Portsmouth v EvertonBirmingham City v Bolton
Blackburn v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Hull City
Stoke City v Manchester United
Tottenham v Burnley
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Fulham v Arsenal
Sunderland v Wolverhampton
Manchester City v West Ham United
Saturday, September 26
Portsmouth v Everton
Preview: Pompey is a club that seems in big trouble, on and off the pitch. Winless so far this season with 6 straight defeats, it was announced yesterday that club CEO, Peter Storrie, is considering resigning due to the lack of funding from club owner, Al Fahim. The club is in huge debt and needs immediate funding to keep it afloat. In total contrast, Everton is a club that is concentrating solely on football matters and in the last ten days, it is something they have done very well. Three straight wins in three different competitions (11 scored 0 conceded) sees the Toffees going into this game in top form. In midweek, Everton achieved a record 4-0 away win at Hull City (during Moyes' tenure) all be it with a depleted squad. Players like Tim Cahill, Pienaar, Saha, and Yobo were rested and are expected to come straight back into the team for this game. Portsmouth are likely to give Steve Finnan his debut for the club (possibly as a substitute) while the game will come to early for the injured Diop and Hreidarsson.
Verdict: The visitors are favourites for this game and rightly so. It is not hard to see why Portsmouth are bottom of the table after losing so many players during the off-season. The team lacks a creative spark in midfield, while the strikeforce lacks real quality and Premiership experience. Home losses against Fulham and Bolton doesn't bode well for the home team and against a 'purring' Everton side visiting the South Coast, it is likely to get worse for the Pompey.
Pick: Everton -0.5AH @1.99 (ibcbet, 8 units)
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Everton
Birmingham City v Bolton
Verdict: Four days after defeating West Ham 3-1 in 120 minutes of football, Bolton must face a Birmingham side that has kept three clean sheets this season. Bolton boss, Gary Megson, only made two changes against the Hammers to the side that drew with Stoke City (Round 6 of EPL). In contrast, Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, clearly showed that the Carling Cup was never on his team's agenda as he fielded a largely makeshift side that went down 2-0 at Sunderland. Birmingham are an organised side and have been very competitive (and possibly a little unfortunate) against more fancied opposition such as Manchester United and Aston Villa, losing 2-1 and 1-0 respectively on those occasions. Bolton has failed to impress so far and Gary Megson has come under fire from some sections of supporters about the team's style of play. Bolton have a tough fixture list coming up and know this will be their best opportunity for a while to pick up maximum points. It will not be easy though as Bolton have yet to keep the opposition scoreless. In addition, Birmingham's Christian Benitez looked very impressive in his full debut for the home club last week (in the 1-0 win at Hull City) so he could be a major factor here. I'm favouring a well rested Birmingham to get passed a poor (and possibly drained) Bolton side here, but only narrowly.
Pick: Birmingham -0.25AH @ 2.020 (ibcbet, 5 units)
Birmingham 1 - 2 Bolton
Tottenham v Burnley
Preview: Tottenham will look to put their last two Premiership defeats behind them as they tackle a Burnley side yet to a register a point (or goal for that matter) on their travels. Both teams were involved in Cup action midweek with cup specialists Tottenham winning 5-1 at Preston (Crouch hat-trick) while Burnley lost 3-2 at Barnsley. To make matters worse, Burnley received injuries to first-teamers McCann and Patterson while inspirational keeper, Brian 'The Beast' Jensen, received a corked thigh. Tottenham defensive duo, Dawson and Bale, made their much awaited returns midweek and are in line to make their Premiership bows against the Clarets.
Verdict: Tottenham have failed to keep a cleansheet in all of their 8 competitive fixtures this season. Defensive stability has been an issue for Spurs for many years now and the backline reshuffling is set to continue today as the injured King and Bassong (doubtful) are replaced. Burnley's two goal hero in the 3-1 win over Sundarland (in Round 6), David Nugent, will be keen to prove his worth to former manager Harry Rednapp after 'Appy 'Arry left him out in the cold at Portsmouth. Taking into account Burnley's poor defensive away record, Spurs' scoring power and defensive instability, we are likely to see a goalfest at White Hart Lane.
