• Premier League preview

Man City's title tilt reaches crossroads on home soil

December 16, 2011

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Manchester City will hope to avoid the old adage about buses arriving in tandem this weekend as they bid, in response to defeat at Chelsea, to avoid a repeat against Arsenal. Should they slip up, neighbours United know they can finish the weekend top of the Premier League pile - although they face a tricky test in the capital at Queens Park Rangers.

Saturday begins with a giant focus on the relegation battle but ends with a revitalised Chelsea squad, who travel to Wigan in front of the ESPN cameras. What might Andre Villas-Boas say next?

Newcastle to get back to winning ways

Saturday

Wigan v Chelsea, LIVE ON ESPN

Form: Few would have predicted it when Chelsea were picking the bones out of their home loss to Liverpool, but the Blues have a title challenge back on their hands. Seven points is the gap after they inflicted defeat on league leaders Manchester City, and while they face a Wigan side who have won two of their last three, those wins both came away from DW Stadium, where they have won just once this season.
Key battle: Maynor Figueroa was once linked with a move to Manchester United or Liverpool. On Saturday evening he faces a player in Daniel Sturridge who has tormented the right fullback against Newcastle and Manchester City, getting Gael Clichy sent off. Can Figueroa do any better?
Player to watch: Raul Meireles. Many of the slightly less considered pundits in the world of football consider it an outrage that Frank Lampard does not start for Chelsea. However, if you watch the work of Meireles, he provides a finesse that is largely lacking in the current Chelsea squad.
Talking point: Who would benefit most from the rumoured sale of Fernando Torres back to Liverpool? Should Chelsea snap up the reported £20 million and reinvest? Or would such a transfer significantly boost one of their top four rivals?
Bet of the day: Chelsea to win both halves: 7/4 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

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Blackburn v West Brom

Form: Blackburn have won only one of their last seven matches in all competitions, and they have lost five of seven at Ewood Park. West Brom have taken more points away from home than at the Hawthorns this season, largely due to Roy Hodgson's counter-attacking methods.
Key battle: Blackburn's Paul Robinson has either been hit or miss this season, committing awful errors against Wigan but turning in one or two super saves at Sunderland. Shane Long admits he and Peter Odemwingie need to start firing for the Baggies, so who comes out on top?
Player to watch: Scott Dann has been in the media this week, confident that Blackburn can transform their current predicament, but there is certainly an argument that he needs to step up himself and reproduce some of his old Birmingham form.
Talking point: Which of these clubs, if any, will be in the Premier League next season?
Bet of the day: Yakubu to score anytime in a 2-1 win: 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Everton v Norwich

Form: Neither side boasts the type of form that you would want going into this fixture. Everton have only won twice at home during the current campaign, while Norwich have lost four of seven away games. The Canaries are arriving off the back of a fine win over Newcastle, however.
Key battle: Norwich set out in every match to let the centre-backs know they have been in a game. Grant Holt and Steve Morison are capable of putting themselves about, so Phil Jagielka and Co will need to come braced for a physical battle.
Player to watch: Wes Hoolahan. Has taken a little time to settle into Premier League life, but there can be little doubting his talent and control of a football, clearly on show in the win against Newcastle.
Talking point: If you were the owners of Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the season, would Paul Lambert appear on your shortlist?
Bet of the day: Norwich to win: 5/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Fulham v Bolton

Form: Nobody likes to kick a team when they're down (OK, plenty of people like to do that) but it has to be said that Bolton are looking an extremely poor football team right now. The defence has holes throughout, the attack is too reliant upon a limited Kevin Davies, and seven defeats in eight games tells its own story. The league's bottom club travel to Fulham, who don't score many goals but have only lost one of their last four in the league.
Key battle: Simon Davies is relied upon for some guile in the absence of Danny Murphy for Fulham. Knock the Welshman out of his rhythm and it can affect the whole team. Have Bolton got anybody up to the job?
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey has been one of Fulham's better players this season, but he had a nightmare at Swansea, deflecting Swansea's opener into his own net and missing a penalty.
Talking point: How many times did Owen Coyle use the words "football club" in Thursday's press conference? "I'm doing plenty of work for this football club". "We're building the future of this football club". "I think I sound cleverer if I keep saying football club".
Bet of the day: Dempsey to score first: 5/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Newcastle v Swansea

