After third-round FA Cup action last week, the Premier League is back in gear in England with a full slate of weekend action. We focus on one Saturday matchup and then the Monday featured clash.
First, the Saturday matchup in a midlands battle at Anfield as Liverpool looks to continue its climb towards a European berth next term, and visiting Stoke City tries to do the same. A check of European wagering outlets notes that the host Reds are priced 4/9 for a win, with the visiting Potters getting their backers 13/2 on the take-back. Draw prices are tempting at 10/3.
Kickoff time on Saturday will be 10 a.m. (ET), with the FOX Soccer Channel providing coverage in the states.
Despite a loss in its last EPL game two weeks against (vs. Man City), Liverpool enters the weekend well within striking distance of a top four finish and a qualifying spot for next season’s Champions League. After a slow start, Kenny Dalglish has steered the Reds all fo the way to sixth spot in the EPL table on 34 points, just three points adrift of the current occupier of fourth place, Arsenal.
Dalglish is hoping that last Saturday’s 5-1 FA Cup destruction of Oldham Athletic will signal a return to goal-scoring exploits for his troops that had been a bit sluggish for most of December. Of course, the expected return of Steven Gerrard to his usual midfield perch should bolster Liverpool hopes.
The problem at the moment for Liverpool is that star striker Luis Suarez is on an 8-match suspension from the EPL due to reported racism comments made by Suarez against Man United’s Patrice Evra during an October match. If Dalglish’s face looks as red as the Liverpool kits, you know why.
In the meantime, Liverpool wonders if it should offload disappointing striker Andy Carroll during the January transfer window, with Newcastle apparently readying a bid. Stay tuned for further developments.
Tony Pulis’ Stoke City is two spots back of Liverpool in the eighth spot, but on 29 points has some ground to cover if wishing to get re-involved in Europe next term. The Potters are off their own FA Cup success last weekend in a 3-1 win over Gillingham.
Stoke, currently having progressed to the final 32 of the Europa League, are not expected to do much wheeling and dealing in the January window, as Pulis seems content with a strike force featuring the well-traveled Peter “The Stork” Crouch and Jonathan Walters, who have scored 11 goals between them.
On Monday, Man City, off of a bitter FA Cup ouster courtesy Man United, travels to Wigan as it looks to avoid an upset and stay on top of the EPL table.
European oddsmakers reckon that the Blues should not have much trouble, as their win is priced at 4/11. A Wigan win could fetch an 8/1 price at most European wagering shops, with the draw at 15/4.
Kickoff time at DW Stadium will be 3:00 p.m. (ET), with TV coverage in the states provided by ESPN Deportes.
City remains on top of the EPL table on 48 points but is looking over its shoulder at Man U, just three points in arrears, as it makes the short trip to Wigan. The Blues are in a little bit of a depth crisis at the moment, with manager Roberto Mancini calling for the Middle Wast oil money that owns the team to invest further in the January transfer window. Mancini’s reserve bench was thin against Man U over the weekend and City could be down several key contributors, including striker Eden Dzeko and defensive ace Vincent Kompany, looking at a 4-match suspension.
Moreover, the versatile Yaya and Kolo Toure are on African Nations Cup duty at the moment. Key for Mancini will be for midfield ace David Silva to pass a fitness test before the match.
We’re not sure, however, if Wigan is up to taking advantage of a potentially-shorthanded Man City. Sitting at 19th in the table and currently in the drop zone, Wigan owns the worst goal differential in the Prem at -23 and is on a 6-match winless streak at the moment.