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Instant remedy beckons for Fergie's flops

December 9, 2011

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If the Premier League was not Manchester United's priority before this weekend it most definitely is now after a nightmare week for Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Both Manchester clubs were dumped out of Europe, but one collapse was far less expected than the other.

However, a home clash with Wolves presents United with the chance to move within two points of their neighbours before City head to Chelsea on Monday. Roberto Mancini's men will desperately hope to avoid a "slap in the face" from Andre Villas-Boas and Co...

Betting: O'Neill to spread some magic

Saturday

Arsenal v Everton

Form: Arsenal's form can be painted in two lights, they've either lost two of their last three in all competitions or - perhaps more accurately - won six of their last seven in the league. Everton are coming off a dire home defeat to Stoke and simply do not look like scoring goals.
Key battle: Theo Walcott's excellent form has largely been overlooked due to the breathtaking goal return of Robin van Persie. The England winger's final ball has come on leaps and bounds, which should prove enough to quell Leighton Baines' attacking instincts.
Player to watch: Thomas Vermaelen. Likely to have to play left-back in the absence of Andre Santos, Vermaelen is nevertheless a huge goal threat at set-pieces and will most likely enjoy the chance to bomb forward with greater abandon.
Talking point: How long until Arsene Wenger clears the decks of some of Arsenal's dead wood? Johan Djourou and Andrei Arshavin are two names that spring to mind, and the midweek display in Greece did little to change any opinions.
Bet of the day: Arsenal to win to nil is 6/4 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Bolton v Aston Villa

Form: Bolton are enduring an absolute nightmare season and are on a three-match losing streak. Perhaps most concerning of all ahead of the weekend is that they have lost six of seven games at the Reebok. They may well be facing the perfect team against whom to change that statistic though. Aston Villa are yet to win away from home and their strikers touch the ball fewer times per match than any other side in the league.
Key battle: Fabrice Muamba is supposed to be the enforcer in the Bolton midfield, but he has been anything but this season. Once an England Under-21 international, it's about time he dominated a game against whoever Alex McLeish calls in to replace Jermaine Jenas in midfield.
Player to watch: Darren Bent. The striker will tell anybody who is prepared to listen that he is desperate to go to Euro 2012 with England. However, his recent domestic displays tell a different story.
Talking point: Is Gary Cahill even worth the chase that will inevitably arrive in the January transfer window? Too many examples of poor positional sense and tendencies to overplay make £15-20 million look quite the gamble.
Bet of the day: Aston Villa to win both halves: 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-3

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Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers

Form: Liverpool's quality of football has largely been good all season, but in games against Norwich, Sunderland, Fulham, Manchester United and Manchester City they have dropped a total of 11 points from games they deserved to win. Rangers have their own hard-done-by story after being robbed of victory against West Brom by a poor offside decision, and their away form dictates they either win or lose - no draws on the road this season.
Key battle: Jose Enrique has been an exceptional buy for Liverpool and is a far better attacking outlet than the man ahead of him, Stewart Downing. QPR have their own nominee for signing of the summer in Shaun Wright-Phillips and that pair should form a fascinating tussle at Anfield.
Player to watch: The obvious option is Luis Suarez because he makes everything tick for Liverpool, but it will be interesting to keep an eye on Andy Carroll after his woeful display at Fulham.
Talking point: Why did Kenny Dalglish opt for Carroll over Maxi Rodriguez at Fulham? One player has an excellent touch, an eye for goal, and offers constant movement. The other is Andy Carroll.
Bet of the day: Suarez to score first in a 2-1 win: 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Manchester United v Wolves

Form: Manchester United have won one of their last five games in all competitions, and they have only scored more than one goal in one of their last seven. Wolves have lost five of seven on their travels but they stood up well to Manchester City until a couple of goalkeeping blunders by Wayne Hennessey.
Key battle: Nani had the beating of his man for most of the night in United's defeat in Basel, but Stephen Ward puts in a strong shift down Wolves' left and will not be lacking for commitment.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney. It's been a long time since Rooney has turned up for United, scoring just twice since getting that red card with England. The appeal is now behind him, so expect the goals to return as well.
Talking point: Why did Manchester United's Champions League campaign end in such disaster? We offer 10 reasons here.
Bet of the day: United to win both halves: 5/4 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Norwich v Newcastle

Form: The acid test has arrived for Newcastle. Their good start to the season was always going to end in a spell of games involving both Manchester clubs and Chelsea. Now they are back to a game they maybe should win. That said, Norwich have won more than they've lost at home this season, and they gave Manchester City some scary moments before the house fell down.
Key battle: Russell Martin has caught the eye with some superb goal-line clearances and his willingness to get forward from the back this season. Occasionally he leaves spaces to exploit though, and Demba Ba is always looking to get in behind.
Player to watch: Tim Krul. Surely the outstanding goalkeeper of the season to date. Already he has made enough saves to create a DVD in time for Christmas.
Talking point: Is Alan Pardew right that the referee's decision not to send off David Luiz in the Chelsea game directly led to injuries for his players? It's a short talking point in fairness, answered by a word requiring two letters.
Bet of the day: Newcastle to win: 15/8 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Swansea v Fulham

