A worrying development has come to light following the final round of Conference fixtures last Sunday, as it appears that a large number of bets suddenly started to be placed just prior to kick-off on Forest Green to be leading Grays at half-time, but to go on to lose the match (an outcome priced at around 22/1 initially before betting was suspended). That outcome is exactly what occurred, and comes soon after a number of similar incidents including UEFA suspending FK Pobeda for match-fixing in a Champions League qualifier, and also just after the FA charged five players, four of them with Accrington Stanley at the time, for betting on their side to lose their final (and meaningless) match of last season against Bury (which of course, they did). I should point out that one of the players charged doesn't seem to have quite got the hang of the match-fixing business though, as the larger sums allegedly placed on Bury ranged from £4000 to £1000, but one big hitting bright spark was charged with backing Bury as part of a £5 accumulator!! Seriously though, with so many matches particularly at this stage of the season having no consequence for either team, it is easy to see where the temptation arises, and a well-founded scam can be difficult to detect. I suspect that the authorities have brushed a large number of these incidents under the carpet over the years either due to lack of conclusive evidence, or a desire to avoid tarnishing the name of the sport, but with the onset of betting exchanges and improved reporting, they can no longer be ignored as easily, so prepare yourself for many more examples to come to light in the future. 
 
We haven't come across any such incidents in the Premiership this season, but you may well remember the cases of floodlight sabotage at a number of matches in the 90s, which were evidently related to Far East gambling syndicates, and when a large accumulator is let down by Arsenal failing to beat Hull at home, accusations have certainly been thrown around in my front room to no avail! 
 
I'm afraid I'm not in with the right people to tell you in advance what the outcome of this weekend's matches will be, but the fixtures start at lunchtime on Saturday with:
 
1) Middlesbrough v Man.United: The Riverside has been a troublesome venue for many of the top four over the past few seasons, and Arsenal and Liverpool have both come unstuck there again this time around. In fact, United have only won one of their last four visits in League and Cup, and will also be in the middle of a Champions League semi-final tie when this fixture comes around. However, the boost gained by United's players from their stirring comeback against Tottenham, allied with Boro's miserable form in general this season makes it less likely in my opinion that a shock will occur on Saturday, even if Alex Ferguson puts out a weakened side. It's sad to see one of the Premiership's more agreeable managers on his way down, but I'm afraid this match could seal his fate.
 
2) Chelsea v Fulham: Six points behind with just four games to go, it isn't realistic to think that Chelsea still have a shot at the title, and looking at Fulham's recent record at Stamford Bridge, it's probably just as well. The Cottagers have gained draws on their last two visits, and have been rather more efficient than usual away from home throughout this season, having scored just nine goals, but turning those few strikes into two wins and eight draws. Not great for the viewing public, but it has put them in a very healthy position in the League. With Chelsea hosting Barcelona in the decisive second leg of their Champions League semi-final next midweek, I fully expect them to relax enough to allow Fulham to add another draw to their tally.
 
3) Man.City v Blackburn: OK, Here's a useless stat for you, but one which may lead to a correct prediction for a change. City haven't drawn a home match yet this season, and it is an extreme rarity for any side to go a whole season without at least one draw both home and away. In fact, no side has managed that feat in the top flight since Norwich failed to draw a single away match in the 1980/81 season (there really must be something better I can do with my time). The other thing that surprised me when looking at the stats relating to this fixture is how much Blackburn have enjoyed visits to Man.City over the years, as they haven't lost there since this was a Championship fixture in 1999. Conclusion? Home win obviously.
 
4) Portsmouth v Arsenal: Following another hard-earned point at Newcastle on Monday, Pompey are tantalisingly close to safety, but they may have to wait until next week to guarantee staying up as Arsenal don't look in the mood to slip up here even though they have a disappointing recent record at Fratton Park. Four of their last five visits have been drawn, but Pompey's mini-revival has been built on results against the division's lesser lights, with their only defeats in the last eleven matches coming against Chelsea, Man.U. and Liverpool. Much will obviously depend on Arsenal's line-up, but I just feel even a weakened side could take Portsmouth apart.
 
