Arsenal v BurnleyWest Ham United v Bolton
Wolverhampton v Manchester United
Everton v Hull City
Wigan Athletic v Liverpool
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
Sunderland v Bolton
Burnley v Stoke City
Saturday, March 6
Arsenal v Burnley
Verdict: Arsenal have the opportunity to draw level with league leaders, Chelsea, when they meet second from bottom Burnley. A big week lies in wait for both clubs as Arsenal play the second leg of their Champions' League Q/F with Porto where as Burnley play winnable home games against Stoke City and Wolverhampton.
Arsenal showed great courage last weekend in overcoming a tough Stoke City side with a 1-3 score line. Aaron Ramsey broke his leg in that game while the scores were tied at 1-1 but The Gunners put that shock behind them to score two late goals. Burnley were abysmal in their 1-2 home loss to fellow strugglers Portsmouth. They continually gave the ball away and deserved to lose in the end. With two vital games with in a space of week and Burnley's dismal away record, I won't be surprised if Burnley looked a little disinterested in this game. In contrast, Arsenal have the best opportunity to improve on their goal difference which is currently 7 goals worse off than Manchester United and 4 worse off than Chelsea's, respectively.
Pick: Arsenal -2AH @1.91 (sbobet, 10 units)
Arsenal 3 - 1 Burnley
Sunday, March 7
Everton v Hull City
Verdict: Third from bottom Hull City will look to gain their first away victory for the season against faultering Everton. The Tigers are fighting for their lives at the moment where as Everton are still harbouring thoughts of European qualification. It was a bad week for The Blues last week, knocked out of Europe by Sporting Lisbon, followed by a 2-1 loss at Tottenham. Hull City are much worse off, recording only a single victory since November of last year.
Everton can boast a good home record with 5 consecutive wins at Goodison Park, including the scalps of Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea. Their first half performance at Tottenham was dismal to say the least but that can probably be attributed to their European hang over. Landon Donovan's glaring miss in the second half should of given the Merseysiders a share of the spoils. Hull City have an away scoring record of 3-21 since late October so they would hope that influential midfielder, Jimmy Bullard, will be fit enough to return today.
Despite the glitches in Everton's recent performances, it is wise to point out that they both came away from home. Saha is a big loss for the home side but they may be boosted by the return of Cahill, while Yakubu did look sharper the longer the game went on at Tottenham. Players like Osman, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov and Donovan would of appreciated the week's break and I expect a strong Everton performance today.
Pick: Everton -1AH @1.75 (sbobet, 10 units)
Everton 5 - 1 Hull City
Everton v Hull City (over pick)
Verdict: Hull City have the second worst defensive record in the league, conceding 54 goals in total and 34 on their travels. The Tigers have suffered embarrassing defeats at the hands of Liverpool, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Manchester United this season and perhaps another is on its way.
Everton have been in superb form at Goodison Park, scoring at over 2 goals per game in their last 8 home fixtures against teams in much better defensive shape than Hull City. With no further 'distractions' of Cup competitions, Everton's smallish squad will in a way appreciate that they can just focus on the league. The Blues are a long shot at qualifying for Europe this season so I don't feel that they are under any real pressure.
In closing, I believe that the 7 day rest has done the home side the world of good and I expect them to express themselves and put the hapless Tigers to the sword.
Over 2.5 goals @1.92 (sbobet, 10 units)
Everton 5 - 1 Hull City
Tuesday, March 9
Sunderland v Bolton
Verdict: Sunderland will look to put an end to their 14 game winless streak against an in form Bolton side. Bolton have recorded consecutive wins over Wolverhampton and West Ham United . The win at Upton Park was Bolton's first away maximum since their 3-2 victory at Portsmouth, back in September of last year. They also broke a 4 game scoreless streak on their travels.
Despite lying just 3pts above the relegation zone, Sunderland have only been defeated twice at The Stadium of Light. Scoring has been a problem of late for the Wearsiders with just 3 goals scored in their last 6 home fixtures. It must be pointed out that four of those games were against good defensive sides in Aston Villa, Everton, Stoke City and Fulham. With 11 games to go, Sunderland must make the most of their easier home fixtures as their away form is dismal. With the club's owner, Ellis Short, watching on this evening, there will be no better time to get a win here. The visitors are playing just 3 days after their win in London and in addition, their 5th game (compared to Sunderland's 3rd) in just over a fortnight. I expect the rested home side to get a much needed victory here.
Pick: Sunderland -0.25AH @1.82 (sbobet, 10 units)
Sunderland 4 - 0 Bolton
Wednesday, March 10
Burnley v Stoke City
Verdict: Burnley will aim to continue their fine midweek record at Turf Moor as they face a Stoke City side sitting comfortably in 11th position. Burnley defeated Manchester United and gained a creditable 1-1 draw against Arsenal in night games, this season. The visitors don't have much to play for at the moment after they were knocked out of the FA Cup on the weekend, 2-0 loss to Chelsea. The Potters sit 10pts above the relegation zone and in addition, have a host of first team players out including Shawcross, Whelan, Higginbottom, and Fuller.
Despite their lowly position of first from bottom, Burnley hold solid home form of 6-4-3 at Turf Moor. Stoke City are the lowest scoring team on their travels (7 goals in 13 games). In addition to the points already mentioned above, I expect the home side to edge this contest.
Pick: Burnley -0.25AH @2.11 (sbobet, 10 units)
Burnley 1 - 1 Stoke City
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