Form: Reality truly bit for Newcastle at Carrow Road last week. The unbeaten run was never meant to continue past the Manchester clubs and Chelsea, but defeat to Norwich was a first signficant hole in their outside-shot for a top four spot. Swansea are superb at home but simply do not win away, so a chance to bounce back beckons for Alan Pardew's men.
Key battle: Demba Ba continues to rattle in the goals for Newcastle, bagging two more at Norwich. Can he beat arguably the league's most in-form goalkeeper Michel Vorm?
Player to watch: Scott Sinclair. At times, particularly at home, he has been one of the best left-sided attackers in the league this season. Very rarely has that form translated to the Swans' away fixtures.
Talking point: What would represent a good campaign for Newcastle? Would fans settle for top half? Or is Europe the target?
Bet of the day: Newcastle to win to nil: 2/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Wolves v Stoke

Form: Wolves hover two points above the relegation zone after a thumping from Manchester United. Stoke, meanwhile, are looking good again after Chris Foy's man-of-the-match display against Tottenham sent them up to eighth.
Key battle: Steven Fletcher kept his goalscoring form going despite the 4-1 loss at Old Trafford, so Ryan Shawcross may want to think more about the defensive than the attacking side of his game at Molineux.
Player to watch: Matthew Etherington scored both goals in the win against Tottenham and, as we've pointed out before in this preview, his crosses can be wicked when he gets into the right areas.
Talking point: Should Stoke be allowed to sew those towels into their shirts to aid the long throw? It seems a genius idea, but does it contravene Premier League rules?
Bet of the day: Back the own goal at 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Sunday

Manchester City v Arsenal

Form: The test has arrived for Manchester City. The seemingly unbreakable jaw of a boxer heading for the championship has now been rocked. City, for the first time, are on wobbly legs after defeat to Chelsea, but will Arsenal be able to take advantage? The Gunners have not lost in their last eight league games.
Key battle: An injury to Aleksandar Kolarov and a suspension for Gael Clichy means Pablo Zabaleta will play left-back this weekend. "Get the ball to Theo Walcott" will surely feature in Arsene Wenger's team-talk.
Player to watch: Mario Balotelli. Scored against Manchester United, scored against Chelsea, got sent off at Liverpool and had a fight midweek with Micah Richards. What a man.
Talking point: If Fernando Torres, as reported, is available for transfer, should Arsene Wenger be looking at adding him to his wafer-thin Arsenal attack that is made up almost solely of Robin van Persie?
Bet of the day: City to win both halves: 3/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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QPR v Manchester United

Form: Manchester United responded well to their Champions League disaster by smashing Wolves at Old Trafford. QPR rarely win at Loftus Road, but they also don't make a habit of losing. Only Manchester City have beaten QPR on home turf since they were stunned by high-flying Bolton on the opening day.
Key battle: Stewart Downing had arguably his best game for Liverpool against QPR last week, operating from the right, which means Armand Traore did not do something right. Nani is in fine form for United, unlucky to finish on the losing side against Basel and firing in a brace against Wolves.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney has put the distraction of his England red card appeal behind him and, as predicted by this preview last week, he immediately got back amongst the goals. Expect more to come.
Talking point: Will Sir Alex Ferguson go out and sign a midfielder in Darren Fletcher's absence in January? Should he have signed one in the summer, knowing Fletcher had problems?
Bet of the day: The draw is inviting at 10/3 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Aston Villa v Liverpool

Form: Liverpool continue to create a plethora of chances week in, week out, without ever converting a significant number of those opportunities into goals. The Reds do not draw games away from home, winning four and losing three so far. Villa have been fairly strong on home turf, taking 11 points from seven games, losing only twice.
Key battle: Darren Bent has been a thorn in Liverpool's side over the years, but Kenny Dalglish's men have the best defence in the Premier League. Who will come out on top?
Player to watch: Stewart Downing returns to Villa Park for the first time and Liverpool are still awaiting a significant repayment on his transfer fee. What better place to start?
Talking point: Should Liverpool prove the paper talk right and bring Torres back in the January window (as unlikely as that seems), would Liverpool fans welcome him back having previously burnt his shirt?
Bet of the day: Scores to remain goalless at half-time: 13/8 with bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Tottenham v Sunderland

Form: The Christmas period will likely determine exactly how high Tottenham should be aiming in the Premier League this season. They are out of Europe, which could be a blessing, but defeat to Stoke - albeit controversial - was a reality check over their title prospects. Sunderland will be buzzing when they arrive at White Hart Lane, having snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in their last outing.
Key battle: Gareth Bale has been razor-sharp down Spurs' left flank for most of the season, but can the combative Phil Bardsley knock him out of his stride?
Player to watch: Scott Parker turned in his worst performance in a Tottenham shirt against Stoke. Expect the England man to respond against the Black Cats.
Talking point: Carlos Tevez seems intent on upsetting the applecart wherever he plays his football. Would Harry Redknapp be able to tame him if Spurs brought the City striker to the Lane?
Bet of the day: Tottenham to score four or more: 7/2 with bet365
Prediction: 4-1

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