Championship betting, Burnley - Peterborough

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Burnley are in a great shape recently and all of sudden, they’re just three points from a play-off zone. They have only one defeat out of last seven in league (it came at Elland Road with 10 men) and in all other games they kept a clean sheet. They’ve also conceded only one goal in last five games at Turf Moor.

Posh are in the opposite trend. They’re winless in last five, scored only three goals in those, have noticed three straight defeats and don’t have away win against top-half sides.

Usually hate to bet on any game when Posh are involved, but this looks too tempting...

Bet: Burnley -0.75
Odd: 1.97 (188bet)
Stake: 7/10
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Tuesday brought a profit

Tottenham 2 - 0 Fulham

Tottenham reignited their push for a top-four spot with a clinical victory over Fulham at White Hart Lane.
The hosts, searching for a first league win since December, took the lead when Peter Crouch capitalised on some poor defending to clip in from close range. 
And David Bentley made the most of a rare Tottenham start when his free-kick was deflected home on the hour mark. 
The Cottagers offered little in attack, though Bobby Zamora brought a brave save out of Heurelho Gomes early on. 
However, the victory was all too comfortable for a Tottenham side that rarely had to get out of third gear as the hosts kept hold of fourth spot in the league, three points ahead of Liverpool, who were held to a goalless draw by Wolves. 
It was a far from fluent victory for Spurs, though, who have lost an element of attacking swagger of late with winger Aaron Lennon injured. 
But they had far too much for a Fulham side whose performances away from Craven Cottage could hardly be more of a contrast with their impressive home form. 
With just one league win on their travels all season, Fulham's gameplan was clearly to keep things tight early on - and they were grateful to Mark Schwarzer's smart low stop from Tom Huddlestone's drive in the first minute amid a typically sharp start from the hosts.
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Bolton 1 - 0 Burnley

Owen Coyle was subjected to a barrage of abuse from the Burnley fans who once idolised him - but his discomfort was eased as Bolton secured a vital victory that sent his former club into the Premier League's bottom three.
Coyle was the hero of Turf Moor less than a month ago after guiding them to the top-flight, but his defection to nearby Bolton has soured the relationship forever and he received a fiercely hostile reception from 5,000 travelling fans inside The Reebok stadium. 
Bolton answered the taunts aimed at their new boss by giving him his first league win as Chung-Yong Lee's goal, scored off the underside of the bar after 35 minutes, secured a crucial three points to leave Coyle's Turf Moor successor Brian Laws still searching for his first victory. 606: 
The Burnley supporters made their feelings clear about their one-time manager even before kick-off, with chants of "Judas" and a succession of banners - none of them flattering. One read "Never Forgotten Never Forgiven" and another was laced with Monty Python humour with the message "He's Not The Messiah. He's A Very Naughty Boy." 
Coyle emerged to a dazzle of flashlights from cameramen gathered around his technical area - then kept a low profile as Bolton went about the main business of securing the result that moved them out of the relegation places at Burnley's expense. 
And it was a win Coyle's side deserved as they achieved their first clean sheet in the league this season and left Burnley with only one point from a possible 36 on their travels. 
Coyle, perhaps unwisely, ventured on to the pitch at the final whistle to sympathise with his beaten former players and applaud the Burnley fans - to suggest the gesture was not appreciated is a masterpiece of understatement. 
Bolton created the better opportunities, while Burnley failed to make the most of any possession they enjoyed, their plans admittedly not helped by the early loss of Chris McCann and Graham Alexander to injury. 
It was clear long before the start that Coyle would be on the receiving end of a fearsome reception from a welcoming committee of away fans packed into one end of The Reebok Stadium intent on venting their fury. And so it proved.
www.bbc.co.uk

Everton - Burnley

For Toffees this season so far looks like endless nightmare. Instead a battle for Europe, Everton hold 14^th place with 19 points from past 18 games. Although injury crisis has been shaking the club from the start and they had to play huge number of games, this season is under all expectations and even Moyes’ job isn’t safe anymore. Everton haven’t noticed a win in seven league games (last time vs. West Ham, away 1-0) and they’re without a win in six games at Goodison. Despite bad results, they have been putting a decent display lately, dressing room atmosphere is still high – players believe in better days, just need a first win to turn the corner. But, Moyes continues to have defensive problems, with Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo still not fit enough to return. Skipper Phil Neville could make his return after three months out with a knee injury. 

