Premier League Weekend Wagers: Squeaky Bum Time [part 2]

Following on from today’s earlier games where the battle for fourth between Spurs and Man City was left undecided for another week, tomorrow sees some crucial matches in the battle for the Premier League crown, as the top three are in action in matches that could make or break a season.

Stoke play Arsenal in the second of three Sunday matches, with Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey due to start against the side where he suffered a double fracture in his lower right leg in a tackle with defender Ryan Shawcross. Ramsey will possibly be in a side set up by Arsene Wenger that will also include long-term injury victim Thomas Vermaelen, who has been absent since the first three games of the season.

Captain Cesc Fabregas is still absent for the London club, but they remain strong favourites at a strong 7/10 on; odds that are backed up with the stat that Arsenal have won four successive league matches against the Potters.

Possible Betting Market: Arsenal winning with a repeat of last year’s 3-1 scoreline - 12/1 at Ladbrokes.

In the last game of the day, Chelsea visit Manchester United, with the Blues just three points behind United in second. An away win would blow the title race wide open with just a few games left in the calendar, so expect an attacking Chelsea side, who can chose from Drogba, Anelka, Torres, Kalou and Malouda as a potential three-man strike force. United have been known to adopt a five-man midfield in times where they need to stub out their opponents domination in the midfield, but Sir Alex may chose a 4-4-1-1 line-up that allows Wayne Rooney to play just off in-form striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez. With either formation, the key battle will be Red wingers Nani and Valencia against the full-backs of Cole and Ivanovic.

Possible Betting Market: Take your pick of score draws: 1-1 is 11/2 whilst 2-2 is at a generous 14/1 on bluesquare.

Sunday, 8^th May 2011

Wolverhampton v West Brom, 12:00
Stoke v Arsenal, 14:05
Man Utd v Chelsea, 16:10