Previews and predictions for the weekend ahead

After Manchester City rocked Chelsea’s title campaign last weekend, and they were shocked by Cypriot minnows Apoel Nicosia in midweek, can the blues get back on track with a much-needed win?  Off the back of crushing West Ham at the weekend and German champions Wolfsburg in midweek, will the Manchester United steamroller carry on flattening everything in its way? We take a look at every fixture in this weekend’s Barclay’s Premier League programme.

Stoke v Wigan: Saturday’s early kick-off presents what looks like a routine affair for Tony Pulis’ men, however Wigan’s baffling form thus far makes it interesting.  Wigan have gone from the sublime (their 3-1 win against Chelsea) to the ridiculous (their 9-1 loss at Tottenham) this season and the result depends on which Latics side turns out at the Brittania stadium on Saturday.  Despite the uncertainty surrounding Wigan, I expect a win for the home side, Tony Pulis has made Stoke a relentless winning machine at the Brittania, ably backed by the country’s loudest crowd.

Birmingham v West Ham: Birmingham’s stunning form of late has rocketed them into the top half of the table, seemingly buoyed by Carson Yeung’s takeover and Lee Bowyer’s glistening displays.  West Ham, on the other hand, have been struggling to get results on the board, coming off the back of a 4-0 home hammering by Manchester United, and rocked by the forced retirement of star striker Dean Ashton in the week.  Added to the fact Carlton Cole is currently sidelined, I can’t look past a Birmingham win in this fixture, West Ham simply aren’t playing well currently and without their talisman Cole look flimsy in attack.

Bolton v Manchester City: Manchester City stopped the drawing habit with stunning wins against Arsenal in the Carling Cup and league leaders Chelsea last weekend, so they will see Bolton as no big obstacle. City are as good in attack as they are bad in defence, however Bolton’s forward lineup of Davies, Klasnic and Elmander really shouldn’t trouble City’s wobbly backline.  Bolton’s classic problem is goalscoring, and although Klasnic has looked impressive on his day, none of those three look like being truly prolific, which is really what Bolton need to ensure survival.  I expect an away win, but as ever, Manchester City are an unpredictable proposition – they can be as good or as bad as any team in the country on any given day!

Burnley v Fulham: One of the best home teams in the league play one of the worst away teams.  Owen Coyle’s men are stunning at Turf Moor, dropping only five points there this season.  Fulham are similarly strong at home but their away form has left something to be desired thus far.  However, Roy Hodgson’s side have been improving week on week and will want a good result in anticipation of their European date with destiny in Basel on Wednesday.  With Steven Fletcher seemingly having found his Premiership feet at long last, Burnley now have something approaching a naturaly goalscorer to lead the line, a player which Fulham, in Andrew Johnson’s absence, miss.  I expect this to be a feisty, evenly-matched affair with the points being shared.

Chelsea v Everton: After losing to Manchester City last week and Cypriots Apoel Nicosia grabbing a draw against a strong-looking side in midweek, Chelsea will come out all guns blazing for three desperately-needed points to aid their title charge.  Everton’s injury-plagued season has stuttered and spluttered but never really kicked into gear and the odds are stacked against them playing a team with a 100% home record this season.  They miss the rock-steady Phil Jagielka at the back and the vision and passing of Mikel Arteta in midfield.  I expect Chelsea to brush Everton aside at Stamford Bridge, easily taking the three points.

Hull v Blackburn: Hull will be disappointed by the loss of Jimmy Bullard until January, especially as he was in such sparkling form, having gained the Premier League’s player of the month award for November.  Blackburn looked impressive in knocking Chelsea out of the Carling Cup and have at least managed to steer clear of any relegation worries for the time being.  Blackburn play a physical game and put a lot of balls into the box with Jason Roberts causing havoc in the centre.  I think the Hull defence will struggle to cope with this aerial threat that is so intrinsic to Blackburn’s game and we will see a narrow away win for Sam Allardyce’s side.

Sunderland v Portsmouth: Portsmouth are a club in disarray at the moment, with rumours of administration fiercely rebuffed this week, amidst a backdrop of their playing staff being paid late for the second time this season.  Avram Grant will need to block out all the off-pitch turmoil if his side are to get anything from this fixture.  Sunderland have flattered to deceive this season, with great displays against top 4 sides pitched against some truly mediocre offerings against sides they really should beat.  I think this will be a narrow affair with Sunderland just having the quality to shade it by a goal or two.

Tottenham v Wolves: Tottenham have been one of the stories of the season, looking every bit a top 4 club, really turning up the heat on Arsenal and Liverpool.  Wolves have looked good at times, however at the moment look prime candidates for relegation – they simply don’t look like they have the quality to stay in this league.  Their home form hasn’t been strong enough thus far.  Tottenham have the prolific Jermain Defoe in top form and Aaron Lennon is beginning to stake a claim to being England’s number one on the right hand side of midfield.  I simply don’t think Wolves have the quality or the away form to come out of this with anything.

Manchester United v Aston Villa: Saturday’s late kick-off presents an in-form Villa side against an injury-ravaged United.  The champions can count seven defenders amongst their injury list, and played in midweek with a rag-tag backline of Park, Fletcher, Carrick and Evra.  They should welcome Nemanja Vidic back to the side to give at least a little stability against a rampant Villa attack.  Martin O’Neill’s side have shown they can run with the big boys this season, sitting pretty in fifth, just two points from Arsenal in third.  Given United’s injury problems, I think this will be an extremely tight fixture, but given their ability to squeeze out victories under almost any circumstance, I back United to take all three points, especially given their recent displays against West Ham and Wolfsburg.

Liverpool v Arsenal (Sunday): This is the biggest game of the weekend, and as the old adage goes, big games need big players.  Unfortunately for both of these sides, they have big players missing, Robin Van Persie exposing a huge hole in Arsenal’s attack, and Fernando Torres doing the same for Liverpool, despite his return for 30 minutes in midweek.  They both suffered losses in Europe, however both were dead rubbers, so you can’t read too much into this.  Recently, Liverpool’s lack of strength in depth has been plain for all to see, but the return of Gerrard and Torres will give them hope for the season ahead that they can claw their way back into the top 4.  Arsenal have been wobbly since being dominated at home by Chelsea and really need a positive result to get their season back on track.  I honestly think Arsenal will do enough to win here, without Torres fully fit, Liverpool just lack an outlet for the creativity of Gerrard, and Arsenal’s slick passing game will win through.