Football Analysis

Summary: One of the form team's in the Premier League, in Wigan, do battle against one of the biggest dissapointments of the season, in Tottenham. Wigan have won 4 of their last 6 EPL contests and will be eager to exact revenge on today's opponents after their 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup last week. Tottenham can look at this game with some optimism after their cup exploits, recording back to back victories in the FA Cup and Carling Cup. Left-back Assou Ekotto is out through suspension while Defoe makes his debut after his transfer from Portsmouth. Wigan have a fully fit squad to choose from apart from long term absentee in Sibierski.

Verdict: Tottenham's star players in Pavlyuchenko and Modric are beginning to shine with some bright performances in recent weeks. Add to this the freshness that Jermaine Defoe will bring to the side and Spurs can look at this fixture as a great opportunity to jump seven places up the table.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Tottenham +0.25, 8/10 @1.00 at 188Bet

Summary: This fixtures pits two teams in contrasting form, with Newcastle's form graph taking a slight dip and West Ham's a slight upward curve. Following a run of 6 outings without defeat, Newcastle drew away to Wigan and were embarassed 5-1 at home to league leaders Liverpool. A dissapointing scoreless draw at Hull in the FA Cup means that a Newcastle side beset with injuries will need to play the return leg next Wednesday evening. In total contrast, West Ham are on a run of 3 wins in a row including a comfortable 3-0 win in the FA Cup over Championship side Barnsley. As hinted earlier, Newcaslte have a host of injuries to contend with as no less than 8 players are unavailable for this encounter. This list includes key figures in Martins, Viduka, Butt, Barton, and the ever present Beye. West Ham retain the services of long term absentee Kieron Dyer, and Scott Parker from suspension.

Verdict: Newcastle's bubble seemed to have burst a fortnight ago when they were swept aside in a 5-1 defeat which could of been much, much worse if it wasn't for the heroics of keeper Shay Given. West Ham is no Liverpool but they are an improving side under the guidance of rookie manager, Gianfranco Zola. Newcastle are depleted in all areas of their team but the key battle for mine is in the middle of midfield. Newcastle will miss the fighting qualities of Butt and possibly Guthrie which will hand the initiative to the energetic Parker and combatitive likes of Mullins and Noble.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: West Ham +0.25, 8/10 @1.86 at Ladbrokes

Final result: 2-2, +3.44

Summary: Consistant Everton take on early high flyers Hull City in what promises to be a pulsating contest. Everton are a team in fine form despite playing the last month with no recognised strikers. This is no longer the case with Anichebe returning to the fold but strong team ethics and the fine form of midfield duo, Arteta and Fellaini, have ensured that Everton have a realistic opportunity at Europe next season. Following an incredible early season run, Hull City look to be fading, with only a single win in their last 12 competitive fixtures. Everton's high publicised missings in attack remain with Saha, Yakubu, and Vaughan still not within sight of returning. Better news is that midfield cover Segundo Castillo is available again after injury. Hull City may regain the services of Gardner, Dawson and Folan in a squad with very few injury concerns.

Verdict: Everton have kept 5 clean sheets in a row (all competitions) and will fancy themselves against a Hull City team who have conceded 14 goals in their last six outings, the most in the Premier League! Everton's home form has been poor till this stage with only 2 wins but that seems to have strengthened in the last month with positive results against Chelsea (0-0) and Sunderland (3-0 win). Arteta is arguably the most in-form player in the Premier League at the moment and with fellow midfielders Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, and Fellaini in fine fettle, Everton just have too many guns for a stuttering Hull City side.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Everton, 10/10 @1.65 at Paddypower

Final result: 2-0, +6.50

Summary: A stuttering Gunners side take on the faultering Bolton Wanderers in what promises to be an interesting affair between boys and men. Despite Arsenal's well documented drop in form compared to their brilliant past, they are undefeated in 6 Premier League outings and still a slight chance at making a run for the title. This latest streak has culminated in impressive results against Chelsea (2-1 win) and Liverpool (1-1 draw). Following an incredible run of 3 away wins on the trot, Bolton have won 1 of their last 5 Premier League outings - losing the rest. The away team have been besieged by injuries and will remain without key figures Steinsson, Cahill (indefinite), and Nolan. In turn, Arsenal miss defenders Gallas and Silvestre but recall the services of Toure, Clichy, Denilson and Song. Fabregas remains out.