5) Stoke v West Ham: With Stoke close to safety and the Hammers meandering in mid-table, this may prove to be one of the weekend's more missable matches, particularly as both sides' defences have been notably tighter in the last few weeks. Stoke haven't conceded more than a single goal in any of their last five matches, while West Ham haven't done so in their last eight. Both sides also find themselves amongst the lowest scorers in the division, so it really does look as though one goal might settle this one, and Stoke will be anxiously awaiting the return of James Beattie from injury to improve their chances of taking the points here. I would suggest a bet on two goals or fewer, but it looks as though the bookies are taking no chances with their prices, so this one is best left alone.
 
6) Tottenham v West Brom: Baggies fans will be dreaming of another Great Escape following their convincing victory over Sunderland last week, but the chances of them facing as uncertain and shoddy a defence again between now and the end of the season are slim at best. At least they have started to score goals again (about six months too late), with seven goals in their last three matches, and will be confident of finding the net at White hart Lane, where they haven't failed to score on their last four visits. However, they usually score and lose, and with Spurs having won their last four at home without conceding, I fancy a 2-1 or 3-1 home win here at 15/2 and 11/1 respectively with sportingbet.com..
 
7) Wigan v Bolton: Oh dear. If I labelled Stoke v West Ham a missable match, what does that make this one? With both sides looking likely to escape the drop, this will unfortunately be a Premiership fixture again next season, but at least it saves the schedulers at Match of the Day from any worries over which match to put on in the midnight slot. Bolton will probably do their best to frustrate Wigan and hit them from corners and free kicks around the box, which may work and may not. I'm not really too bothered.
 
8) Liverpool v Newcastle: I get the impression that Alan Shearer is already resigned to his team's fate, but he is certainly not going to let up with trying to play as attacking a line-up as possible. Unfortunately, if he tries that at Anfield, the end result could be very messy indeed. Newcastle already have a terrible record there, having lost the last four, without scoring a goal in the last three, and you have to look back to 1994 for their last League victory. Another nail in the coffin, I'm afraid.
 
9) Sunderland v Everton: How frustrating it must be to be a manager sometimes. Having seen his team beat Hull and then face a seemingly straightforward task against the bottom side, Ricky Sbragia looked in despair as he watched Sunderland put in an abject and amateurish display to take a heavy beating and remain in serious trouble. Five defeats in six matches is a poor preparation for the visit of as solid a side as Everton, and I wouldn't read too much into their surprise home defeat against Man.City last week, as they looked back to their old selves once Tim Cahill came on after an hour. Everton's last three visits to the Stadium of Light have ended in 1-0 victories, and that again looks a good shout at 7/1 with Stan James.
 
10) Aston Villa v Hull: Still we wait for Villa to record their first victory since 7th February, and they must be looking at this fixture with eager anticipation of ending that run. Further encouragement is provided when looking at the last three results of this fixture, which ended 3-0, 5-0 and 6-0, but as those matches were played in the 90s, 80s and 70s respectively, only the producers of Ashes to Ashes would think they had any relevance. Hull's persistent slide has now put them in prime position to suffer if Newcastle or Middlesbrough suddenly put a string of positive results together, and their fans will be hoping that is enough to shock the players into life. Personally, I think they may be able to grab a hard-fought point here. WIll it be enough? Who knows?
 
A near miss last week, with only MK Dons' failure to beat mid-table Walsall's frustrating keeper, Clayton Ince, denying us the bonus of a payout on the four-timer. For this weekend, I haven't been able to narrow the selections down to fewer than six, but how about combining Bury, Wycombe, Ayr, Brechin, East Stirling and Dumbarton in a £10 accumulator which would return £68.18 with William Hill if all won their matches.
 
Good luck!