Things are heating up as we head into Week 23 of Barclays Premier League action. After the excitement of midweek matches, FA Cup draws, and Carling Cup semis, we can only expect some tired footballers over the next few days. Chelsea has regained their thrown atop the league table, holding a one-point advantage over reigning champions Manchester United. After sitting at number one in Week 22, Arsenal has slipped to third place overall. My pick for match of the week has to be Manchester United at Arsenal. Here I take a look at a few this week’s top games, giving you insight on making your EPL soccer wager a winner.
Liverpool: -230
Draw: +325
Bolton Wanderers: +650
#15 Bolton should be rejuvenated as they are coming off a 1-0 win over Burnley in their last match. It is their first Barclays Premier League win under new manager Owen Coyle. The lone goal came at the 34th minute, when South Korean youngster Chung-Yong Lee found himself in space inside the area and chipped the ball up under the crossbar. Although the ball ended up outside of the goal, Lee had done just enough to get the ball over the line. The Wanderers will travel to Anfield this Saturday to take on #5 Liverpool who has moved up a couple of spots taking 11 points from a possible 15. The Reds seem to have turned their form around as of late and are undefeated in their last five matches, having won at home on the previous three occasions. Coach Rafa Benetiz is hoping his squad can keep that home form alive with a win, preserving his 5-year tenure for a bit longer. Liverpool has added some much needed depth to their midfield, picking up the Maxi Rodriguez, but will still be without star striker Fernando Torres. Bolton has been a better team, taking two wins from four, but heading to Anfield is never easy and the Wanderers haven’t managed a win in their last six games on the road. Expect Liverpool to pick up the win and three points.
Hull City: +125
Draw: +225
Wolves: +215
#17 Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost three of their last four on the road and visit a #19 Hull City who has gone nine matches without a win. Both teams will be looking for an important win to gather some points to avoid move up the table to avoid league relegation. The Tigers’ home form has slumped of late, but still manages to be solid enough, especially against struggling teams like Wolverhampton. The two teams played to a scoreless draw earlier in the season, but both squads have made several roster changes since that first meeting. Hull acquired Egypt international Amr Zaki, and the Wolves gained newcomer Geoffrey Mujangi Bia. Hull will still be without midfielder Jimmy Bullard, out for almost two months with a knee injury. The Wolves are only sitting outside of the relegation zone on a single goal difference, while the Tigers are battling to get themselves out of the relegation zone. A loss for either team this weekend could prove costly. Both squads will be looking to find some action up front, but I expect this one to end in another goalless draw.
Burnley: +1250
Draw: +420
Chelsea: -400
#18 Burnley are still seeking their first goal under new manager Brian Laws and have one point from a possible 15 with three straight losses, including a 1-0 loss at Bolton last weekend. It was another painful reminder of just how poor Burnley’s away form has been this season. They will host a red hot #1 Chelsea squad this weekend, who are top of the form table and the Barclays Premier League. The bright side is the Clarets have only lost once at home this year, but it’s hard to see them beating the Blues even with home pitch advantage. Chelsea at the moment has three straight wins, and with star striker Didier Drogba returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, things are only looking up for the Pensioners. I expect that Chelsea will have no problem winning this one away from Stamford Bridge and walking away with three points.
Arsenal: +155
Draw: +225
Manchester United: +175
Probably one of the best matches thus far in the season will be on tap as #3 Arsenal host #2 Manchester United in a clash of the titans this Sunday. The last meeting between these two was close, but ultimately decided by an Arsenal error. The Gunners are coming off a scoreless draw at Aston Villa, and remain unbeaten in their last six matches. United pounded bottom table Hull City 4-0 in their last league match as star striker Wayne Rooney managed an incredible four-goal outing. Rooney scored three of his four goals in less than 10 minutes with the first slicing past Burnely keeper Andy Dawson in the second half, and then the hat-trick three minutes later. The Gunners will still be without Robin van Persie, but will welcome back Cameroon midfielder Alex Song from international duty for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday.
My other picks for the week are Tottenham over Birmingham City, Aston Villa over Fulham, Blackburn drawing with West Ham, Everton over Wigan, Manchester City over Portsmouth and Sunderland drawing with Stoke City.
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