Premier League Review
By Scott Balaam
West Ham vs. Manchester United (02/04/11 – 12.45)
The Hammers knocked United out of the League Cup earlier this season, but Saturday will be much harder. the Manchester club will be looking to keep their five point lead at the top of the table. Last season Sir Alex oversaw a comfortable 4-0 victory in this fixture.
Scott Parker is expected to captain West Ham despite picking up an injury whilst on England duty, striker Frederic Piquionne has recovered from a toe injury that meant he missed the draw with Tottenham.
The Red Devils will welcome back Nemanja Vidic from a calf injury, which will provide a much needed boost as Jonny Evans starts his three-match suspension after his red card against Bolton and Paul Scholes is also suspended.
Manchester United are a very enticing 5/6 to win, with the smart money being a draw at 5/2 because of the number of points United have dropped away from home. Both teams have goals in them, the home side have scored nine times in their last four games which makes the odds of 8/11 on over 2.5 goals an attractive bet.
Arsenal v Blackburn (02/04/11 – 5.30pm)
Arsene Wenger will be keen to put his team’s poor run behind him on Saturday against Blackburn, he will be delighted to welcome back Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Abou Diaby and most importantly skipper Cesc Fabregas.
Blackburn’s David Dunn faces a race against time to recover from a hip problem to be fit and Vince Grella is out for the rest of the season after having Achilles surgery.
The Lancashire club have not enjoyed their recent trips to the Emirates where they have shipped ten goals in two games including a 6-2 loss last season.
With Arsenal having won 17 of their last 18 home matches against bottom-half sides since 2009/10 they are expected to get back to winning ways. The odds on for a home win are 2/7, but a better bet is 1/2 on over 2.5 goals. If you want to bet on first scorer, then Robin Van Persie is 5/2 to find the back of the net first or a safer option is 3/4 on the Dutchman to score at anytime.
Fulham v Blackpool (03/04/11 – 1.30pm)
This is a real six-pointer, the home side are just three points outside the relegation zone whilst their visitors just one point from safety.
Fulham’s Steve Sidwell should be fit having missed the last month and Aaron Hughes is likely to feature despite dislocating his shoulder whilst on international duty but striker Bobby Zamora will miss out.
Blackpool’s DJ Campbell misses out as he is still banned but Ian Holloway’s goalkeeper crisis is a little better after Paul Rachubka and Matt Gilks both played for the reserves in midweek.
After winning four of their last five home games odds of 4/7 and 3/5 makes a home win worth backing. When Blackpool are in town goals are expected which makes 4/6 a good bet for over 2.5 goals.
Manchester City v Sunderland (03/04/11 – 4.00pm)
Roberto Mancini will be hoping Spurs slip up ahead of the their tie with Real Madrid and his team can beat Sunderland to move closer to Champions League qualification.
City have defensive problems after Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng were injured on international duty, fortunately Pablo Zabaleta is available after returning from compassionate leave..
Michael Turner is still out injured and on-loan defender Nedum Onuoha is ineligible because City are his parent club but Frazier Campbell is available after recovering from a knee injury.
With 18 league goals this season Carlos Tevez is worth backing for first goal scorer at 3s, alternatively David Silva is 5/2 to score at anytime – Having already netted eight times this could be a good bet.