BPL Match Preview (Sep 18, 2011)

Tottenham Hotspurs (15th) vs Liverpool (6th)

Manager Harry Redknapp will revert to his first-choice XI after resting a number of key players for last night's Europa League clash at PAOK Salonika. Rafael van der Vaart (hamstring), Aaron Lennon (groin) and William Gallas (calf) are making good progress in their recovery from injury and could play some part in the game at White Hart Lane. Steven Pienaar (groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Ledley King (knee) face fitness tests but Michael Dawson (Achilles) is out and Sandro (knee) is unlikely to be risked despite returning to light training following a knee injury he suffered this summer.

Right-back Glen Johnson will miss out after a recurrence of a hamstring injury last weekend. Captain Steven Gerrard is nearing a return to fitness after six months out following a groin operation but he may not be risked at White Hart Lane. Defender Martin Kelly is also close to a recall after coming back from a hamstring injury.

Harry Redknapp aims to repeat last season's double over the Merseyside club, who suffered their first loss of the season at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday. Tottenham have been 2-1 victors in each of the last two meetings at White Hart Lane between the two sides. Redknapp is likely to make as many as ten changes to the side that drew in Greece as he reverts back to a starting XI similar to the one that secured the win - and Spurs' first points of the season - at Molineux.

Betting Recommendations:

Tottenham fixtures in the beginning of the season are far from easy. After missing the first matchweek, they face both the red and blue Manchester team which they lost convincingly. Now they face another strong team and despite managing to rest most of their key players, I feel this game will be tough for them as well. Go for Liverpool at level Asian Handicap.

Fulham (18th) vs Manchester City (2nd)

Bryan Ruiz is set for a return to the Fulham squad. The 26-year-old deadline day signing was ineligible for the midweek Europa League match with FC Twente, whom he played for in the Champions League play-offs earlier in the season. Aaron Hughes also missed the Group K tie with a knee injury and is a doubt, while Dickson Etuhu is struggling with a thigh injury.

Midfielder James Milner has been ruled out. Milner missed the midweek Champions League game against Napoli after a clash of heads in last week's defeat of Wigan. Midfielder Nigel de Jong (foot) remains 10 days to two weeks away from fitness while full-back Aleksandar Kolarov is not hindered by a broken nose.

Fulham are yet to win their first game in the Premier League this season with only two goals scored so far. Neither side has been able to keep a clean sheet in any of the last 14 league matches when they have faced each other. The home side have a dodgy home record against the visitors, having won nine and lost nine out of the 26 league games that have taken place in London between the two teams. The Eastlands club have been good on the road in the recent past, winning four of their last five trips away from home including a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Betting Recommendations:

Manchester City should continue to play attacking football away from home. It has worked wonders so far with easy victories over Bolton and Spurs away from home, at the same time scoring 9 goals. Man City boasts a talented group of attacking players in their squad. Be it Dzeko or Aguero to start, the team will definitely be good enough to score a couple of goals in this game. Take Man City at -3/4 Asian Handicap.

Sunderland (16th) vs Stoke City (5th)

John O'Shea could return to bolster Sunderland's defence. The Republic of Ireland defender missed the defeat by Chelsea due to a calf strain but has returned to training. Nicklas Bendtner is likely lead the attack and Connor Wickham could make his first start. Craig Gordon, Fraizer Campbell and David Meyler (all knee) remain sidelined.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will check on the condition of a host of players. Several squad members did not travel to Ukraine for this week's Europa League game against Dynamo Kiev, with record signing Peter Crouch staying at home as a precaution after missing training, and Matthew Etherington (back), Rory Delap (groin) and Marc Wilson (hamstring) also absent from the trip. That quartet and Jonathan Woodgate, who is not registered for the Potters' European campaign and has been working to shake off a minor injury, are among those that will be assessed, while goalkeeper Asmir Begovic - rested for the Dynamo game - is expected to return in place of Thomas Sorensen.

Betting Recommendations:

Stoke City gain a point in their Europa League match in midweek after managing a 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kiev. However, playing an extra away game in Europa League may prove a bit tough for team like Stoke, despite managing to rest a few players. Expect Sunderland to nick this game. My pick is Sunderland -1/4 on Asian Handicap.

Manchester United (1st) vs Chelsea (3rd)

Sir Alex Ferguson has reported no fresh injury concerns. Nemanja Vidic (calf), Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) remain sidelined, whilst Danny Welbeck (hamstring) is not expected to be available until next week. Changes are anticipated though, with Ferguson expected to recall many of the players who were left out of his starting line-up for the midweek Champions League draw with Benfica.

Chelsea will once again be without Didier Drogba. The striker will not be risked at Old Trafford three weeks after his sickening head injury, meaning manager Andre Villas-Boas must decide whether to start Fernando Torres or Nicolas Anelka. Ramires returns after being suspended for Tuesday's Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, while goalkeeping understudies Hilario and Ross Turnbull are both carrying knocks, although one will be on the bench.

The two previous meetings between these sides at Old Trafford have essentially been Premier League title deciders, with Chelsea winning one and United the other. These two sides have met 19 times in the Premier League at Old Trafford, drawing seven times. Manchester United have won seven of those encounters and Chelsea a respectable five. Manchester United have scored 18 goals in four games in the league so far this season, an average of 4.5 goals per game.

Betting Recommendations:

Definitely the match of the week saw the two main title contenders going head to head. Although it is still early in the season, matches between the two can always be a morale booster towards the top prize. This game to me will not be very easy for Man Utd. So with the handicap set at Man Utd -1/2, I will gladly accept it as a Draw or Chelsea win will not be so surprising. Take Chelsea +1/2 on the Asian Handicap.