Greener's Premier League Blog
Published: 01/05/2009
GREENER’S BLOG
by
ANDY GREENUP
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2 MAY 2009
Last week saw our recent poor run of results continue with only Leeds winning from our five selections. This week will be no easier to predict with sides either going for promotion, fighting against relegation or worst of all for us, having nothing to play for. The overall verdicts have now produced 30 wins from 64 selections, a strike rate of 46.9% and the profit now stands at 18.50 points.
THREE FROM FIVE FOR THE DROP?
In my opinion the battle against relegation is down to the bottom five sides. Blackburn’s win and Portsmouth’s draw last weekend should be enough to see them safe from the drop, although another point from the Lancashire side will make it almost certain. I just can’t see both Newcastle and Middlesbrough picking up seven points from their remaining four games. Of the five sides, Middlesbrough are first up when they take on Champions elect Manchester Utd at the Riverside in the day’s early kickoff. West Brom then travel to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham knowing nothing other than a win will do. On Sunday, Newcastle go to Anfield while Sunderland entertain Everton at the Stadium of Light. Hull City have to wait until Monday evening for there visit to Aston Villa. The game I most like the look of is at Eastlands where Manchester City take on Blackburn.
City have won seven of their last eight home games, the only defeat coming against Fulham three weeks ago. Blackburn have won just two of their last 14 away games. So with odds above even money, City look a really good bet. Last week with the Everton game I made two selections, I’m going to do the same again here. I have to admit that I really fancy City to be leading at half time as well as winning overall. City have led at half time in nine of their 17 home games this season and have only been trailing on one occasion, that was against Manchester Utd. In those 17 home games they have only conceded four goals before the break. Blackburn on the other hand have failed to score in seven of their last 11 away from home. They have also failed to score a first half goal in nine of those 11 games and have only found the net three times. They have conceded goals in the opening five minutes of three of their last four away games. GREENER’S VERDICT - MATCH RESULT - MANCHESTER CITY (10 PTS) @ 2.02 & GREENER’S VERDICT - HALF TIME RESULT - MANCHESTER CITY (10 PTS) @ 2.72
