English Premiership: Betting Preview and Picks
By Shawn Young
SATURDAY
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (-1, -125) vs. BLACKBURN ROVERS
Spurs drew 0-0 at Fulham Saturday in the FA Cup. Blackburn lost 2-1 at Liverpool on February 28.
Spurs are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions. That includes EPL wins at Wigan and home to Everton as well as the FA Cup run.
Spurs hope to shake the reputation of being just a good Cup team. They can take a step in that direction by winning here to hold on to fourth place in the EPL and the Champions’ League chance that comes with it.
Spurs beat Blackburn 2-0 away in December and will win again here.
Blackburn has not won a road game since November 22. That’s a run of 10 matches. While safe from relegation, Blackburn is outclassed here.
Spurs have a lengthy injury list with Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and Tom Huddlestone all unavailable.
Blackburn is without Lars Jacobsen, Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella. David Dunn is fit.
Pick: Spurs 3, Blackburn 0
SUNDAY
MANCHESTER UNITED (-1.5, -125) vs. FULHAM
MU thrashed Milan 4-0 Wednesday. Fulham lost 3-1 at Juventus Thursday.
Fulham is alive in Europe and the FA Cup for the time being, but this is their toughest game all season. Not only is MU in form, Sir Alex is grouchy.
The last two times these teams have played each other, Fulham has posted shutout victories at Craven Cottage. Expect MU to try to pour on goals here to make those memories go away.
The travel schedule sets up poorly for Fulham. Manchester United has the extra day’s rest and Fulham is coming back from Turin.
If you can go over 2.5, laying no more than -133, that’s actually a stronger play than the side. But most shops are showing 3 goals and you’d need +125 to be interested. At the Asian “2.75 goals”, over is interesting at even money or better.
Ryan Giggs (arm) is still a week away from fitness for MU.
Danny Murphy is a game time decision for Fulham. American international striker Clint Dempsey came off the bench against Juve after a long term knee injury. He could start here.
Pick: MU 3, Fulham 0