English Premier League Round 34 (17/04 - 19/04)

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


Saturday, April 17

Stoke City v Bolton

Verdict: With Stoke City's season seemingly over, Bolton still has everything to play for as they lie just 5pts above the relegation zone. Despite their poor current form of one win in their last 6, Bolton were spirited in the 1-0 loss at Chelsea midweek and perhaps deserved a draw from the game. Stoke City were involved in a dour scoreless draw at Wolverhampton last weekend.

Stoke City have a host of injury concerns to some key players for this encounter. Top scorer Ricardo Fuller, flying winger Matthew Etherington, and defender Ryan Shawcross are unlikely to be risked by manager Tony Pulis. Goals have been a problem for Bolton but they have had a tough fixture list to contend with over the last month. I expect a tight, low-scoring contest here and give Bolton a good chance to get something from this game.

Picks:
Bolton +0.25AH @2.04 (expekt, 10 units)
Stoke City 1 - 2 Bolton
Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73 (stanjames, 10 units)
Stoke City 1 - 2 Bolton

Sunderland v Burnley

Verdict: Following a period where Sunderland were struggling for goals at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats have scored 11 in their last 4 home encounters. They will be looking to continue that scoring trend when they welcome 3rd from bottom Burnley. The Clarets recorded their biggest and arguably their most important win of the season last weekend, a 4-1 win at fellow strugglers Hull City. This was some turn around after losing 6-1 at home to Manchester City the week prior.

Burnley have tough fixtures ahead as they welcome Champions League chasing Liverpool and Tottenham at Turf Moor, sandwiching a trip to Birmingham City. Sunderland have nothing to play for but they will surely be looking to put on a show for their faithful supporters against a team with the worst defensive record in the league.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals @1.83 (stanjames, 10 units)
Sunderland 2 - 1 Burnley

Birmingham City v Hull City

Verdict: Both sides suffered humiliating defeats on the weekend. Birmingham City uncharacteristicly let in 5 at Manchester City to lose 5-1 while Hull City handed Burnley their first away win of the season, losing 4-1.
Hull City find themselves deep in the relegation mire, lying in 17th position and 4pts from safety with an inferior goal difference of -38. Birmingham City boss, Alex McLeish, will be seething at the manner in which his team suffered their worst defeat of the season. Birmingham City though are undefeated at home in 13 successive matches and I expect a big reaction from them today. Birmingham City have a full squad to choose from with arguably the goalkeeper of the season, Joe Hart, back in the fold after his ineligibility last weekend. Hull City have a host of important players missing such as Zaki, Zayatte, Hunt, and Gardner.

Despite Birmingham City not having anything to play for, their reputation was tarnished last week and I feel that the hapless Tigers will feel the backlash here.

Pick: Birmingham City -0.75AH @2.03 (expekt, 10 units)
Birmingham City 0 - 0 Hull City

Sunday, April 18

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal

Verdict: With Bolton, Hull City, and Wolverhampton all picking up points, Wigan Athletic lie just 4pts above the relegation zone. Midweek, Wigan were denied a golden opportunity to further themselves from danger with a scoreless draw against doomed Portsmouth. Arsenal followed their mauling at the hands of Barcelona with a 2-1 defeat to London rivals Tottenham.

With so many key players missing for Arsenal including Almunia, Fabregas, Denilson, and Vermaelen, I feel the visitors will struggle to break down a home side that has only conceded 8 goals in their last nine home encounters. Wigan Athletic have rarely been blown away at the DW stadium this season so with the Arsenal depleted and not in the best of form, I feel the handicap presents great value for the home team.

Pick: Wigan Athletic +1AH @2.05 (sportsalive, 10 units)
Wigan Athletic 3 - 2 Arsenal

Monday, April 19

Liverpool v West Ham United

Verdict: An interesting game is in prospect as both teams desperately need the three points for contrasting reasons. Liverpool is looking to secure a Europa spot for next season where as West Ham United are just 3pts from the drop, and fighting for their Premiership lives.

West Ham United seem to have found a bit of fight just at the right time. The Hammers have garnered 4pts from their last two games - a 2-2 draw at Everton and a 1-0 home win against Sunderland. Scott Parker sits out the final game of his suspension so Noble is expected to continue in his absence. The big news coming from Anfield is that Torres is out for the rest of the season. This is a big blow for Liverpool as they have only won 4 of their 12 games this season with out their main marksman. Add to this the latest speculation surrounding the ownership of the club and the manager's future, also the Europa Cup semi-final at Atletico Madrid in 3 days time, and we see that the home side is probably not in the best possible shape at the moment.

Pick: West Ham United +1.5AH @1.73 (10 units, bodog)
Liverpool 3 - 0 West Ham United