This Wednesday evening sees four teams play their games in hand before we reach the weekend and the final games of the 2009/2010 Premier League season. Fulham take on Stoke City in a mid-table battle while the big game of the night sees Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur in a match that could decide who of the two will be playing in the Champions League next season. BetRepublic.com previews both matches and offers some great value bets here.
Fulham v Stoke City:
The first match between these two sides this season was an epic match, with Stoke leading 3-0 at half time before almost throwing the game away in the second half and just about taking the points with a 3-2 victory. However, this match is to be played at Craven Cottage rather than the Britannia Stadium and Fulham are a much better side there than on the road.
Of their eighteen home league matches this season Fulham have lost just four, winning eleven and drawing three. Their losses have all come against top six sides (Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City). However, they are safe in the Premier League and their thoughts will be on ensuring that their best players are rested and un-injured for the Europa League final in one weeks time. Will this affect them in this match, which is effectively a nothing game? I feel it will as Roy Hodgson will make changes and rest several of his first team.Fulham v Stoke City:
The first match between these two sides this season was an epic match, with Stoke leading 3-0 at half time before almost throwing the game away in the second half and just about taking the points with a 3-2 victory. However, this match is to be played at Craven Cottage rather than the Britannia Stadium and Fulham are a much better side there than on the road.
Can Stoke take advantage of this? They have an away record of three wins, eight draws and six losses in their seventeen away league fixtures this season. Even with the changes that Fulham are likely to make I don’t see Tony Pulis’ men getting any more than a draw out of this match.
BetRepublic.com Recommends: Back the draw @ 12/5 with there to be under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 with PaddyPower.com.
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur:
The race for fourth is still wide open between these two sides, with Spurs currently sitting fourth in the Premier League on 67 points with a +27 goal difference and Man City sitting fifth on 66 points with a +29 goal difference. A win for Spurs in this match will ensure that they’ll be in the Champions League next season and they would close to within two points of Arsenal, bringing the battle for third place down to the final day of the season.
However, it will not be easy for Spurs as they travel to Eastlands where Man City have won twelve and drawn four of their eighteen home league games. They have lost just twice at home this season and both losses – v Everton and Manchester United – have come in the last five matches, however they bounced back after losing to city rivals United with an impressive 3-1 win over Aston Villa. Will they be able continue on from that win over Villa and move into fourth place in the league?
City have a good chance as Spurs’ away form has slipped in recent weeks and they have lost four of their last seven away league matches, including both of their last encounters on the road against Sunderland and Manchester United. In the other three away games they have beaten Wigan Athletic and Stoke City and managed to draw at St. Andrews with Birmingham City. Their manager, Harry Redknapp, will have them pumped up for the biggest game of their season and they will make it a great game, but I cannot see them getting anything from the game. However, Spurs have found the net in five of their last six away games and Man City have conceded goals in four of their last five home matches so I see there being goals.
BetRepublic.com Recommends: Back Manchester City to win @ evens and over 2.5 goals in the match @ 7/10 with William Hill.
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