Premier League Betting: Burnley vs. Hull City

Burnley were handed their first loss of the season at Turf Moor by Wigan Athletic at the weekend. Up until then, Burnley, a promoted side, had enjoyed an impressive run of four straight wins at Turf Moor and rode the coattails of the run to a middle-of-the-table spot. Now the Clarets face a must-win match against Hull City or risk slipping into the danger zone. Good news for the Clarets: the Tigers have barely struck an audible note in Premier League action, whimpering more like, towards the relegation zone where they are in danger of staying for the rest of the season unless they can somehow turn things around.

Soccer Betting Line:

Burnley -½  -110   -110   2½  O -105   U -115   Draw   +235    

Hull City  +½  -110   +300 2½  O -105   U -115   Draw   +235

Match Time: 11:00 am Eastern Time Saturday October 31, 2009

Venue: Turf Moor

Soccer Betting Analysis:  Hull City failed to beat Portsmouth, the worst side in the league, at the weekend. Instead, they succumbed to a scoreless draw and a share in the spoils. Hull City will be ruing the missed opportunity because three points could have seen them lift a notch or two up the table.

Now they are faced with a much tougher side in Burnley and a match from which they will be hard pressed to take anything away. Further going against the Tigers is abysmal form on the season and a current three-match losing streak on the road.

Burnley were dealt a setback when Wigan Athletic came calling to Turf Moor and perhaps they needed the reality check. They had been enjoying a charmed run at home that perhaps they were a little too lackadaisical against Wigan and lured by the visitors struggles on the season into a false sense of confidence. Wigan are a much better side than their results ahead of the clash indicated and they proved it fine against Burnley. Let that be a lesson to the Clarets and it might be the best thing to have happen to them; surely, it should wake them up to the gruelling realities of a 38-match Premier League season.

Soccer Betting Verdict: We are yet to see what Burnley are really made of after the loss at Turf Moor but seeing that they lost all their matches on the road and still managed to bounce back with home wins, there is every reason to believe they would do so, bounce back that is, against Hull City. It is not secret the Tigers are struggling. And they have to be embarrassed about their performance against Portsmouth. Indeed, though neither side will have particularly high spirits coming into this match after their respective weekends but there is enough incentive to motivate each for the win. Burnley have responded to the call better so far, so I would recommend betting on the home win.

Soccer Free Picks: Burnley -110 | Under 2.5 goals -115