Lots of value tomorrow as the big 3 are all on the road, so we get small spreads to cover. Here are my picks:
Birmingham City -0.5 (buying down to a straight -0.5 (3 units)
Birmingham is currently straddling in the relegation zone, sitting in 17th spot in the EPL table. They are currently in a battle to stay in the top flight, and to do so, they have to beat piss poor teams like Derby. They are looking at this game as a must win for survival, so they will be up for this game against Derby. Derby have no chance whatsoever to stay up, as they sit in last place with a measly 8 points. They will be playing for pride, but I don't think pride will be enough against a desperate Birmingham squad who want to avoid relegation.
Arsenal -0.5 (3 units)
Arsenal are in a tough fight for the EPL title with Manchester United, and they know that wins are a must for them to keep pace. They will face a very tough home team in Manchester City, but their performance has been lacking a bit lately. They played pretty badly in the last few games and have not won in their last 3 games. Not helping Man City is the fact they are playing with a depleted squad right now, with Paul Dickov being loaned to Blackpool, Ismael Miller's move to West Bromwich, and Osumane Dabo's return to Lazio. Man City have signed Felipe Caciedo from Basel, but he won't be able to play tomorrow. This leaves Daniel Sturridge and Darius Wassel up front. For Arsenal, Eboue, Toure and Song are still absent as they are away in the African Nations Cup, and Van Persie is still not healty enough to get a start. Still, I feel Arsenal have enough firepower with Adebayor up front to create problems for Man City, and Arsenal's defence will be tough for Man City to penetrate.
Manchester United -0.5 (3 units)
Man United has become an automatic bet the last month or so for me. They are simply playing unbelievable soccer. With their all star top 3 attackers, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and of Course C. Ronaldo, they are constantly making tons of chances offensively and this has been leading to goals. On the other side, they are playing unbelievable defence, and have proved to be the toughest team to score against in the EPL, next to Arsenal. They have also owned Tottenham in their own backyard, winning the last 6 games they have played at White Hart lane against Totenham. I'm going to take them again, as these guys are automatic money.
Man United/Totenham over 2.5 (3 units)
To go with my Man United bet, I'm also going to take a shot at the over 2.5. I think this could hit in the first half. Both Man United and Totenham play attacking, wide open soccer. Man United are sure to get their goals, and I'm confident that Berabtov and Keane will be tricky enough to get at least one goal against a stingy Man United defence.
Chelsea -0.5 (3 units)
Alot of people have been talking about the tight race at the top between Man United and Arsenal, but many have lost sight that Chelsea are slowly creeping up to the leaders. They sit a mere 4 points away from the top, so they are within striking distance. They still have a shot at the EPL title, but to do so, it is imperative that they beat teams like Portsmouth. The Anelka transfer has payed many dividends for Chelsea, as he has played very well in the absence of Didier Drogba and makes Chelsea a constant scoring threat. Chelsea is also on the verge of breaking a record, as they are currently on a 9 game winning streak in all competitions, and a win against Portsmouth will set the record at 10. Chelsea is also a team that has owned Portsmouth, as Portsmouth has yet to beat Chelsea in 22 games in a row.
Sunderland +1.5, +2 (2 units)
Sunderland ML +1200 (0.5 units)
Draw (0.5 units)
I think it's clear that Liverpool has packed it in for the season. I'm going to put on my conspiracy hat and say that there is a real possibility Liverpool are tanking the season on purpose. There's no denying the fact that the Liverpool fans, players, and surely even Benitez want Hicks and Gilette to sell the team. Offers have been coming in to purchase the team, but so far Hicks and Gilette have not contemplated selling. Soccer is full of politics, and it could very well be that the players have decided to tank the season completely, including finishing out of a Champions League place next year in the hopes that this will set the wheel in motion for a Liverpool sale by Hicks and Gilette. There is simply no way to describe the way Liverpool has been playing lately. This team has alot of talent, and for so many of these talented players to simply not show up and play makes me wonder. In any event, I'm taking a shot with Sunderland and goals, as even if Liverpool does eek out a win, it's not going to be by more than 2. I'm also taking a shot on the Sunderland ML and Draw, as the way Liverpool is playing lately, an upset I feel is a real possibility.
