English Premier League Round 20 (28/12 - 30/12)

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


Monday, December 28

Stoke City v Birmingham City
Team news: Stoke City - Diao (susp.), Whelan (susp.), Shawcross (doubtful), Huth (doubtful) -- Birmingham City - nil

Verdict: Stoke City will look to break a 5 game winless streak against one of the form sides at the moment, Birmingham City. The Brummies may not be pretty on the eye but a combination of dogged determination and great goalkeeping has led them to a 10 match unbeaten run. These characteristics were in evidence in their weekend scoreless draw against Chelsea, a game where keeper Joe Hart strengthened his reputation as perhaps England's best keeper.
Stoke City currently lie in a comfortable 11th position but just 4pts from the relegation zone. Goals have been the problem for the Potters this season with just 15 scored, the worst offensive record in the league. Their current form does not suggest otherwise, held scoreless on 4 of their last 6 outings (admittedly all away from home) with just 3 goals scored. Not too dissimilar to Birmingham City however, they do have an impressive work ethic and a keeper in fine form, Thomas Sorensen. Historically, this has been a fixture that has produced little goals and form suggests that the trend will not be bucked here.

Pick: Under 2.25 goals @1.87 (pinaccle, 6 units)
Stoke City 0 - 1 Birmingham City

Blackburn v Sunderland
Team news: Blackburn - Emerton (IN), Dunn (OUT) -- Sunderland - Mensah (OUT), Ferdinand (OUT), Jones (doubtful), Turner (susp.)

Verdict: Blackburn will be aiming to return to winning ways at Ewood Park when they face an injury/suspension ravaged Sunderland side. Both sides are currently in the middle of a dry spell with Blackburn winless in 7 and Sunderland in 5 respectively. Blackburn though can look forward to this game with some optimism following some good performances against Tottenham (0-2) and Wigan Athletic (1-1). Sunderland were dissapointing on the weekend against Everton, especially after going ahead through another Darren Bent brace. In the end, the Black Cats had lady luck to thank for their 1-1 draw in a game where they continually gave away possession and dropped deeper and deeper into their own half.
In addition to Sunderland's poor away record of 1-1-7, they must also contend with some important absentees. John Mensah was Sunderland's MOM on Saturday and he is a huge doubt with a hamstring strain, leaving an already depleted back line even more depleted. Blackburn's Benni McCarthy was in fine fettle against Wigan Athletic and will look to further his claims for selection in the South Africa team. Along with Roberts and Di Santo, Blackburn do have the players to punish the visitors.

Pick: Blackburn -0.25 @1.86 (pinnacle, 7 units)
Blackburn 2 - 2 Sunderland

Everton v Burnley
Team news: Everton - Neville (IN), Distin (doubtful), Yobo (doubtful) -- Burnley - Carlisle (50/50), Caldwell (50/50)

Verdict: Two desperate sides will meet at Goodison Park this evening in an attempt to break out of their respective winless droughts. Everton have not won in 7 whereas Burnley have remained winless in 8. Despite Everton been one point and one position behind the Clarets, they go into this game in a more positive frame of mind. A deserved late equalizer by the impressive Marouane Fellaini at Sunderland ensured that Everton stretched their undefeated record to 4 games. In contrast, Burnley's early season dominance at Turf Moor seems to have waned as they were held to a 1-1 score line by lowly Bolton.

Burnley remain the worst travellers in the Premiership with a record of 0-1-8 to their name. Everton's performances have improved in the last month and they are beginning to dominate games in terms of possession and opportunities created. I expect this to be a break out game for the home side but not without its dramas. Everton have not kept a clean sheet since September so I expect goals, especially as both sides will most likely play without their respective first choice, central defensive pairings.

Picks:
Everton -0.75AH @1.90 (188bet, 10 units)
Everton 2 - 0 Burnley
Over 2.25 goals @1.77 (sbobet, 6 units)
Everton 2 - 0 Burnley

Tuesday, December 29

Bolton v Hull City
Team news: Bolton - McCann (OUT), Muamba (IN) -- Hull City - Geovanni (doubtful), V N Hesselink (doubtful), McShane (doubtful)

Verdict: 18th meets 19th as both clubs are presented with an opportunity to celebrate the new year outside the dreaded relegation zone. Taking into consideration Bolton's woeful season to date, their recent form of one defeat in 5 is decent. On Boxing Day, a 1-1 draw away to Burnley was a fine result for Bolton considering The Clarets' dominace at Turf Moor.
Hull City are winless in 5 which is not surprising following a tough set of fixtures. There's no denying though that their away form of 0-2-7 is that of a team heading through the relegation trap door. Hull City have been kept scoreless in 4 of their last 5 away fixtures which is worrying since Bolton seem to have found their scoring boots at The Reebok, recording a 3-3 draw against Manchester City (12/12) and a 3-1 win against West Ham United (15/12).

