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Derby day drama looms in the Premier League

September 30, 2011

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After European escapades hogged the limelight, the fun and games of the Premier League return in earnest this weekend. There are 10 games to feast on, with table toppers Manchester United looking to sweep their unlikely midweek 3-3 draw with Basel under the carpet with a strong showing against Norwich, and Carlos Tevez-less Manchester City desperate to move on from their in-house misdemeanours by bagging three points at Blackburn.

In the games of the weekend, Liverpool make the short journey to nearest neighbours Everton for an eagerly-awaited Merseyside derby and Tottenham host Arsenal in a mouth-watering London derby on Sunday.

Premier League betting preview - Blackburn to upset rattled City

Saturday

Everton v Liverpool

Form: Everton have accumulated seven points from five games and, although David Moyes would like to have more on the board, the Toffees can look to really kick on from a mid-table position of 11th. Liverpool have enjoyed mixed fortunes thus far, with their home form unrecognisable from their away form - they've picked up seven points from nine at Anfield but only three from nine on the road.
Key battle: Phil Jagielka is always solid at the heart of the Everton defence but he'll do well to keep Luis Suarez quiet for 90 minutes - the Uruguayan has three league goals to his name this season.
Player to watch: Steven Gerrard made his return from a long injury lay-off in the recent Carling Cup triumph over Brighton and his presence could be the deciding factor in this one.
Talking point: Tim Cahill thrives in the cauldron of a derby clash, the midfielder - who cost Everton £1.7m - has scored five goals against the Reds. Don't be surprised if he fills his boots once again if fit after a recent injury picked up at Manchester City
Bet of the day: Cahill to score first in 2-1 Liverpool victory: 90/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Aston Villa v Wigan

Form: Villa haven't lost in the league but the reason why they are not higher than eighth is because they are racking up draws at an alarming rate. Wigan have lost their last three in all competitions and they've only claimed a single point on the road in the top flight.
Key battle: Barry Bannan scored his first goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with QPR and the Scotland midfielder is starting to attract admirers. His clash with compatriot James McCarthy promises to tell us more about his abilities.
Player to watch: Charles N'Zogbia perhaps hasn't made the flying start at Villa Park he would have hoped but he is capable of producing moments of brilliance, so former club Wigan should ignore him at their peril.
Talking point: In an attempt to arrest his side's tendency to get on the wrong side of referees - Villa have picked up 19 bookings in eight league and cup matches - Alex McLeish has introduced a new fines system for his troops. Extreme or necessary?
Bet of the day: N'Zogbia to score first in 1-0 Villa win: 35/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Blackburn v Manchester City

Form: Blackburn fans will not be the happiest bunch of supporters in the land at the moment - their team are in the relegation zone, hovering one point above the foot of the table. Two wins on the bounce in all competitions was followed by a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle - their fourth loss in the league. Manchester City have been licking their wounds after losing to Bayern Munich and Carlos Tevez' antics, but the blue half of Manchester are going well in the league, sitting level on points with their red rivals at the top of the table.
Key battle: Yakubu may not scare the City defence with his pace but his striking instinct and silky skills will be enough to keep Vincent Kompany honest.
Player to watch: Edin Dzeko has kissed and made up with boss Roberto Mancini and that could be bad news for Blackburn, particularly with their defence so susceptible to leaking goals.
Talking point: With Tevez suspended, how will the rest of the squad react on the pitch following Tuesday's now infamous events.
Bet of the day: City to win 2-1: 7/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Manchester United v Norwich

Form: United were given a huge scare against Basel at Old Trafford on Tuesday before Ashley Young spared their blushes. The 3-3 result came after a 1-1 draw against Stoke and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will want to arrest this mini slump before it grows into something more sinister. Norwich have made a bright start to life in the Premier League, the Canaries winning their last two fixtures to surge up to ninth.
Key battle: Danny Welbeck scored a quick-fire brace against Basel and, with his confidence high, he could prove more than a handful for Leon Barnett.
Player to watch: With United playing at home, Ferguson is likely to play two up top. Dimitar Berbatov would not have enjoyed being overlooked in favour of Welbeck in midweek and Norwich may pay the price.
Talking point: Ferguson says that Wayne Rooney could feature on Saturday, but is his recent hamstring problem a sign that he needs to be better managed in the year of a European Championships?
Bet of the day: Berbatov to bag a hat-trick: 14/1 at bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Sunderland v West Brom

