English Premier League Round 8 (16-18/10)

Arsenal v Birmingham City
Bolton v Stoke City
Fulham v Tottenham
Manchester United v WBA
Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton v West Ham United
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Liverpool
Blackpool v Manchester City
Blackburn v Sunderland


Saturday, October 16

Arsenal v Birmingham

Verdict: Arsenal will aim to put a 3-game winless streak behind them when they face struggling Birmingham City. The Gunners dropped their second consecutive game on Sunday when they lost 2-0 at Chelsea despite having more than enough of the game to take something from Stamford Bridge. Birmingham City has not really got going this season, and they slumped to 16th on the table after a 0-2 home loss to fellow strugglers Everton.

Arsenal has scored 12 goals in their three games at The Emirates, and will look to put the blow torch on a Birmingham City side that is low in confidence. Arsenal has a long injury list but they are likely to retain the services of Walcott, Bendtner, and young wing-back Kieran Gibbs. Birmingham City is still without their top scorer for this season in Craig Gardner, through suspension, while McFadden remains sidelined through injury. Arsenal is playing much the better football at the moment and despite the length of their injury list, they are more than capable of a comfortable victory here.

Pick: Arsenal -1.5AH @1.88 (sbobet, 10 units)
Arsenal 2 - 1 Birmingham City

Bolton v Stoke City

Verdict: Bolton’s winless streak was stretched to 5 games last weekend following a 1-1 draw at in form West Brom. The silver lining is that they have only lost one of those encounters, an unfortunate (red card to Gary Cahill that wasn’t) 4-1 loss at Arsenal. In contrast, Stoke City has been gritty in managing to garner points from losing positions in three of their last four games. New boy, Kenwyne Jones, has been the main focal point for the Potters with 3 goals so far this season.

Bolton have had a tough run of fixtures in the last month but have acquitted themselves reasonably well, picking up draws against Aston Villa, Manchester United, and at form side WBA. Swedish striker, Johan Elmander, seems to be in good form also with 4 goals. Now, the Trotters have a winnable game against a workman like Stoke City side. At the Reebok, Bolton has only lost to Aston Villa, Arsenal and Manchester United in the last 10 months. I believe the home side has played the better football so far this season and give them a slight edge.

Pick: Bolton -0.25AH @1.90 (sbobet, 10 units)
Bolton 2 - 1 Stoke City

Fulham v Tottenham

Verdict: Fulham remain undefeated so far this season following their 1-1 draw at West Ham. New manager, Mark Hughes, has made Fulham hard to beat despite the absence of Dembele and Zamora through injury. Tottenham had to dig deep after deservedly going a goal down against Aston Villa, only for Rafael van der Vaart to score on the stroke of half-time and then complete the 2-1 comeback in the second period.

Tottenham’s away performances have been indifferent this season with a rather fortunate 1-2 win at Stoke City their only maximum on their travels in 3 games. The Spurs also have a glamorous Champions’ League fixture at Inter Milan next week so I won’t be surprised if they have one eye on that game as they prepare to face their London rivals. As mentioned above, Fulham have few striking options so it’s important they focus on keeping it tight at the back. Tottenham have only scored 3 goals in total at the like of Stoke City, WBA, and West Ham United so I give Fulham every chance of restricting their more illustrious opponents to few opportunities.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals @1.80 (sbobet, 5 units)
Fulham 1 - 2 Tottenham


Sunday, October 17

Everton v Liverpool

Verdict: Only one place separates these two fierce rivals as they go into this game in 17th and 18th position respectively. Everton atleast prepare for this game with winning form on their side after their clinical 0-2 victory at Birmingham City, breaking the Brummies’ proud undefeated home record in the process. In contrast, Liverpool suffered their lowest of lows for a long time, losing 1-2 to new boys Blackpool and dropping into the relegation zone (and below their Merseyside rivals) as a consequence.

Despite both sides level on 6pts, Everton is clearly playing the better football. The introduction of Yakubu up front and Coleman on the right-wing has given the Blues a good balance, bossing possession and creating more opportunities than their opposition. In contrast, Liverpool is a club in disarray, on and off the pitch. There was a glimmer of good news midweek with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the club to sell to prospective new buyers but this situation seems far from resolved. On the field, Torres and Konchesky are given a chance to play while Kuyt and Agger remain sidelined. Everton lose Jagielka (will be replaced by Heitinga) while Pienaar, and Saha are not ready to return. I give the edge to the blue half of Merseyside with form, home advantage, and ‘know how’ on their side. Players such as Meireles, Poulsen, and Jovanovic will never have played a game of such intensity which is a big plus for the home side.

Pick: Everton -0.25AH @2.06 (sbobet, 10 units)
Everton 2 - 0 Liverpool


Monday, October 18

Blackburn v Sunderland

Verdict: Blackburn will look to put the dissapointing performance, in the 1-0 loss at Stoke City, behind them when they face an improving Sunderland. Blackburn only had one attempt on goal against the Potters and will need to do much better here against the visitors who have notched up consecutive draws against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

Sunderland can consider themselves unfortunate that they don't find themselves higher up the table. Poor refereeing decisions by now suspended referee, Stuart Atwell, was their undoing in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool while they had the majority of possession, and goal scoring opportunities, in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United. In contrast, Blackburn have been mediocre all season and are arguably the least attractive team to watch in the BPL. Sunderland are the team in better form and have more players in midfield and attack that can pose a goal threat. In addition, Titus Bramble and Michael Turner, have the aerial capacity to negate Blackburn's aerial game.

Pick: Sunderland +0.25AH @2.14 (sbobet, 10 units)
Blackburn 0 - 0 Sunderland