English Premier League Round 17 (15/12 - 16/12)

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


Tuesday, December 15

Birmingham City v Blackburn
Team news: Birmingham City - Nil -- Blackburn - Grella (doubtful), Dunn (OUT).

Verdict: The most in form team in the competition, Birmingham City, face a stuttering Blackburn side struggling for goals. Blackburn have been kept scoreless in their last 4 Premier League fixtures against the like of Stoke City and Hull City. There's no doubting that the absence of David Dunn has played a factor in this recent poor run and he will miss out again, along with midfield enforcer Vince Grella. Birmingham City are undefeated in their last 7 fixtures and most importantantly, manager Alex McLeish has had the fortune of using a relatively unchanged first 11 during this run. With a difficult period leading into Christmas, Birmingham City must feel this is a perfect opportunity to get another 3 points.

Picks:
Birmingham City -0.25AH @2.03 (sbobet, 7 units)
Birmingham City 2 - 1 Blackburn
Birmingham City UNDER 2.5 goals @1.65 (sbobet, 5 units)
Birmingham City 2 - 1 Blackburn

Manchester United v Wolverhampton
Team news: Manchester United - Fabio (IN) -- Wolverhampton - Edwards (OUT)

Verdict: Wolverhampton will be dreading the backlash from Manchester United after the Red Devils were defeated 1-0 by Aston Villa. Wolverhampton took advantage of Spurs 2-2 hangover (against Everton) with a hard fought 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. I sense that this will be an even tougher assignment for the Wolves as Manchester United look to hit right back after a rare loss in front of their home fans. With Mick McCarthy's men facing a winnable fixture at home against Burnley on the weekend, the Wolves may just give this game a 'wide berth' in prepartion for the Clarets fixture.

Pick: Manchester United -1.75AH @1.74 (betfair, 9 units)
Manchester United 3 - 0 Wolverhampton

Burnley v Arsenal
Team news: Arsenal - Traore (OUT), Denilson (doubtful), Eboue (IN) -- Burnley - Nil

Verdict: Arsenal take on Burnley just days following (arguably) their best result of the season, a 2-1 win at Liverpool. Burnley did enough to secure a point against in form Fulham in a dour 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. That result means that Burnley remain winless in their last 5 Premiership encounters.

Arsenal were not particularly impressive against Liverpool but some fortune (Johnson OG) and a superb snapshot from Arshavin was good enough to secure the points. Burnley have shown they are a match for anyone at Turf Moor despite their shortcomings on their travels. The Clarets have suffered only a single defeat in front of their fanatical support and I expect them to raise their game against a battle weary Arsenal. Burnley have also had an extra day to prepare for this game, an advantage that should not be underestimated during this hectic Christmas period.

Pick: Burnley +1.25AH @1.91 (sbobet, 6 units)
Burnley 1 - 1 Arsenal

Liverpool v Wigan Athletic
Team news: Liverpool - Nil -- Wigan Athletic - Thomas (IN)

Verdict: Liverpool's dissapointing season took another hammer blow following their 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal. Liverpool's fragility was there for all to see as they capitulated following the own goal by Glen Johnson. However, Liverpool did have the better of the first half and produced arguably their best period of football for many weeks. Wigan Athletic drew 2-2 at Stoke City in a game which included a wonder goal by Maynor Figueroa and a penalty save by Thomas Sorensen.

Worryingly for Wigan boss, Roberto Martinez, his side are conceding far too many goals. The nine goals aside against Tottenham, Wigan have since managed to concede plentiful goals against some of the lowest scorers in the league, namely Birmingham City (2-3) and Stoke City (2-2). Despite their struggles, Liverpool are high scorers at Anfield (22 goals - 2nd best) which doesn't bode well for the Latics. In addition, Benitez has the rare luxury (this season) of choosing from a full strength side. If Liverpool can replicate anything like their first half performance against Arsenal, I see nothing but a comfortable win for the home side.

Pick: Liverpool -1.25AH @1.68 (sbobet, 7 units)
Liverpool 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic