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Travelling far and wide to hunt down City

December 2, 2011

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Another week in the Premier League sees another round of potentially difficult matches for those teams hoping to track down Manchester City at the top of the table.

The weekend kicks off with under-pressure Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas taking his charges to St Jam... sorry, the Sports Direct Arena for an unwelcome test against high-flying Newcastle United, in a game that threatens to only increase the Portuguese tactician's woes.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have a slightly less unwelcome but perhaps no less testing visit to Aston Villa to contend with, as Sir Alex Ferguson demands a reaction following the surprising Carling Cup quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

City, meanwhile, have home comforts to aid them as they face Norwich City - who have given plenty of top sides a tough time this season, without consistently managing to come away with anything to show for it.

At the bottom of the table, surely Steve Kean's future will be in serious doubt if Blackburn add to their interminably poor run with a defeat against Swansea, while the club that ensured the embattled Rovers boss did not win this season's sack race, Sunderland, kick off the post-Steve Bruce era with a similarly vital contest against Wolves at Molineux.

Betting preview - Liverpool's happy travels to continue

Saturday

Newcastle v Chelsea

Form: It is the home team that enter with the form book on their side, with Alan Pardew's men having won three, drawn two and lost just one (to Manchester City) of their last six games. Chelsea, in contrast, are in the midst of something of a sticky patch, with three wins and three defeats in the league not including a recent Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen and a meek home defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
Key battle: Andre-Villas Boas is in the spotlight on the sidelines, but it is arguably David Luiz who is facing the most scrutiny on the pitch itself. The defender many pundits argue cannot actually defend will be reminded to stay diligent against Demba Ba, who has been far livelier than either of Chelsea's two vaunted strikers, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, so far this season.
Player to watch: With the police having handed their dossier of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether or not charges will be pressed, will John Terry finally crack under the pressure that continues to weigh down on him?
Talking point: Villas-Boas insists he will not be sacked any time soon, as Blues owner Roman Abramovich brought him to the club for a three-year project. But with the club set to fall over 10 points off the league leaders and four points from fourth place with a defeat, is the Russian not known for his patience really likely to stay passive - especially with old friend and previously successful caretaker Guus Hiddink available?
Bet of the day: Daniel Sturridge to get his name on the scoresheet first, 6/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Blackburn v Swansea

Form: It does not look good for Steve Kean's side, who replaced Stoke at the very foot of the form table after their abject defeat last weekend at the Britannia - meaning they have now drawn three and lost three of their last six games. Swansea may give the impression they have fared better but the margins are slim - with the only difference being one of those defeats turned into a win (against Bolton), albeit four games ago.
Key battle: Scott Sinclair is often Swansea's most potent attacking threat and will surely be relishing the chance to threaten Gael Givet - who statistics suggest is a fine Premier League player but the human eye certainly does not.
Player to watch: Scott Dann has failed to make waves since his £7m move from Birmingham in the summer, a problem for a club that failed to invest as heavily elsewhere. He'll need to start producing big performances soon if he wants to avoid a repeat of last season's relegation.
Talking point: With Kean receiving a new contract last week and reports emerging of scrapped plans to win the fans over with an R&B concert at Ewood Park in the summer, Venky's plans for a Champions League spot are surely only a matter of months away now...
Bet of the day: The problem here, not to put too fine a point on it, is that neither side really looks good enough to actually win a game, but they don't exactly strike you as sides that will keep a clean sheet, either. A 1-1 draw is 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Manchester City v Norwich

Form: City's draw with Liverpool on Sunday resulted in their first dropped points in the league for over a month, meaning they have claimed 16 from a possible 18 - form you would expect of league leaders. Norwich meanwhile, have eight points from that same period, an equally impressive haul considering their less lofty ambitions.
Key battle: Can Paul Lambert come up with a tactical plan for the Etihad Stadium where so many others have failed this season, and outwit Roberto Mancini and his plethora of options on the Italian's own patch?
Player to watch: Norwich have been happy to play a fairly open, adventurous style this season - which sounds as big a risk as it probably is with David Silva probing the gaps in and around their back-line.
Talking point: Two teams enjoying high water-marks in their respective histories should provide for a memorable atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium, in one of the few games where Mancini's playing achievements are overshadowed by the man in the opposing dugout. Paul Lambert, after all, is a former Champions League winner.
Bet of the day: Norwich have given big teams difficult games this season (pushing both Chelsea and Manchester United close away from home) but City are a different proposition. A 4-1 home win is 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-1

