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On a full midweek programme of Championship football this is undoubtedly the fixture that catches the eye from an entertainment perspective; two attacking teams in opposition with a couple of swashbuckling managers going head-to-head in the technical area. Both Blackpool and Leeds got their campaigns off to win-to-nil starts at the weekend, and in all honestly, both looked very solid defensively. Neil Warnock's United side restricted a pretty talented Wolves side to just a few clear cut chances, whilst Ian Holloway's Blackpool were rarely threatened away to Millwall. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at just 1.86 here, and that's understandable given the way that both these sides like to play. But early impressions - and I admit they are very early impressions - lead me to believe...

[b]The brightest stars in the Premier League were shining this weekend as the leading three found a way to win tricky fixtures, says Ralph Ellis.[/b] Okay, so we all know it's a squad game these days, there's no 'I' in team, and all that sort of stuff. But one thing that doesn't change is that in every football side there is one key player. It's true of your Sunday pub team. Be honest. There's one bloke you hope will be there every week, come rain, shine, or mother-in-law's Christmas get together. And whatever the manager might try to claim it's true of every club in the Premier League too. If you can identify that player, then checking the team news to discover he's missing can give your betting a real edge. For instance Darren Bent was out injured from Aston Villa's dismal ...

[b]Andrew Atherley roots through the statistics to bring you a trio of suggested bets in the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League relegation market...[/b] Almost every season the Premier League relegation market is headed by the three promoted teams and this season is no exception, with [b]Swansea[/b] favourites at 1.67, [b]Norwich[/b] next at 1.88 and then [b]QPR[/b] at 2.78. But almost every season the market is confounded, with the promoted teams often performing better than expected. Just once have all three newcomers been relegated in the 16 seasons since the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams, with one or none being relegated in 10 of those 16 seasons. That indicates we should expect at least one of the promoted teams to stay up - you have to go back 14 seasons to find the...

Arsenal's first-team squad return to training this Monday but with question marks over several key players' futures and no major acquisitions occurring so far, the way they will line up for their opening Premier League fixture away at Newcastle remains something of a mystery. Sky Sports are focussing on the prospect of Monday's pre-season session being one of the last at the London Colney training ground for the likes of Cesc Fabregas [1.34 to leave] and Samir Nasri [1.57], though having spent plenty of time speculating over that, it is time to look at potential new arrivals. The Daily Mirror claim that Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Wolves striker Kevin Doyle and is ready to offer £12 million for the Republic of Ireland international, who impressed the Gunners boss when he ...

It was as if the season had never even happened. West Ham, Wigan and Wolves in the relegation places, right where they started as the alphabetized league, before a ball had been kicked, intended. Recently Wolves have spoiled the fun rather for those wanting to see the three Ws go down for witty repartee - www.financialoblivion.com a starter for ten. For those who are not a fan of those three clubs or Blackpool and have yet to stake their hard earned on the relegation outcome, it is, of course, no laughing matter. Certainly in the case of West Ham and Wigan, if they fall through the trap door they will more than bruise their pride when they land in the Championship. West Ham believe relegation would cost them £40m that they just don't have. Wigan are in debt to the tune of £50m. When...

[b]Not everybody is looking forward to spring... Andrew Clarke assesses the relegation markets and explains why a close look at the fixtures lists should inform your betting on battle to avoid the drop.[/b] One of the most interesting markets in this most unpredictable of Premier League seasons has to be that of relegation. Traditionally the number of points needed to avoid the drop has been set at 40 but no club has needed that many since 2002/3 when West Ham went down with 42. But the signs are that this term the tally will be on the up again, mainly because no side is already doomed. No side in the bottom half of the table is safe yet, but at this time of year momentum is key so recent form needs to be looked at. By that rationale Fulham and Aston Villa in 12th and 15th respectively...