After a busy International break, the Premier League is back and has thrown up some really interesting fixtures to get our teeth into on Saturday afternoon. With things hotting up at both end of the table, this weekend could solve a lot of clues about who is staying up, who is going down and where the title will be going to come May. Not forgetting the scrap for both Champions League and Europa League football next season.
Struggling Birmingham City host Bolton Wanderers at St. Andrews without a win since their League Cup triumph five weeks ago. They have since picked up just one point from four games and find themselves 19th in the Barclays Premier League table; they are 2.6 to win here. Bolton have lost seven of their last eight league away games and I think a point is as much as they can hope for this weekend. The draw is 3.35 (Betfair).
Wolverhampton Wanderers make the trip north to Newcastle United who have no win in four at home but come into this one knowing one more win should see them to safety. Wolves were impressive winners at struggling Aston Villa last time out, only their second win on the road all season and the away side are 4.3 to win this one. The draw is 3.55 but I fancy a Newcastle United win at 2.04 (Betfair), they have scored more home goals than anyone apart from the top two of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Stoke City host a rejuvenated Chelsea and the home side have won eight times at the Britannia Stadium already this season, they are also unbeaten in the league at home since the turn of the year. Like Newcastle, they probably need one more win to ensure safety in the Premier League but this is a tricky game for them to do it in, Stoke are 6.0 (Betfair) to win this one. Chelsea have won three of their last four on their travels, but that followed a run of six without an away win. They are certainly short enough at 1.71. I will take an outside chance on Stoke Draw-no-bet at 4.3 (Betfair).
Next up is Liverpool who travel to West Bromwich Albion, another team scrapping for their lives at the wrong end of the table. West Brom have drawn their last four league games and have picked up just 10 points from their last 10 home matches. They are 3.2 to beat Liverpool and the draw is 3.45 but I think Liverpool at 2.46 is a nailed on bet after wins in three of their last four away games. Andy Carroll’s goal in mid-week should give him the confidence to go on and get more.
Wigan Athletic play Tottenham Hotspur at the DW Stadium and Wigan are currently bottom of the Premier League but they are only three points from safety. They earned a moral boosting win late on against fellow strugglers Birmingham City two weeks ago and with Tottenham’s form away from home patchy to say the least of late, Wigan will feel they can get something out of this game, they are 3.25 to win and the draw is 3.4 (Betfair). Tottenham are priced at 2.5 and with a trip to Real Madrid coming up on Tuesday, I think that is plenty short enough. I can see Wigan battling to another vital point. I will go for a 1-1 draw at 7.2 (Betfair).
Struggling Aston Villa travel to Everton in the final 3.00pm kick-off having only won twice on the road in the league all season. They have scored in all six of their last away games, but won only one of them at Wigan. Villa can be backed at 4.7 for this one. Everton are currently in eighth place, five points off the Europa League and are unbeaten in seven at home with four victories. They have been shaky when they get themselves in front though. An Everton victory is 1.91 and the draw 3.7. I think Everton will get the three points but both teams to score is a safer bet at 1.79 (Betfair).
The 5.30pm kick-off sees second placed Arsenal host Blackburn Rovers, another team who are by no means safe. Arsenal could be eight points off the top by the time they play and anything but a victory would hand Manchester United a huge initiative going into the final seven games of the season. The 1.27 about them beating Blackburn won’t get the pluses racing though. Blackburn are 14.5 and the draw 6.6 (Betfair). I expect Arsenal to win, and win well so I will go for Arsenal to win both halves at 2.42 (Betfair).
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