English Premier League Round 33 (23-27/04)

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


Saturday, April 23

Blackpool v Newcastle United

Verdict: Blackpool will attempt to stop the rot that has seen them pick up just two wins in 16 games since the turn of the year. Sitting in the relegation zone on 33pts, following last weekend's 1-3 loss to Wigan Athletic, anything but 3pts is good enough for Blackpool in this fixture. Newcastle United earned a creditable scoreless draw against Manchester United in midweek, pushing them up to 40pts and into ninth place.

Newcastle regain the services of top scorer, Kevin Nolan, who returns from a 2-game suspension. Blackpool has announced that captain Charlie Adam and fellow midfielder, David Vaughan, are favoured to shake off respective knocks to take part in this important game. Despite the fact that Newcastle has scored a league low 12 goals away from home (tied with Wolves), it shouldn't deter us from believing that we will see goals at Bloomfield Road. All games bar one at this venue, the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa (only a minor miracle stopped this from going over), has seen less than three goals scored. Blackpool always dictate the way the game is played on home soil and I predict another open game here.

Pick: Over 2.75 goals @1.87 (pinnacle, 10 units)
Blackpool 1 - 1 Newcastle United


Sunderland v Wigan Athletic

Verdict: In a remarkable drop in form, Sunderland are still searching for their first win since late January, following the 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City. The Black Cats sit on 38pts, just five above the drop zone. On current form, it won't be unjust to say that the Wearsiders are in danger of been sucked into the relegation battle. In contrast, Wigan Athletic moved off the bottom of the table, and into 17th position, with a 3-1 win at Blackpool.

Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, has been telling anyone who would care to listen about his side's injury situation. It doesn't get any better for the former Manchester United centre-half with doubts over Muntari, Richardson, Wellbeck, and Anton Ferdinand. Visiting manager, Roberto Martinez, has the luxury of naming an unchanged side from the one that convincingly disposed of Blackpool. Centre-back, Maynor Figueroa, completes his 2-game suspension. Wigan's form has picked up since the 0-4 thumping at the hands of Manchester United with creditable performances at Manchester City and Chelsea. Therefore, I believe that a trip to the Stadium of Light will hold no fears for the visitors, especially in the form that Sunderland are in.

Pick: Wigan Athletic +0.5ah @1.82 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Sunderland 4 - 2 Wigan Athletic


Tottenham v WBA

Pick: Tottenham -1ah @1.99 (10bet, 10 units)
Tottenham 2 - 2 WBA