A day later than usual we’re back to talk EPL, soccer fans. Let’s get right to it. One of the biggest games of the season will take place this coming Sunday as defending champions Manchester City and Manchester United renew their fierce rivalry in the 168th edition of the Manchester derby. With Chelsea opening a four-point lead at the top of the league table, both teams will be desperate to grab that all-important victory.
That showdown headlines this weekend’s hectic 10-match schedule. Read on below as I dig into the best English Premier League games this week and throw down my usual complement of hit-or-miss picks and predictions.
[sc:Soccer ]Top EPL Picks for Week 10
Game of the Week: Manchester City vs. Manchester United (Sun, Nov. 2, 9:30 AM ET)
Line: Manchester United +320 at Manchester City -152, tie +270; total 3.0 – view all EPL lines
Robin van Persie scored a dramatic equalizer in the 94th minute to secure a 1-1 draw with league-leaders Chelsea last Sunday. The Red Devils will look to carry the momentum from that huge result when they take on local rivals Manchester City this coming Sunday.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The good news for United is that captain Wayne Rooney is set to make his grand return after his month-long absence. The 29-year-old served a three-match ban after his sending off against West Ham last month. His comeback will further boost a United attack that will also have the returning Radamel Falcao who is now completely fit after missing the game against Chelsea because of a knock.
The problem with United this season, though, has been their defense. United legend Peter Schmeichel has pointed out that United’s back four is full of uncertainty and insecurity. That will be a major concern in this game because they will face one of the best strikers in the world today in Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian has been on fire, scoring 11 goals in 12 games so far this season.
City have struggled recently though as they have lost their last two games. They were booted out of the League Cup last night, losing to Newcastle 2-0. That follows their shock defeat to West Ham in the Premier League last weekend where they were upset 2-1.
With both teams keen to keep their Premier League title hopes on track, I see a free-flowing game this coming weekend. The question now is which team will make the most of their chances.
Writer’s Prediction: The Red Devils win 3-2 as the game soars over 3.0.
Lock of the Week: Chelsea vs. QPR (Sat, Nov. 1, 11:00 AM ET)
Line: QPR +1,500 at Chelsea -1,150, tie +675; total 3.0 – view all EPL Lines
Jose Mourinho’s men have started the Premier League season like a house on fire as they have opened up a quick four-point gap at the top of the team standings. It could have been even bigger if not for van Persie’s last-gasp equalizer at Old Trafford last weekend.
The Blues are unbeaten so far this campaign, registering seven wins and two draws this season. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that they will extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games when they host lowly Queens Park Rangers this coming Saturday.
QPR are stuck in the relegation zone with only seven points thus far this season. Their away form has been horrendous as they have yet to register a point in their travels this year. Chelsea, on the other hand, have won all four of their games at Stamford Bridge this season (12 points).
Writer’s Prediction: The Blues win 4-0 to extend their home winning streak to five games.
Upset of the Week: Everton vs. Swansea (Sat, Nov. 1, 11:00 AM ET)
Line: Swansea +405 at Everton -180, tie +270; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Samuel Eto’O rediscovered the scoring touch as he netted a two-goal brace in Everton’s 3-1 win over Burnley last Sunday. That’s now two wins in a row for Roberto Martinez’s men who stand at ninth place in the league table with 12 points.
Eto’O has now scored four goals in five starts this season and is expected to lead the line for the Toffees once again when they host Swansea this coming weekend. Extending their winning run to three games won’t be that easy though as they will face a Swansea side that is coming off a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Leicester City.
Wilfried Bony was the hero for the Swans as he scored twice in 23 minutes to help Swansea snap its five-match winless Premier League run. The Ivory Coast striker is playing some excellent football at the moment as he has now scored four times in three games.
Writer’s Prediction: The Swans upset Everton 1-0.
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (Sun, Nov. 2, 12:00 PM ET)
Line: Tottenham -117 at Aston Villa +270, tie +230; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
To say that Aston Villa is having a bad run would be a severe understatement. With their 2-0 loss to QPR last Monday, Paul Lambert’s men have now lost their last five Premier League games to sit in 15th place in the league table, just two points above the relegation zone.
The main problem for Aston Villa during this poor stretch has been their lack of offensive production. They have failed to find the back of the net in their last five outings. AV may have some hope for offense in this one as their opponents have been conceding goals at an alarming rate recently.
Tottenham have allowed a total of six goals in their last two defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle. Their last away outing was a massacre as the defending champions fashioned out a 4-1 hammering at the Etihad Stadium.
Writer’s Prediction: Aston Villa and Tottenham cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw.
Newcastle vs. Liverpool (Sat, Nov. 1, 8:45 AM ET)
Line: Liverpool -123 at Newcastle +265, tie +250; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Newcastle’s confidence is at an all-time high after they shocked Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane last Sunday to grab their first away win of the season. It also gave them back-to-back wins for the first time this year as they moved out of the relegation zone with 10 points to their name this campaign.
They face the ultimate test, though, this coming Saturday when they host last year’s runners-up Liverpool. The Reds enter the game with a four-match unbeaten streak and manager Brendan Rodgers will be confident of grabbing all three points with Balotelli back to his goal-scoring ways.
The mercurial Italian striker came off the bench to score the equalizer in Liverpool’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over Swansea in the League Cup last Tuesday. He has struggled to find the back of the net in the Premier League, though, going scoreless in his last seven appearances.
Writer’s Prediction: The Reds win 1-0.
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