Things are heating up with only seven weeks remaining as we head into Week 32 of Barclays Premier League football action this Easter weekend. The battle continues for this year’s crown as Manchester United and Chelsea exchange positions atop the leader board weekly. Currently the Red Devils hold a one-point advantage atop the league table over the Blues, with two facing off against each other this Saturday in my pick for match of the week. Here I take a look at a few this week’s top matches, giving you insight on making your EPL soccer wager a winner.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Chelsea has received good news as they prepare to head to Old Trafford this weekend in its quest to dethrone Manchester United. The Reds will be without star striker Wayne Rooney who is on crutches as well as Cesc Fabregas, who is out with a broken leg. Chelsea’s Didier Drogba is expected to feature for the Blues, but even without Rooney a victory over the Red Devils will not be easy. United dealt Chelsea a 3-0 loss in this fixture last season, but this year will be different. The Blues are in excellent form, having tallied 12 goals in two EPL matches since its untimely exit from the Champions League. They defeated Portsmouth 5-0 and Aston Villa 7-1 and are will be looking to avenge last year’s defeat. Manchester United’s Owen Hargreaves, who has been out of action for nearly 18 months, and John O’Shea are expected to make their return in Saturday’s match. I expect Cheslea to get a much needed three points in this one with a close 1-0 win.
Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Gunners will be looking to take advantage of playing a subpar Wolverhampton at the Emirates on Saturday, walking away with the maximum number of points and chance to leapfrog into second place on the table. Arsenal has won five straight in all competitions against the Wolves and has tallied at least three goals in every league encounter with the Wolves. To complicate matters for the Wolverhampton, they will be without striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who has been laid low by a virus. It’s difficult to find a stat that suggests anything but three points for Arsenal in this one.
Bolton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa
Aston Villa will head to Reebok Stadium trying to rebound from a 7-1 pounding by Chelsea in their last league match. They will most likely be without midfielder James Milner, defender Richard Dunne and forward trio Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew, all who will be assessed ahead of the trip to the Reebok Stadium. With the possible absence of all, or part of, Villa’s strike-force, it could mean a rare start for England Under-19 international Nathan Delfouneso. The Wanderers won’t make things easy either, as wins are critical to maintain their distance from the relegation zone. Bolton striker Johan Elmander will return despite a head wound sustained in last week’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, and the Bolton defense will be solidified by the return of Gretar Steinsson from a one-match ban. I expect Aston to bounce back with a 2-1 win at Reebok.
Portsmouth vs. Blackburn Rovers
Bottom of the table Portsmouth are playing for nothing but pride while Blackburn tries to crack the top 10. Portsmouth’s troubles continue to swell with one win in its last 14 league games and with just seven weeks remaining look like a side that is doomed for relegation. To make matters worse, the injury list is ever-growing and the club could be mathematically eliminated this weekend with a loss and a Hull victory. Meanwhile, Blackburn has a fully-fit squad to choose from for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Portsmouth, as captain Ryan Nelsen and goalkeeper Paul Robinson are back after missing the last five and three matches respectively with knee and calf injuries. I just don’t see things getting any better for the Pompey with the Rovers taking three points.
Stoke City vs. Hull City
Hull City are a side that is desperate to move up one spot on the table as they try to leapfrog over West Ham for 17th place, and out of relegation with a win over Stoke City this weekend. It will not be easy as Stoke are continuing to evolve and have not suffered from “second-season syndrome” after winning promotion in 2009. The Tigers are without a win on the road all season and head to Stoke having taken only four of their 27 points away from the KC Stadium. This will be a poison pill for the Tigers as Stoke wins with home advantage, 3-0.
Sunderland vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The Hotspur are one of several teams battling for fourth place, and they will need to get a win at the Stadium of Light to stay a step ahead of the pack chasing them for that elusive final Champions League slot. Sunderland needs a victory to edge closer to survival. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw back in this fixture last season, with Robbie Keane salvaging a point for Spurs at White Hart Lane. Sunderland will be without Scottish international fullback Alan Hutton who is ineligible under the terms of his loan deal from Spurs, while central defender John Mensah is listed as probable with a hamstring injury. To complicate matters for the Black Cats, Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe will return to add more punch up top, making this a more difficult game of survival. Three points to the Hotspur in this one.
Burnley vs. Manchester City
Burnley is fighting for survival sitting second-bottom and host Manchester City is gunning for a final fourth spot. Burnley desperately needs wins to avoid being dumped out of the top flight and will have a little help as captain Steven Caldwell returns to the squad following a four-month absence with a groin injury. City will be without Pablo Zabaleta, who will start a two-match ban and will miss the trip to Turf Moor. The Argentina utility man picked up his 10th booking of the season against Wigan Athletic on Monday and will also sit out next week’s home match. I think Burnley will play this game at 200% because they want to win to stay in the Premier League and to beat City, but will ultimately fall to defeat and further into relegation.
Birmingham vs. Liverpool
Even after all the upsides and downslides and the unusually high loss total for Liverpool this season, the Reds are still within striking distance of fourth place as they visit Birmingham this weekend. Birmingham City who held Pool’s rivals Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last time out, are solid at home, and has not lost in its last 12 home league games. Liverpool can take solace in the fact that six of those matches have been draws. Liverpool had to play in Portugal on Thursday, so fatigue could also play a role in this one. This will be a hard fought battle for both sides, as the teams split points with a draw.
Fulham vs. Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic are desperate for maximum points moving them away from relegation danger, but Fulham have a decent record at Craven Cottage and will be tough opposition. Look for this to be a low-scoring affair as both sides have just nine goals resulting in the first 11 league matches between them, and five of the last six meetings have ended in a deadlock. Nothing changes here, with a draw.
Everton vs. West Ham United
West Ham United are another squad in desperate need of points as they sit just one spot above the relegation zone on goal difference over Hull City. They will travel to Goodson Park to face an Everton side that is excellent at home. Irons boss Gianfranco Zola is hanging on by a thread and will do anything to stay clear the relegation zone. Everton, on the other hand, is trying to complete a remarkable in-season turnaround that has landed them in eighth spot on the table and still in the hunt for a coveted fourth place finish. Look for Everton to maintain their home record with a much-needed win on Sunday.
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