Verdict: Bolton will find it difficult to cover for the absentees in the spine of the defence, so we can expect Van Persie and/or Adebayor to get on the scoresheet if they are on their game. Arsenal still lack natural width in the absence of Walcott but Bolton's key injuries are too hard to ignore.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Arsenal -1.0, 10/10 @1.60 at 10bet

Final result: 1-0, +0.00

Summary: Manchester United entertain a struggling Middlesbrough side who are on a 7 game winless streak. Manchester themselves have been a bit below par in the last month but have still managed 4 wins and 2 draws since their 2-1 loss at Arsenal. On Boxing Day, Manchester United left it till late to breach a stubborn Stoke defence when Tevez converted a Berbatov dink across goal in the 83rd minute, ensuring all 3 points and a 1-0 win. Middlesbrough suffered the exact reverse with a 1-0 loss to Everton in a toothless performance. Middlesbrough's defence was breached time and time again and if it wasn't for Everton's lack of strikers, then the away side may of rung up a cricket score. For this encounter, the reigning champions will continue without the services of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, and long term absentee Wes Brown. Exciting right-back, Rafael, is likely to replace Neville whereas Evans and O'Shea will join Vidic at the back. Middlesbrough have few injury worries with only Digard absent.

Verdict: Manchester United have faced stubborn opposition in the last month, managing only 3 goals in their last 5 encounters but it must be noted that four of those occasions were away from Old Trafford. Manchester are prolific scorers at home, scoring at a league high 2.7 goals per game. Add to this the fact that Middlesbrough have only kept one clean sheet on their travels and it is likely that goals will be the order of the day. Despite their defensive lapses, Middlesbrough have a dangerous strike force with the likes of Tuncay, Aliadiere, Mido, Downing, and Johnson able to breach the best of defences on their day. Manchester's rearguard has suffered major alterations in the last fortnight so the away team cannot be written off from finding the back of the net here. I fully expect Manchester United to break the shackles here and send their fans into the new year with a smile.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Manchester United -1.5, 10/10 @1.66 at 10bet

Final result: 1-0, -10.00

Summary: Manchester United entertain a struggling Middlesbrough side who are on a 7 game winless streak. Manchester themselves have been a bit below par in the last month but have still managed 4 wins and 2 draws since their 2-1 loss at Arsenal. On Boxing Day, Manchester United left it till late to breach a stubborn Stoke defence when Tevez converted a Berbatov dink across goal in the 83rd minute, ensuring all 3 points and a 1-0 win. Middlesbrough suffered the exact reverse with a 1-0 loss to Everton in a toothless performance. Middlesbrough's defence was breached time and time again and if it wasn't for Everton's lack of strikers, then the away side may of rung up a cricket score. For this encounter, the reigning champions will continue without the services of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, and long term absentee Wes Brown. Exciting right-back, Rafael, is likely to replace Neville whereas Evans and O'Shea will join Vidic at the back. Middlesbrough have few injury worries with only Digard absent.