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After excellent start of the season, newcomers from Turf Moor felt in the crisis of results. They’re in the winless run of seven league games and hold 13^th place (one point more than today’s opponent). On the road have taken just a single point from nine games (Man.City 3-3)! But, as Everton they’re performances are also above the results. In last two games on the road (two 0-2 defeats) were a little bit unlucky to get something from it. Against Pompey created plenty of real goal chances, but didn’t score, while vs. Wolves were short for a clear penalty kick and also missed few very good chances. Their main problem is attractive and offensive style of play that has brought some results at home, but on the road causes defense has been leaking too much goals. Manager Owen Coyle also has big defensive worries, as pair of central defenders, Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell, missed the 1-1 draw against Bolton with groin strains and their appearance is in doubt. 

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This game looks like to be, or not to be for a home side. They desperately need a win and will host a team which has 8 defeats from 9 away games. On the other hand, Toffees still have lots of problems in back line with injuries. Neville is maybe fit but lacks in competitive games and his return could even cause additional problems behind. Burnley won’t defend, surely can score and make this game more interesting. I expect an open game, fight till the last minute and goals. Betfair offer 2.00, Pinnacle 1.94. Over.

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weird results

Burnley 1 - 1 Bolton

Bolton remain in the relegation zone as Burnley fought back to earn a draw in a spirited Lancashire derby at Turf Moor.
After Steven Fletcher had missed a golden chance for the home side Matt Taylor deservedly put Wanderers ahead with a stunning 25-yard free-kick. 
Both sides hit the woodwork, before Bolton's run of failing to keep a clean sheet since May continued when David Nugent headed in Wade Elliott's cross. 
There were chances at both ends in a tense finish to an entertaining match. 
So Burnley are still without a league win over Bolton since the teams met in the old fourth division in 1987. 
More significantly for their first top flight campaign in 33 years the Clarets are now without a Premier League victory in eight matches. 
The strong home record, which had yielded 18 of their 19 points prior to this fixture and seen only Wigan triumph at Turf Moor this term, will be tested in contrasting fashion by Stoke and Chelsea during January.
On a bright, crisp afternoon with snow atop the hills beyond there were several unenviable records on show for both teams and Burnley must have feared the worst at the interval, having lost all seven games in which they had trailed at the break.
Bolton, in addition to their defensive frailties - the run of games without leaking a league goal stretching to 19 matches - are yet to win after conceding the first goal and it was Gary Megson's team who made the stronger start.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle:
"On the balance of the match I felt we were in control. 
"We should have been in front but found ourselves behind to an exquisite free-kick - if it was a free-kick, but Mr Foy thought it was. 
"I asked them to raise their game and I felt we fully deserved three points. 
"I felt when we scored we were going to go on to win but Jaaskelainen is a quality keeper and always has been and he showed it." 
Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"Before the game I would have been satisfied with a point given the home record Burnley have and some of the teams they have beaten. 
"But we were 1-0 up, way on top and had most of the chances and were disappointed not to be more than one up. 
"In the second half they were much stronger but if we'd taken the chance at 1-0 I don't know if they would have come back from that. 
"We rode our luck in the second half and a draw is a fair result for both teams."
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Cardiff 0 - 1 Plymouth
Bottom club Plymouth stunned promotion-chasing Cardiff with a smash-and-grab raid at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Gary Sawyer struck six minutes from time with a deflected effort after Paul Quinn's poor clearance. 
Cardiff had chances to take all three points but missed chances through Peter Whittingham, Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd and Joe Ledley late on. 
Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu also denied Mark Hudson's header as the visitors ended a run of five defeats. 
It was new boss Paul Mariner's first win in his third game in charge and his side's first goal in over 500 minutes of football. 
Cardiff keeper David Marshall had no chance with the goal though after Sawyer's shot deflected off Hudson. 
He did also keep Cardiff in it in the first half denying Alan Judge, but was the quieter of the two keepers as Cardiff blew the chance to close the gap on the Championship's top two. 
Frenchman Larrieu turned Hudson's header over the bar and then sent Whittingham's 20-yard effort to safety. 
Bothroyd then narrowly put the ball over the bar from inside the box before Chopra wasted a good chance. 
Cardiff piled on further pressure after Sawyer's goal, but Ledley drove just wide from 12 yards as Plymouth held on for a vital win as they climbed off the bottom and attempt to reach Championship safety. 
Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"These are the type of games you have to see out and we had the chances to do that yet we never showed the creativity we are capable of and we have been caught by a sucker punch. 
"This division is a difficult one but we should still have been good enough to win and it is very disappointing to lose a game like this. 
"You could see it coming and three individual errors led to the goal. They were waiting for one opportunity and when it came they took it. 
Plymouth manager Paul Mariner:
"We worked very hard for that result but the signs have been there for a couple of weeks. 
"The players want to get this club out of the mess we are in and we knew we would get a resilient performance from them but three points is a wonderful result. 
"To keep a clean sheet against such a high powered attacking force as Cardiff have is a magnificent effort. 
"We haven't scored for a long time but you have to go back to the basics and that is what we have done today."
www.bbc.co.uk

