English Premier League Round 11 (31/10 - 4/11)

Arsenal v Tottenham
Burnley v Hull City
Bolton v Chelsea
Everton v Aston Villa
Sunderland v West Ham United
Fulham v Liverpool
Stoke City v Wolverhampton
Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic
Manchester United v Blackburn
Birmingham City v Manchester City


Saturday, October 31

Arsenal v Tottenham
Preview: In what looks like a mouth-watering game on paper, Arsenal do battle in their second consecutive London derby after dropping points at West Ham last weekend. After going two goals ahead and cruising, Arsenal managed to concede through a keeping error and a penalty, eventually leaving Upton Park with a 2-2 draw. Tottenham dominated their respective Round 10 clash against Stoke City but paid for their errant finishing in front of goal, succumbing to an undeserved 1-0 defeat. In team news, stand-in keeper Fabianski is the latest injury concern while the like of Rosicky, Denilson and Walcott are still on the treatment table. Spurs remain without the influential Lennon, Woodgate, and ofcoarse Modric who is a long term absentee.

Verdict: Despite all the hype about Tottenham challenging the top 4, they have flattered to deceive against the 'big boys' so far. Comprehensive defeats to Manchester United (1-3) and Chelsea (3-0) so far this season hints that they still have a long way to go. Arsenal have been flawless at The Emirates Stadium this season with a record that reads 4 consecutive wins, 17 goals scored and 4 conceded. The home team will be hellbent on picking up maximum points here after the dissapointment of dropping points in their last Premiership outing. I believe that Tottenham will really feel the absence of Modric and Lennon in this game as Arsenal are likely to dominate the midfield without the aforementioned opposing them.

Pick: Arsenal -1AH @1.93 (sbobet, 6 units)
Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham

Bolton v Chelsea
Preview: Having met just two days ago in the League Cup, both sides do battle again here with the home side looking for revenge. Bolton were swept aside at Stamford Bridge in a 4-0 defeat, against a Chelsea side that was devoid of some of its star players. Apart from Kevin Davies and Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton manager Gary Megson fielded a full strength team which makes the result even more disheartening. Bolton can perhaps look at their last league result for comfort with a 3-2 win over an injury-ravaged Everton side. Consequently, Chelsea thumped hapless Blackburn 5-0 to continue their impressive run of scoring form which has culminated in 13 goals scored and none conceded in their last three competitive fixtures. In team news, Bolton will give starts to Davies and Jaaskelainen, whereas the visitors add Lampard, Cech, Terry, Anelka, and Joe Cole to the side that played midweek.

Verdict: In the lead up to this encounter Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced that he will instruct his team to play the same way as they have done at Stamford Bridge (ie. the diamond formation). We can therefore expect the visitors to take the game to the home side. Bolton have only notched up one win in five at the Reebok and have conceded a total of nine goals in the process, worrying against a Chelsea side currently firing on all cylinders. There is a huge class difference here, in personel and current form, so I consider that a comfortable Chelsea win is more than likely.

Picks:
Chelsea -1AH @1.72 (sbobet, 8 units)
Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea
Chelsea -1.25AH @2.01 (sbobet, 5 units)
Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea

Burnley v Hull City
Preview: Burnley finally had their perfect record at Turf Moor broken following the 3-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic. They have an opportunity to make amends here against a club that is struggling on and off the pitch. Following Hull City's scoreless draw against bottom team Portsmouth, there have been numerous rumours circulating that manager Phil Brown is about to lose his job and that the chairman is about to throw the towel in. For a club that is sitting third from bottom and owners of the worst goal difference in the league (-14), off-field problems are like rubbing salt into wounds. In team news, Burnley's keeper Jensen and wing-back Jordan are doubtful (but should be passed fit) while Hull's keeper Myhill is definitely out. Midfielder, Jimmy Bullard, is touch and go for the visitors.

Verdict: Burnley will fancy themselves to get their home form back on track against a Hull City side that has conceded an average of 3 goals on their travels. Hull have looked completely toothless away from the KC stadium. The Clarets are facing a tough run of games over the next 6 weeks so I expect the players to be fully focused on getting the three points, a draw will not be good enough. Hull City is a club in turmoil and I expect things to get even worse following the 90 minutes of this contest.

Pick: Burnley -0.5AH @1.97 (sbobet, 5 units)
Burnley 2 - 0 Hull City

Everton v Aston Villa
Preview: Struggling Everton will look to stop a run of three consecutive losses at Goodison Park, against a stalling Aston Villa side. Everton's injury list has been well documented in recent weeks with no less than 10 first team players on the treatment table. Good news for the Blues is that the majority of those players should be back within the next month, with Baines and Yobo likely to return in time to face Aston Villa today. Following a bright start to their campaign, Aston Villa have slowly been brought back down to earth with defeat to Blackburn and dropped points at Wolverhampton in the last month. Thankfully for the visitors, their injury list is nothing like Everton's with Curtis Davies and Stewart Downing the only long term absentees.

Verdict: Both sides were involved in League Cup football midweek with Everton losing 2-0 at Tottenham, and Aston Villa winning on penalties at Sunderland. Despite losing three consecutive games, all away from Goodison Park, Everton have played some bright football. The main issue for the Merseysiders has been their backline which has shipped in 10 goals during this run of three losses. The inclusions of Yobo and Baines will be a huge plus for the home side. Aston Villa have been faultering away from Villa Park of late so Everton is not without a shout here. David Moyes' team has thrived on adversity in the past and together with the backing of the home support, I believe Everton can get their season back on track here.

Pick: Everton DNB @1.89 (sbobet, 7 units)
Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Wednesday, September 4
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Verdict: West Ham are conceding an extraordinarly large amount of goals, 14 in their last 6 games in fact whereas Aston Villa have conceded a measly 6 in the same amount of games. On the weekend, Aston Villa ground out a 1-1 draw at Everton whereas West Ham's defensive woes struck again as they let a 2-0 lead slip against a 10-man Sunderland. In team news, Aston Villa will miss the services of Milner while West Ham give a rare start to da Costa at centre-back. Aston Villa are solid if not spectacular at the moment but West Ham has been giving up too many goals for mine. The visitors have the men to put the ball in the back of the net while their defensive organisation will ensure that West Ham will find it hard to break them down.

Pick: Aston Villa DNB @2.21 (sbobet, 6 units)
West Ham United 2 - 1 Aston Villa