Time now for our weekly foray into the beautiful game as we go across the pond for our EPL picks. But first, time for one of our favorite RSS staples What Are The Odds! Now that we're over a month in the season let's look at the odds for the EPL teams for winning the title, getting to Europe, or staying afloat!
Winning The Title
Chelsea - Even Money
-A perfect 6-0 start is pretty impressive. Ancelotti might be the man to guide Chelsea back to the top of the EPL table. Well, on second thought, maybe Didier Drogba is the man to do it. Whoever is coaching Chelsea looks a whole lot better when Drogba is playing on a level that few men can touch. If he continues that form, then Chelsea will be hard to pass on the ladder.
Manchester United - 4/1
-United are missing Ronaldo. Yes, Michael Owen was the hero in the Derby, but does any United fan expect him to stay healthy for a full season? The loss to Burnley, while unexpected, could be a foretaste of what's to come for United. Let's not forget their record against the other Big 4 teams wasn't exactly stellar last season either. There are some big holes in this side compared to previous seasons.
Liverpool - 13/2
-Rafa must be thinking that it's time for him to sign someone to reinforce the team. I don't know, maybe someone like Xabi Alonso could drastically improve the team? Things aren't looking too promising for Liverpool right now. Those two early season losses really was a knockout blow for their title hopes. Of course, that sounds incredibly rash, but there is no room for error on the way in. However, if last year's home draws turn into wins (see v Hull this week), then Liverpool will be in it for the long run again. If not, time may be running out for Rafa at Anfield.
Manchester City - 12/1
-City and their money have gone from laughing stock (see attempted Kaka signing) to legit EPL title contenders in less than a year! Nobody thought that their spending would actually lead to titles anytime soon, but after watching their play in the first month of the season it looks possible. The loss at Old Trafford in a 4-3 classic came after United were given enough injury time to win. If they remain healthy City have enough in attack, midfield, and defense to win the title. They just can't listen to the folks telling them they can't.
Arsenal - 50/1
-My favorite picture from the EPL season. Well, at least Arsenal will always have that first 6-0 win to look back to. Since that win at Everton, the Gunners have crashed back to Earth. They currently sit 7th on the table, and being crushed in the 2nd half at Man City can't be a good sign for their season. At this point, winning the title shouldn't be a realistic dream for Arsenal, they should just be concerned with holding their Top 4 spot.
Breaking In The Top 4
Aston Villa/Tottenham- 20/1
-Villa and Tottenham are the major sufferers from Man City's meteoric rise up the table and their big spending. Both of these teams have a lot to offer, but there are only so many teams that can break the Top 4 barrier at once. Right now, City has the inside track to dispatch either Arsenal or Liverpool. Villa and Spurs have their work cut out for them.
Europa Trip (Top 7)
Fulham/Everton/Sunderland - 15/1
-These three have collectively disappointed. But, can they jump ahead of the teams above them on this list and into the Top 7? Sunderland has had an up and down start, while Everton and Fulham are really going to struggle to get back to Europe if they don't right the ship soon. With Man City's rise, and Spurs and Villa playing well this season, there isn't any room in the Top 7 for these three sides. Everton has shown a history of being able to come back from below average starts, but Lescott's sale ripped the heart out of the club.
Top Ten Finish
Stoke - 3/1
-Regular readers know that I'm high on Stoke City. They've got a distinct homefield advantage, a grit that not a lot of other teams have, and added quality all over the park. I would not be surprised to see them edge out one of the teams above to grab a top ten finish.
West Ham - 22/1
-I've been disappointed with West Ham so far this season. They've given good efforts against Liverpool and the like, but sitting at 1-3-1 is underwhelming considering their schedule and their fine play last season. Little Zola has had a lot to deal with in the boardroom, and the innovative play on-field hasn't been there. Unless Good Carlton Cole shows up consistently, the Hammers will struggle.
Surviving Relegation
Burnley - 3/2
-The surprise of the season thus far. It's not as good as Hull's debut last year, but this team looks to have a little more meat than the Tigers who lost their teeth last year. The important thing for Burnley is their great homefield advantage. Sunderland, Everton, and Man U have all gone down at Turf Moor and if the Clarets keep winning those games they will survive easily.
Wigan/Blackburn - 5/2
-Wigan and Blackburn have shown some flashes this season but are languishing near and in the bottom three. However, the experience that both of these teams possess should help them out in the relegation fight. Sam Allardyce is Blackburn's wild card if they get in trouble, he has the managerial pedigree to save Rovers on his own.