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QPR v West Brom

Form: Since drawing with Blackburn, Neil Warnock's side have lost three and won two - with their most recent result an away defeat to fellow new boys Norwich. West Brom have been erratic in recent times, with three wins and three defeats, and are also bouncing back after a loss - against Tottenham in front of their own fans.
Key battle: QPR's strength lies in midfield, with Alejandro Faurlin an accomplished and composed presence. With Joey Barton a constant irritant Warnock's men tend to prosper in that area, so much will be expected of Youssouf Mulumbu in breaking up that particularly tandem.
Player to watch: Roy Hodgson has questioned his true injury status, and now QPR have been linked with signing him in January. Will Peter Odemwingie begin to prove he will not be just a one-season wonder at The Hawthorns, or is another non-descript Saturday on the cards for the Nigerian?
Talking point: Both sides may have feared a relegation battle at the start of the season (especially QPR) but would a win for either in this game start to ease the survival pressure as early as December?
Bet of the day: Straightforward one, this - a draw is an enticing 23/10 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Tottenham v Bolton

Form: Spurs are the third best team in the division according to both the form book and the table itself, having reeled off five successive wins since an away draw with Newcastle. Bolton are at the opposite end of the spectrum, with two much-needed wins (against Wigan and Stoke) the bright spots amid four defeats.
Key battle: Emmanuel Adebayor underlined his emergence as Spurs' biggest attacking threat against the Baggies last week (although Rafael van der Vaart may disagree with that) - but can Bolton stop the Togolese, especially without the suspended David Wheater?
Player to watch: Another week for Gary Cahill, another game against a side that may or may not be interested in signing him come January (or the summer). Will a dogged display convince Harry Redknapp to come back in for him?
Talking point: With Steve Bruce having won the sack race, just how far behind is Owen Coyle? The once-lauded manager's halo certainly seems to have slipped in recent months, and the longer the Trotters stay in the relegation zone surely the worse his chances of survival become.
Bet of the day: Quite simply, Bolton don't look to have the spirit or the quality to come away from White Hart Lane with three points this week. A 3-0 win with Adebayor notching first is 20/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Wigan Athletic v Arsenal

Form: Arsenal have turned it around since that early season slump, with last weekend's draw halting an ominous run of five successive league victories. Wigan's slump continues, however, although last weekend's win over Sunderland (that ended Steve Bruce's reign) may be the start of an upturn in fortunes, following four defeats and a draw.
Key battle: As Fulham showed last weekend, you can stop Arsenal if you stop Robin van Persie - who is undoubtedly the most prolific player in the Premier League right now. Whether Gary Caldwell has the abilities required for such a job is a different matter, however.
Player to watch: Theo Walcott has gained deserved plaudits this season for a significant improvement in his game awareness which, coupled with the speed he has always had, could prove too much for Wigan's fullbacks.
Talking point: Will a half-empty DW Stadium still be louder than the library-like atmosphere 'heard' most weeks at Emirates Stadium? We're joking, of course. Sort of.
Bet of the day: The referee to brandish a card before the 33rd minute has obvious potential at 5/6 with bet365
Prediction: 0-2

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Aston Villa v Manchester United - live on ESPN

