[Mario]

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
11/22/2014

Chelsea vs W.B.A

Home - Chelsea
Last away matches - W-D-W-D-W-W

Jose Mourinho is likely to be very happy that the final international break until March is out of the way and he can now concentrate on setting Chelsea up for a successful season which they have already laid solid foundations for. The Portuguese manager would also have been satisfied with the way Iberian neighbours Spain dealt with both Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, who were allowed to withdraw from the national squad, although there are no signs that the disagreement with Spanish national manager Vicente Del Bosque is going to end. There won't be much concern about that for the next few months as Chelsea can focus completely on club matters as we get closer to the hectic festive period that the players dislike, but the fans love. With a 4 point lead at the top of the Premier League, Chelsea players are probably more excited about being able to take a stranglehold of the chase for the title, beginning by improving their 5-0-0 record at Stamford Bridge where the Blues have scored 13 goals and conceded 3.

Away - W.B.A
Last away matches - W-L-L-W-L-D

It is the nature of the Premier League this season that a couple of good results can propel a side quickly up the table, but a couple of bad results and a side will quickly find themselves in a precarious position. For teams like West Brom, getting to the 40 point mark as quickly as possible is the only concern for them and the Baggies are in line to do that after the first 11 games played this season. A defeat to Newcastle United sent West Brom into the international break in 13th position in the Premier League table with 13 points earned so far this season. That means they are 4 points clear of Leicester City in the bottom three, but also only 5 points behind West Ham United in 4th place which highlights how quickly things can change in the table at the moment. The side have a 2-1-2 away record this season in the League, scoring 3 goals and conceding 5. West Brom have won just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, which has also seen them exit the League Cup, since winning 3 in a row. They do come into this game having won 2 of their last 3 away games in the Premier League, both by the same 0-1 scoreline, at Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.

Asian Handicap
Home - (+0.50)
Away - (-0.50)
Pick - Chelsea (-0.50)
Odds - 1.88
Stakes - 10/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
11/22/2014

Everton vs West Ham United

Home - Everton
Last away matches - D-W-D-L-D-D

The rows between clubs and countries during international breaks extended to one between the Republic of Ireland and Everton this week as Roy Keane implied Everton encourage their Irish players to avoid playing for the national side. While Roberto Martinez is expected to respond to those claims later in the week, the immediate concern for Everton will be to continue moving up the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the season. The side went into the international break in lowly 10th place in the Premier League table, although the goal of breaking into the top four and a Champions League place is well within the grasp of Everton. It looks like being an open race for those positions, but that does mean winning games like this at Goodison Park where Everton have an unsatisfactory 1-2-2 record, scoring 10 goals but conceding 11. Everton are unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions since their unfortunate 2-1 loss at Manchester United, but half of those games have ended in draws. They have won 3 of their last 5 games at Goodison Park in all competitions, and have only suffered 1 loss in that time, but Everton could only earn a goalless draw in their last home Premier League game against Swansea.

Away - West Ham United
Last away matches - D-W-L-D-W-L

How many West Ham United fans still want to see Sam Allardyce removed as manager? It looked almost certain that Allardyce would leave the club in the summer for not playing the 'West Ham way', while he was a favourite in the 'Sack Race' going into the season, but the former Bolton Wanderers manager has been winning plaudits this season. After being told by the owners to improve the attacking aspect of West Ham United performances, the arrival of Teddy Sheringham as a Coach has certainly helped Sam Allardyce in producing those. The positive performances have also produced positive results and West Ham United surprisingly sit in 4th place in the Premier League with 18 points under their belt. The Hammers have a 2-2-1 away record this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding 8. West Ham United are unbeaten in their last 5 games, but they have drawn back to back Premier League games against Stoke City and Aston Villa. They have recovered from their sole loss on their travels at Manchester United by beating Burnley 1-3 at Turf Moor before West Ham fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Stoke City at the Brittania Stadium.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.50)
Away - (+0.50)
Pick - West Ham United (+0.50)
Odds - 2.16
Stakes - 9/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
11/22/2014

Leicester City vs Sunderland

Home - Leicester City
Last away matches - L-L-L-L-W-L

Leicester City will go into this afternoon’s bottom half clash in the Premier League with Sunderland looking to halt a run of four straight defeats when the two teams meet at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes currently occupy one of the bottom three places in the division as a result following defeats away from home at Newcastle United, Swansea City and Southampton along with a home loss to West Brom. As with so many teams being promoted from the Championship up to England’s top tier, Leicester City’s best hope of pulling away from the relegation zone appears to be their form on home turf, but they’ve managed just one win so far which was the famous come-back against Manchester United when they ran out 5-3 winners.

Away - Sunderland
Last away matches - W-L-D-L-W-D

Sunderland have re-grouped well as a unit following their horrific 0-8 mauling at the hands of Southampton at St.Marys Stadium and despite losing their next match 0-2 to Arsenal, manager Gus Poyet was happy with his team’s effort and desire. Poyet has since marshalled his troops as the Black Cats secured a vital three points at Selhurst Park when they beat Crystal Palace 3-1 away, along with a point against Everton in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light prior to the international break. Sunderland’s results on the road have been somewhat of a mixed bag with defeats at QPR and Southampton whilst holding West Brom and Burnley to draws along with the win at Crystal Palace.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.25)
Away - (+0.25)
Pick - Sunderland (+0.25)
Odds - 2.12
Stakes - 9/10