Bolton will enjoy an extra one day rest than the visitors which cannot be under estimated in such a physically demanding section of the fixture. In addition, Hull City are likely to be devoid of their only remaining creative force in Geovanni (doubtful), as Bullard is out till February. I really feel this game has come at the wrong time for the visitors, as 34 year-old George Boateng is likely to play his second game in 48hrs while players like Mendy and Olofinjana may also find it tough after recently returning from long injury lay-offs.

On a side note, it is also worth mentioning that Bolton have not kept a single clean sheet all season.

Picks:
Bolton -0.5AH @1.80 (188bet, 7 units)
Bolton 2 - 2 Hull City
Over 2.25 goals @1.79 (10bet, 5 units)
Bolton 2 - 2 Hull City

Aston Villa v Liverpool
Team news: Aston Villa - A.Young (susp.), Heskey (doubtful) -- Liverpool - Mascherano (susp.), Aquilani (doubtful)

Verdict: In arguably 'the match' of the festive period, Liverpool will look to make their Champions League ambitions a reality when they face a wounded Aston Villa. Villa suffered a rare loss to Arsenal (just 48hrs ago), as Fabregas came on and terrorised the Midlanders who eventually lost 3-0. Maybe it was a bit harsh on Aston Villa as they did give as good as they got in the first 45. A yellow card for Ashley Young does mean that the talented winger misses out here through suspension.
Liverpool returned to winning ways against Wolverhampton after losing to bottom club Portsmouth the week prior. Liverpool's pressure paid dividends after Wolves went a man down, running out convincing 2-0 winners in the end. Big signing, Aquilani did start his first game for Liverpool and will be expected to play again here due to the absence of the suspended Javier Mascherano.

Aston Villa have shown good bounce-back ability this season, recovering positively every time after defeat. Young will be a loss for the home team but the Villains are a hard-working unit and can compensate for the winger's absence. Liverpool themselves have squad issues also, especially in the middle of the park as Aquilani is not yet up to match fitness and playing his second match in 72hrs while Lucas' ability is questionable. Liverpool's win over Wolverhampton was not totally convincing while their away form of 3-1-5 has been poor so I expected more respect (by the bookies) for the home side here.

Pick: Aston Villa +0.25AH @1.88 (sbobet, 6 units)
Aston Villa 0 - 1 Liverpool

Portsmouth v Arsenal
Team news: Portsmouth – O’Hara (susp.) – Arsenal – Fabregas (OUT), Denilson (doubtful)

Verdict: Arsenal will look to follow up on their fine 3-0 win against Aston Villa at bottom club Portsmouth. A blistering second half performance by the Gunners and more specifically, Cesc Fabregas, sealed the points after an even first half. Portsmouth were undone by a 2-0 margin at West Ham United despite in-form striker Piquionne firing some good efforts on goal.
Since the 1-4 mauling at the hands of Manchester United (28/11), Portsmouth’s performances have improved, winning 3 of their last 4 at Fratton Park, including a 2-0 win over Liverpool. Arsenal were saved by a Fabregas master class at Villa Park but he, and possibly Denilson, will be absent tonight. Young players such as Ramsey, Walcott and utility man Eboue are expected to play their part as Wenger juggles his squad due to the fixture congestion, and Sunday’s FA Cup fixture in mind. As witnessed at Turf Moor (Burnley 1-1) and at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland 1-0) in the last month, Arsenal are far from a force on their travels as they are at The Emirates. If Portsmouth can put the shackles on in-form Diaby, they will go a long way in getting a result here. The Pompey has had an extra day to prepare here and they also have good recent home form which brings me to the conclusion that the home team will give a good account of themselves.

Pick: Portsmouth +1.25AH @1.70 (sbobet, 7 units)
Portsmouth 1 - 4 Arsenal