Opta Stats: Aston Villa v Liverpool

Will Steven Gerrard add to his tally against Aston Villa?

Aston Villa must win their home games to ensure their safety, but face a Liverpool side aiming for Europe. Who will want it more? Opta reveals all.

Aston Villa have lost just one of their last four Premier League games against Liverpool and won 3-1 away at Anfield earlier this season. You can lay Liverpool at 1.758/11.

Paul Lambert has won all three of his Premier League games against Brendan Rodgers; against no other manager has he secured as many wins. Villa are 5.24/1 to win the match.

Steven Gerrard has scored 10 Premier League goals against Aston Villa; more than against any other opponent. Gerrard is 2.89/5 to find the net.

Gerrard has played every single minute (2700) of Liverpool's Premier League season so far - Matt Lowton (Aston Villa) and Leighton Baines (Everton) are the only other outfield players to have achieved this in 2012-13. The England international is 8.415/2 to score the first goal.

Christian Benteke has scored eight goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances, and he netted twice against Liverpool earlier this season. Benteke is 2.915/8 to score.

Benteke has scored 11 and assisted three of Aston Villa's last 21 Premier League goals. The Belgian is 7.613/2 to score first.

Luis Surez has scored 11 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances. Suarez is 1.910/11 to add to his tally.

Andreas Weimann has scored two and assisted two in his last four Premier League appearances. Weimann is 3.814/5 to find the net.

Aston Villa have not won three successive Premier League matches since April 2010. Liverpool are 1.748/11 to inflict a defeat on the Villains.

Aston Villa have seen their opposition hit the woodwork on five occasions in total in their last four Premier League games. Villa are 6.611/2 to keep a clean sheet.

Luis Surez has embarked on 249 dribbles in the Premier League this season; 105 more than any other player. Suarez is 5.39/2 to open the scoring.

Premier League: Black Cats part company with Martin O'Neill

Sunderland have parted company with Martin O'Neill

After a home loss to Manchester United earlier today Sunderland have announced that they have parted company with manager Martin O'Neill. Mike Norman has the details...

Sunderland have this evening announced that they have "parted company" with manager Martin O'Neill.

The relegation-threatened Black Cats are in dire form in the Premier League after failing to win any of their previous eight games, taking just three points in the process.

Today's defeat to champions-elect Manchester United leaves the Wearside club just one point above the relegation zone with just seven games remaining, four of them away from home including a trip to arch north-east rivals and fellow strugglers Newcastle.

O'Neill took over from Steve Bruce at Sunderland in December 2011 and immediately became a huge success with the Stadium of Light faithful, winning seven of his opening 10 fixtures to steer the Black Cats away from the drop zone.

But despite some high profile signings this season, including England midfielder Adam Johnson and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, Sunderland struggled for goals and could never put a consistent run of good form together.

O'Neill remained very positive after today's defeat insisting that his glass was "three-quarters full" in reference to his confidence in keeping Sunderland in the Premier League, before going on to say, "There's a real determination in the dressing room. The players are obviously disappointed, but they can take a lot from the second half."

Sunderland's next game is away to Chelsea on April 7 with the club available to back at 2.767/4 in the Relegaion market having been matched at a high of 75.074/1 earlier in the season.

Betfair have introduced a Next Sunderland Manager market with former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio and experienced Premier League manager Mark Hughes amongst the early favourites.

Against All Odds: PSV 's title hopes to be dented by Roda JC

There could be more long faces for PSV players today

Title chasing PSV are long odds-on for their trip to Roda JC in the Dutch Eredivisie this morning but Paul Robinson thinks they could suffer a surprise setback.

Roda JC are down in 16th place in the league, which is the final remaining relegation play-off place. This is obviously disappointing for a club who finished 10th last year, but it's quite tight down at the bottom and they are only four points behind PEC Zwolle who are 13th. 

The international break came at a good time for Ruud Brood's men as they had just lost back to back games for the first time since November. In fairness to Roda, both defeats were by a single goal margin and prior to that they hammered Groningen 4-1.

The 0-1 loss to Feyenoord ended a run of five unbeaten at Parkstad Limburg Stadion for the club from Kerkrade. It was also the first time in four that they'd failed to score a goal as before that blank, they had treated their fans to 11 in 360 minutes of home football.

PSV are looking to reclaim the crown that they last won in 2008. They are currently second in the league, just a single point behind leaders Ajax, with a far superior goal difference. They got back to winning ways in their last match by beating RKC Waalwijk 2-0 but they are prone to the odd slip up, as highlighted by the 2-1 defeat at Heerenveen at the beginning of March.

