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City look to Spurs for favour in race for the title

March 2, 2012

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For those on international duty this week, a brief moment to draw breath from a pulsating Premier League campaign has quickly come and gone. The race for the title and the battle to beat the drop intensifies with each passing week and this weekend is no exception. Arsenal may be out of the running but they'll look to show their mauling of Tottenham was more than a brief rally when they travel to Carling Cup winners Liverpool. Bolton face the daunting task of going to league leaders Manchester City, and Blackburn will be hoping to capitalise at home to Aston Villa should their relegation rivals come a cropper.

There's the small matter of the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland on Sunday, with the ESPN cameras capturing the action, while Manchester United will find out a lot about their title chances when they visit third-placed Spurs.

For talking points and predictions from every top-flight fixture, allow ESPN to preview the action below...

Saturday

Liverpool v Arsenal

Form: Arsenal recovered from two goals down to hammer Spurs 5-2 in their last outing, showing there is life in the Gunners yet. Despite their well-documented problems this season they sit in fourth, ahead of Chelsea on account of number of games won. Liverpool will arrive with fresh silverware in their trophy cabinet after their nail-biting Carling Cup triumph. However, their league form needs some attention: they are without a win since beating Wolves at the end of January.
Key battle: With doubts over Steven Gerrard's fitness, Charlie Adam may be tasked with being Liverpool's chief creator. Luka Modric does it so well for Spurs, but Adam will be keen to show he can mix it with one of the Premier League's best midfield operators.
Player to watch: When Robin van Persie is in the mood there are few to match his brilliance. He's been in scintillating form this season so take your eyes off the Dutchman at your peril.
Talking point: With a daunting return match against AC Milan in the Champions League to come on Tuesday, Arsene Wenger may be tempted to rest key personnel. But considering they must reverse a 4-0 scoreline against the Italians, shouldn't Wenger's men just concentrate on trying to build on their conquest of Spurs?
Bet of the day: Van Persie to score first and a 1-1 draw: 35/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Blackburn v Aston Villa

Form: Blackburn find themselves in the bottom three due to an inferior goal difference to 17th-placed QPR. A 3-0 defeat to Manchester City prevented them from achieving back-to-back wins and has piled the pressure on manager Steve Kean. Realistically Villa are probably safe, though they are only eight points above the drop zone. They have one point to show for their efforts from their last three games, and are without a victory since downing Wolves on January 21.
Key battle: Darren Bent has been ruled out for three months, paving the way for Charles N'Zogbia to finally ignite his stuttering Villa career. N'Zogbia likes to drift in from the flank so communication will be key for Scott Dann and Co in the Blackburn defence.
Player to watch: Blackburn need goals and Yakubu looks the man most likely to find the back of the net. If he isn't fatigued (he played for Nigeria in the week) then he could be a hero for Rovers.
Talking point: Kean will be bracing himself for another mauling from disgruntled Rovers supporters, with a section of their fans planning their biggest protest to date prior to kick-off at Ewood Park. Would another defeat on Saturday be the final straw and see Kean finally depart?
Bet of the day: Rovers to give themselves and boss Kean a lifeline with a 2-1 win: 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Manchester City v Bolton

Form: After a difficult January, City's season is firmly back on track with five wins in all competitions in February. Unlike City, Bolton are still in the FA Cup, but they picked up just one point in the league in February and have failed to score in three of their last four matches.
Key battle: Joe Hart has not conceded a Premier League goal in over a month, while Bolton have failed to score in three of their last four matches. Top scorer Ivan Klasnic has scored three goals in his last four appearances against City - can he find a way past Hart?
Player to watch: Frozen out of the England set-up by Fabio Capello, Micah Richards made his first England appearance since November 2010 against Netherlands in midweek. Can we expect to see an extra spark from Richards as he bids to book his Euro 2012 spot?
Talking point: Can City keep their cool? After defeats to Sunderland and Everton in January, it looked like City might falter in the race to the finish line. Having recovered from that wobble, can they see out the job?
Bet of the day: Edin Dzeko to score first in a 4-0 City win is 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-0

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QPR V Everton

Form: QPR have lost three on the bounce and are only above the bottom three on goal difference. Everton have picked up seven points in their last three league matches - including wins over Man City and Chelsea, but were held by bottom side Wigan.
Key battle: No Everton player has scored more than three league goals this season. Can new signing Nikica Jelavic prove his worth and get the better of Anton Ferdinand?
Player to watch: Jack Rodwell looks set to return to the Toffees side after more than two months out with a hamstring injury. Desperate to book his place in England's Euro 2012 squad, will his return boost Everton's run-in?
Talking point: With tenth-placed Everton left with little to play for this season, will David Moyes save some of his players for the FA Cup quarter-final against Sunderland?
Bet of the day: Back Nikica Jelavic to net a hat-trick at 50/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-3

