English Premier League Round 32 (3/04 - 4/04)

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


Saturday, April 3

Stoke City v Hull City

Verdict: Both sides ended their respective winless droughts last weekend. Stoke City toppled relegation threatened West Ham United 0-1 where as Hull City won 2-0 over a Fulham side that had perhaps one eye on the Europa League. Stoke City ended a month long of tough fixtures against the like of Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Tottenham with a win that moved them within touching distance of the top half of the table. Hull City won just their 2nd game this year to move them equal on points with West Ham United in 18th position.

Hull City remain with out a win on their travels so a trip to the Brittania Stadium is a daunting task. Despite Stoke City's current position of security, 12pts above the relegation zone and equally distant from the European spots, the Potters have not let up on their performances. With winnable games ahead, I expect Stoke City to push hard right to the end of the season in attempt to secure a top half finish.

Pick: Stoke City @ 1.80 (expekt, 10 units)
Stoke City 2 - 0 Hull City

Arsenal v Wolverhampton

Verdict: Arsenal paid a hefty price for their brave 2-2 draw against Barcelona midweek with Fabregas, Gallas and Arshavin ruled out through injury for this encounter (at least). Today's visitors to the Emirates, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have done well in recent weeks to move 5pts above the relegation zone and into 14th position. The Wolves followed up impressive away performances at West Ham United, Burnley, and Aston Villa with a plucky, if not fortunate, scoreless draw against Everton last weekend.

Undefeated in their last four encounters, I feel the Wolves will approach this encounter in a positive frame of mind and with the thought of maybe causing an upset. Despite Arsenal's absentees, the Gunners have shown this season that they can score freely with out captain Fabregas in the side (ie. 3-0 Hull City, 4-1 @Portsmouth, 2-2 Everton, 2-1 @Hull City). In addition, I expect young Theo Walcott to put in a good performance following his bright cameo appearance (and goal) against Barcelona. Wolves are not with out their threats either with Doyle, Jarvis and Craddock (from set pieces) all capable of breaching a perhaps unsettled Arsenal defence absent of Gallas. In the reverse fixture, this game resulted in a 4-1 score line to Arsenal and as was the case in that game, I expect goals here too.

Pick: Over 2.75 goals @1.84 (sbobet, 10 units)
Arsenal 1 - 0 Wolverhampton

Burnley v Manchester City

Verdict: Winless since early February, Burnley is a side in free fall. It has all unravelled for the Clarets following their bright early home form. Since they went on a run of a single defeat in their first 10 home fixtures, Burnley have lost four of their last 6 at Turf Moor against the like of Portsmouth, Wolverhampton, and last weekend to Blackburn. Manchester City were flattered by the 3-0 score line over Wigan Athletic but can thank that man Carlos Tevez again, scoring a hat-trick and taking his season goal tally to 19.

Manchester City are still a team under construction which is a scary thought for other sides, considering that they currently occupy 5th position and are well in the mix for a Champions League spot. The Sky Blues have strung some impressive away performances of late with wins at Chelsea and Fulham, sandwiching a draw at Sunderland. Despite their absentees and their unconvincing performances, I believe Manchester City do have the individuals to defeat a side doomed for the drop.

Pick: Manchester City -0.75AH @1.93 (bet365, 10 units)
Burnley 1 - 6 Manchester City

Sunday, April 4

Birmingham City v Liverpool

Verdict: Birmingham City will look to preserve their proud home record when they entertain a Liverpool side who tasted defeat in Lisbon midweek. Birmingham City have lost only twice at St Andrew's this season, proving a stumbling block for many top tier sides including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and most recently Arsenal. Liverpool go into this game on a back of a 2-1 loss against Porto just 3 days ago. The Reds were forced to play the majority of that game with 10 men so fatigue may come into affect for the visiting team.

Liverpool are in the middle of an amazing goal scoring drought on their travels, scoring only 3 goals in their last 9 Premier League fixtures on the road. Birmingham City has only conceded 11 goals at St Andrew's all season so you sense that the visitors will have a tough time breaking down a spirited and organised home side. After gaining promotion to the Premier League this season, Birmingham City have defied all odds in the way they have performed. Currently occupying 9th position, Alex McLeish will be eager that his chargers finish in the top half of the table and set a standard for next season.

Pick: Birmingham City +0.75AH @1.92 (10bet, 10 units)
Birmingham City 1 - 1 Liverpool

Everton v West Ham United

Verdict: Everton will look to stretch their home winning streak to 8 games today when they face a West Ham United side in free fall. The Hammers have lost their last 6 encounters overall, and have not won on their travels since the opening day at Wolverhampton. Recent home defeats to Bolton, Wolverhampton, and Stoke City really do emphasize the crisis that the London club is in. West Ham though can draw comfort from the fact that they have a superior goal difference to teams around them in the relegation zone.

With Aston Villa's win at Bolton yesterday stretching the gap for 7th position to 5pts, the importance of this game has multiplied for Everton. The Merseysiders simply must win here to stay in touch and give themselves a chance of over taking Villa when the clubs meet in 10 days time. Arteta and Anichebe are the only doubts for the home side but I believe Everton manager, David Moyes, will risk them and field his strongest side possible. I feel that both sides are equally motivated for this game but form and personel sways me into thinking that the home side can continue to dream of Europe next season, at least until the next game.

Pick: Everton -1AH @1.73 (sbobet, 10 units)
Everton 2 - 2 West Ham United

Fulham v Wigan Athletic

Verdict: Europe conquerers, Fulham FC, will have one eye on their 2nd leg Q/F Europa Cup clash at Wolfsburg midweek when they face struggling Wigan Athletic. Fulham hold a slender 2-1 advantage following the win at Craven Cottage so if history is anything to go by, we can expect manager Roy Hodgson to tinker with his squad and rest some key players. In their last encounter at Manchester City, Wigan Athletic were made to pay for some poor defensive errors and ill discipline after conceding a Tevez hat-trick in a 12 minute period. The score line definitely flattered the Sky Blues as Wigan Athletic did play well for the majority of the game.

Fulham have kept 7 clean sheets at Craven Cottage this season, conceding only 11 goals in 15 games. It is highly possible that Fulham will rest figures such as Zamora and Dempsey so the home team's fire power may be dented some what. Wigan Athletic have scored at an average of just under a goal per game on their travels so they will definitely have trouble penetrating the home side's back line. The visitors recall first choice keeper, Chris Kirkland from a virus but lose captain Gary Caldwell through suspension. Scharner can easily feel that void so the visitors should be solid enough in the back.

Historically, this has been a low scoring affair. Fulham's exertions in Europe and Wigan's inefficiency on their travels makes me to believe that history will repeat itself here.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals @1.73 (stanjames, 10 units)
Fulham 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic