Five Betting Pointers: Hull and Villa in free fall after defeats

Bruce and Lambert have big problems

Chelsea hold off City to all but confirm their title, Arsenal continue their climb up the table but two Premier League bosses have reasons to be very worried. Max Liu selects five betting pointers from the weekend action. 

1) This could be the season when Villa go down

Never mind Katy Perry, they used to have real music at the Super Bowl, as in 2008 when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rocked the half-time show. The Floridians' anthem "Free Falling" should be ringing in the ears of Paul Lambert today after Aston Villa were trounced 5-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates. Winless in their last eight matches, they're 3.65n/afor relegation . Villa have been here before but, as the likes of Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday know, "big clubs" can only flirt with relegation for so long before being pulled in to the mire. Frail at the back, insipid in attack and hampered by uncertainty off the pitch, Lambert's Villa are a byword for mediocrity. The only reason their relegation odds are so generous is the weakness of the teams below them. 

2) Arsenal can keep improving and finish fourth

Lambert should look to Arsene Wenger as an example of how managers' fortunes can rapidly changed. Only three months ago, the Frenchman was castigated by Arsenal fans and his job was said to under threat. Now, after an excellent win away to Manchester City, the return of key players and Sunday's emphatic win over Villa, the Gunners have five consecutive victories and are in to 1.364/11 for a top four finish. 

3) Hull's slide down the table shows Bruce is one of most overrated managers

Apparently, Steve Bruce fancied the manager's job at Newcastle but Mike Ashley didn't fancy Steve Bruce. For once, I'm in agreement with the Newcastle chairman. Of course, Bruce would have gladly jumped ship - as he's done so many times in his career - but Hull's 0-3 defeat at home to the Magpies was their fourth in a row without scoring. Where has it all gone wrong for Hull this season? Why do people still regard Bruce as a good manager? Or is it only Bruce who holds himself in high-esteem? He looks more like Mr Stay Puff from Ghostbusters every week but can his team stay up? Relegation would be a slap in the jowls for this vainest of bosses and, at 2.1411/10 it's worth backing,. 

4) Siege mentality pays off for Mourinho again

Many people over-estimated this Chelsea side's power earlier in the season but they remain the strongest team in the Premier League and Saturday's hard-earned drawn with Manchester City makes a third title for Jose Mourinho all but inevitable. By complaining of conspiracies and staying away from press conferences, the Blues boss has ratcheted up the siege mentality at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks. It's worked in the past and it will serve them well this season. They missed the suspended Diego Costa and it's worth backing Chelsea/D Costa at 2.111/10 for League Winner/Top Goalscorer. However, they're becoming over-reliant on the Spaniard and Saturday's draw indicated they will need reinforcements if they're to remain the dominant force beyond this season.  

5) Manchester United have the firepower to finish third 

The first-half against Leicester was one of Manchester United's best under Louis Van Gaal. The Dutchman played Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney and the Reds were as rampant in attack as you'd expect those four to be. However, Rooney spent much of the match playing as a holding midfielder which is bizarre. Perhaps Van Gaal saw this as an opportunity for the captain to work on his short passing or perhaps this is another example of why the manager is gaining a reputation for bizarre selections. Regardless, United played like a team worth backing at 2.526/4 for a third-place finish this season and capable of challenging for the title next term. 

***

Check out our live Transfer Deadline Day coverage, with you right until the window shuts at 23:00!