Liverpool v Manchester CityBurnley v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Arsenal
Hull City v West Ham United
Chelsea v Wolverhampton
Birmingham City v Fulham
Manchester United v Everton
Bolton v Blackburn
Tottenham v Wigan Athletic
Stoke City v Portsmouth
Saturday, November 21
Birmingham City v Fulham
Team news: Birmingham - Ferguson (IN), Fahey (IN) Fulham - Murphy (doubtful), Davies (IN), Johnson (OUT), Kamara (OUT)
Verdict: Birmingham will look to put the injustice at Liverpool behind them as they look to make it 4 games without defeat against in-form Fulham. Leading 2-1 at Anfield with 18 minutes remaining, Birmingham's Lee Carsley was incorrectly adjudged to have tripped Ngog and a penalty was awarded, and cooly converted by Gerrard. Conversely, Fulham were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw at Wigan despite only having 42% of possession and 3 shots on goal. Fulham's most creative influence, Danny Murphy, remains sidelined. We can expect the visitors to be starved of many clear cut opportunities, especially as Birmingham has only conceded 4 goals this season. The home side's push for a win will be boosted by the returning Barry Ferguson from suspension.
Pick: Birmingham DNB@ 1.79 (sbobet, 7 units)
Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham
Hull City v West Ham
Team news: Hull City - Giovanni (IN), Myhill (doubtful) West Ham: Cole (IN), Ilunga (IN), Dyer (doubtful), Diamanti (OUT)
Verdict: 1pt and a single position seperates the sides as 17th positioned Hull City meets 18th West Ham United. The pressure on Hull manager, Phil Brown, was released somewhat in their 2-1 victory over Stoke City but they can't rest on their laurels against the unfortunate West Ham United. West Ham have played some enterprising football in recent weeks with thrilling displays against Fulham, Arsenal, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Everton, without probably extracting the points they deserved. A 2-1 defeat to Everton was heartbreaking for the Hammers after creating so many guilt-edged opportunities with most falling to the inexperienced Hines. Fortunately for the visitors, star striker Carlton Cole returns from a hamstring strain. With the like of Parker and Collison in fine form in midfield, I expect the Hammers to have too much for the Tigers.
Pick: West Ham United -0.25AH @2.10 (sbobet, 7 units)
Hull City 3 - 3 West Ham United
Burnley v Aston Villa
Team news: Burnley - NONE Aston Villa - Petrov (IN), Collins (IN), Heskey (IN)
Verdict: Both teams go into this contest on the back of emphatic performances in their respective Round 12 displays. Aston Villa made short work of Bolton with a 5-1 win whereas Burnley were brave in their 3-3 draw at Manchester City (were leading 2-0). It is likely that we will get goals here as Aston Villa are yet to keep a clean sheet in 7 consecutive contests whereas Burnley have conceded a total of 15 goals in their last 6, the most in the league. Burnley believe they can beat anyone at Turf Moor and so they should with 5 wins and a single defeat till now. Aston Villa are a confident side at the moment, sitting just outside the Top 4 and backing up their biggest win of the season, so both teams go into this contest in a positive frame of mind. Stylian Petrov is a big plus for The Villains and his creativity will surely assist in the visitors' flow going forward.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals @1.93 (sbobet, 5 units)
Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Sunderland v Arsenal
Team news: Sunderland - Jones (OUT), Turner (OUT), Gordon (OUT) Arsenal - Van Persie (OUT), Denilson (IN), Clichy (OUT), Diaby (OUT)
Verdict: Sunderland have only tasted defeat once at the Stadium of Light so feel optimistic in avenging their unfortunate 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. Arsenal results away from home have been some what fortunate considering their performances haven't been of the highest order. Apart from the 6-1 mauling of Everton on the opening day of the season, Arsenal have not been extremely impressive on their travels and against a tough home team in Sunderland a surprise may be on the cards.