Dick Advocaat's side have struggled on the road of late, and in truth, they haven't been that great away all season for a team in their position. The Peasants have won just six of 13 away from home and they've picked up only one point from a possible nine since the end of January.

A further concern for Advocaat is that Luciano Narsingh remains sidelined through injury and Dries Mertens is suspended, and he's netted 15 goals for PSV this season.

Clearly PSV are the most likely team to win this match and they are the worthy favourites. I just feel their odds of 1.422/5 are just too short though, especially given their recent away form. That's why, at the prices, I have to make them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay PSV v Roda JC @ 1.422/5 

This match is live on ESPN and Betfair Live Video at 11:30

2013 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 89 pts
Returned: 83.48 pts
P/L – 5.52 pts (after commission)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)

The 80/20 Bet: Thursday, Ffos Las 13:50

Ffos Las is the venue for today's 80/20 bet

Nick is off to the national hunt meeting at Ffos Las for today's Win and Place selection, where the opening maiden hurdle is his race of choice...

Today's 80/20 is Fuhgeddaboudit in the 13.50 at Ffos Las. This gelding finished fifth to Chemistry Master at Wincanton earlier this month. He made a couple of errors, but kept on well in the closing stages without troubling the winner.

If he can put in a trouble free round he could run well at a decent price in this interesting event. At present he is trading at 8.88/1 on the exchange.

Opta Stats: Chelsea get Eden back in heavenly form

Eden Hazard has just hit two goals for his country in two games

It's that time of the week where Christian Crowther borrows the Opta stats to pick out four potential goal grabbers...

Arsenal v Reading (Saturday, 15:00)
The two meetings between Arsenal and Reading in 2012/13 already have seen 19 goals scored, with Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla each scoring hat-tricks for Arsenal
Although Arsenal's diminutive Spaniard has scored a little sporadically for the Gunners this term, Cazorla still represents their joint-top Premier League marksman with 11. Furthermore, his performances in a red shirt of late have been back to somewhere near his influential best. Cazorla was Arsenal's match-winner with a brace on the Londoners' last league outing at the Emirates and clearly relishes a Royal visit.
Recommended Bet: Back Santi Cazorla to score @ 2.8815/8

Man City v Newcastle (Saturday, 15:00)
Carlos Tevez has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Newcastle
Lingering dreams of title retention were finally put to bed against Everton but the champions cannot afford to relax with Chelsea hitting their stride just four points behind them. Still, at least City have a man in tip-top form in the shape of Carlos Tevez. The Argentine ace has hit a purple patch of late, scoring six goals in a blue shirt from his last five appearances - with five of those arriving at fortress Etihad.
Recommended Bet: Back Carlos Tevez to score @ 2.01/1

Southampton v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
Eden Hazard has had a hand in six goals (four goals, two assists) in his last seven Premier League appearances for Chelsea
Another man in the midst of a March blitz is Chelsea's Belgium star Eden Hazard, who has spent his week away helping his nation to successive wins after scoring in both matches. That now adds up to an impressive tally of four goals in his last five appearances for club and country ahead of this trip to the St Mary's. Hazard's return to form could be vital in firing Chelsea to automatic qualification for the Champions League.
Recommended Bet: Back Eden Hazard to score @ 4.3100/30

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Sunday, 13:30, Sky Sports 1)
Andreas Weimann has scored two and assisted two in his last four Premier League appearances
Aston Villa's Austrian strike ace has made a real habit of scoring against the Premier League's more elite clubs this season. No fewer than four of his nine league goals this term have come against Arsenal, Manchester United and of course Sunday's opponents Liverpool in that resounding 3-1 win at Anfield.  Weimann should feel pretty refreshed too, having only made two substitute appearances for his country during the qualifiers.
Recommended Bet: Back Andreas Weimann to score @ 4.3100/30

Dubai World Cup: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Hunter's Light is taken to win the Dubai World Cup

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup...

Treasure Beach was an Irish Derby winner in his time but failed to win for Aidan O'Brien last year, best effort when second to Point Of Entry in a Grade 1. Promising debut for this yard and should build on that.

Red Cadeux is a tough and reliable sort who won a couple last year, including the Hong Kong Vase on his final start. Shorter trip and different surface to contend with here so looks opposable.

Dullahan is a high-class performer in America if not the most consistent, best effort last year when winning a Grade 1 at Del Mar. Got worked up and trip sharp enough on return and claims on best form.

