English Premier League Preview – 2011/12 – Week 25

Week 25 of the English Premier League kicks off tonight with a bang. What better game to kick off a Saturday night then probably the biggest rivalry in the history of the English Premier League, Manchester United v Liverpool. Old Trafford is the scene for this one and it should be a beauty.

Manchester United are coming off the back of a 3-3 comeback draw against Chelsea last weekend. Liverpool are coming off a much less exciting 0-0 draw with Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday morning and should be up for this one. The last time these two met in an English Premier League, Luis Suarez ended up with an 8 match ban for allegedly racially abusing Patrice Evra. The scene is now set with Suarez just returning from that ban and was only on the bench against Tottenham. He could start this one!

In other matches, Blackburn host QPR at Ewood Park following a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal. They will want to bounce back for this one and QPR at home may be a good way to start.

Two of the bottom sides compete when Wigan travel to the Reebok Stadium to tackle Bolton. Bolton are coming off a demoralising loss to Norwich City and Wigan had a hard fought 1-1 draw with Everton. Both sides will be looking to pull themselves out of the drop zone with the seasons end approaching.

Everton host Chelsea following last weeks 1-1 away draw with Wigan. Chelsea head into this one having squandered a 3-0 lead against Manchester United at home to eventually draw the match 3-3. That match could affect their confidence and I have a feeling Everton may just take advantage of that this week.

Also on Saturday night, Fulham host Stoke City at Craven Cottage. Fulham were humbled 3-0 by Manchester City last weekend and will looking to try and get back into the top half of the table with a win here. Stoke went down 1-0 to Sunderland last weekend and will be looking for a win for the same reason.

Arsenal travel to Sunderland next following their 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn last week. They’ll hope that van Persie and Oxlade-Chamberlain can repeat last weeks efforts and help their push for a top 4 spot. Sunderland had 120 minutes of FA Cup action midweek which could affect them in this one. They won that game to set up a match against this weeks opponents in the next round.

Swansea host Norwich this week in another battle of the promoted teams. These matches usually provide plenty of entertainment as the teams adjust to life in the English Premier League. Both sides have exceeded expectations and will be looking to stay in the top half of the table come seasons end.

Last up on Saturday (Sunday morning Australian time) we have another beauty. Tottenham currently sit 3rd on the ladder and look like getting themselves back into the Champions League. They take on Newcastle who are also looking to try and grab one of those Champions League places. It will be interesting to see whether the Harry Redknapp drama has any effect on the Tottenham players for this one.

In Sunday’s matches, first up we have Wolves taking on West Bromwich Albion. Wolves has a 2-1 win over QPR last week while West Brom lost by the same scoreline to Swansea City. Both teams will looking to move themselves up the ladder, particularly Wolves who sit just a point outside of the relegation zone.

Last up this week, we have Aston Villa hosting Manchester City. Villa have been disappointing so far this season, they will want to get something out of this one for their home fans. Manchester City, despite having all the talent in the world, have self imploded recently. Perhaps they have too many egos in that dressing room and Mancini is having trouble controlling them. They do not look the same side that tore the English Premier League apart earlier in the season. The English Premier League is their last real shot at a trophy unless you count the Europa League in that.

This should be a cracking week of English Premier League action and we could see a bit of movement at the top of the table around the Champions League places. Check out our tips and best bets for the weekend below!

English Premier League – sports banter.com.au Tips:

Manchester United v Liverpool – #mufcvlfc – Man Utd
Blackburn Rovers v QPR – #brfcvqpr – Blackburn
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan – #bwfcvwigan – Bolton
Everton v Chelsea – #efcvcfc – Draw
Fulham v Stoke City – #ffcvstoke – Draw
Sunderland v Arsenal – #sfcvafc – Arsenal
Swansea v Norwich – #scfcvncfc – Swansea
Tottenham v Newcastle – #thfcvnufc – Draw
Wolverhampton v West Brom – #wolvesvwba – Wolves
Aston Villa v Manchester City – #avfcvmcfc – Draw 

English Premier League – Banter’s Best Bets – Multi

Manchester United v Liverpool – Man Utd +0.5 @ $1.22
Blackburn Rovers v QPR – Blackburn +0.5 @ $1.40
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan – Bolton @ $1.95
Everton v Chelsea – Draw @ $3.20
Fulham v Stoke City – Stoke + 0.5 @ $1.83
Sunderland v Arsenal – Arsenal @ $2.05
Swansea v Norwich – Swansea +0.5 @ $1.21
Tottenham v Newcastle – Total Game Score Over +2.5 @ $1.68
Wolverhampton v West Brom – Wolves + 0.5 @ $1.40
Aston Villa v Manchester City – Total Game Score Under +2.5 @ $1.88

Total Multibet Odds – $224.92