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Man Utd aim to build four-point gap to City

March 16, 2012

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Manchester United have a chance to steal a march in the title race this weekend: if they defeat Wolves, they will be four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who do not play until next Wednesday.

Meanwhile relegation-threatened Wigan, who are running out of games, will know the importance of taking three points from a home fixture against West Brom.

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

Saturday

Fulham v Swansea City

Form: Both teams look to be safe; Swansea arrive on a huge high, having just beaten then-leaders Manchester City at home. Fulham were sunk in the last seconds at Villa in their most recent outing, but had won three on the spin prior to that.
Key battle: Fulham schemer Danny Murphy, a fine passer of the ball from deep-lying midfield positions, finds himself up against several players cut from a similar cloth in this one. Murphy, the old veteran, will want to get one over on Leon Britton and Joe Allen, two technically-gifted playmakers who have taken the league by storm this season.
Player to watch: Fulham are trying to tie Clint Dempsey down to a new contract, but he's previously expressed his Champions League ambitions - and if he can add to his 12-goal haul already this season, you'd have to think that the likes of Liverpool, who have struggled for goals from midfield this year, will be sniffing around.
Talking point: Swansea were absolutely brilliant against City last week, but must beware of the old after-the-Lord-Mayor's-show syndrome in this less-appealing fixture (no offence to Fulham). Has Brendan Rodgers, in the wake of the win at Wigan, cracked the code for how to approach away fixtures in the Premier League?
Bet of the day: Scott Sinclair to score anytime, 10/3 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Wigan Athletic v West Brom

Form: Wigan are bottom of the Premier League, yet have only lost one of their last five, so will be enthused by the fighting qualities shown recently. Before tasting defeat at Manchester United last week, West Brom had won three on the spin.
Key battle: Shaun Maloney helped shift the tide in Wigan's direction when he came on against Norwich on Sunday, and will surely be rewarded with a start at the DW Stadium. Maloney could be a real asset if he can reproduce some of the form he showed at Celtic, so whichever fullback he's up against must be on their guard.
Player to watch: Keith Andrews has scored twice in three Premier League starts for the Baggies, and came close to netting on two separate occasions at Old Trafford. Is the Republic of Ireland livewire, never really renowned for his goal-getting prowess, emerging as West Brom's answer to Frank Lampard?
Talking point: How will the Baggies cope without the presence of Jonas Olsson, suspended following his red card at Old Trafford? Craig Dawson and Gabriel Tamas are vying to partner Gareth McAuley at the heart of the Baggies' defence.
Bet of the day: West Brom to win 1-0, 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Sunday

Wolves v Manchester United

Form: Manchester United crashed out of European competition in midweek, suffering defeat against Athletic Bilbao, but in the league they are on fire, and returned to the top of the table last weekend with victory over West Brom. Wolves are in disarray, and the appointment of Terry Connor hasn't been able to reverse their fortunes. Defeat against Blackburn in their most recent encounter, which came soon after a thumping at Fulham, has put Connor under huge pressure after just a few matches in charge.
Key battle: Wolves need to stop conceding goals, and soon. They've leaked nine in three games since Connor opted to drop skipper Roger Johnson; he's expected to be recalled, and he'll need to get to grips with an on-fire Wayne Rooney (if passed fit), who managed to score a corker even in defeat against Bilbao.
Player to watch: United winger Ashley Young started the season like a freight train, went off the boil for a spell, and now has apparently rediscovered his best form. He scored twice against Spurs recently, then last week tormented West Brom. The England international is not a guaranteed starter at Euro 2012 - although he'll surely be on the plane - and so will appreciate the importance of keeping up his current level.
Talking point: United will go four points clear at the top of the table if they win this one, with Manchester City not in action until a midweek fixture against Chelsea. How will Roberto Mancini's side cope with the pressure of having suddenly slumped so far behind?
Bet of the day: Young to score first in a United victory, 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-3

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Newcastle United v Norwich

Form: Newcastle haven't won in four, and suffered a heartbreaking injury-time defeat to Arsenal on Monday. Norwich have stuttered of late, although still look to be safely in mid-table, 14 points away from 18th-placed QPR.
Key battle: It's been Newcastle's central midfield pairing of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye that has helped propel them towards the European places. Tiote has a knock but is expected to play, so Norwich will need to get to grips with the physical challenge offered by the Ivory Coast international, who is no stranger to the arts of defensive midfield destruction.
Player to watch: Tim Krul was embroiled in a row with Robin van Persie, his Netherlands team-mate, during the defeat at Arsenal. The pair had to be separated towards the end, with Van Persie apparently incensed at what he perceived as time-wasting from the goalkeeper. Krul will want to put that all behind him by letting his performances - which have been very impressive all season - do the talking.
Talking point: Apologies for trotting out the old cliché, but every year one team seems to go into freefall at around this time, finding themselves sucked sharply into the relegation mire. Maybe Norwich this time around? They've lost three of their last four, and were lucky to escape with a draw at home to Wigan last week.
Bet of the day: Anthony Pilkington (seven Premier League goals this season) to score last, 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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