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Free chance for Man City to move clear at the top

February 3, 2012

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Which manager will have been more relieved to see the back of January: Arsene Wenger or Roberto Mancini? Both have highly-winnable clashes on Saturday, but both are coming off disappointing midweek results that have dented their respective ambitions.

If City slip up on ESPN, neighbours United can move clear at the top if they beat Chelsea on Sunday, while Tottenham also have a tough away day when they visit Liverpool on Monday.

Arsenal, like Liverpool, must focus on a top-four spot when they host Blackburn. And if Rovers suffer the defeat that is expected at the Emirates, there are plenty of relegation battles that could spark a real shake-up at the bottom.

For talking points and predictions, allow ESPN to preview all the action below...

Betting: Newcastle to see off Villa

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Saturday

Norwich v Bolton

Form: Norwich have enjoyed a pleasingly symmetrical last six games, losing one and drawing one before going on a two-game winning streak - before losing one and drawing another. Bolton, meanwhile, have picked up four points from their last available six - claiming the same number of points from the four games before that.
Key battle: David Wheater could well found himself up against Grant Holt - subject of deadline day interest from Rangers. Holt has been a force this season, but can Wheater keep him the wrong side of goal for 90 minutes?
Player to watch: Tim Ream has been touted as Gary Cahill's replacement, despite both player and manager denying that is a fair reflection. But, with a debut in this game very possible, nevertheless all eyes will be on him to see how he fares in the big time.
Talking point: Subject of mixed reviews in his time in the MLS, will the Ream purchase pan out for Owen Coyle? Stuart Holden proved a success (at least until he picked up a horror injury), but repeating the recipe doesn't guarantee the same outcome.
Bet of the day: Even with the sheer number of defensive shifts involved, no goals in this one is tempting at 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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QPR v Wolves

Form: QPR have turned things around with a win and a draw (against Aston Villa) in recent games, having garnered a solitary point from their four games prior to that. Wolves, meanwhile, are struggling somewhat - drawing three games and losing the other three as their relegation battle begins to get concerning.
Key battle: It cannot be forgotten that Wolves spent a sizeable sum on Roger Johnson in the summer. Up against the newly-acquired (and pricey) strikeforce of a relegation rival, the former Birmingham City defender has a duty to perform.
Player to watch: Djibril Cisse got off to a goalscoring start at his latest Premier League club - will the form continue in this one, or will his near-inevitable slide towards mediocrity (its happened to him at nearly every club) start slightly ahead of schedule?
Talking point: QPR made expensive, eye-catching reinforcements in the window to try and buy themselves out of relegation trouble. Wolves did not, but they have the experience of having one such battle once before. Which will prove the more valuable?
Bet of the day: QPR to be winning at half-time but to end up drawing at full-time has a certain value to it at 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Stoke v Sunderland

Form: Two teams who enjoyed contrasting fortunes in midweek. Stoke were barely recognisable in a poor surrender at Manchester United, while Sunderland completely dismissed Norwich at the Stadium of Light. The confidence and momentum is with the away side in this one.
Key battle: We cannot look past the man-in-form, Stephane Sessegnon, a player who is truly finding his best form under Martin O'Neill. Extremely clever in movement and use of the ball he brings others in to play, but can Wilson Palacios deliver a reminder of his old Wigan and Spurs form when he used to rule the midfield area?
Player to watch: Two to watch in this one, Peter Crouch and Jonathan Woodgate. Neither are producing the type of form that they are capable of, and Woodgate in particular should be desperate to get himself back into a defence that has shipped more goals than any other in the top half.
Talking point: What expectations are reasonable for O'Neill's Sunderland? Currently eighth in the table, they are nine points behind local rivals Newcastle. Can they catch Alan Pardew's men?
Bet of the day: Back the own goal to get your full 90-minute's worth at 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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West Brom v Swansea

Form: 15th takes on 14th as West Brom host Swansea in a meeting of two sides who will not go down this season. The Baggies have gone 'win, lose, draw' in their last three, while Swansea were seconds away from beating Chelsea until a fluke equaliser. They still only have the one away win this season though.
Key battle: James Morrison is a wonderfully talented, if not consistent, footballer in the West Brom midfield. At the Hawthorns he should find space to play against a Swansea team who also like to get the ball down, but will Leon Britton's understanding of how to fill spaces frustrate Morrison?
Player to watch: Michel Vorm. In our eyes one of two contenders for the goalkeeper of the year award alongside Tim Krul. You have to be good to beat him.
Talking point: With Manchester United so desperately in need of a goalkeeper who has an idea of how to deal with crosses, should the January window not have been used to make Swansea an offer they could not refuse for Vorm? The "Dutch Victor Valdes" in the eyes of Brendan Rodgers.
Bet of the day: Swansea to score a penalty through the quite outstanding technique of Scott Sinclair: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Wigan v Everton

