Premiership & Championship Preview

This article is pretty old and relates to the 2005 Championship. If you are looking for 2006/2007 Championship Preview information click on the link.With just one game left for all the promotion chasing sides in the Championship, we've had a look at Sunday's key matches, as well as the pick of this weekend's Premiership games.Anything can happen at this stage of the season, so it's an ideal time to have a bet on the action. Sporting Index is running a number of spread betting markets on every game and offer punters an interesting addition to the usual fixed odds offerings. New clients can claim a free £200 per Goal Football Bet** or £100 cash**, so if you're tempted to open an account* read on for our opinion on the crunch matches.Palace v SouthamptonThere will be huge pressure on both sides, and at this late stage recent form may well be irrelevant. Sporting Index have priced Palace up as favourites to win by a margin of 0.1 to 0.3 goals, and I think this game has the potential for plenty of goals. Palace have tightened up at the back and did very well to keep a clean sheet at Newcastle. On the other hand, Southampton always look like conceding and much will hinge on the performance of Niemi. However, even if he has a great game, I can't see the Saints keeping Andy Johnson at bay. Arsenal v LiverpoolLiverpool haven't played particularly well after Champions League matches, and if Everton beat Newcastle the day before, the race for fourth place will almost certainly be over. Benitez is expected to recall Alonso and Morientes, and the Gunners will be missing Henry, Ljungberg and Campbell again. However, Arsenal are in a rich vein of form, and are unbeaten since the beginning of February. Sporting Index have made them favourites to win by a margin of 0.8 to 1.0 goals, and I would expect that a few punters will bet 'high' on that prediction. Van Persie is one to watch as he's playing for a place in the FA Cup final - you've got to fancy him to have a productive afternoon, especially if up against Pellegrino.As for the other key Premiership matches, Everton are favourites to beat Newcastle by a margin of 0.5 to 0.7 goals. However, the Toffees were very poor at Fulham and I think they're feeling the pressure. If I was having a punt on this one, I'd be tempted to go with the visitors and bet 'low'. Looking elsewhere, Sporting Index have made Bolton favourites to win by 0.0 to 0.2 goals away at Portsmouth. However this is Pompey's last home match so they should put up a decent fight. Expect a draw.Championship Round-upIn the Championship, neither Wigan nor Reading are playing well at the moment. A draw is no good for either team so expect them both to go on the attack when they meet at the JJB Stadium. I think we'll see a few goals as a result and Sporting Index have made Wigan favourites to win by 0.5 to 0.7 goals.Ipswich should have far too much class for Brighton, so they're predicting an away victory by a margin of 0.8 to 1.0 goals. With Joe Royle's side scoring for fun, it could well be worth betting 'high' at 1 goal. Derby v Preston is more difficult to call because the visitors have already made the play-offs. With Preston likely to rest key players, and Derby's defence looking very suspect, I expect a few goals. Sporting Index are predicting that the home side will win by a margin 0.3 to 0.5 goals. Finally, West Ham must win at Watford but must do so without Sheringham. They were awful at Sunderland last week but are slight favourites against a Watford side with nothing to play for.Free £200 Football Bet**Open a Sporting Index account* and place ten bets (risking £20 per bet) to claim a free £200 per goal football bet.**If that doesn't grab you, then you can always claim £100 cash (after 10 bets as above).***Credit and suitability checks, **terms and conditions apply. See site for further details about an account with Sporting Index. Sports spread betting involves a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original stake. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure that you understand the risks involved and only bet with money you can afford to lose. Sporting Index is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.