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Suarez leads Reds into battle of Old Trafford

February 10, 2012

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With Harry Redknapp's court case and Fabio Capello's resignation as England manager, the actual action on the pitch has taken something a back seat this week. Redknapp - now hotly tipped to replace the departed Capello - returns to his day job on Saturday as Tottenham welcome Newcastle to White Hart Lane live on ESPN, while Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will be reunited as Liverpool face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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

Saturday

Manchester United v Liverpool

Form: United are four matches unbeaten (having lost the two games prior to that), after coming from 3-0 down against Chelsea to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw in their last contest. Liverpool's form has been much more of a mixed bag, with Monday's draw against Tottenham bringing their record in their last six games to a mediocre two draws, two wins and two defeats.
Key battle: Unless Kenny Dalglish blinks in the face of controversy (unlikely, considering his beligerent attitude throughout matters), the game is likely to see Luis Suarez come up against Patrice Evra for the first time since their run-in at Anfield. Both players should be able to rise above the palaver that surrounds them - but it will be interesting to see whether Suarez can get the upper-hand on the pitch, with Evra looking suspiciously short of his usual high quality these days.
Player to watch: Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool captain has traditionally raised his game against United - especially at Old Trafford - and, with attention focusing on the Evra-Suarez dispute and United's midfield regarded as something of a weak area, Gerrard could end up having a major impact on the course of the contest.
Talking point: With all the attention on the Suarez-Evra furore in recent weeks, it's sometimes hard to concentrate on matters in hand. Manchester United remain firmly in the title race - but how far ahead would they be if they had Pepe Reina in goal rather than David De Gea, and how much worse off would the Reds be without the man who has kept ten clean sheets this season?
Bet of the day: The home side to be winning at half-time but drawing at full-time is somewhat tempting at 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Everton v Chelsea

Form: The Toffees have won just one of their last six (albeit against Manchester City), drawing three of the other five. Chelsea have had their own trouble with draws - with the recent 3-3 home collapse against Manchester United their third on the spin. Prior to that they had drawn two and lost one.
Key battle: Nikica Jelavic should make his first start since making his big-money move (well, by Everton's standards) from Rangers at the end of January. How will Gary Cahill deal with the challenge the Croatian presents, as he makes his second appearance in at the heart of the Blues backline?
Player to watch: Michael Essien is back fit and ready to resume his place in the first-team - how crucial will the dynamic Ghanaian prove in the club's bid to ensure they finish at least fourth in the Premier League table?
Talking point: Andre Villas-Boas insists the increased presence of Roman Abramovich at the club's Cobham training ground this week has been no cause for concern - but can that really be true of an owner equally notorious for his willingness to sack a manager as his infrequent appearances at the club?
Bet of the day: As erratic as Chelsea have been recently, Everton seem undervalued to win at 9/4 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Sunderland v Arsenal

Form: Haven't you heard? Sunderland would be top of the table if the league started when Martin O'Neill arrived at the club. The Black Cats have taken 15 points from a possible 18 in recent weeks; Arsenal, in contrast, have acquired just seven.
Key battle: James McClean has been subject to rave reviews since bursting to prominence under O'Neill's auspices, while Theo Walcott continues to infuriate despite Wenger's constant backing. The performance of both wingers will affect their sides greatly in this one.
Player to watch: How about manager to watch? What exactly has Martin O'Neill done to turn around his side to such an extent - and what can Arsene Wenger learn from that?
Talking point: Can Sunderland keep their stellar run of form going - and if so do they still have a chance of getting into the wide-open fight for fourth-place in the league? Or is a regression to mid-table mediocrity almost inevitable?
Bet of the day: Sunderland to be winning at half-time, Arsenal to have clawed it all back by full-time is a tempting, if somewhat speculative, tip at 22/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Blackburn v QPR

Form: Blackburn have picked up seven points from a possible 18 in recent times - although they have lost their last two and haven't won since mid-January. QPR have picked up just four points during the same period, with a flurry of January signings providing a temporary lift before a return to (poor) form with a defeat against Wolves last weekend.
Key battle: Having conceded seven against Arsenal in his previous game without ever covering himself in glory, Paul Robinson will surely want to make amends - stopping Bobby Zamora (QPR's greatest threat with Djibril Cisse suspended) will be his main concern.
Player to watch: Joey Barton. A little less conversation, a little more action please.
Talking point: Defeat to Wolves saw QPR miss a real opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the bottom three - how harmful would another such mistake be on morale around Loftus Road, especially after spending so much money in January with the express intention of avoiding such difficulties?
Bet of the day: The first card of the game to be brandished before the 31st minute looks a promising bet at 5/6 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Bolton v Wigan

Form: Bolton have enjoyed something of an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks - winning two, drawing two and losing two of their last six as they nevertheless remain a point adrift of safety. Wigan, meanwhile, have been absolutely woeful - with two draws a poor return on their recent 'efforts'.
Key battle: Neither side looks full of goals - but after both men were strongly linked with moves away from their respective clubs at the end of January, Kevin Davies and Hugo Rodallega will be expected to deliver in these sort of games.
Player to watch: We can't exactly see armchair fans being glued to this one, but American defender Tim Ream may finally make his debut for the club so it could be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to Premier League football.
Talking point: As early as it still is when it comes to the relegation run-in, is it fair to say Wigan are all-but condemned if they lose this one and slip (at least) five points from safety?
Bet of the day: Neither side can afford to lose this one, but you doubt one of the sides has the quality to go out there and win it, either. A draw, then: 5/2 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Fulham v Stoke

