EPL Preview – Week 17
Author: TheDoctor17 Dec
We’ve been treated to an epic amount of football this week, with midweek Premier League games as well as Europa League group matches. Now it’s time to kick it back into gear with another brilliant weekend of EPL action.
BetUS has posted odds on every match being played this weekend, so let’s take a look at some of the best the league has to offer.
Blackburn Rovers: +235
Draw: +225
Tottenham Hotspur: +115
Blackburn vs. Tottenham: Rovers have been on a downward spiral for the past four weeks. After playing out three goalless draws, they finally managed to put one past a keeper against Birmingham on Tuesday. However, it was enough to earn them any points, and they are now only three points shy of the relegation zone. Their chances for a win over Tottenham aren’t looking too good, but with the possibility of a home draw high on their list of priorities, we can expect a close game on Saturday.
They may have slowed down slightly after their 9-1 thrashing of Wigan Athletic, but Spurs are still a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. A victory would send them back into the top four temporarily, and their big win over Manchester City will be a huge boost going into the game. With a full-strength squad, now that Luka Modric has returned from injury, it will be a big ask for anyone to overcome Spurs.
Fulham: +550
Draw: +275
Manchester United: -185
Fulham vs. Manchester United: Fulham have had an incredible season so far, only losing once since September. However, they have had a pretty easy run and Manchester United are definitely the most in-form team they have faced in some time. A win may be asking too much, but if Bobby Zamora sticks to the same form he showed in Europe this week, we could be in for a major upset.
Only three points shy of league leaders Chelsea, you’d expect Manchester United to follow their previous form and start winning consecutive matches. While they haven’t been as belligerent with winning in 2009, they have still managed to keep the Blues close. A win at Fulham to follow on from their 3-0 victory against Wolves will put them in good stead for the Christmas period.
Arsenal: -500
Draw: +500
Hull City: +1400
Arsenal vs. Hull City: In the corresponding fixture last season, Hull City produced a historic upset on their first visit to the Emirates Stadium. While this year the two teams are distinctly different, the memories of 2008 are sure to be sticking in players’ minds. Arsenal have produced some magnificent football, but also some not-so-magnificent. Their 1-1 draw against Burnley midweek will be seen as a disappointment in the eyes of Arsene Wenger, and he will not be anticipating a repeat performance come Saturday.
Losing Jimmy Bullard has certainly put a damper on Phil Brown’s plans for the future, but he still boasts a strong midfield and backline. If the Tigers can find a consistent goal scorer in Jozy Altidore, Craig Fagan, or Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, they may very well hold a strong chance of taking something away from the Emirates.
Wolves: Ev
Draw: +235
Burnley: +255
Wolves vs. Burnley: In a fixture normally held in the Championship division, both Premier League newcomers will be expecting to take points away on Sunday. Wolves have shown resilience at times, but are currently lingering in the relegation zone. Mick McCarthy’s side showed amazing strength to take a win against Tottenham last week, and even their second-string squad held up well against United midweek. However, expect a full strength line-up against Burnley.
The Clarets may be closer to mid-table than the relegation zone, but their away form has been shocking to say the least. They have only taken a single point from every match they have played away from home this season, and that came against an unlikely Manchester City unit. They are outside odds to win, but against a former Championship opponent, anything could happen.
BetUS has posted odds on every other match being played this weekend, so keep an eye out for updated info, and be sure to make a wager on your favorite team.
- New blog post: EPL Preview - Week 29 http://www.onlinegambling.com/blog/2010/03/11/epl-preview-week-29/ 2 days ago