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West Brom v Chelsea

Form: Chelsea got their first win in six matches against Bolton last weekend, momentarily easing the pressure on under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas. West Brom meanwhile, have scored nine goals in their last two matches following emphatic wins over Wolves and Sunderland.
Key battle: Peter Odemwingie has scored five goals in his last two matches, more than doubling his return for the season. With John Terry still out, Gary Cahill will need to step up to the plate.
Player to watch: Frank Lampard. He responded to being left out against Napoli and Birmingham with a goal against Bolton. Amid reports of a fall-out with Villas-Boas, can Lampard keep Chelsea on the straight and narrow?
Talking point:Villas-Boas compared the goal-shy Fernando Torres to Chelsea flops Andriy Shevchenko and Mateja Kezman. With just two league goals this season, the Spaniard has endured a miserable time at Stamford Bridge since his arrival last January. Are Villas-Boas' comments the words of a man living on borrowed time or a masterstroke to kick-start Torres into action?
Bet of the day: Fernando Torres to score in the second-half is 20/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Stoke City v Norwich

Form: Stoke snapped a four-match losing run with victory over Swansea on Sunday, and they will be looking to get another result against Norwich, who lost to a late Ryan Giggs winner against Manchester United but have won three of their last four matches on the road.
Key battle: Grant Holt is into double figures for the season, and has three in his last two matches. Can Matthew Upson, who so nearly left the Potters in January, keep Holt quiet?
Player to watch: Peter Crouch had all but given up hope of a place at Euro 2012 under Fabio Capello, but the Italian's resignation may have opened the door for the lanky striker. A goal against Swansea last week was his first league goal since his brace at Blackburn on January 2. Can Crouch hit a purple patch and earn an England recall?
Talking point: Surely even the most ardent Norwich fans couldn't have imagined such an impressive return to the Premier League? Eighth with just 12 matches remaining, can they repeat the feat of bitter rivals Ipswich in 2001 and qualify for Europe in their first season back in the top flight?
Bet of the day: Crouch to score two or more goals is 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Wigan v Swansea

Form: Wigan remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League despite being unbeaten in their last three (one win and two draws). Swansea have lost back-to-back matches against Stoke and Norwich.
Key battle: Roberto Martinez recently mentioned Victor Moses in the same breath as Lionel Messi. If Angel Rangel can keep the Nigerian quiet, Wigan's attacking options will be vastly reduced.
Player to watch: Wigan look set to lose Hugo Rodallega to a free transfer in the summer after hanging onto the Colombian in January. The Latics believe Rodallega is worth more to them if he can help Wigan avoid the drop than by cashing in. He did it last year, can he do it again?
Talking point: Two teams in the wrong half of the table, but both Martinez and Brendan Rodgers want their sides to play attractive football. It might be great viewing for the neutral, but is it really what the fans want?
Bet of the day: Wigan to be leading at half-time but Swansea to take three points away from the DW Stadium is 33/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Sunday

Newcastle v Sunderland - Live on ESPN

Form: After being hammered 5-0 by Tottenham, Newcastle let a two-goal lead slip against Wolves last weekend, while Sunderland's revival under Martin O'Neill came to an abrupt halt with a 4-0 defeat to West Brom.
Key battle: Papiss Demba Cisse has enjoyed an impressive start to life at St James' Park, netting twice in three games for the Magpies. It will be up to experienced defender John O'Shea to prevent the Senegal striker making it three goals in as many games.
Player to watch: Ryan Taylor became a Toon hero following his match-winning free-kick against Sunderland back in August. Can he repeat the heroics to see the Magpies complete the double in the Tyne-Wear derby?
Talking point: Martin O'Neill warned that his incredible start at Sunderland's helm couldn't last forever, and the Black Cats came crashing back down to earth with a bump at the Hawthorns last weekend. Defeat to bitter rivals Newcastle on Sunday and the honeymoon period will be well and truly over.
Bet of the day: Cisse is already proving to be a crowd favourite at St James' Park - a hat-trick against bitter rivals Sunderland would seal his place in Toon folklore. Back him at 50/1 to net his first triple with bet365
Prediction: 3-2

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Fulham v Wolves

Form: Fulham silenced noisy neighbours QPR last time out, and have two wins in their last two. Wolves grabbed a point against Newcastle in Terry Connor's first game in charge but have just one win in their last 12 league games.
Key battle: With hugely contrasting styles, the midfield battle between Clint Dempsey and Karl Henry could prove key to the outcome of this match.
Player to watch:Kevin Doyle has now scored twice in his last three games, having not previously netted since October. With Wolves just one point above the bottom three, the Irishman's return to form could save Wolves' season.
Talking point: A lucky draw or a well-earned point? Did Connor inspire his side to a point against Newcastle, or does he deserve none of the credit?
Bet of the day: Doyle to score first in a 2-1 Wolves win is a tempting 95/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Tottenham v Manchester United

Form: With a win, a draw and a defeat in their last three, Tottenham will be looking to bounce back from their 5-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Arsenal last week. Manchester United are unbeaten in the league since their 3-0 loss to Newcastle on January 4.
Key battle: With Scott Parker serving a one-match suspension for his red card against Arsenal, Sandro could be the man in the middle charged with keeping veteran Paul Scholes quiet. Boasting the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, Tottenham have arguably the slickest midfield in the Premier League, but the battle of these two midfield dynamos could prove key.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney is expected to return to the United side following a throat infection. With six goals in seven league games against Spurs, the England striker could be set for an eventful return to action.
Talking point: With City likely to be five points clear of United by kick-off on Sunday, can Spurs do the league leaders a favour in the title race?
Bet of the day:Tottenham to be ahead at the break but United to earn a point is 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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