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A short version of Walker’s Word this week covering only the televised fixtures. Charlton Athletic could be even more cut off from the pack by Saturday lunch time while Newcastle could pull away from the drop zone on Sunday afternoon writes David Walker.

Even the introduction of new manager Les Reed could not inspire Charlton to victory last weekend as they slumped 2-0 at Reading. They face tough opposition in Everton who themselves have won just two in their last eight league games since beating Liverpool 3-0 back in September. However, Everton keep things tight and have been involved in four 1-0 results in their last four games and will frustrate the rock bottom Premiership club. The Toffees have not won at The Valley since 2001 with the Addicks recording two wins and two draws since but this record could change on Saturday. Everton @ 7/5.

Bolton have been the scourge of Arsenal in recent seasons, beating them twice last season in both the league and FA Cup and also the season before. They have secured 1-1 and 2-2 draws in the campaigns before that with Arsenal not winning at the Reebok Stadium in the Premiership since 2002. There is some bad blood between the two sides and Arsenal could be in danger of losing further ground on Chelsea and Manchester United this weekend. Despite a fantastic recent home record against the Gunners, the bookmakers are offering fantastic 5/2 odds on a win for Sam Allardyce’s side.

The league table could be turned on its head for this contest as Newcastle could pull away from the relegation zone with a win. Portsmouth are flying high in third place at the moment but have already been beaten 3-0 at St James’ Park this season in the Carling Cup. The Magpies have won two out of three league meetings in the North East, with a draw in between a couple of years ago. Glenn Roeder’s side have had a dreadful run of late, but will be buoyed by two battling away draws, especially at Arsenal last weekend. Newcastle @ 13/10.

The top of the table clash sees Chelsea three points behind Manchester United who have won their last seven league matches since their 1-1 draw with Reading back in September. Chelsea also come into this match strongly, having won five of their last six league matches, the blip being a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham three weeks ago. Both sides lost in the Champions League this week, perhaps with one eye on this weekend’s game. United won this fixture 1-0 last season, but have only beaten Chelsea four times in 14 Premiership fixtures at Old Trafford. A draw @ 21/10 won’t particularly help either side’s title ambitions but it won’t be the end of the world either.

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The trio of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United will make up a short priced treble this week but more daring punters could land large odds bets by backing Bolton, Aston Villa and Les Reed’s Charlton this weekend writes David Walker.

Manchester City sit precariously in the lower reaches of the table following a goalless draw against fellow strugglers Newcastle United last weekend. It could be another frustrating match against a Fulham side which has lost just once in their last six matches. Fulham are unbeaten on their last three visits to City and could grind out another point on Saturday @ 9/4.

Arsenal will be looking forward to playing a Newcastle side, without a win in eight Premiership matches, as they continue to climb the table. Sitting eight points adrift of second placed Chelsea, Arsenal will need to repeat the form they showed in last weekend’s 3-0 drubbing of Liverpool after some mixed results. The Gunners have won their last four at home against Newcastle, following the Magpies shock 3-1 win at Highbury back in December 2001. Arsenal @ 3/10.

Chelsea have been amongst the goals in recent matches, hitting both Aston Villa in the Carling Cup and Watford in the Premiership for four without reply. Despite their improvement, it’s unlikely West Ham are going to get anything out of the game and this too could be a high scoring match. Chelsea have scored four goals or more against the Hammers on three of their last four meetings at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea @ 2/9.

Just four points and two places separate Everton and Bolton Wanderers who are enjoying their position in the top seven of the league, but it could be Bolton at tasty odds that finish this match better off. Bolton need to turn their form around after losing three of their last four in all competitions while Everton are winless in their last three. Everton have beaten Bolton just once in the last four matches between the pair at Goodison Park, with the Trotters hammering their opponents 4-0 last season. It could also be a high scoring match, with the last three meetings finishing 0-4, 3-2 and 1-2. Bolton @ 11/5.

Early pace setters Portsmouth have fallen away slightly to sixth place, but they could claw their way back up the table with a win against second from bottom Watford. Pompey have not lost in three of their last five Premiership matches and beat promoted Reading, who are fairing better than play off winners Watford, 3-1 a few weeks ago. Watford have proven themselves to be tough to beat this season but collapsed against Chelsea last weekend and could suffer a second defeat in as many games at Fratton Park. Portsmouth @ 4/6.