Birmingham/Wolves - 5/1
-The Top 2 from last year's Championships have acquitted themselves nicely so far this season without playing spectacular football. They currently sit 11th and 12th on the table, and as long as they stay ahead of some of the strugglers and pick off games at some of the other teams around them (B'Ham @ Hull, Wolves v Fulham last week) they should pick up enough points to stay up.
Bolton/Hull City - 10/1
-These 2 EPL vets are in the most trouble for filling up the 3 relegation spots. Hull lack the quality around the pitch to aid the survival effort, and their poor start is a shadow of early 2008 when they were in the Top 4. Bolton has an air of negativity that few teams around the world possess. Eventually, that catches up with you, and it might be this year. Let's not get started on the managers either...
Portsmouth - 10,000/1
-Sorry Pompey fans, you are getting relegated. Try winning the lottery, getting a hole-in-one, or getting struck by lightning on a sunny day. You've got a better chance of all of those things happening in one hour than Portsmouth surviving the drop.
Last week was a tough one for Y2 and I, as Pops gets back into contention with a huge week by sticking to the top favorites (Man U, Chelsea, L'Pool) and hitting some underdog picks as well (Burnley, Wolves, B-Ham). All of us are doing quite well with these EPL picks... maybe we should start thinking about the odds ourselves... onto some abbreviated capsules and picks! Hey those odds take a while, ok? You'll thank me later.
Last Week's Results:
Mr. Yoder I: 5-4-1 16 pts
Mr. Yoder II: 4-5-1 13 pts
Dr. Yoder: 7-2-1 22 pts
Total After Week 5:
Mr. Yoder I: 35-17-4 109 pts
Mr. Yoder II: 34-18-4 106 pts
Dr. Yoder: 34-18-4 106 pts
Everton (2-3-0) @ Portsmouth (0-6-0)
Never. Pick. Portsmouth. Easy enough?
Y1: Everton Y2: Everton Doc: Everton
Aston Villa (4-1-0) @ Blackburn (1-3-1)
Villa continues their good form. Blackburn might squeeze out a draw, but Young or Agbonlahor have the quality to break through a resolute D.
Y1: Villa Y2: Villa Doc: Villa
Burnley (3-3-0) @ Tottenham (4-2-0)
The Burnley train will be full with bandwagon jumpers with a win at WHL. Spurs are just happy to not be playing United or Chelsea. They should get back in gear with a home win.
Y1: Spurs Y2: Spurs Doc: Burnley
Bolton (1-3-1) @ Birmingham (2-3-1)
A riveting relegation rumble in the Second City. Bolton did get a nice win in the League Cup against West Ham, but it won't carry over to league play. B-Ham continues a nice run of momentum with the win.
Y1: B'Ham Y2: Bolton Doc: B'Ham
Chelsea (6-0-0) @ Wigan (2-4-0)
Always pick Chelsea. At least until they lose, which shouldn't be this week.
Y1: Chelsea Y2: Chelsea Doc: Chelsea
Man Utd (5-1-0) @ Stoke (2-2-2)
Ah, yes! Upset special time! Stoke almost pulled it off for me when they hosted Chelsea a couple weeks ago, but just couldn't hold on the entire way. Expect United to come untied with a post-derby letdown. This could be one of those games that United drop points where they traditionally haven't.
Y1: Stoke Y2: Man U Doc: Man U
Hull City (1-4-1) @ Liverpool (4-2-0)
Here is one of those must-win home games for Liverpool. The lackluster mid-week effort at Leeds aside, Liverpool's goal-scoring prowess appears to be back. If only the backline will wake up and mark people on set pieces and avoid giving away dumb penalties then they will be ok.
Y1: Liverpool Y2: L'Pool Doc: L'Pool
Arsenal (3-2-0) @ Fulham (2-3-0)
Fulham seem to lack that spark from last season that vaulted them into the Europa League. Expect an angry Arsenal to take out their Adebayor frustrations at Craven Cottage.
Y1: Arsenal Y2: Arsenal Doc: Fulham
Wolves (2-3-1) @ Sunderland (3-3-0)
Wolves got a great win last week against Fulham, while Sunderland got waxed at Burnley. So, logically, Sunderland has to be the pick, right?
Y1: Sunderland Y2: Sunderland Doc: Sunderland
West Ham (1-3-1) @ Manchester City (4-1-0)
Speaking of taking out frustrations, City might put up 5 on West Ham on Monday. Just make sure none of those Hammers fans get in Craig Bellamy's way.
Y1: Man City Y2: Man City Doc: Man City
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