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Premature end to title race beckons for Man City

April 6, 2012

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Should Manchester City fail to win at Arsenal this weekend, champions United can more-or-less wrap up the title when they face QPR on the same day. For previews and predictions for every Premier League game including the crucial battles to beat the drop, read on...

Saturday

Bolton v Fulham

Form: Despite their off-field worries about Fabrice Muamba in recent weeks, Bolton have shown signs of mounting a Premier League survival challenge in March. Wins against fellow strugglers QPR, Blackburn and Wolves have seen Wanderers lift themselves out of the relegation zone, but the hard work of staying there by taking points from the teams above them starts now. Fulham suffered three defeats between their 5-0 win against Wolves and 2-1 victory over Norwich last time out.
Key battle: Adam Bogdan's arrival between the sticks to replace Jussi Jaaskelainen was anything but auspicious, the red-head left red-faced when Everton keeper Tim Howard beat him from his own area. But the Hungary international has impressed Owen Coyle enough to keep Jaaskelainen out of the starting line-up on his return from injury. He will no doubt be tested by the presence of Pavel Pogrebnyak, the imposing on-loan striker who has five goals in six games since arriving at Craven Cottage.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey. As if his scoring streak this season wasn't enough to mark Dempsey out as Fulham's potential danger man, the American loves playing Bolton - he has three goals in his last two starts against Owen Coyle's men. The shape of Martin Jol's side suits Dempsey perfectly - lurking with intent on the edge of the box, he offers the alternative option when Fulham's lock-picking style cannot find the likes of Pogrebnyak in the middle. A man approaching the height of his powers.
Talking point: Bolton have a wretched record against Fulham - no wins in their last nine games against the Cottagers, only two goals scored in their last six meetings in all competitions - but this might represent their best chance of stopping the rot. Fulham have won just once in their past ten matches on the road and have lost four of the past five, while Bolton have lost just once in their last six Premier League games at home. Can manager of the month Coyle orchestrate another uplifting victory for the Trotters?
Bet of the day: Should Fulham start brightly, Bolton will need to respond. The good will around the club has made its way onto the pitch and Wanderers may rescue a point with a second half fightback - on offer at 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Chelsea v Wigan

Form: What a difference a Di Matteo makes. Since taking over at Chelsea at the start of March, the former midfielder's side have lost just once in a staggering nine games in 30 days. Whether the toll of fighting on three fronts will catch up with the side remains to be seen, but for now the Blues are flying high and targeting the five-point margin that separates them from the Champions League spots. Not good news for relegation-threatened Wigan, but wins against Stoke and Liverpool on the back of two draws go to show they are no walkovers as they fight for Premier League survival.
Key battle: Victor Moses v Branislav Ivanovic. Moses felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty for an Ivanovic handball when the sides drew 1-1 at the DW Stadium in December, and the Serbian nearly handed Wigan all three points by playing a woeful back-pass into the path of Hugo Rodallega late on. Ivanovic will be riding high after scoring twice against Aston Villa but will need to get his positioning spot on against the Nigeria-born attacker.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres. The signs are there: the darting runs, the feints and flicks and the return to the right place at the right time - and now, in the dying minutes against Villa, a goal. Torres' confidence is returning under Di Matteo, and not a moment too soon for Chelsea. With Wigan having to look for a win, expect space to open up at the back for the Spaniard whether used as a starter or sub.
Talking point: Wigan have suffered two of their heaviest defeats in London - a 9-1 defeat by Tottenham and 8-0 at Chelsea in their title winning pomp in 2009. But for all their return to form, Di Matteo may take the chance to rest a few key players in the midst of a congested fixture list. Could Roberto Martinez exploit an unsettled side at Stamford Bridge?
Bet of the day: If Wigan hit a sluggish Chelsea early and the Blues turn things around by full-time, you can pick up odds of 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Liverpool v Aston Villa

Form: Since the turn of the year, Liverpool have won only two games in the league, and their current record of six defeats in seven Premier League fixtures is their worst run of league results for 59 years. Villa have not won in the league since beating Fulham nearly a month ago and have picked up just six points from their last eight games.
Key battle: James Collins likes the physical match-ups with strikers but in Luis Suarez, he'll find a striker that lets his feet do the talking. Brawn versus brain you might say.
Player to watch: Gabriel Agbonlahor has been given the captain's armband in light of Stiliyan Petrov's illness, and the striker will be keen to do the role justice. Goals will help make the job easier, but he only has six in all competitions to show for his efforts to date this season. So he is due.
Talking point: Liverpool sit below neighbours Everton in the table in eighth and, should their poor form continue until the end of the season, will the men at the top keep faith with manager Kenny Dalglish?
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw looks a healthy bet at: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Norwich v Everton

