Feb 4: English Betting Preview

CHELSEA lost out on Celtic pair Moussa Dembele and Craig Gordon on deadline day but did win a vital point at Liverpool.

The draw, which would have been a victory if Diego Costa had potted a late penalty, left the Blues nine points ahead of Spurs and Arsenal.

Antonio Conte would have been disappointed with his striker's miss but pleased when he saw Spurs had drawn at Sunderland and Arsenal beaten at home to Watford.

The Gunners head for Stamford Bridge today on a low and I can't see anything but a home win at evens with William Hill.

Chelsea have won five of the last six meetings in front of their own fans – including three 2-0s and a 6-0.

To win to nil the Blues are 13-5 at 188BET and a 2-0 success pays 10-1 at William Hill.

Costa is 18-5 to make amends for his spot-kick boob by scoring first.

Liverpool avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat and now hit the road to Hull.

This is a different side to the one that struggled so badly under Mike Phelan. Mario Silva has come in and enjoyed a league win against Bournemouth and EFL Cup victory against Man Utd followed by a midweek league draw at Old Trafford.

Liverpool could welcome back Sadio Mane but they are unbackable at 1-2 with Stan James. The value here looks to be with Hull who have become tough to beat.

It's a big leap of faith to back them at 13-2 with McBookie but I like Hull not to lose at 2-1 with bet365.

Spurs are also short at a biggest 3-10 with Stan James but should be a safe bet at home to Middlesbrough.

Bournemouth are falling faster than Arjen Robben and could be dragged into a relegation scrap. Eddie Howe's men have lost nine of their last 11 and striker Callum Wilson is out for the season.

They travel to an Everton side with one defeat in seven and I fancy the Toffees at 3-4 at Betfred.

Crystal Palace face a massive match against Sunderland and Sam Allardyce's side will be confident after a first league win under the ex-England boss at Bournemouth.

Home advantage should see Palace through here and likely lift them out the drop zone. They are 3-5 at bet365.

In the Championship the big game is Newcastle v Derby and I'm reluctant to back the home at 5-6 with McBookie.

Rafa Benitez's men were held 2-2 by QPR in midweek and are missing top scorer Marcus Gayle.

Steve McClaren returns to the club where he had a disastrous spell but has reinvented himself in a second spell at Derby with three wins from four lifting them into a play-off spot. Derby are 21-20 with bet365 to avoid defeat.

One man in form is Matt Ritchie with four goals in five games and the Scotland midfielder is 11-4 at 888sport to strike again.

Paul Lambert's Wolves followed their FA Cup success at Anfield by beating Ipswich 3-0 away. They can make it three in row at lowly Burton and are 34-25 at Marathonbet.

In League One best bets are Bury at Shrewsbury. After a run of 12 defeats in a row at the end of last year they are now unbeaten in three including a 5-1 win against Peterborough and 3-3 draw with Walsall.

If you don't want to back them at 2-1 with Betfred try over 2.5 match goals at 19-20 with 188BET. Their last five have gone over 3.5 and that pays 23-10 at McBookie.

Best bets in League Two are Doncaster at home Morecambe and Exeter at home to Crewe.

Bets to Consider

Chelsea

Hull not to lose

Derby not to lose

Ritchie to score

Everton/C Palace double

Shrewsbury v Bury over 3.5 goals

Doncaster/Exeter double

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