EPL quick picks. Due to time constraints, FULL round analysis will not be available. Saturday, 29 November
Aston Villa v Fulham
Summary: Two teams in good form clash here in what promises to be an interesting contest. Villa will be riding on a crest of a wave after dispatching Arsenal 2-0 in Round 13 and holding the champions, Manchester United, to a 0-0 draw last weekend. Fulham themselves have impressed in recent times with a 2-1 home win over in form Tottenham and perhaps even more impressively, thwarted title contenders Liverpool to come away from Anfield with a 0-0 draw. Villa currently occupy 4th place and have a chance at moving up to 3rd position with a win here. Both sides have few injury concerns with Villa's Cuellar, Carew, and Luke Young likely to return to the fold, likewise Leon Andreasen for the visitors.
Verdict: Historically, this has always been a tightly contested fixture and more of the same is likely here. Fulham manager, Roy Hodgson, not only has his team playing some good football, he has also instilled organisation in his defensive line which has only conceded 6 goals in their 6 away games to date. Villa face a psychological barrier here with the pressure weighing heavily on their shoulders on the back of their latest results. Their home form has been patchy this season and the favourite tag here may well work against them.
Pick: Fulham +1
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Fulham
Stoke City v Hull City
Summary: Lots of pride will be at stake here as two of this season's promoted teams battle it out at the Brittania Stadium. Stoke have reeled off 4 home Premier League victories on the bounce, including a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Stoke boast the 4th best home record in the league with 5 wins and just 2 defeats. Their opponents today, Hull City, are beginning to come back to reality after an unbelievable start to the season. The Tigers are winless in their last 5 encounters with two draws and three defeats respectively. Their away form though still remains very respectable with the only defeat on their travels coming at the hands of Manchester United, a 4-3 thriller. Stoke's big inclusion this week is striker Ricardo Fuller who returns from suspension. Likewise for Hull, striker Caleb Folan should be fit to travel with the squad.
Verdict: A blood and thunder type contest is likely to unravel here with Stoke's direct approach put to the test against Hull's more cultured passing game. Hull is desperate to break their winless run here and have shown so far this season that they can go to the toughest of grounds and get a result. Hull have steadied the ship somewhat in recent weeks, recording two draws against respectable opposition in Manchester City and Portsmouth. Nothing much seperates these sides at the moment but Hull just might have the aces to sneak this one.
Pick: Hull +0.25
Stoke City 1 - 1 Hull City
Sunday, 30 November
Manchester City v Manchester United
Summary: It's derby time in the city of Manchester as City lock horns with United. Manchester City is the highest scoring home team in the competition and they showed just that in their last league encounter, thrasing an injury ravaged Arsenal side 3-0. Manchester United have only lost one of their last 17 competitive fixtures in all competitions, with their only loss coming coincidently against Arsenal in the match of the season so far. United have found the going tough on their travels, scoring at an average of only a goal a game and remain winless in their last 5 trips away from Old Trafford. For Man City, Zabaleta, Fernandes, and Robinho are likely to return from their respective ailments whereas United hope to have Berbatov back in the fold.
Verdict: City have won the last two encounters which means that United will be on a revenge mission here. Man United can atleast take heart that fellow title contenders, Chelsea and Liverpool, went to the City of Manchester Stadium and bagged all 3 points, scoring 3 goals each in the process. The home team will be on a real high at the moment, defeating Schalke in the UEFA midweek. United played out a dull 0-0 draw at Villareal but have now kept 4 clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions. Keeping this in mind and the fact that City's defence can press the self destruct button at any time, United may yet inflict revenge on their bitter rivals.
Pick: Manchester United -0.5
Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
Monday, 1 December
Liverpool v West Ham United
Summary: Liverpool have the perfect opportunity to move into a clear lead at the top of the Premier League when they face lowly West Ham United at Anfield. The Merseysiders secured their passage into the next round of the Champions League midweek with a unimpressive 1-0 win over Marseille. West Ham broke their winless drought last time out with a 1-0 away win at Sunderland. James Collins was a standout performer for the Hammers and with a virtually fully fit squad to choose from, Gianfranco Zola can go into this game with a nothing to lose attitude. Ofcoarse, Liverpool have everything to lose here and will push hard for the 3 points but without top marskman Fernando Torres and Brazilian full back Aurelio, who are both injured for this encounter.
Verdict: Apart from a 3-0 brace against West Brom in Round 12, Liverpool have struggled for goals in the last month. West Ham have lost 1 in their last 4 Premier League matches and were ofcoarse incredibly unlucky to lose to Everton in that 3-1 defeat at Upton Park. The spirits are high though in the London camp and with 2 clean sheets in a row, they can approach this fixture with confidence knowing that Liverpool probably aren't at the top of their game and that their most dangerous player will be sitting on the sidelines.
Pick: West Ham +1.5
Liverpool 0 - 0 West Ham
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