Form: The alarm bells are ringing for Swansea after they were beaten by the team nobody (other than Arsenal) loses to (Blackburn). Fulham found a much-needed three points against Liverpool but still look short of ideas in front of goal.
Key battle: Swansea were simply awful at defending corners against Rovers, so Ashley Williams will not exactly relish the prospect of Brede Hangeland coming up from the back.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey. Tends to operate in the hole just behind Bobby Zamora, firing shots off without invitation. Often he will pick the wrong option, but the American keeps plugging away and is Fulham's most dangerous threat.
Talking point: Should Philippe Senderos be free to play in this match? He was deserving of at least one red card against Liverpool last time out.
Bet of the day: Swansea to score a penalty: 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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West Brom v Wigan

Form: West Brom are coming off a 1-1 draw with QPR and are currently five points above the relegation spots. Wigan were smashed by Arsenal last time out but previously beat Sunderland, and are just two points from safety.
Key battle: Victor Moses has more talent than most in the Wigan squad, but consistency is a big problem for the youngster. If he can get on the ball, which he should be able to do against a Roy Hodgson side, the Baggies' fullbacks will need to be focused.
Player to watch: Ali Al Habsi makes plenty of eye-catching saves, but that is relatively useless if he keeps undoing his good work with poor errors. Far too culpable for Wigan defeats in recent weeks.
Talking point: Would Roberto Martinez's technical style of management be better suited to a bigger club?
Bet of the day: Back the own goal: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Sunday

Sunderland v Blackburn

Form: Sunderland have won one home game all season, but that largely goes out of the window now that Martin O'Neill is in the door. Blackburn are likely to encounter new manager syndrome, but at least they arrive at the Stadium of Light off the back of a morale-boosting 4-2 win against Swansea.
Key battle: O'Neill's entire managerial career has been based on using a strong target man up front. Nicklas Bendtner is the most powerfully-built forward Sunderland have, so it will be interesting to see if the Dane can impress O'Neill against Chris Samba.
Player to watch: Yakubu. It has to be after he scored four against the Swans. If the Nigerian sticks to the pattern of his Blackburn career, he will do little in this match - but that will be well worth watching!
Talking point: O'Neill is a big fan of Emile Heskey, having managed him at Leicester and brought him to Aston Villa. Should Black Cats fans be buying their "HESKEY 8" jerseys now?
Bet of the day: Sunderland to win 2-0: 8/1 with bet365.
Prediction: 2-0

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Stoke v Tottenham

Form: Stoke have finally steadied the ship with back-to-back league wins, including a defensive effort at Everton that will have pleased Tony Pulis. Spurs are flying, winning six league games on the bounce, and they have triumphed five times already on their travels this season.
Key battle: Matthew Etherington is the man who supplies devilish crosses from Stoke's left flank. Facing him is Kyle Walker, who never stops sprinting forward. Etherington will either find himself defending a lot, or there will be plenty of space to exploit.
Player to watch: Peter Crouch. Undoubtedly will have a point to prove to his former club, and the best way to do that would be to unsettle the seemingly robotic (in a good way) Ledley King.
Talking point: When fit, is there a better centre back in England than King? And should Fabio Capello gamble on him at Euro 2012?
Bet of the day: Tottenham to win from behind: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Monday

Chelsea v Manchester City

Form: Without wanting to earn a slap in the face from Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea's form has been patchy, winning three of their last six. They were brilliant against Valencia but defensively shaky at Newcastle, but has the Portuguese now discarded the much-maligned high line? Manchester City are still to lose a league game this season and they looked in fine form during their recent victory over Bayern Munich.
Key battle: Didier Drogba sets the tone for Chelsea - no doubt about it - and after months in the wilderness (form-wise) he delivered a reminder of his devastating power against Valencia. Vincent Kompany, as City skipper, will need to lead by example if City's title credentials are going to pass another test.
Player to watch: Sergio Aguero. In recent matches against Liverpool, John Terry and David Luiz needed a Sat Nav to find Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy. Aguero is another diminutive attacker who keeps defenders on their toes, and his finishing ability is top drawer.
Talking point: Will Villas-Boas' crazy media rant prove a masterstroke? Reports are he has laid down the law to his players at Stamford Bridge. Maybe he is about to get the whole of English football barking to his tune.
Bet of the day: City to prove too much for Chelsea's disorganised defence, winning 2-0: 16/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-2

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