Form: Just when it seemed Sunderland had turned the corner - following a 4-0 rout of Stoke that gave them their first victory of the campaign - they came crashing back to earth on Monday as Norwich inflicted a third league defeat of the season. West Brom has lost four of their six fixtures to date, although a 0-0 last time out against Fulham was the first time they managed a clean sheet in three matches.
Key battle: Shane Long already has two goals to his name at his new club but he hasn't found the back of the net since scoring against Chelsea on August 20. Wes Brown is well equipped to prolong the West Brom striker's growing frustration.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie is yet to fully fire since coming back into the Baggies side following injury. However, he showed what he is all about last term and surely it's only a matter of time before he hits top gear.
Talking point: With Sunderland suspending Titus Bramble after the defender was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of a Class A drug, will Steve Bruce be able to get the rest of his squad to fully focus on the task in hand?
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw: 5/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Wolves v Newcastle

Form: Wolves' 5-0 mauling of Millwall in the Carling Cup was quickly forgotten when Liverpool beat Wanderers last weekend - their third loss in six. Newcastle are in dream land, fourth in the table and unbeaten to boot.
Key battle: Steven Fletcher has a good nose for goal and often finds himself in the right place at the right time to pop one in the net for Wolves. Cheik Tiote isn't renowned for his goal-scoring prowess but he can be just as valuable to his team if he can stop Fletcher's supply line.
Player to watch: Demba Ba scored his first hat-trick in English football during Newcastle's 3-1 win over Blackburn. He's in the groove and, with his pace, he's likely to have many opportunities to keep the Toon Army dancing.
Talking point: Kevin Doyle has signed a new contract that will keep him at Molineux until June 2015. With reported summer interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, should the Republic of Ireland man be aiming higher?
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw: 5/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Sunday

Bolton v Chelsea

Form: Bolton are rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering an awful start to the season, losing five of their first six. Chelsea are starting to find their rhythm and have closed the gap on the league leaders to three points.
Key battle: Ramires likes to hunt and hound all day long and Nigel Reo-Coker is unlikely to have much time on the ball.
Player to watch: Frank Lampard gave his manager some food for thought after scoring against Valencia in Spain and the midfielder, who has said he wants more Chelsea starts, will be eager to further demonstrate his value to the Blues.
Talking point: With Fernando Torres suspended, Didier Drogba will be keen to re-affirm himself as Chelsea's main man. Can the Ivorian rediscover his golden touch?
Bet of the day: Lampard to score first in 2-1 Chelsea win: 45/1 at bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Fulham v QPR

Form: Fulham find themselves struggling in 17th place and part of the problem for Martin Jol's team is their profligacy in front of goal - they've only mustered four goals in their six matches. Tenth-placed QPR were given a reality check after their thrashing of Wolves when they were held at home by Aston Villa, but overall they will be happy with their encouraging start.
Key battle: Brede Hangeland loves getting close to strikers, particularly those who relish a physical battle. Jay Bothroyd should provide a worthy competitor.
Player to watch: Joey Barton is rarely out of the headlines - most recently due to his antics on social network site Twitter. He's been excellent since moving to Rangers though, and another assured display this weekend will boost his own claims for an England spot.
Talking point: How much will Fulham's 2-0 Europa League win over Odense on Thursday have taken out of them?
Bet of the day: Barton to score anytime: 11/2 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Swansea v Stoke

Form: Swansea are finding out what life can be like in the fast lane, the top-flight new boys sit 16th in the standings and are yet to pick up a point on their travels. Seventh-placed Stoke beat Turkish outfit Besiktas on Thursday and Tony Pulis will want his side to build on their recent 1-1 draw with champions United.
Key battle: Jon Walters has pace and power, and a smile on his face after scoring a late penalty to send Stoke top of Europa League's Group E. If Swansea are to wipe that grin from off his face, Ashley Williams needs to have a stormer.
Player to watch: Peter Crouch got another goal for his new club in the win over Besiktas - that's five in seven Europa League games for the England forward. He is rapidly becoming a fans' favourite at the Stadium of Light and he could win over more supporters with another stand-out showing on Sunday.
Talking point: Pulis is less than impressed Stoke have away matches after each of their six Europa League group games. Should the Premier League help out clubs competing in Europe?
Bet of the day: A 2-2 draw: 16/1 at bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Tottenham v Arsenal

Form: Harry Redknapp was a relieved man after Tottenham recovered from a shock deficit to overturn Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in the Europa League. Spurs are sixth in the Premier League having only played five times and they haven't lost since the humiliating 5-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Man City at the end of August. Arsenal are 13th but look to be on the way up, earning their third win in a row in all competitions.
Key battle: The midfield battleground promises to be pivotal to the outcome of this clash. Luka Modric looks like a Spurs player once again and Aaron Ramsey's tussle with the Croat should leave the neutral drooling.
Player to watch: Rested for European action, Emmanuel Adebayor should go straight back into the starting XI against his former club, from whom he can expect an extremely hostile reception.
Talking point: Just how good can Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain be? The 18-year-old became the youngest English goalscorer in the Champions League as the Gunners saw off Olympiacos, so can we expect big things?
Bet of the day: Spurs to win 2-1: 15/2 at bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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