Verdict: Manchester United have faced stubborn opposition in the last month, managing only 3 goals in their last 5 encounters but it must be noted that four of those occasions were away from Old Trafford. Manchester are prolific scorers at home, scoring at a league high 2.7 goals per game. Add to this the fact that Middlesbrough have only kept one clean sheet on their travels and it is likely that goals will be the order of the day. Despite their defensive lapses, Middlesbrough have a dangerous strike force with the likes of Tuncay, Aliadiere, Mido, Downing, and Johnson able to breach the best of defences on their day. Manchester's rearguard has suffered major alterations in the last fortnight so the away team cannot be written off from finding the back of the net here.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Over 2.5, 7/10 @1.67 at Paddypower

Final result: 1-0, -7.00

Summary: In form London rivals Fulham and Chelsea lock horns in an intriguing contest at Craven Cottage. Fulham are arguably on their best ever run in the Premier League where they have yet to taste defeat in 8 consecutive fixtures. Despite drawing 5 of those games and conceding only 3 goals in the process, Fulham's form can be attributed to their organisation and solid defence. In their last encounter, they were involved in another scoreless stalemate with fellow Londoners, Tottenham Hotspur. Andrew Johnson had a chance to win it at the death but made a meal out of a one on one situation. Up the road at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea put an end to their mini winless streak at home, with a comfortable 2-0 win against West Brom. Drogba made a welcome return for the Pensioners, finding himself on the scoresheet after only 3 minutes. He will be hoping to recover from a kick to the thigh in time for this match. Definitely out for the visitors are Terry, Carvalho and Michael Essien. The home team will be sweating on the fitness of their two most influential players, Jimmy Bullard and Hangeland.

Verdict: Chelsea'a away record of 8-1-0 is nothing short of incredible and they will hope to improve on that statistic to keep the pressure on league leaders Liverpool. The visitors could not of hoped for any easier game against cellar dwellers West Brom two days ago. Taking into consideration the size and quality of Chelsea's squad, compared to that of Fulham's (and most teams in the world), then it is not difficult to recognise that the visitors have the upperhand in such a congested period of the season. If indeed Fulham's most creative force in Bullard is passed fit, it is questionable as to how effective he will be after suffering a dead leg 48hrs ago. Chelsea have an abundance of fresh midfield players to call on, including Deco and Malouda. With Fulham manager Roy Hodgson not having the luxury to revitalise his team, I expect Chelsea to continue their storming form on their travels.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Chelsea -0.5, 10/10 @1.60 at 10bet

Final result: 2-2, -10.00

Summary: An injury ravaged Newcastle will look to get back on the winning trail against league leaders Liverpool. It will be a herculean task if they did, as the Barcodes are facing somewhat of an injury crisis at the moment. More on that later. On Boxing Day, Liverpool displayed one of their more convincing performances of the season, dispatching a poor Bolton side 3-0 in the easiest of manner. The Merseysiders showed the form of a realistic title winner, with Robbie Keane continuing his recent goal scoring form with two goals. Newcastle on the other hand were poor at Wigan and the narrow 2-1 scoreline flattered them. Centre-half Bassong was sent off midway through the second half to condemn Newcastle's fate as Zaki duly converted the spot kick for the Latics. As a consequence, Bassong will be suspended for this encounter. Joining him on the sidelines will be fellow first choice defenders, Beye and Jose Enrique, both succumbing to injury. As if to add more salt onto Newcastle wounds, Viduka is also out with a groin strain, meaning that Owen is the only first choice striker available for selection, if Martins and Ameobi don't pass late fitness tests. The visitors will remain without the injured Arbeloa and Skrtel but the big news is that Torres may possibly make an appearance after his lengthy injury spell.

Verdict: Newcastle's upturn in form in the last few months can be attributed to the fact that they have defended well. With a record of 4-4-2 in their last 10 encounters, Newcastle have conceded only 6 goals in the eight games where they have earned points. With the backline decimated by injury and suspension, the home side will find it very difficult to nullify Liverpool's attacking weapons. Steven Taylor who has played only 90 minutes of football in Newcastle's last 8 fixtures and one of either Cacapa or Edgar, will be asked to fill the vacancies. Manager, Joe Kinnear, has no choice but to bring in these players who are low in confidence and with minimal football under their belts. After a fine attacking display two days ago, I would be very surprised if Liverpool passed up the opportunity to take all three points here.

Competition: Premiership

Pick: Liverpool -0.5, 8/10 @1.80 at Unibet

Final result: 1-5, +6.40