EPL Preview – Week 12
Author: TheDoctor5 Nov
Prepare yourself for another massive weekend of Premier League action. The most talked about contest in recent history will be held once again when Chelsea host Manchester United. All three cellar-dwellers will have a great chance to jump out of the relegation zone, while the top clubs should have a fairly easy weekend.
Let’s start things off with previews of the best matches on offer. BetUS has posted odds on every game being played.
Tottenham Hotspur: -200
Draw: +285
Sunderland: +600
Tottenham vs. Sunderland: Tottenham have had an incredible run of form so far this season, and although their win rate has dropped off since September, they are still raging favorites to contest a top four finish by May. The loss of Luka Modric has been a huge blow to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, but if Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe continue their goal scoring form, they will be tough to beat at home.
Sunderland have somehow managed to morph themselves from veritable league hoppers to significant European threats within only a few seasons. Darren Bent has been remarkable, blossoming as a striker, which he couldn’t do in his time at Tottenham. A goal against his former club would be sweet revenge for his summer transfer, and Sunderland aren’t the lowly underdogs that the odds would have you believe.
Chelsea: +105
Draw: +220
Manchester United: +275
Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Chelsea haven’t managed to beat Manchester United since 2007, but they are in arguably their best form since their 2005-06 championship campaign. A win over the Red Devils would send them five points clear at the top of the Premier League ladder, and ensure at least a week in the comfort zone. Didier Drogba has to be the pick for first goal; the Ivorian already has nine goals and eight assists this season, and will once again be battling for the Golden Boot award.
Manchester United have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday. Their form away from home has dipped, as was seen in their 2-0 defeat at Anfield, and they have yet to find a consistent source of goals since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. They will also be none too pleased to realize that Chelsea have yet to concede a single goal at home since match day one. If they can find a crack in the backline, though, United may just have enough to claim a surprise victory.
Wigan Athletic: +135
Draw: +225
Fulham: +205
Wigan vs. Fulham: Wigan are one of the few clubs that have managed to overcome Premier League leaders Chelsea this season, but their lack of consistency has lead them to several unexpected losses. A 2-1 defeat at Hull was followed up last week with a 4-0 thrashing by bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth. Even at home, it’s hard to see Wigan coming away with anything more than a point.
Fulham may have had a slow start to their campaign, but as the weeks continue, their points’ tally keeps on rising. A wonderful comeback against Manchester City a fortnight ago was just a prelude to their 3-1 victory over Liverpool a week later. They may be long odds to win, but with the likes of Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora in red-hot form, we should expect to see plenty of action inside the Wigan penalty area.
Hull City: +165
Draw: +225
Stoke City: +155
Hull City vs. Stoke City: With a returning chairman, Tigers fans are hoping that new life will be breathed into their club; and there is no better time than now. Knowing that £30 million of their wage bill must be slashed during the January transfer period, Hull City players must prove their worth over the next two months in order to avoid a quick exit from the KC Stadium. A win over their former Championship rivals, Stoke, would pull them out of the relegation zone, if only for a short while.
Stoke City may be sitting mid-table, but they are by no means strong favorites to take home all three points. Every English club knows how tough it is to travel to Hull and come away with a win – no-one has achieved that feat since September – but Stoke have been in fine form this season. They are the lowest scoring team in the top ten, but a good defensive record means that they will be hoping for at least a draw come Sunday.
Liverpool: -300
Draw: +325
Birmingham City: +1100
Liverpool vs. Birmingham City: Liverpool are coming off the back of two demoralizing matches: the first, a 3-1 loss at Fulham last weekend, and the second against Lyon, where a late equalizer all but quashed their hopes of a second round Champions League berth. With one of their worst starts to a season in recent history, the Reds must find a way to earn all three points before they find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
Birmingham City are doing just enough to stay clear of the relegation zone, and while they have had a few unnecessary upsets, they have managed to claim the scalp of one of this season’s biggest contenders: Sunderland. Their 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Monday night should boost their confidence, so don’t write them off just yet.
Be sure to check out BetUS for all the latest odds on every other match being played over the weekend.
- New blog post: EPL Wrap - Week 28 http://www.onlinegambling.com/blog/2010/03/07/epl-wrap-week-28/ 2 days ago