Pick: Sunderland +0.75AH @2.07 (sbobet, 5 units)
Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal
Sunday, November 22
Bolton v Blackburn
Team news: Bolton - Cohen (OUT), Riga (doubtful), Shittu (doubtful) Blackburn - Grella (IN)
Verdict: This game is not likely to be pleasing on the eye as two struggling sides do battle for three Premiership points. Blackburn's inability to get any sort of result on their travels has continued this season with a record of 10 straight away defeats stretching back to March. Bolton are none to clever at The Reebok either with only one win in their last 9. The home side have been on the receiving end of some hidings in recent matches, conceding 13 goals and scoring 1 in all competitions, to Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively. I expect Bolton to get back to basics here and keep it tight in the back, as their expansive game is not working at the moment. Blackburn have only scored 3 goals on their travels all season so a goal either way could decide this contest.
Pick: Under 2.75 goals @1.74 (sbobet, 6 units)
Bolton 0 - 2 Blackburn
Tottenham v Wigan Athletic
Team news: Tottenham - Lennon (50/50), Bassong (doubtful), Cudicini (OUT) Wigan Athletic - Figueroa (OUT)
Verdict: Arguably two of the most inconsistent teams in the EPL clash here. Tottenham have ridden their luck somewhat in the last month with fortunate victories against Portsmouth and Sunderland. Wigan have been unable to string two consecutive wins so far despite some eye catching performances. Wins against Chelsea, Burnley (at Turf Moor) and Aston Villa (at Villa Park) have shown that this team has potential if they can find some consistancy in their game. With Spurs having not really reached the heights since their 5-0 defeat of Burnley almost two months ago, the value is on the visitors to get something from this game.
Pick: Wigan Athletic +1.25 @1.81 (sbobet, 8 units)
Tottenham 9 - 1 Wigan Athletic
Wednesday, November 25
Hull City v Everton
Team news: Hull City - Mendy (OUT), Olofinjana (OUT) -- Everton - Fellaini (OUT), Bilyaletdinov (OUT), Pienaar (50/50)
Verdict: Hull City crept out of the relegation zone after clawing themselves back from a 2-goal deficit against West Ham United. After going 2-0 down within 11 minutes, luck smiled on The Tigers as a deflected Bullard free-kick and a penalty that never was gave them a remarkable 3-2 lead going into halftime. It was an advantage the home team could not hold, especially after Mendy was red-carded after denying Scott Parker a clear goalscoring opportunity. In turn, Everton were deservedly brushed aside 3-0, at Old Trafford, for trying to stifle the game. Everton manager, David Moyes, employed a 4-5-1 formation in the first half that was undone by a superbly taken Fletcher volley. Everton were much improved in the second half following Yakubu's introduction and a change to a 4-4-2 shape. The visitors were perhaps a little unfortunate to be punished by two further goals but Moyes may have taken note that the Yakubu/Saha partnership does have potential.
Jimmy Bullard was a stand out for Hull City but it will be difficult to see him have a similar impact here, especially after such a short turn around and considering he has only just returned from a long-term injury. On a side note, Bernard Mendy's driving runs will be missed by the home side as he faces suspension. His replacement, Paul McShane, will have nowhere near the same impact going forward. Everton face a difficult run of games following this one, including dates against Liverpool, Tottenham and league leaders Chelsea. 3pts are imperative for the Merseysiders here and I fully expect David Moyes to take the 'bull by the horns' and play Yakubu and Saha up front. Pienaar is also set to feature after been ruled out for 2 months with a knee injury. All in all, despite the numerous absentees, I believe Everton still have enough to curb Bullard's influence on the game and also pose more of a goal scoring threat.
Pick:
Everton -0.25AH @1.85 (sbobet, 9 units)
Hull City 3 - 2 Everton
Over 2.25 goals @1.84 (sbobet, 5 units)
Hull City 3 - 2 Everton
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