Hunter's Light has an impressive strike rate, and has been most progressive at Meydan this year, winning the second and third legs of the Maktoum Challenge with plenty in hand. Looks one of the leading candidates.

Capponi progressed well in 2012, winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge before finishing second in this corresponding event. Not seen since then which is a concern.

Side Glance is a consistent performer who won Epsom Group 3 last June before finishing placed on his next 4 starts. Good run behind Sajjhaa on return but should be outclassed in this.

Planteur is a very smart performer, whose 4 outings last term all came at the highest level, including when placed in Dubai World Cup. Made all to win listed race on return and could sneak a place again.

Royal Delta was well held in this last year but things didn't pan out for her and she's improved since then, winning 4 times in 2012. Confirmed wellbeing with recent win at Gulfstream and a leading player.

Meandre won a pair of Group 1's last season, victory over Shareta at Saint-Cloud the pick of them. Held his form well otherwise and should come on for reappearance when tackling an unsuitable trip.

Monterosso won the Dubai World Cup in 2012, but has been well beaten since then, not showing a great deal when down the field behind Hunter's Light latest. Could easily peak in this again but enough to prove.

African Story has an excellent record on this surface, winning 4 times including the Godolphin Mile last year. Better than ever on return when landing the Burj Nahaar and intriguing contender if staying.

Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 but last season was curtailed due to injury (was due to run in this). Has come back looking better than ever, second to Point Of Entry recently, and a leading player.

Kassiano has been progressing really well, winning 3 of his 5 starts this year. Best effort in defeat when second to Hunter's Light last time and could easily reach a place once more under ideal conditions.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Hunter's Light
2. Royal Delta
3. African Story

Timeform View: The Americans have struggled since this race was switched to tapeta and whilst this is their strongest challenge for some time, they may struggle to contain Hunter's Light who is a horse that is simply thriving under these conditions. Royal Delta looks the best of those from the States with African Story an intriguing contender if seeing out this longer trip.

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Wayne Mardle: Back Taylor to beat his old rival yet again

Phil Taylor looks a decent bet to beat RVB once again

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow is the venue for a terrific night of Premier League darts, and Wayne Mardle believes Phil Taylor can beat Raymond van Barneveld once more...

Adrian Lewis v Andy Hamilton

Jackpot was written off by many and was looking an odds on shot to be eliminated/relegated from the Premier League after nine weeks, but he's come back fighting just like an ex-world champion should. He's unbeaten in three weeks and with five points he's now confident, that'll do for me. Lewis is one of those players who, when playing well, wins.

Hamilton is a tough cookie, we know that, but Adrian has the bit between his teeth and a win would put him within a few points of the playoffs positions.

Recommended Bet: Back Lewis to win @ 2.26/5

Simon Whitlock v Robert Thornton

This will be a tough game. Both playing very steadily indeed. If it comes down to going up a gear then Whitlock's your man. Robert has been a revelation, but he sometimes seems a bit one paced. He had a 109 average against Gary Anderson to buck that trend, if he produces that again he wins, but I don't think he will.

Recommended Bet: Back Whitlock to win 7-5 @ 8.5n/a

Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld

Premier League history says Phil wins this and I'm not going to disagree. The Power hasn't been playing at his best over the last few weeks, due to a darts change, but you just know the dip won't last, and there were signs last week that he is starting to find his range again.

This match is all about Barney taking the chances that are presented to him. He's more than capable but he sometimes lets Phil bully him. I think the Taylor will dominate from the get go, new darts or not.

Recommended Bet: Back Taylor to win 7-3 @ 7.5n/a

Gary Anderson v West Newton

The home crowd will get on Wesley's back, that's a certainty. He sometimes gets a bit up tight when things are not going his way, this will be a massive test of character for him.

Gary is starting to play well and his double hitting is getting better week on week. I see this going one way, and that's Gary jumping on the fact that Newton will be outside his comfort zone.

Recommended Bets
Back Anderson to win 7-4 @ 5.59/2
Back Anderson most 180s @ 2.01/1

Michael van Gerwen v James Wade

This will be a cracker. Wade is impressing again. He's back to the form that we have not seen for a year or so and he's now a dangerous man to bet against, especially as you just know he'll relish the challenge of playing the game's most in-form player.

Van Gerwen can beat anyone on his day, and his days are very often at the moment. I don't often think MVG won't win but Wade is a street fighter of a player who loves a tussle. Backing him with a 1.5 leg start seems very reasonable.

Recommended Bet: Back Wade +1.5 legs @ 2.26/5

*Please note: Prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.