May 2011

15th may 2011: Birmingham - Fulham

BIRMINGHAM
Probably the most important match for Birmingham this season: 3 points above Blackpool who sit on the last relegation spot.
2 games to go and the last at home, with a victory the team can take a big breath and probably ensure a spot in the Premier League for next year.
The team is unbeaten at home during the last 3 games scoring 5 goals and conceeded 2.

Team news
Martins, Dann, McFadden will miss the match

Statistics
Overall form: WLLDL
Home form: LLWWD
Goals scored (home): 6
Goals conceeded (home): 7

FULHAM
Impressively poor performance last match against Liverpool at home. Liverpool dominated the game and scored 5 goals.
Fulham away record is quite poor 2 wins, 9 draws and 7 losses.

Team news:
Duff and Kamara will miss the game but the good news is that Zamora is ready and fit.

Statistics
Overall form: LDWWL
Away form: DLLDW
Goals scored (away): 6
Goals conceeded (away): 6

VERDICT
Birmingham have the biggest motivations, but often on football this is not enough: the overall quality of Fulham is superior and for sure the team don't want to repeat the poor performance of the last match.
I would bet on over 2,5, or a draw for the brave

22th May 2011: Fulham - Arsenal

FULHAM
After a great season with Roy Hodgson, Fulham had a season very "confused": never constant on results, nearly involved in the relegation fights, injuries and disappointed fans. But now the team could end up with an Europa League place - if Everton lose against Chelsea.

Fulham have one of the best defence playing at home.

Team news: Dembele, Baird and Duff. Davies will return from injury
Home form: DWWWL
Overall form: DWWLW

Arsenal
Once again Arsenal is a dreaming team, playing beautiful game, that end up without winning a trophy. Arsene Wenger is not so disappointed as he declared that "be second would not be a disaster", I'm not sure if the fans agree... also because Arsenal could finish 4th and play the qualifications for Champions League.

The gunners have the largest number of away goals (37) this season. But the actual form of the team seems poor with only 3 wins over 12 games.

Team news: Diaby, Clichy, Djourou, Koscienlny, Rocisky and Samir are doubtful while Fabregas is certainly out.

Away form: DWDLL
Overall from: DLWLL

VERDICT
Fulhma seems in a good form and there's a chance they will play the European League next year.
Arsenal doesn't look in a good form and it seems the player are waiting for holidays, with some key player that will leave the Gunners.
It's hard to evaluate the odds here as Arsenal, playing the way they know, can win. Fulham is tough to beat and in with good defensive performance, and they could win too.
I would take a risk of Fulham + 0.5 Asian Handicap: the odds of 1.85 look too good to pass up here.