Wigan Athletic v EvertonBlackburn v Bolton
Blackpool v Stoke City
Chelsea v Tottenham
Arsenal v Manchester United
WBA v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Fulham
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton
Manchester City v West Ham United
Saturday, April 30
Blackpool v Stoke City
Verdict: Blackpool will look to build on their 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, last weekend, as they face a hard-worked Stoke City. Stoke City will play their third game in a week, following the midweek 3-0 win over lowly Wolves. Blackpool remain treacherously close to the relegation zone in 17th position, whereas Stoke are safely entrenched in mid-table (10th).
The return of Vaughan and Adam in recent weeks means that Blackpool are near full strength. With the FA Cup final in two weeks time, Stoke City must nurse their players through with out picking up further injuries. Influential midfielder, Matthew Etherington, is already out with a hamstring strain while Ricardo Fuller is out for the season with an achilles injury. I am banking on Blackpool continuing from where they left off against Newcastle. If the home side can move the ball quickly and keep the tempo high, I expect them to eventually outrun the tiring visitors.
Pick: Blackpool -0.25ah @2.23 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Blackpool 0 - 0 Stoke City
Blackburn v Bolton
Verdict: Blackburn will aim to put a halt to an 11 match winless streak that has seen them been dragged into the relegation battle. Lying just a point above the relegation zone, Blackburn has a tricky finish to the season with visits to fellow strugglers West Ham and Wolves, and a home fixture against Manchester United. Bolton are safe and sound in 8th position. After their 5-0 loss to Stoke City in the FA Cup, the Trotters' season is as good as over.
Blackburn retain the services of N'Zonzi, Santa Cruz and most importantly, the in-form Junior Hoilett. Experienced midfielder, David Dunn, misses out with a calf strain. Bolton will attempt to back up just 3 days after a demorilizing 3-0 defeat at Fulham, with out some of their key performers. Form striker, Daniel Sturridge, is unlikely to feature while midfielders in Holden and Mark Davies, in addition to right-back Steinsson are all ruled out. Bolton has been poor on their travels all season (just 2 wins) so with everything seemingly out of their favour for this game, I expect the Rovers to claim a much needed win.
Pick: Blackburn -0.25ah @1.74 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Blackburn 1 - 0 Bolton
Sunday, May 1
Arsenal v Manchester United
Pick: Manchester United dnb @2.10 (betus, 10 units)
Arsenal 1 - 0 Manchester United
Manchester City v West Ham United
Verdict: Following Tottenham's late 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, Manchester City can take a stranglehold on a Champions League place with a win over bottom of the table, West Ham. The Hammers head to the Eastlands, out of form (four straight defeats) and with a long casualty list. The visitors are without almost their entire first choice midfield with Noble, Parker, O'Neil all injured whereas left-back, Wayne Bridge, is ineligible to play against his parent club. Manchester City has no such selection issues with Kolo Toure and Tevez the only main absentees.
West Ham United has conceded at an average of 2 goals a game on their travels, this season, which doesn't bode well considering their current injury situation and poor form. I expect Manchester City to show no mercy as they look to secure Champions League qualification and perhaps catch a flailing Arsenal in third place (which will offer 'automatic' qualification to the CL group stages).
Picks:
Manchester City -1.25ah @1.93 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Manchester City 2 - 1 West Ham United
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