GL to all tomorrow.
Birmingham City -0.5 (buying down to a straight -0.5 (3 units)
Birmingham is currently straddling in the relegation zone, sitting in 17th spot in the EPL table. They are currently in a battle to stay in the top flight, and to do so, they have to beat piss poor teams like Derby. They are looking at this game as a must win for survival, so they will be up for this game against Derby. Derby have no chance whatsoever to stay up, as they sit in last place with a measly 8 points. They will be playing for pride, but I don't think pride will be enough against a desperate Birmingham squad who want to avoid relegation.
Arsenal -0.5 (3 units)
Arsenal are in a tough fight for the EPL title with Manchester United, and they know that wins are a must for them to keep pace. They will face a very tough home team in Manchester City, but their performance has been lacking a bit lately. They played pretty badly in the last few games and have not won in their last 3 games. Not helping Man City is the fact they are playing with a depleted squad right now, with Paul Dickov being loaned to Blackpool, Ismael Miller's move to West Bromwich, and Osumane Dabo's return to Lazio. Man City have signed Felipe Caciedo from Basel, but he won't be able to play tomorrow. This leaves Daniel Sturridge and Darius Wassel up front. For Arsenal, Eboue, Toure and Song are still absent as they are away in the African Nations Cup, and Van Persie is still not healty enough to get a start. Still, I feel Arsenal have enough firepower with Adebayor up front to create problems for Man City, and Arsenal's defence will be tough for Man City to penetrate.
Manchester United -0.5 (3 units)
Man United has become an automatic bet the last month or so for me. They are simply playing unbelievable soccer. With their all star top 3 attackers, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and of Course C. Ronaldo, they are constantly making tons of chances offensively and this has been leading to goals. On the other side, they are playing unbelievable defence, and have proved to be the toughest team to score against in the EPL, next to Arsenal. They have also owned Tottenham in their own backyard, winning the last 6 games they have played at White Hart lane against Totenham. I'm going to take them again, as these guys are automatic money.
Man United/Totenham over 2.5 (3 units)
To go with my Man United bet, I'm also going to take a shot at the over 2.5. I think this could hit in the first half. Both Man United and Totenham play attacking, wide open soccer. Man United are sure to get their goals, and I'm confident that Berabtov and Keane will be tricky enough to get at least one goal against a stingy Man United defence.
Chelsea -0.5 (3 units)
Alot of people have been talking about the tight race at the top between Man United and Arsenal, but many have lost sight that Chelsea are slowly creeping up to the leaders. They sit a mere 4 points away from the top, so they are within striking distance. They still have a shot at the EPL title, but to do so, it is imperative that they beat teams like Portsmouth. The Anelka transfer has payed many dividends for Chelsea, as he has played very well in the absence of Didier Drogba and makes Chelsea a constant scoring threat. Chelsea is also on the verge of breaking a record, as they are currently on a 9 game winning streak in all competitions, and a win against Portsmouth will set the record at 10. Chelsea is also a team that has owned Portsmouth, as Portsmouth has yet to beat Chelsea in 22 games in a row.
Sunderland +1.5, +2 (2 units)
Sunderland ML +1200 (0.5 units)
Draw (0.5 units)
I think it's clear that Liverpool has packed it in for the season. I'm going to put on my conspiracy hat and say that there is a real possibility Liverpool are tanking the season on purpose. There's no denying the fact that the Liverpool fans, players, and surely even Benitez want Hicks and Gilette to sell the team. Offers have been coming in to purchase the team, but so far Hicks and Gilette have not contemplated selling. Soccer is full of politics, and it could very well be that the players have decided to tank the season completely, including finishing out of a Champions League place next year in the hopes that this will set the wheel in motion for a Liverpool sale by Hicks and Gilette. There is simply no way to describe the way Liverpool has been playing lately. This team has alot of talent, and for so many of these talented players to simply not show up and play makes me wonder. In any event, I'm taking a shot with Sunderland and goals, as even if Liverpool does eek out a win, it's not going to be by more than 2. I'm also taking a shot on the Sunderland ML and Draw, as the way Liverpool is playing lately, an upset I feel is a real possibility.
GL to all tomorrow.