Form: Things are looking extremely bleak for Wigan, who are currently five points adrift of safety, winning one game at the DW Stadium to render season-tickets something of a burden right now. Everton recorded the best result of their entire campaign by defeating Manchester City, but a lack of quality strikers means they are never certainties to triumph.
Key battle: Conor Sammon did not start the last game at Spurs but he did enough when he came on to suggest he could get a role this weekend. Everton are weakened at centre-back so the responsibility arguably falls to Johnny Heitinga.
Player to watch: Landon Donovan has been superb since he returned to Goodison Park, so much so that Everton fans are desperate to see him stay. Expect more quality at Wigan.
Talking point: Would Roberto Martinez be worth a gamble by a big club - despite his troubles at Wigan? Always tries to play the game the right way, but always difficult with limited quality in the squad.
Bet of the day: Wigan to win 1-0: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Manchester City v Fulham - live on ESPN

Form: Manchester City's dip in form has been well documented, but has been exaggerated somewhat by their twin exits from England's two cup competitions in quick succession. Defeat to Everton on Tuesday was a blow, but followed three successive league wins (although prior to that, a draw and a defeat). Fulham have won two, drawn three and lost just one of their last six - although they were booed after Wednesday's draw against West Brom.
Key battle: Can Brede Hangeland do anything to keep Edin Dzeko in check, as the perhaps slightly down-at-heel City look for a morale-boosting home victory?
Player to watch: Vincent Kompany returned on Tuesday after four games on the sidelines - back in front of his own fans, the club captain will be keen to put in a nerveless performance to settle a side that appears to be wobbling.
Talking point: Manchester City surprised most people by making an addition as the transfer deadline loomed - bringing in David Pizarro on loan from Roma. Could the classy midfielder prove to have a decisive effect on what is suddenly a delicately-balanced title-race?
Bet of the day: Fulham are troublesome at home, but not so much on their travels. Man City to right their recent wrongs and win by three clear goals is 4/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-1

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Sunday

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Form: Newcastle keep upsetting the expectations of the masses by staying in the hunt for a Champions League berth, picking up a 2-0 win at Blackburn despite getting battered for the majority of the match. Villa are a mixed bag, woeful for half an hour at home to QPR but arguably should have taken three points out of the eventual 2-2 draw.
Key battle: Despite the clean sheet, Newcastle's defence was hardly impressive at Ewood Park, yielding over 30 chances on goal. If Darren Bent gets even a tenth of that number, he will score.
Player to watch: The return of Demba Ba. Back from African Nations Cup duty, the Senegalese will get a huge roar from the St James' Park crowd.
Talking point: Where does Alan Pardew stand in the running for manager of the year? Roberto Mancini will surely be a failure if he does not win the league, Sir Alex Ferguson's United have hardly improved this season, while nobody will be voting for Mr Wenger or Villas-Boas.
Bet of the day: Demba Ba to score first in a 3-1 Newcastle victory: 65/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Chelsea v Manchester United

Form: Manchester United's league form has been excellent since suffering back-to-back defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle, winning three on the bounce. However, their football against Stoke was not good, something that can also be said of Chelsea in their 1-1 draw at Swansea.
Key battle: Quite simply, despite his age, Ryan Giggs remains Manchester United's most influential player. Operating in-field, he provides the class that other United midfielders lack, so Andre Villas-Boas may consider this the right time to hand Michael Essien his first league start.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres. Missed that open goal at Old Trafford earlier in the season and is close to his last chance to impress before the return of Didier Drogba.
Talking point: Which team will Liverpool fans support on Sunday? The Reds need Chelsea to drop points in the fight for fourth, but surely it goes against everything they believe in to support United?
Bet of the day: United to win to nil: 4/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Monday

Liverpool v Tottenham

Form: Liverpool have enjoyed an excellent week, getting the draw required against Manchester City to take them to the Carling Cup final, before knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup and claiming three points at Wolves. They have only won four of 11 home league encounters though, and Spurs have six on their travels.
Key battle: Luka Modric absolutely ran the show when Tottenham beat Liverpool at Anfield last season. The Reds have been guilty of failing to fill the spaces in front of the defence in the absence of Lucas and Jay Spearing, but the latter is back and will be crucial to his side's chances.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez returns from his nine-game absence for combined offences against Manchester United and Fulham, but will Kenny Dalglish throw him straight back into the team and risk upsetting Andy Carroll's slight upturn in form?
Talking point: What is Liverpool's best lineup? Suarez was outstanding before being sidelined, and in his absence Craig Bellamy has stepped up to the plate for the Reds. Will Carroll find himself marginalised?
Bet of the day: Tottenham to score in both halves: 7/2 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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