EPL quick picks. Due to time constraints, FULL round analysis will not be available. Saturday, 6 December
Fulham v Manchester City
Summary: If the last contest between these two teams is anything to go by, then we have a real cracker on our hands. Last season, Fulham made a remarkable comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Despite this game been at Craven Cottage, it is a fixture that has historically produced numerous goals. Fulham is in a fine run of form, losing only 1 in their last 8 and recently holding Europe hopefuls Aston Villa and Liverpool scoreless away from home. In midweek action, Manchester City did enough to qualify to the next stage of the UEFA Cup with a scoreless draw against Paris St Germain. Worryingly for City manager Mark Hughes, Elano came off with a groin strain and will be unavailable for this fixture. Other possible absentees for the visitors are Robinho, Shaun Wright Phillips, and Micah Richards. Fulham are almost at full strength apart from long term casualties Kamara and Teymourian.
Verdict: Fulham have the 4th best defensive record in the league which is impressive considering the attractive, passing football they have put on display this season. Manchester City have been poor away from home with just the solitary win against lowly Sunderland. Defeats on their travels against teams like Wigan, Middlesbrough, and Bolton would not instill confidence in even the most ardent of City supporter. Considering the doubts cast over some key players for the visitors, the extra effort exerted in the UEFA midweek, and Fulham's solid current/home form makes me lean towards the Cottagers.
Pick: Fulham DNB
Fulham 1 - 1 Manchester City
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Summary: Arsenal will look to regain some respectability after Arsene Wenger's 'baby assassins' were assassinated 2-0 by Championship side Burnley, in the Carling Cup. Arsenal have been a bit 'Jeckal and Hyde' this season as they have beaten title favourites Manchester United and Chelsea but lost so convincingly to teams like Aston Villa and Manchester City. Wigan have been solid if not spectacular this season but a current position of 11th is respectable for the Latics. Last time out, Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, played out of his skin to keep his team in the game against bottom of the table West Brom. Eventually, Wigan came out on top 2-1 with a last minute Boyce brace but the perfomance was not very convincing. Arsenal will go into this fixture without the controversial William Gallas, Walcott, and midfielder Rosicky. Toure and Eboue are both likely to return. Wigan's talisman, Amr Zaki could return from a hamstring injury and Scharner likewise from a groin strain.
Verdict: Arsenal have done very well against the bigger sides so far but to be in the mix come the end of the season, they should be playing teams like Wigan off the park, no disrespect to Wigan. I'm sure Arsene Wenger will be reverbirating this to his players after their fine win against Chelsea in Match Week 15. Wigan play an open, expansive game and manager Steve Bruce, will be sending his team out today with a nothing to lose attitude. Zaki has scored 8 goals this season so he and Heskey will cause a vulnerable Arsenal defence a host of problems. Wigan have scored an impressive 12 goals on their travels this season so the over is a likely outcome here.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals
Arsenal 1 - 0 Wigan
Bolton v Chelsea
Summary: This match is the perfect case of a poor home team and a super away team. Bolton have been in amazing form in the last month, recording 4 wins in their last 5 outings. This run has consisted of a 2-0 home loss to Liverpool, sandwiched by convincing away wins at Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland. In contrast, Chelsea has only achieved one win in their last 5 (all competitions), a solitary 3-0 away win at West Brom. The Londoners away form though has been nothing short of remarkable, 7 wins out of 7 with a +18 goal difference! Bolton are at full strength here while Chelsea are without the suspended Drogba, and a whole host of injured players including Joe Cole and Carvalho.
Verdict: Bolton have won once at the Reebok Stadium all season, suffering the taste of defeat to teams in Chelsea's bracket, namely Liverpool (0-2) and Arsenal (1-3). Chelsea were unfortunate to lose to Arsenal last week as Van Persie's first goal was clearly offside. Up until that goal, Chelsea were playing scintilating football and if they can replicate anything akin to that against Bolton, then the Trotters will be in for a torrid time. Considering that Bolton have been held scoreless on four of their seven contests at the Reebok, then I think Chelsea are a good chance of keeping a clean sheet and recording a comfortable victory in the process.
Pick: Chelsea -0.75
Bolton 0 - 2 Chelsea
Monday, 8 December
West Ham United v Tottenham
Summary: It's London derby time again as two teams stuck in the bottom echelons of the Premier League attempt to get themselves away from the dreaded relegation zone. West Ham can take some heart from their latest form, having kept three clean sheets on the bounce (including one against Liverpool last week) and lost one in their last five. West Ham can thank the return of James Collins and the improved form of goalkeeper Robert Green for this statistic. Tottenham's recent results have improved also but their performances still leave alot to be desired. They were in Carling Cup action midweek, coming from behind to defeat struggling Championship side Watford 2-1. West Ham are still without striker Ashton and midfielder Lee Bowyer whereas Hutton and Giovani dos Santos miss out for the visitors.
Verdict: West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola, has managed to imbed some organisation into his team and every player seems to be clear as to what their role is. Tottenham still look a little unsure under Redknapp's reign and will need to improve on their performance of the last two weeks in order to capture all three points here. West Ham were ridiculed 4-0 last time these two teams met but I think the hosts are in a better position now to mount a serious challenge to their more fashionable rivals. Tottenham have only kept one away clean sheet (in all competitions) all season so if West Ham can continue their solid form in defence, they are a good chance to exact revenge here.
Pick: West Ham DNB
West Ham 0 - 2 Tottenham
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