Just three Barclays Premier League matches on Tuesday as the remainder of the league eye Wednesday kickoffs in England. The thick and fast holiday fixture list continues though as teams are now encountering their fourth league match in 10 days. Staggering by all accounts, but regardless, the league carries on.
English Premier League Tuesday Preview: Manchester United Look To Move Clear Of City, Fulham Host West Brom
Tuesday's highest profile match sees league leaders Manchester United return home to Old Trafford to take on Stoke City in a top ten clash. The Reds are coming off a win away to West Brom, goals from Wayne Rooney and Chicharito pushing United past a tricky West Brom at the Hawthorns.
Stoke City are enjoying a solid season under boss Tony Pulis, the Potters currently sit eighth on 27 points thanks to some fine recent play from forward Kenwyne Jones. Jones, acquired from Sunderland last summer, has scored five league goals and has partnered mainstay Ricardo Fuller effectively thus far this season. Last time out, Stoke beat Everton 2-0 in a much needed home win after suffering successive home defeats.
Fulham host West Brom at Craven Cottage in an interesting match that has relegation implications written all over it. While few expect Roberto Di Matteo's men to fight the drop, the Baggies are currently 14th, only three points ahead of Fulham who sit 18th and look to be fighting relegation for the moment. Both sides will be coming off of loses this past weekend, but showed signs of good play - West Brom fought hard against Manchester United while Fulham kept matters close at White Hart Lane against Spurs.
In the day's only other match, Blackpool host Birmingham City where the Blues will be without the recently suspended Lee Bowyer. Brum are currently playing the league's most predictably boring football under Alex McLeish as Blackpool should be favored at home.
Fixtures and Picks
from SB Nation soccer editor Richard Farley
Welcome to another addition of You’re Clearly Smarter Than Me, the cable-access caliber show where I pick the results of today’s matches (while you use the comment thread to tell me where I’ve gone wrong). Also making it worth your while? A schedule of the kick-off times and outlets for each match.
| Time (EST) | Home | Away | Outlet(s) | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Blackpool | Birmingham City | FoxSoccer.tv | 2-0, Blackpool |
| 3:00 p.m. | Manchester United | Stoke City | Fox Soccer Channel | 2-1, United |
| 3:00 p.m. | Fulahm | West Bromwich Albion | ESPN2, ESPN3.com | 1-1 |
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