bet on some likely scorelines involving a Chelsea keeping a clean sheet.

Recommended Bets

1pt on Chelsea to win 2-0 at 11/2
1pt on Chelsea to win 3-0 at 13/2