Pick: Over 2.75 goals @1.80 (sbobet, 6 units)
Tottenham 5 - 0 Burnley
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Preview: Wigan's outstanding record of 34 games without beating Top 4 opposition is likely to roll onto 35 as they face a Chelsea side with a perfect winning record. Wigan were embarassed at the Emirates Stadium last week in a 4-0 defeat to the Arsenal. Chelsea dispatched their London neighbours Tottenham in a 3-0 win but the boys from White Hart Lane have a right to feel a little aggrieved at some strange refereeing decisions. In team news, Wigan has a clean bill of health with only Scott Sinclair ineligible as he is on loan from Chelsea. The Pensioners retain the long awaited services of Joe Cole and Russian wing-back, Zhirkov. Both are likely to be on the substitutes bench.
Verdict: Wigan's open style of play has already led to some heavy defeats this season, admittedly against top sides in Manchester United (0-5) and Arsenal (4-0). Chelsea have kept 5 cleansheets in their last 6 competitive games so it's not going to get any easier here. Wigan manager, Roberto Martinez, has vowed not to change his ways for this game, commenting that "playing for a cleansheet is a recipe for disaster". Didier Drogba is bang on form and with the improved Ballack and Lampard (just to name a few) pulling the strings in midfield, Wigan are in for a torrid time.
Pick: Chelsea -1.25AH @1.80 (sbobet, 7 units)
Wigan Athletic 3 - 1 Chelsea
Sunday, September 27
Sunderland v Wolverhampton
Preview: Both sides put in decent performances midweek, in the Carling Cup, with Sunderland winning 2-0 over Birmingham whereas Wolverhampton were narrowly defeated 1-0 at Manchester United. Sunderland made 4 changes for their midweek clash from the team that lost at Burnley, while the Wolves made 7 changes in their respective game. The good news for the Wolves is that key men are beginning to return from injury with Ebanks-Blake and Kightly making impressive returns. Sunderland can move into equal fifth with a win here whereas a win for the visitors will lift them as high as eighth.
Verdict: Apart from the surprise 3-1 defeat at Blackburn, the Wolves have been very competitive this season, losing by the odd goal at Manchester City in the league and Manchester United in the Carling Cup. Sunderland themselves have been impressive apart for the 3-1 defeat to Burnley. The difference between the two sides lies in attack and it has been evident in the results to date, that Sunderland do have the striking power to put teams to the sword. With a tough fixture list lying in wait(Man U away, Liverpool home), Sunderland know that a win here is vital in order to hang onto the coat tails of the Premier League's elite. The Wolves will improve as their injury brigade return to full match fitness but I feel this game will come to early for them.
Pick: Sunderland -0.75AH @2.16 (sbobet, 7 units)
Sunderland 5 - 2 Wolverhampton
Monday, 28 September
Manchester City v West Ham United
Verdict: Manchester City will aim to put the dissapointment of the Manchester Derby behind them as they face a struggling West Ham United. West Ham sit third from bottom and apart from an opening day winning at promoted Wolverhampton, their away results in particular have been rather dissapointing. Last week, The Hammers put in a spirited performance against Liverpool (losing 2-3) but their last two away fixtures have produced a scoreless draw at Blackburn and a 1-0 defeat at Wigan. Their over reliance on striker Carlton Cole is not good and against an experienced Man City defence, the Hammers are unlikely to get much change. In team news, the visitors will miss on the services of key defender Matthew Upson while City lose the creative influence of Stephen Ireland. Manchester have goals in them so I expect the home team to go some way into healing the wounds of last week.
Verdict: Manchester City -0.75AH @1.72 (sbobet, 8 units)
Manchester City 3 - 1 West Ham United
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