English Premiership: Weekend Betting Preview and Picks
By SHAWN YOUNG
This week’s picks will make me popular in Manchester and among MU fans scattered around England, but less welcome in Liverpool than the Sun tabloid newspaper.
SATURDAY
EVERTON vs. MANCHESTER UNITED (-0.5, -115)
Everton beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 and Manchester United beat Milan 3-2 away Tuesday.
After a loss two weeks ago in the Merseyside Derby, Everton righted the ship with a win over Chelsea before beating Portuguese opposition in the Europa League.
As a teen, I thought Everton was cursed. Perhaps the world’s best team, Everton was barred from international play because of archrival Liverpool’s fans. The curse continues here. As good as Everton’s been, MU is playing like an unstoppable freight train and Everton’s no match for them.
Manchester United has a draw away to Villa in recent history and wins away at Arsenal and Milan. That’s three quality results against three teams all better than Everton. For a neutral like me, it’s bittersweet to see Wayne Rooney go back to Goodison Park to face his old team. Evertonians will skip the sweet part and stick with the bitter.
Tim Cahill picked up a calf injury against Sporting and is doubtful for Everton. John Heitinga (eligibility) returns after missing out midweek and Steven Pienaar is back from suspension. Marouane Fellaini (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Rio Ferdinand and Nani are suspended for MU. Ryan Giggs is out with a broken arm. Nemanja Vidic (nerve damage) is available to start, while Anderson played a Reserves’ match Thursday.
Pick: Everton 0, Manchester United 2
SUNDAY
MANCHESTER CITY (pick, -125) vs. LIVERPOOL
City has played two straight 1-1 draws with Stoke; Liverpool beat. Unirea Urziceni 1-0 Thursday.
This is a huge clash in the chase for next year’s Champions’ League qualifying berth. Spurs and Villa will have a lot to say about it as well but whoever wins this game will be in excellent position.
City is the better team or at least equal. The Citizens should be giving up half a goal or so, but Liverpool has such a worldwide following that the amount of public money forces bookies to overweight them every week.
This one is strictly by the numbers and I would be reluctant to bet City to win unless I was getting +175. But getting them at pick at a reasonable percentage is one of the bets of the year.
Craig Bellamy (knee) is a game-time decision for City. Patrick Vieira starts a three-game suspension. Martin Petrov (knee) and Carlos Tevez (personal) will miss this match.
Maxi Rodriguez (eligibility) sat out midweek but is available for Liverpool here. Yossi Benayoun (rib) is a game-time decision. Sotyrios Kyrgiakos is suspended. Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson have not recovered from knee injuries..
Pick: Manchester City 2, Liverpool 1.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Monday’s Northern scrap between Blackburn and Bolton. Over 2.5 goals around +120 looks interesting. There’ll be plenty of chances. If anyone has his shooting boots on, it’ll go over by halftime.