English Premiership: Betting Preview and Picks
By Shawn Young
SATURDAY
BOLTON vs. MANCHESTER UNITED (-1.5 +120)
Bolton lost 2-0 at Everton Saturday. Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 Sunday.
We’ve been on MU plenty this season, but this game is a banana peel for the title-chasers. It’s especially attractive if you can find Bolton +1.5 near -140.
Bolton hasn’t lost at home since falling 2-0 to Arsenal on January 17. In between the opposition has largely been poor but there was a draw with Spurs and emphatic wins over Wigan and Sheffield United.
Manchester United is looking awesome but this is a sandwich game between last week’s win over Liverpool and Tuesday’s key trip to Bayern Munich.
Last year’s Bolton home game between these local rivals finished 1-0 to MU. United by a single goal looks right again here and the draw isn’t out of the question.
Gary Cahill returns to Bolton’s defense after being out for two months with a blood clot. Stuart Holden, Gavin McCann, Sean Davis and Joey O’Brien remain injured. Gretar Steinsson is suspended.
John O’Shea is out for MU but manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney (knee) is fit. Neither Rooney nor Ryan Giggs, who returned as a sub against Liverpool after missing time with a broken arm, are likely to play a full match.
Pick: Bolton 1, MU 2
SUNDAY
LIVERPOOL (-1.5 evens) vs. SUNDERLAND
Liverpool lost 2-1 at MU Sunday. Sunderland drew 1-1 at Villa Wednesday.
Sunderland won the first game between these clubs this season 1-0 on a freak goal that should have been disallowed. The shot wicked in off a beach ball that had fallen onto the pitch.
That’s Sunderland’s only goal against Liverpool since regaining promotion in 2007. We can’t get behind a road team who just can’t score.
Liverpool cannot afford to drop points as it chases Spurs for fourth place. Only a similar oddball occurrence to the game in October would get Sunderland anything from this match.
Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez looks set to deport Albert Riera to Russia on loan as punishment for insubordination. Riera may not play again for Liverpool. Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) remain out.
Rather than see what budding talent Ryan Noble can do for the first team, Sunderland has loaned the teen to Watford as Watford fights relegation for the Championship.
Pick: Liverpool 3, Sunderland 0
HI
I'm new to sports betting that's why I have one question. Manchester is only one point ahead of Chelsea and I was wondering if they could still pull it off and win the premiership. So do you guys think it is still worth betting on ManU since they also play in the championship?
I wish I followed Soccer/Football rickcol otherwise I would give you my opinion unfortunately I don't know a thing about those leagues. I love watching the World Cup but otherwise that's it for me.