Reading, sitting comfortably in eleventh, will have fancied their chances against rock bottom Charlton a week ago, but this weekend the Addicks have a new manager in charge. Former assistant manager Les Reed took over from Iain Dowie in the week and will hope the ‘new manager factor’ has the desired effect at the Madejski Stadium. With this being Reed’s first game in charge, past form counts for nothing and Charlton can be backed at massive 10/3 odds.

Three points clear at the top of the Premiership, Manchester United have a fantastic opportunity to maintain their lead with room to spare at Bramall Lane. However, Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last two matches and the odds on about United, who have won their last six in a row, will appeal to big hitters only.

After being on the wrong end of a 3-0 pasting at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool need to bounce back to rescue their flagging season. Languishing in ninth place, already 11 points behind Chelsea and 14 behind Manchester United, they visit the Riverside Stadium knowing their haven’t won there in their last four attempts. Since the Reds won 2-1 in 2002, they have not scored since with Boro grinding ground out two goalless draws and a 1-0 and 2-0 win. Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough have won three of their last five matches and should get something out of the game. Draw @ 9/4.

Wigan did the double over Aston Villa last season but they face a much stiffer test this time around. Villa have lost just once in the league this season, a 3-1 capitulation against Liverpool a few weeks ago and Wigan have won four league matches on the spin. It’s likely to be a gritty, low scoring affair, but the 2/1 odds on Martin O’Neill’s side are too good to ignore.

Blackburn’s involvement in the UEFA Cup has taken it’s toll on domestic matters this season with Rovers losing their last four Premiership matches in a row. Mark Hughes’ side are just three points off the relegation zone and need to stop the rot. Spurs are having an inconsistent season, last week they slumped 3-1 at Reading, the weekend before they beat Chelsea 2-1. Past meetings have produced close, low scoring results and the last three at Ewood Park have finished 0-0, 0-1, 1-0. Draw @ 9/4.

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More misery will be heaped on Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United this weekend, while Manchester United should win at Ewood Park for this first time since 1998 writes David Walker.

Manchester City and Newcastle United are two teams battling against relegation will slug it out in this lunch time horror show. Things have got so bad at City, they have even started losing against Charlton, enduring a 1-0 reverse last weekend. Things are not much better in Newcastle either, bottom but one in the table and a home defeat against goal shy Sheffield United on Saturday. City have won three of their last four home encounters against the Magpies following their return to the Premiership in 2002 so a welcome home win @ 11/10 is the call.

Chelsea to ‘get back to winning ways’ against Watford in what is likely to be a dour, low scoring, affair at Stamford Bridge. And at 1/6 as well. Yawn.

Everton are without a win in their last three, including a midweek home defeat against a youthful Arsenal side in the Carling Cup while Aston Villa have lost their last two on the road, including Wednesday’s 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea in the much maligned knockout competition. The Toffees have a good record against Villa, winning four out of the last five Premiership encounters at Goodison Park and could push themselves up the table at Martin O’Neill’s expense. Home win @ 6/5.

Middlesbrough are hovering just above the relegation zone after losing their last two matches and four of their last six. However, they have won their last two matches at the Riverside Stadium and have an exceptional record against West Ham United, winning seven out of their last eight league meetings in the North East. Alan Pardew’s side, now in fifteenth and level on points with the Boro, have won their last two league games including a memorable defeat of Arsenal last weekend, but could return to London with nothing on Saturday. Boro to win @ 6/5.

Portsmouth’s early season form has dipped slightly following a barn storming start to the campaign, but two league defeats in their last four matches were against Chelsea and Manchester United. Fulham are opponents Harry Redknapp will fancy his chances against and Portmsouth have won two of their last three Premiership meetings against the Cottagers at Fratton Park. Pompey to win @ 9/10.

Sheffield United scored their first goal in four Premiership matches against Newcastle last weekend and it proved to be the winner. They face an equally shot shy side in Bolton who haven’t scored a goal in their last two league matches and have hit the back of the net just once during the last four in all competitions. Watching paint dry may be a more exciting option than visiting Bramall Lane in a match which could peter out to a goalless draw at 11/5.

Wigan are an improving side and now their new players are starting to gel they have won three league games on the bounce, including two away from home. Rock bottom Charlton are also improving slightly and are unbeaten in their last three Premiership matches, culminating in a home win against Manchester City last weekend. Last season was the first time the pair ever played each other and Wigan crushed the Addicks 3-0. The way Paul Jewell’s side have been playing recently, a similar result is not out of the question @ 5/6.

