Weekend Premiership games (11th/12th November)

The game of the week in the Premiership sees Arsenal host Liverpool - the team that can't win at home against the team that can't win away! Arsenal have held the edge in their home games against Liverpool over recent Premiership years, but Highbury seem miles away for the Gunners with only league wins against Watford and Sheffield United gracing the Emirates turf so far this season. Benitez's side have been even worse on their away trips to date, although the fixture calendar has not been overly kind to the Reds, who have lost at Man Utd, Bolton, Chelsea and Everton since their opening day point at Bramall Lane. A draw looks the best value here, though; a best priced 9/4 with SportingoddsAfter manager Alan Pardew's bust-up on Bonfire night with Arsene Wenger, West Ham's back-to-back victories in the Premiership appear to have gone relatively unnoticed by some bookmakers. Sporting Odds are offering 5/2 on the Hammers leaving Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium with 3 points in the bag. Boro's home form is inconsistent to say the least. Gareth Southgate's team were woeful at Watford last weekend and the inexperienced manager will have his work cut out this week to pick his players up sufficiently to overcome West Ham. The City of Manchester Stadium plays host to a pre-Christmas six-pointer as Newcastle make the trip down the A1 in a game neither manager can afford to lose. Glenn Roeder reportedly gave his side an ear bashing after last weekend's shocker against Sheffield United, which has left the Toon just one spot from the foot of the Premiership table. Stuart Pearce is under pressure too - City have not won in five and last week's defeat at lowly Charlton meaning this is a must win game for both outfits. Expect Glenn Roeder's roasting to have some impact as Newcastle aim to stop the rot, but anything more than a draw, available at 9/4 with Coral, would be surprising, given the Geordies go into the game with only youngster Giuseppe Rossi fully fit up front. Antoine Sibierski is aiming to be fit to partner him against his former side. If he makes it, don't be surprised to see him hit the back of the net - 10/3 to score anytime with VCBet.Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:45 Man City (11/10) Draw (9/4) Newcastle (11/4) 15:00 Chelsea (1/6) Draw (6/1) Watford (22/1) 15:00 Everton (11/10) Draw (9/4) Aston Villa (37/13) 15:00 Middlesbrough (5/4) Draw (23/10) West Ham (5/2) 15:00 Portsmouth (5/6) Draw (12/5) Fulham (7/2) 15:00 Wigan (18/19) Draw (23/10) Charlton (3/1) 17:15 Blackburn (21/4) Draw (45/17) Man Utd (8/13) Sun Nov 12, 2006 13:30 Reading (11/5) Draw (9/4) Tottenham (13/10) 16:00 Arsenal (11/10) Draw (9/4) Liverpool (14/5) Odds from Paddypower.com