[Mario]

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
10/31/2014

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

Home - Newcastle United
Last away matches - W-W-D-L-W-L

Newcastle United are unbeaten in 4 games since the loss to Stoke City that seemed certain to cost Alan Pardew his job as manager and the side have won 3 in a row in all competitions coming into this one. They are unbeaten at home since losing to Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season and Newcastle have won their last game at St James' Park against Leicester City 1-0.Newcastle’s biggest concern is that of Papiss Cisse’s knee injury which has kept him out of the last two matches. The Senegalese international will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability for the game but if not, Ayoze Perez is likely to lead the line having grabbed the winning goal against Spurs. De Jong is a long term absentee due to a thigh injury and Davide Santon is likely to make a comeback from his knee problem at the end of next month.

Away - Liverpool
Last away matches - W-L-L-W-L-L

Liverpool had won 2 of 8 games in all competitions before the 2-1 win over Swansea, but they haven't been producing good performances in that time which has built pressure on the team. Before the win over Swansea, the Reds had failed to score in 2 consecutive games and had been taught something of a lesson by Real Madrid in the Champions League. They won their last away game at Queens Park Rangers which ended a run of consecutive away defeats in all competitions.Daniel Sturridge is again out of action for at least another week having injured his calf a fortnight ago. This will mean Balotelli is likely to start the match with Fabio Borini an option as a second striker. Jose Enrique has also been ruled out of their clash against his former club after suffering a slight knee injury. Sakho is missing due it a hip injury until early November with Suso and Flanagan being long term absentees.

Asian Handicap
Home - (+0.25)
Away - (-0.25)
Pick - Newcastle United (+0.25)
Odds - 2.21
Stakes - 10/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
10/31/2014

Arsenal vs Burnley

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

Arsenal have only lost 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions and they are unbeaten in 3 games since their 2-0 loss to Chelsea including winning back to back games at Anderlecht and Sunderland. They have only won 1 of their last 5 home games in all competitions including a 2- 2 home draw with Hull City in Arsenal's last Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium. Injuries are beginning to clear up a little for Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team which are balancing Champions League and Premier League commitments. With a battle likely to develop for places in the top four over the course of the next few months, games against the likes of Burnley are ones they have to win, especially at the Emirates Stadium. The name on the lips of every Arsenal fan at the moment is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has been electric since arriving at the Emirates, carrying the team at times. The former Barcelona man has eight goals and three assists in his first 13 games for the North London club. Arsenal’s number 17 has dragged the under performing gunners kicking and screaming to some important results recently, including their 2-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend where Sanchez bagged himself a brace. The skill, technique, work rate, and pure desire of the Chilean has been vital for the squad. The Sunderland game at the weekend epitomized the work rate that the former Udinese man possess with both of his goals coming from his constant pressing. Alexis Sanchez is quite simply world class and, if he shows his class against Burnley, Arsenal should have enough to get the three points.

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

Burnley have failed to win any of 11 games in all competitions going back to the end of April and have lost back to back League games coming into this weekend, including a 1-3 home loss to Everton last Sunday. That game came just a couple of days after Everton played in the Europa League and highlights the difference in quality between Burnley and many in this Division. Burnley drew 2-2 at Leicester City in their last away game in the Premier League. Burnley have lacked goals all season, so their key man is there best goalscorer, Danny Ings. The 22 year old was Burnley’s top scorer in the Championship last season. The English striker finally opened his Premier League account over the weekend with the Bees only goal in a 3-1 loss to Everton. Through nine games, Burnley have only scored five goals, only Villa have scored fewer goals this season. The lack of goals has had an effect on the entire team and seems to have dragged down the team’s moral. The former Bourmouth striker is the team’s best striker and is the player with the class to put the ball in the back of the net consistently. Ings has to be the catalyst up front for Burnley to get anything from this match.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.25)
Away - (+1.25)
Pick - Arsenal (-1.25)
Odds - 1.63
Stakes - 8/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
10/31/2014

Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers

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

Chelsea come into the match having conceded a single goal in each of their previous matches against Manchester United last weekend in a 1-1 draw and in midweek in a 2-1 victory against Shrewsbury in the League Cup. I expect Mourinhio will call on his team to show a bit more defensive stability and keep the clean sheet here in a comfortable win over QPR. Jose Mourinho was incredibly disappointed with a number of his second string players that had come in for the League Cup Fourth Round win at Shrewsbury and not many of them will have earned a place in his team for this West London derby. Chelsea have a Champions League game during the week, but that comes on Wednesday which means the big names should be restored to the starting eleven. A 1-1 draw at Manchester United was so close to being a win for Chelsea who led until the final minute of that game, but that leaves the Blues top of the Premier League table and with a 4 point gap over Southampton. They have been very successful at Stamford Bridge to open the season as they have won all 4 League games played here while scoring 11 goals and conceding 2.

Away - Queens Park Rangers
Last away matches - L-L-L-L-L-W

QPR got an elusive win last week on monday night at home when they hosted Aston Villa. In truth however, the 2 goals were both against the run of play and QPR did very little in the match apart from these two finishes to convince me of their ability to get the ball in the net on a regular basis. This weekend they will face an almost infinitely more difficult challenge when they make the short trip over the Stamford Bridge to meet their local rivals Chelsea. It had been considered that Harry Redknapp was leading the 'sack race' in the Premier League as his Queens Park Rangers team made a poor start to life back in the top flight. However, performances have certainly begun to pick up of late and winning their second League game of the season on Monday night will have given the team a real boost in confidence. Queens Park Rangers ended a run of 5 games without a win with their victory over Aston Villa, but importantly that result also ended a run of 3 straight League defeats they had suffered. They have lost all 5 away games played in all competitions this season and Queens Park Rangers have conceded at least 2 goals in their 4 Premier League games on their travels.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.75)
Away - (+1.75)
Pick - Chelsea (-1.75)
Odds - 1.67
Stakes - 8/10