Weekend Premiership Picks

Saturday's value football betting

The Euro Qualifiers offered little in the way of return over the past week. Sweden looked good things for a back bet against Denmark but could only manage a 0-0 draw. England suddenly look like a well balanced team and Scotland were magic in Paris, defended heroically and scored a great goal to take the points at 9/1 (10.0) or more.

I have never liked international football as a betting medium. Euro 2004 and the African Nations are two tournaments which hold particularly bad memories from a punting perspective.

Looking at profit and loss over a six year period consistent gains have been made at domestic and European club level but losses (overall) have been incurred across International qualifiers and tournaments. This is closely correlated with lack of a form guide in these types of matches and illustrates why it is important to keep records of your betting so you can eliminate value destroying activity.

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Remember with betting exchanges such as Betfair you can BACK and/or LAY any selection and choose the price/odds you want to take. With all of the following match bets you are attempting to create the market rather than follow it. Simply taking the first price you see on Betfair will most likely mean poor value as a 'backer' or 'layer'. Post your price(s) and if there are no takers that's fine. Remember, value is key, whatever side of the bet you are on.

Odds displayed in decimal format, click here for odds conversion.

If you have any comments on the selections below please feel free to add a comment.

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Saturday's Premiership picks...

Odds in brackets denote current price on Betfair.

Barclays Premiership

Birmingham v LAY Bolton 3.0 (3.1)

LAY Chelsea 1.40 (1.44) v Blackburn

Everton v LAY Manchester United 1.83 (1.89)

Portsmouth v BACK Liverpool 1.86 (1.81)

Sunderland v LAY Reading 3.2 (3.3)

Tottenham v LAY Arsenal 2.62 (2.64)

West Ham v LAY Middlesboro 4.0 (4.3)

LAY Wigan 2.2 (2.24) v Fulham

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Notes & Explanation: Try and get as near as possible to these prices. If the market isn't close to these levels on the BACK or LAY side be patient or adjust to a level you are comfortable with. When you 'LAY' a selection, you are betting against it winning. For example, if you're betting in the Chelsea v Blackburn market and you lay Chelsea, you offer odds to other punters who wish to back Chelsea. In this instance as near to 1.40 (2/5) as you can get. If Chelsea don't win, then you pick up the backer's stake minus commission. If Chelsea win, then you pay out.

For a beginners guide to Betting Exchanges and Fixed odds betting, visit top5bet.com

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Other Bookmakers to have in your locker to ensure best price action

VCBet - Best price about the Middlesboro win at 3/1 (4.0) - Away v West Ham

Bet 365 - Best price about an Everton win at 7/2 (4.5) - Home v Man United

Blue Square - No best prices in the Premiership

Tote - Best price about a Liverpool win at 4/5 (1.80) - Away v Portsmouth

Paddy Power - Best price about a Wigan win 6/5 (1.20) - Home v Fulham

Skybet - Best price about the West Ham win Evens (2.0) - Home v Middlesboro

Betfred - Best price about the Newcastle win 10/11 (1.90) - Away v Derby

Coral - No best prices in the Premiership

William Hill - Joint best price about the Newcastle win 10/11 (1.90) - Away v Derby

Ladbrokes - Best price about Man United win at 5/6 (1.83) - Away v Everton

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Try posting your own odds on the following top five football markets.

Register with Betfair or click on a market below.

- Football Match Odds

- Correct Score Football Odds

- Half time - Full time Football Odds

- Over/Under 2.5 Football Odds

- First Goal Scorer Odds