Aston Villa v WBAEverton v Wigan Athletic
Fulham v Sunderland
Stoke City v Blackpool
West Ham United v Manchester City
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Bolton v Blackburn
Wolverhampton v Birmingham City
Tottenahm v Chelsea
Manchester United v Arsenal
Saturday, December 11
Aston Villa v WBA
Verdict: Aston Villa will be desperate to end a run of three defeats on the bounce when they entertain the excitable West Bromwich Albion. Although it's still early days yet,last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool sent the Villains on the doorstep of relegation (17th by virtue of a better goal diff. than Wigan Athletic). Following a blip of five games without a win, WBA look to have rediscovered their good early season form. Back to back wins over Everton (1-4) and Newcastle United (3-1) sees the Baggies looking down on more teams than most on the BPL table.
One major factor in Aston Villa's poor form, injuries apart, is their inability to keep a clean sheet, conceding 14 goals in their last six league encounters. With regular midfield strong men in Reo-Coker, Petrov, and Sidwell on the sidelines, Villa look to have a soft center about them. West Brom's away games this season have more often that not produced goals, with an average of 3.71 per game. Nothing but 3pts is good enough for the home side so I expect an open encounter between two attacking teams.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals @2.0 (pinnacle, 5 units)
Aston Villa 2 - 1 WBA
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Verdict: Newcastle will look to put a tumultuous week behind them following the unfair sacking of manager, Chris Hughton. A run of five games without a win eventually cost Hughton his job with experienced and former West Ham manager, Alan Pardew, handed the reigns. Liverpool aim to end a win-loss sequence over their past four games following the 3-0 win over a shorthanded Aston Villa side.
The Barcodes go into this encounter without first choice centre-half pairing as Collocini and Williamson serve their respective suspensions. In better news, Barton and Nolan are expected to return from injury to give the home side further attacking options. Liverpool are expected to retain the services of star striker Fernando Torres, while Carragher, Agger and Gerrard remain sidelined. I expect a strong response from the Newcastle United players, at least as a sign of respect to their ex-manager. In turn, Liverpool will carry a huge threat for the ageing Campbell, and perhaps underdone Steven Taylor. I expect both teams to score here.
Pick: Over 2.25 goals @1.90 (sbobet, 10 units)
Newcastle United 3 - 1 Liverpool
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