Manchester United will not have a better opportunity to end their Ewood Park hoodoo than on Saturday night. The Reds have not won at Blackburn in the league since 1998 and since then Rovers have won three out of five, the other two being draws. However, top of the table United will be licking their wounds following a midweek Carling Cup exit at the hands of Southend United and Mark Hughes’ side are ravaged by injuries. United to win @ 4/7.

Reading and Tottenham Hotspur are two teams in mid table, both with contrasting opinions of being there. Reading, with survival as their priority, have lost their last four, while Tottenham have come off the back of a momentous 2-1 defeat of Chelsea last weekend. Prior to that result, Spurs won just three out of 10 Premiership matches and this fixture is a good opportunity for the Royals to stop the rot. Honours to finish even @ 9/4.

Arsenal are climbing back up the table slowly but faced a setback against West Ham last weekend. Liverpool, while going great guns in the cup competitions they are involved in, have not performed in the Premiership this term, but they have won their last two matches. Arsenal have won the last three league encounters between the pair at Highbury, but have not hit the same heights at the new Emirates Stadium, winning two of their last five Premiership matches in their new home. Draw @ 9/4.

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Charlton Athletic could find themselves in further relegation worry this weekend while Bonfire Night should see away wins for both Arsenal and Chelsea writes David Walker.

Fulham and Everton are two sides enjoying an extended spell in the top 10 but it could be Fulham who edge closer to a place in Europe this Saturday. Chris Coleman’s side boast a 100% record against Everton at Craven Cottage since they joined the Premiership in 2001/02. Fulham have scored nine goals in these encounters with Everton finding the net just once. Fulham have won this match 2-0 on three occasions so correct scores fans could opt for a Fulham win @ 8/5 or play it safe and bank on under 2.5 goals @ 8/13.

If Bolton are to realistically challenge Manchester United and Chelsea at the top of the Premiership they need to win home games against the likes of Wigan. Prior to beating Fulham at Craven Cottage last week, Wigan lost three out of four on the road and that is the kind of form Wanderers need to remind them about. Bolton win @ 5/6.

Poor old Charlton, already three points adrift of safety and they face a bogey side in Manchester City this weekend. The Addicks have not beaten City in their last four attempts, losing twice and drawing 2-2 twice. They have not won since 2000/01 when they hammered the Blues 4-0 but have since suffered a 3-0 reverse and last season, a 5-2 humiliation on their own turf. Stuart Pearce’s side won their first match in four attempts against Middlesbrough on Monday and will fancy their chances at The Valley @ 15/8.

Liverpool are clicking into gear at last after beating Bordeaux 3-0 in midweek and destroying unbeaten Aston Villa 3-1 at the weekend. They face Reading at Anfield for the second time in as many weeks, after beating them 4-3 in the Carling Cup and another home win is likely @ 1/3.

While Manchester United have dropped points at Fratton Park on two of their last three visits, at Old Trafford they are much more solid, winning all three encounters since Portsmouth’s promotion in the 2003/04 campaign. United were humbled in Denmark against FC Copenhagen in the week and will want to get back to winning ways immediately. Portmsouth may boast the meanest defence in the league but United in full flow is a frightening prospect @ 2/7.

Two teams in the lower reaches of the division but Watford could be made to wait further to record their first league win of the season. The Hornets have proven to be tough to beat, grinding out six draws in 10 matches but Middlesbrough could extend their stay in the bottom three with a win at Vicarage Road @ 15/8.

Newcastle need to win their match against Sheffield United if they are to avoid slipping into the bottom three but the club’s minor injury crisis could hold the key to this game. The Blades have reported a feud between Claude Davis and Ade Akinbiyi has been resolved which should boost morale but it is Newcastle that could pick up a season-boosting three points.

Arsenal have a poor record at Upton Park, winning just one of their last five Premiership visits and showed they couldn’t hit a barn door against Spartak Moscow in the week, squandering 20 clear chances. However, West Ham have been dreadful this season and will find the Gunners a much sterner test than Blackburn, who they beat last Sunday. Back Arsenal @ 8/13.

Aston Villa’s unbeaten record was taken away from them last weekend by a rampant Liverpool but Martin O’Neill will see this match as a means of returning to winning ways. Mid table Blackburn have lost their last two in the league while the Villains have won this encounter by a 1-0 scoreline in the last two meetings at Villa Park. Villa @ 11/10.

Chelsea have won the last three meetings against Spurs at White Hart Lane by two 2-0 and one 1-0 scorelines. Another victory for Jose Mourinho’s side and another bet on the Under 2.5 goals market @ 8/11 is the call.

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