Form: United have 11 points from a possible 18 in recent times, with a weakened side also losing to Crystal Palace (at home, unbelievably) in the Carling Cup in midweek. Villa, in slight contrast, have gained just eight points from 18, with their most recent result a draw in an understandably subdued game against Swansea last Sunday.
Key battle: Villa fans will tell you that it is their abject defence that has caused them problems so far this season, which isn't exactly ideal going into a game against United. Richard Dunne against Wayne Rooney screams 'mismatch'.
Player to watch: Ashley Young returns to the ground where he was a standout performer for a number of seasons before moving on in the summer. The winger started well at Old Trafford but has faded slightly in recent weeks, perhaps finding the demands of playing at a top-tier side harder than expected. Perhaps a return to familiar surroundings may see him recapture some of his better form.
Talking point: The Carling Cup exit was disappointing but, with Man City five points clear in the league and Villa Park not always United's easiest hunting ground, will the embarrassment almost be worth it if the rested stars secure a comfortable three points, and also go on to ensure Champions League progression?
Bet of the day: Neither side to have five corners is an intriguing bet that may turn out to be inspired (of course it may not ... but that's kind of the whole risk you take with betting). 17/2 with bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Sunday

Everton v Stoke

Form: The Toffees have garnered a pleasingly symmetrical three wins and three draws from their most recent six league encounters, while the previously abject Stoke lifted themselves off the bottom of the form table with victory over Blackburn, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Key battle: Everton are one of the lowest scoring sides in the league so far, while Stoke - perhaps contrary to received wisdom - have one of the worst defences. The pressure thus falls on Louis Saha and Ryan Shawcross to reverse the fortunes of their respective sides in those departments.
Player to watch: Royston Drenthe. The Dutchman is value for money in almost everything he does whenever he plays, and still needs to impress David Moyes before he is offered a permanent contract at the club.
Talking point: Stoke secured Europa League knockout qualification on Thursday, but at what cost? Tony Pulis can't quite rotate like the top sides, and Everton - having started slowly again - are beginning to show this season the domestic benefits of not being involved in European competition.
Bet of the day: The first goal to be a header (in a game likely to be featuring Tim Cahill and Rory Delap's throws) is just 4/1 with bet365.
Prediction: 2-1

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Wolves v Sunderland

Form: Mick McCarthy's men have lost four, drawn one and won one of the last six games - most recently suffering something of a hiding against Chelsea. Newly-managerless Sunderland have acquired just five points from a possible 18, which may just explain that dugout vacancy.
Key battle: It would normally be Lee Cattermole versus Karl Henry, but to be accurate that's probably nearer a 'war' than a mere 'battle'. That technicality aside, both Nicklas Bendtner and Roger Johnson are already facing questions about their worth following notable summer transfers.
Player to watch: For Wes Brown, playing during a period of managerial instability will prove a new experience for him. How will the occasionally error-prone former Manchester United defender cope with that extra distraction?
Talking point: With Martin O'Neill set to be in place as manager sooner rather than later (although he may not be in the dugout for this match) will the previously abject Black Cats nevertheless receive the 'new manager boost' that seems customary these days and claim an immediate win?
Bet of the day: For those not backing O'Neill's arrival to make an obvious impact, a Wolves win is a straightforward 7/5 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Monday

Fulham v Liverpool

Form: Fuilham have drawn their last two games, following three defeats and one win, while they were beaten at the death by FC Twente on Thursday. Liverpool, meanwhile, are unbeaten in six league games but have managed just two victories in that period, although they also beat Chelsea again in midweek in the Carling Cup.
Key battle: Danny Murphy against Charlie Adam may prove a curious case of the old versus the new for Liverpool fans, but whoever dictates the game better may have a crucial hand in the destination of the points.
Player to watch: Jordan Henderson will have to step up to the plate sooner than expected after the season-ending injury to Lucas Leiva, and should get the first chance to do so against the Cottagers. Can the well-rounded midfielder slot in and provide a passable impression of the Brazilian's all-action displays?
Talking point: Just how big a loss will Lucas prove for Liverpool's ambitions this season? The defensive midfielder, often maligned in his previous seasons on Merseyside, has been among the leaders in numerous statistical categories this season.
Bet of the day: Liverpool romped to a 5-2 win in the corresponding fixture last season. Martin Jol inspires many things in his side as a manager but arguably not more resilience, and after a trip to the Netherlands in midweek another comfortable away win doesn't look impossible, despite Liverpool's issues in front of goal. 3-0 to the Reds is 18/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-3

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