EPL quick picks. Due to time constraints, FULL round analysis will not be available. Friday, 20 December
Stoke City v Manchester United
Summary: Stoke open the hectic festive period with one of the toughest assignments in world football, a fixture against current European and World Club Champions, Manchester United. Stoke go into this important stage of the season in a not too confident mood as they are struggling for goals and wins. The home team are winless in their last 5 and have scored only 4 goals in their last 7 competitive fixtures. Not good form, especially against a team that have not shipped a single goal in their last 5 EPL outings. In their last outing, defensive lapses costed Stoke dearly as they went down 3-0 inside the first 45 minutes against second from bottom Blackburn. Manchester's last outing was in Japan, in the World Club Championships, against Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito where they won 1-0 despite losing Vidic to a red card offence. Stoke face somewhat of an injury crisis with strikers Sidibe and Kitson, and midfielder Lawrence definitely out while Griffin, Cort and Diao are doubtful. The visitors only absentee, apart from long term casualties Hargreaves and Brown, is the suspended Patrice Evra.
Verdict: Stoke's current home form of 5-2-2 is impressive whereas Manchester's 3-4-2 is not Championship winning material. Though, a closer inspection at both teams fixture lists will reveal that Stoke have had a relatively easy run at home while Manchester's run of games on their travels have been rather difficult. After a solid start to the season, Stoke are starting to slip away with injuries taking a toll on their small squad while Manchester United are traditionally slow starters. The visitors are now showing signs of hitting their straps and will be eager to stay in touch with the leading two (Liverpool and Chelsea) until they get to play their two catch up fixtures against Fulham and Wigan.
Pick: Manchester United -1.5
Stoke City 0 - 1 Manchester United
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
Summary: Chelsea will look to continue their stranglehold on Liverpool as they face bottom of the table West Brom. Amazingly for the Londoners, their form away from home has been almost faultless whilst their home form has been error riddled. West Brom supporters wish they could say the same about their team. The visitors have won only 4 games all season but they can atleast take heart from their last performance, a 2-1 win against Manchester City. Despite creating very few opportunities, Roman Bedner headed in a last gasp winner at The Hawthorns. Chelsea were dealt a bitter blow in Round 18 as captain John Terry was sent off in a dangerous challenge on Everton's Leon Osman. Chelsea were good enough to hold on for a scoreless draw but will now be without their captain for 2 fixtures, including this one. Other absentees include Malouda and Essien while Carvalho is a chance of coming back into the London side. West Brom are boosted with the return of Jonathan Greening while Valero and Teixeira remain doubtful.
Verdict: Chelsea know they need to turn around their home form if they are to outlast their title challengers. The Londoners are without a win at Stamford Bridge in their last 3 consecutive fixtures, drawing against Newcastle and West Ham while losing to bitter rivals Arsenal. What a perfect opportunity for Chelsea to get their home form back on track against a West Brom side devoid of a strike force and a defence that has conceded 17 goals on their travels. With Stamford Bridge soaked in a festive mood, I expect the home side to put on a show.
Pick: Chelsea -1.75
Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom
Tottenham v Fulham
Summary: Struggling Tottenham will look to get away from the dreaded relegation zone as they face London rivals Fulham. Tottenham supporters will be glad to have seen improved perfomances from their team after Harry Redknapp took over the reins from Juande Ramos, winning 5 of their last 10 EPL outings. Their poor away form though deserted them once again when they fell 2-1 to Newcastle after a late Damien Duff winner. Fulham have been one of the surprises of the season, fully deserving their current position of 8th on the table. Consistant performances and good organisation have been the order of the day for Roy Hodgson's Cottagers. The visitors have lost only once in their last 11 fixtures, including a 2-1 win over today's opponents back in November. For this fixtures, Tottenham's seemingly never ending defensive problems continue with Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate doubtful, while Jenas and Bent are likely to be fit enough for a start. Fulham have their strongest 11 available with peripheral striker Zoltan Gera the only latest absentee.
Verdict: Fulham's away performances have been nothing short of incredible in comparison to seasons gone by. Credit to Roy Hodgson's side, they have only conceded 6 goals on their travels in 8 fixtures, including clean sheets at Aston Villa and Liverpool. Tottenham have improved but they have yet to find consistency, probably attributed to the fact that they feature a new defensive line every second week. In contrast, Fulham have have continuity and consistancy through fielding the same team for the majority of the season. Everton defeated Tottenham 1-0 on the back of October and I rate Fulham as very similar to the Merseysiders and thus, give them a good opportunity to take atleast a point from White Hart Lane.
Pick: Fulham +0.75
Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham
Middlesbrough v Everton
Summary: A tight affair is likely here with Middlesbrough hosting Everton. Middlesbrough are winless in their last 6 outings and are hoping to avenge a 3-0 thumping to Fulham in Round 18. Everton will be travelling in a confident mood, having tasted defeat only twice in their last 10 outings and winning 6 of their 9 away games to date. On Monday evening, Everton were rather unfortunate in not taking 3pts against title contenders and 10-man Chelsea, with the game eventually ending scoreless. Nevertheless, Everton can take confidence from their performance and in breaking Chelsea's incredible away record of 11 straight wins. Middlesbrough manager, Gareth Southgate, has concerns with the fitness of central midfielders O'Neil and Digard which is rather worrying considering the fine form of Everton's Arteta and Fellaini. On the other hand, Everton's striking options have been deminished through injury, leaving Tim Cahill to lead the line on his own. Centre back Yobo is definitely out with a hamstring injury while Osman is likely to be past fit.
Verdict: In their last away game, Middlesbrough performed admirably in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal. They will need to replicate that sort of performance today if they are to take all 3pts against a fast improving Everton side. Despite a striker shortage, Everton have picked up consecutive 1-0 away wins at Manchester City and Tottenham. Everton are currently performing at their highest level for the season whereas Middlesbrough are struggling to get going, recently dropping points at home to Bolton and Newcastle which isn't good form. In the absence of Yobo, Lescott will slot in at centre-half and Leighton Baines will have the chance to impress at left back so Everton will not lose anything at all in defence. Premier League games are usually won in midfield so with Middlesbrough likely to miss out on both their central midfielders, I expect Everton to take atleast a point here.
Pick: Everton +0.25
Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton
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