English Premier League Round 35 (7-10/05)

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



Saturday, May 7

Newcastle United v Birmingham City

Verdict: League Cup winners, Birmingham City, will look to gain a rare away win in order to secure their Premier League status for next season. Last week's dissapointing 1-1 draw against Wolves means the Brummies lie just 4pts above the relegation. Newcastle United sit in a more comfortable position on 41pts, but will look to give the fanatical Toon army.

Birmingham City has won just twice (in ten games) since former Newcastle man, Obafemi Martins, scored that dramatic winner at Wembley Stadium in late February. The home draw against fellow relegation candidates Wolves came at cost with club top scorer, Craig Gardner, receiving a red card for two cautionable offences. His suspension is a big blow for the visitors as they are currently joint lowest scorers (with Wigan Athletic on 35 goals) in the league. Newcastle United lose centre-back Williamson for the season (with a broken arm) but Steven Taylor is an adequate replacement. Newcastle has bounced back very well from poor away performances this season so I give them every chance of doing the same here.

Pick: Newcastle United -0.25ah @1.73 (188bet, 10 units)
Newcastle United 2 - 1 Birmingham City


Sunday, May 8

Wolverhampton v WBA

Verdict: Second from bottom, Wolverhampton Wolves, will look to be more ruthless this weekend as they welcome in form West Bromwich Albion. After taking an early lead at Birmingham City last week, Wolves managed to concede a soft goal and then failed to press home the advantage following Craig Gardner's dismissal. In contrast, fellow promoted side WBA are looking to crack into the top 10 after a come from behind 2-1 win of Midlands rivals, Aston Villa.

Since taking over as West Brom manager, Roy Hodgson, has managed to instill belief in a group of players that have lost only a single match in ten (against Chelsea 1-3) under his reign. Their away form has especially improved during this period with two wins at Sunderland and Birmingham City, and two draws at Stoke City and Tottenham. Wolves inability to create chances was their for all to see against 10-man Birmingham. In fact, the home side has only found the net on 3 occassions in the last six outings. Led by the almost unstoppable Peter Odemwingie, I think the visitors will have too much firepower here.

Pick: WBA +0.25ah @2.04 (188bet, 10 units)
Wolverhampton 3 - 1 WBA


Monday, May 9

Fulham v Liverpool

Pick: Liverpool dnb @1.85 (188bet, 10 units)
Fulham 2 - 5 Liverpool