After Chelsea and Manchester City the Premier League is mired in mediocrity. Case in point – Manchester United. Looking at the table and seeing United in the top 4 would have many thinking that they have improved on last year, where at this same junction they were in 6th place.
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However after 21 games they have the exact same amount of points (37) this year under Van Gaal as they did last year under David Moyes. Having spent hundreds of millions in transfers and wages, with no actual improvement over a coach that was shown the exit, has led LVG to desperate measures.
However, this mediocrity under the top two has left the door open for 6 teams to all have a legitimate claim to the final pair of Champions League spots.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Random Footy Fact: Villa have only scored 7 goals in 11 home games
Liverpool is one of those 6 sides. They head to Villa Park this weekend, where Villa don’t score, as I’ve mentioned many times before. Villa will defend deep and try and counter with Benteke, who is still looking to regain his elite form. Liverpool will huff and puff but will eventually fire one home. Hopefully Raheem Sterling doesn’t have sunburn.
Pick: Liverpool (-110)
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
The Clarets and the Eagles are tied on 20 points near the bottom and desperately trying to avoid the relegation spots. And that being the case neither team can afford to lose this game. Whomever scores the first goal, assuming someone does, will defend their 1-0 lead behind a wall like the City of Troy. 1 point will do both of these teams, but they’d bite your hand off for 3.
Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-170)
Man City vs Arsenal
Arsenal and City will know what all teams in front of them have done by the time they kickoff on Sunday. Therefore this game represents the huge risk of losing further ground on the teams they are trying to keep pace with. I have been made aware of an alarming nugget of information; Manchester City have not won a game in which Yaya Toure has not played in almost a year.
He remains on duty with the Cote D’Ivoire at the African Cup of Nations, and Chelsea fans will be hoping that the Elephants go all the way keeping both Yaya and newly signed Wilfried Bony out of their potent lineup. These sides have played twice already this season (Community Shield and BPL) and both times it has gone over 2.5 goals.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-170)
Everton vs West Brom
Everton just lost an epic FA cup shootout vs. West Ham on Tuesday. A lot of their stars played the entire 120 minutes. Now they have to go from one form or misery to another – playing a Tony Pulis side. Everton’s are winless in 7 games, and the Baggies will be ready to scrap it out Monday. I see them sharing the honors.
Pick: Draw (+250)
Last Matchday’s record: 2-3 (-1.6 units)
Overall: 23-16 (+10.7 units)