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Btw. my Premier League prediction ended with six correct picks out of eight! Cheers to those who followed.

Burnley - Bolton

The Clarets are typical home team. Owen Coyle is forcing attractive style of play that is really nice to watch and it has been bringing good results at their home Turf Moor. They have just one home defeat (Wigan 1-3), while all three draws (in last three rounds) came from the games against top Premier sides Aston Villa and Arsenal and Fulham. In last round, they were defeated on the road against Wolves (0-2), but put a decent display and if they didn’t stay short for a penalty kick result probably would be different. However, this game for Burnley has the highest importance, lads had a training session instead Christmas celebration and I think they’re paying much more attention to this game, than to Monday’s trip to Goodison Park. Two central defenders, Steven Caldwell and Clarke, picked up groin problems in the defeat to Wolves (Caldwell is closer to appear), while another defender Tyrone Mears should be fit despite incurring a head injury in that game.

 

Bolton ended a run of five competitive defeats in six games with two excellent results. First stopped Man.City at home (3-3), then also at home defeated West Ham (3-1). Despite collected four points, Trotters stayed under the rellegation line and it seems Gary Megson has been pulling the maximum from the players who, I think it is fair to say, lack in quality and Bolton seem as a serious contender for moving down to Championship. Also, they have maybe more important game at Monday, when will host Hull City. On the road their defense line looks shaky, especially for crosses and set pieces which could mean Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles will run the riot. Wanderers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 league games. However, key midfielder Fabrice Muamba is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the win over West Ham, while his fellow midfielder Gavin McCann will miss out for the third successive game with an ankle injury.

 

Despite not so good results lately (seven games without a win), Burnley’s performances look decent and at home already defeated much stronger sides than Bolton are. Visitors made two excellent results at home, but I can’t imagine them making third and winning at Turf Moor. Just because the fact Burnley noticed three consecutive home draws and three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in draws, I’ll chose dnb option instead home win that should be considered as a gamble.

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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is considering a £3m move for Aston Villa's 25-year-old midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker in the January transfer window. (Daily Mirror) 
Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio, 21, is a target of Manchester United, according to the player's agent. United are keen to recruit a new keeper, with Edwin van der Sar set to retire at the end of the season. (The Sun) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is resigned to losing Franco Di Santo in January. The 20-year-old Argentine striker is on loan at Ewood Park from Chelsea and Allardyce expects the Blues, who have been hit with a transfer ban, to recall their player. (Daily Star) 
Arsenal's Mexican striker Carlos Vela is a shock transfer target for Spanish side Xerez. The 20-year-old fears he could miss next year's World Cup unless he earns a regular starting place. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is ready to return to Champions League action for the Blues against Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus on Wednesday. Fellow midfielders Michael Ballack and Jon Mikel Obi are out injured, so Cole is set to make only his second start in 10 months after a knee injury. (The Sun) 
Roy Keane has conceded that he will be sacked as Ipswich manager if he does not improve results on the pitch. Town are second from bottom in the Championship and are without a win in their opening nine league games - the worst start to a season in the club's history.(The Sun) 
Fulham winger Damien Duff's calf injury is not as bad as first feared. The 30-year-old limped out of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal after only nine minutes and will miss Thursday's Europa League match with Basel. However, he is expected to be fit for the visit of Roma on 22 October. (Daily Express)

AND FINALLY

Burnley fan Jason Taylor is being forced to travel 50 miles to watch his team play Blackburn next month, despite living round the corner from Rovers' Ewood Park ground. Clarets fans have been told that they must report to Turf Moor four hours before kick-off and travel the 13 miles to Blackburn by coach. After the game, the transport then returns them to Turf Moor. The move comes in the wake of recent crowd trouble at the derby game between West Ham and Millwall at Upton Park. (The Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk