Alright fans, welcome back to another edition of….oh wait…this is a blog post for the EPL Preview (Gameweek 13).  Why is it a blog post you ask?  Well, if you haven’t heard the laptop that has all the software on it crashed and burned a week ago today…so crapola…I’m working on a couple solutions.  1) Dell, at this point, has been the worst experience of customer service I have experienced up to this point in my 22 years of living (okay, I know I’m not 22, but I do have to dream).  2)Looking for a sponsorship deal…a company to “donate” a laptop to the Goalmouth Scramble, and in return – a month or two of advertising, both on the blog and the show…so if anyone has any pull – give a shout out to us – we’ll hook them up. 

So, with that said (typed), here is the breakdown of games for the weekend….of course I will talk gambling (only for recreational and fun – never take what I say to “the bank!”) on the games as well.  Four teams have double duty this week – Fulham, Hull City, Blackburn & Everton (preview for Wednesday’s games will be up later this week)…but the most intriguing matchup of the week is the 1^st game of the weekend…and that game is Liverpool hosting Man City.

Saturday’s Matches

Liverpool 7^th vs. Man City 6th - Man City will travel to Anfield to play an injury filled Liverpool squad.  Fernando Torres is out with a groin injury, Riera, Benayoun, Dossena & Aurelio are all questionable or doubtful for this big time encounter.   The Reds are sitting 11 points back of Chelsea and have already lost more than twice as many games as they did all of last season.  Also, Liverpool have only won 1 of their last9 matches – wow!  And for Man City, this is the kind of game they need to win if they want to finish in the top 4 and play in the Champion’s League next season. Playing a team that is filled with injuries, that is a top 4 club and a World Power in the game of futbol.  Liverpool is favored by -0.5, but with all the injuries to Liverpool…I really think +300 on the moneyline is a great value bet for Man City.  I’m not saying Man City wins – but I love the value of 3 to1.

Birmingham 15^th vs. Fulham 11^th – Avery boring matchup on paper to start the year is now a very good game based onrecent form.  Birmingham are undefeated in their last 3 matches, including a 2-2 draw at Anfield.  On the other side, Roy Hodgson and Fulham are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 6 games…and American Clint Dempsey is looking to score in his 4^th consecutive game – and if he does –it would tie the club record.  Don’t bet this game – it’s a toss up.

Burnley 10^th vs. AstonVilla 5^th – Burnley has earned 15 out of a possible 18 points at Turf Moor – and guess where they are this weekend – yep.  And Villa comes to town in 5^th place – so I know what you’re thinking –take Villa…ooooh, not so fast my friends! The Villians have not won at Turf Moor since 1936…1936!!  That is 22consecutive games, league & cup matches, that they have not won there.  This game is a pick’em, but Burnley’s point spread of 0, also comes with a +150.  Another Value bet here based on past history and if they draw – you get your cash back…bet Burnley.  If you have guts – you can get +220 withBurnley on the moneyline.  Have fun with that one boys.

Hull City 17^th vs. West Ham 18^th – This might be the who cares match of the weekend, but in all honesty, it is a huge relegation matchup, as well as the loser possibly losing their manager on Sunday morning.  Hull City has only won 4 times in 2009 – not this season – the whole calendar year of 2009 – EMBARRASSING!  And West Ham has only 1 win since opening day…but this is about the same time last year when many “experts and analysts”were calling for the firing of Zola – and the Hammers turned their season around and finished in the top half of the table.  If I were a betting man…I wouldn’t bet this game…okay…that’s a lie – I just have a gut feeling here – take the Hammers on the moneyline +145.

Sunderland 8^th vs. Arsenal 2^nd – The Gunners travel to the Stadium of Light on a goal scoring run that has not been seen like this since the 1963-64 season. Back the, Spurs had scored 40 goals in their 1^st 11 games –the Gunners have 36 so far, and they don’t look like they are going to slowdown anytime soon.  Injuries might be the only thing that can stop this team – Robin Van Persie suffered an ankle injury while on international duty this past week and is lost for 4-6 weeks.  But what does it really mean – they bring Nasri, Walcott or Rosicky off the bench…oh no – the depth of this team is amazing.  If you don’t think so, just read the most recent blog post about Arsenal, written by Greg pennington, theofficial Arsenal blogger of the Goalmouth Scramble.  Sunderland have not beaten Arsenal in their last 11 league matches...Bet Arsenal-1(+115)…great value here.   The Black Cats do not have the fire power to keep up with Cesc and the boys.

Manchester United 3^rd vs.Everton 12^th – The Red Devils have not lost to Everton at Old Trafford for 11consecutive games.  And overall, Everton has only 1 win over Manchester United in their last 28 meetings.  I am not sold on this Manchester United squad being a top 2 or 3 team in the league, and I definitely don’t think Everton is a bottom half EPL club either…if things were going to change – it would be this game right here.  The Red Devils are -1.5favorites, but I really see this being a 1 goal game or possibly even a kiss your sister tie (that’s so gross).  I’m not betting this – but I would take Everton +1.5.

Sunday’s Matches

Bolton 16^th vs. Blackburn 14^th – Big Sam comes back to the Reebok where he was very successful with most of his teams being out manned by most Premier League squads.  Now he is coaching Blackburn – a team that has not lost at the Reebok since 2001. On the other sideline, Bolton has been outscored in their last 3 Premier League games 13-1.  You (ok, I) really get the feeling Big Sam is really starting to make his mark already with this Blackburn club and because of that “feeling,” I will bet Blackburn.  But I am torn here – the Rovers are 0 (+140),so if there is a draw – I would get my cash back.  But they are +230 on the moneyline – a draw and you lose…but if they win – you can win big bucks…I’m not a gambling man –so I’ll take the moneyline – Bet Blackburn+230 (are you getting my humor here boys)

Tottenham 4^th vs. Wigan 13^th– Very easy pick here…Spurs have taken 12 of a possible 18 points at home so far this season (4wins, 2 losses).  Wigan has taken 6points of a possible 18 points on the road (2 wins, 4 losses).  Not too bad of odds here either…Spurs -1(-135)…Bet on Tottenham

Stoke City 9^th vs.Portsmouth 20^th (cellar dwellers) – Stoke City continues to make the Brittania a tough place to play…yes they have 2 losses in only 6 games at home this season, but their losses were to Manchester United and to top of the table Chelsea.  Only one club has lost 9 of their first 12 EPL matches and were able to avoid relegation, and that is what Portsmouth is facing…I don’t like their chances to stay up or win at Stoke this weekend.  Bet Stoke City – Even on the moneyline.

Information in this article was taken from the following sites: Premier Leaguehttp://bit.ly/go3Wo