Form: Fulham, like so many teams it seems, have enjoyed a mixed bag of results in their last six games - securing two of each possible outcome. Stoke need to arrest a slump, however, having lost their last three in succession following a win and two draws.
Key battle: Stoke are without Robert Huth (suspended), while Fulham are adjusting to life after Bobby Zamora (sold to QPR). Much will pivot on how Jonathan Woodgate and Clint Dempsey step up to the plate in their stead.
Player to watch: New Cottagers signing Pavel Pogrebnyak may not have a name to please journalists, but does he have a finishing touch that can delight his home fans?
Talking point: Craven Cottage is never considered a tough place to go, yet Fulham have picked up three more points at home than Stoke so far this season. Is it finally time to end the misperception of the Britannia Stadium as a fortress once and for all?
Bet of the day: Danny Murphy to score anytime could be a good bet, being the main set-piece taker in a team of tricky attackers coming up against a 'rugged' defence. 5/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Swansea v Norwich

Form: The two surprise packages of the season so far - a status underlined by recent performances, which have seen both newly promoted sides claim 11 points from a possible 18. Both sides enter this game coming off victories, too.
Key battle: This remains a battle of two emerging and attentive managers. After Norwich triumphed in their first meeting this season, will Brendan Rodgers get revenge on Paul Lambert in round two.
Player to watch: Andrew Surman has grown in stature this season, impressing with his technique and ability to get into dangerous positions. As the England team undergoes something of a crisis of character and purpose, the Norwich midfielder could be worth a look over the remainder of the season, as fans look to the future.
Talking point: Brendan Rodgers has signed a new contract with Swansea - is it time Norwich consolidate Lambert's future, as the true nature of his contract (rumoured to be a 12-month rolling deal) at the club remains in some mystery?
Bet of the day: After losing 3-1 at Carrow Road, Swansea to reverse matters this time around with a 2-0 win is attractive at 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Tottenham v Newcastle - LIVE ON ESPN

Form: Tottenham have lost just one of their last six, picking up three wins and two draws despite being without the undivided attention of manager Harry Redknapp for a number of those encounters. Newcastle have lost twice in the same span, but the fact they have won the other four means they have actually picked up more points than the team they are set to face at White Hart Lane.
Key battle: Frustrated against Liverpool on Monday, can Gareth Bale cause both Danny Simpson and Fabrizio Coloccini more problems with his pace and movement? The Welshman's impact has invariably played a decisive role in how his side fare in games this season.
Player to watch: Papiss Demba Cisse. After announcing himself on Tyneside with a blistering volley to win the game against Aston Villa, the Senegalese forward can make himself even more of an immediate hero with another game-winning performance against Spurs.
Talking point: Already distracted by speculation about the England job, will Redknapp suddenly have to worry about missing out on the Champions League entirely if Newcastle defeat them and close the gap to five points? Or will the Spurs boss' return after successfully fighting tax evasion charges give his side the boost they need to keep themselves somewhere near the title race?
Bet of the day: Emmanuel Adebayor to score anytime in a 2-1 home win is 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Sunday

Wolves v West Brom

Form: Victory over QPR was just what the doctor ordered in Wolves' last encounter - they hadn't won in the five matches prior to that (snaring just two draws). West Brom's form has actually been even worse - four points from a possible 18 a sorry return that has seen them slowly slide towards peril.
Key battle: With Shane Long requiring a late fitness test, it could be down to the inconsistent Peter Odemwingie to cause Christophe Berra problems with his intelligent movement.
Player to watch: The absence of both Karl Henry (suspended) and Emmanuel Frimpong (long-term injury) in the heart of the Wolves midfield should give Youssouf Mulumbu - whose standing in the eyes of Roy Hodgson seems to have waned slightly in recent weeks - the chance to stamp his authority on the match.
Talking point: Would a victory for Wolves (safe by one point) lure West Brom (safe by six) firmly into the relegation battle, or simply move Mick McCarthy's men above the fray for a week or two?
Bet of the day: With little to choose between the sides, why not a draw at 9/4 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Aston Villa v Manchester City

Form: Eight points from a possible 18 for Aston Villa, who lost in their last encounter against Newcastle on Sunday. League leaders Manchester City have won four of their last six, although the two defeats thrown in there (against Sunderland and Everton) may understandably occupy more of Roberto Mancini's thoughts.
Key battle: Stopping Manchester City from scoring has proven crucial to mid-table teams beating them at home in recent weeks, so Richard Dunne will have to be at his best against his former club to prevent the wily Sergio Aguero from breaking the deadlock.
Player to watch: The proud owner of 100 Premier League goals, a quick start on the next 100 from Darren Bent is what Alex McLeish will be hoping for come Sunday.
Talking point: Aston Villa have drawn more games (ten) than anyone in the Premier League this season, but do they have the resilience to stop the team that has won the most games and scored the most goals?
Bet of the day: Aston Villa to be the first team to get three corners in the match is a not-impossible outcome at 11/8 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

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