English Premiership: Weekend Betting Preview and Picks
By SHAWN YOUNG
Derbies dominate the schedule this weekend. Birmingham vs. Wolves might have the most action. The over 2.5 (+135) looks good. Here are two picks on games that are getting heavy betting in Asia already.
SATURDAY
LIVERPOOL (-0.5, FLAT) vs. EVERTON
Liverpool beat Bolton 2-0 and Everton beat Wigan 1-0 away Saturday.
This one kicks off early to try to avoid crowd trouble. Both clubs’ fans are so disappointed with their team’s performance, precautions might not be needed.
It’s been especially ugly for Liverpool this year. Liverpool is still a better team than Everton. Liverpool was stumbling the last time these teams played on November 29 and managed to win 2-0.
Everton has been getting draws out of the league’s better teams since that home loss to Liverpool, but Liverpool is built to beat them. I’m not sure the Reds’ fans in the Kop are pleased that this year’s Liverpool team is “built to beat Everton”, but it’ll do here.
Fabio Aurelio (calf) is a game-time decision for Liverpool’s back line. Fernando Torres (knee), Yossi Benayoun (rib) and Glen Johnson (hamstring) are still weeks away.
Mikael Arteta (groin, knee) is a game-time decision for Everton. If he plays, Liverpool will man-mark him and under becomes a better bet. Ayegbeni Yakubu and Joseph Yobo return from Africa.
Pick: Liverpool 2, Everton 0
SUNDAY
CHELSEA (-0.5, -120) vs. ARSENAL
Chelsea drew 1-1 at Hull Tuesday; Arsenal lost 3-1 home to MU Sunday.
Both teams are coming off disappointing performances. Chelsea looked bored. Arsenal looked bad.
Over the last two seasons these clubs have met four times, including once in the Cup. Chelsea won three. Arsenal won the other in November 2008 - their only win at Chelsea’s ground since 2004.
Arsenal has several players on long-term injuries (Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou among others) and is a patchwork at the back. How bad is it? Sol Campbell’s name keeps coming up, along with his cranky groin. He started the season in the third flight with Notts County.
Chelsea is going to rip Arsenal apart. Arsenal hasn’t scored in the first 15 minutes of any match this year. If the Gunners fall behind here, and they will, Chelsea’s not a team they can come back against.
John Terry will almost certainly captain Chelsea despite his “Tiger Woods moment”. Ashley Cole (ankle) is ready to play and John Mikel Obi is back from Africa.
Arsenal is without Eduardo (hamstring) while Abou Diaby (calf) is a game-time decision. Nicklas Bentner is now fully fit and available to play up front.
Pick: Chelsea 2, Arsenal 0