Form: Norwich have all but guaranteed their top-flight survival, but Paul Lambert's side are finishing the season struggling to string a run of results together - one win in six has seen the Canaries fall to 12th. David Moyes continues to work minor miracles with an Everton squad assembled on a shoestring, the manager leading them to seventh in the table and, potentially, a third straight win.
Key battle: Nikica Jelavic is still finding his feet at Everton but he has a couple of goals to his name in the league since joining the Toffees in January. Former Liverpool youngster Zak Whitbread will look to assert himself early at the back for Norwich, in an attempt to prolong Jelavic's settling-in period.
Player to watch: Leon Osman tends to go under the radar a lot of the time but, at his best, he is capable of unlocking doors and creating chances. Moyes will look to him to make things happen in attack.
Talking point: After such a strong start to the season, Norwich are running out of steam at the crucial stage of the season. Should they strengthen in the summer, what can they achieve next season?
Bet of the day: A 2-2 draw at 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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West Brom v Blackburn

Form: Five games ago West Brom had just completed a hat-trick of victories. However, since beating Chelsea 1-0 at the beginning of March, Roy Hodgson's team have only chalked up one point from their last four outings. Blackburn continue to stutter, back-to-back wins have been followed by successive defeats and they are back in the relegation zone on goal difference.
Key battle: Gael Givet is back after a hamstring strain and his tussle with James Morrison will be an intriguing sub-plot.
Player to watch: To avoid relegation you need to score goals. For Blackburn to avoid dropping to the Championship they need Yakubu to add to his tally of 14.
Talking point: Blackburn's last visit to The Hawthorns in December 2010 ended in a 3-1 victory - Steve Kean's first win as Rovers boss. In the 16 months since, he's only won 12 more games.
Bet of the day: Rovers to snatch a 2-1 win: 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Stoke v Wolves

Form: Two wins in 10 lets you know why Stoke occupy 13th place. Without a win in the league since March 3, the Potters are well and truly on the slide. Wolves are rooted to the bottom of the table and are on a five-match losing streak, which leaves them six points from safety.
Key battle: Roger Johnson's commitment has come into question in recent weeks, and his spat with team-mate Wayne Hennessey won't have boosted his popularity among the Wolves fans. The skipper needs a big performance, but Peter Crouch may have something to say about that.
Player to watch: Wilson Palacios may not be the most adventurous of midfielders, but his work in front of the defence is invaluable. If he can break up Wolves' attacks and get Stoke moving in the other direction then a positive result is attainable.
Talking point: With games against Manchester City and Arsenal among their remaining games, is this a must-win match for Wolves?
Bet of the day: Peter Crouch to score first and a 1-1 draw: 35/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Sunday

Manchester Utd v QPR

Form: United have opened up a five-point lead over neighbours Manchester City at the top of the table, and they could extend that to eight by beating QPR before their rivals take to the field on Sunday. United have hit their stride at just the right time, racking up seven wins on the bounce. Samba Diakite's first goal for QPR ended in-form Arsenal's winning run and lifted Mark Hughes' side out of the bottom three, and they'll be looking to avoid an 11th loss on the road this term.
Key battle: Adel Taarabt has obvious talent and at last seems to have put his failed move to Paris Saint Germain behind him. Rio Ferdinand has impressed in recent weeks and he'll need to call on all his experience to handle the Moroccan playmaker.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney is eyeing Bobby Charlton's goal record, though it's somewhat premature considering he's 74 off of Charlton's mark of 249. But a couple against QPR would keep him moving in the right direction.
Talking point: Javier Hernandez is suffering second-season syndrome, but the Mexican has been back among the goals recently and could play a pivotal role in the run-in.
Bet of the day: United to blow QPR away late on and win 3-1: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Arsenal v Manchester City

Form: Arsenal's fabulous run of seven straight wins came to an end at QPR but the Gunners' resurgence has seen them rise to third, ahead of Spurs on goal difference. In charge of the title race for so long, City's charge has hit the buffers with back-to-back draws.
Key battle: Robin van Persie has 26 league goals this season, the Dutchman leading the line with style and finesse. Vincent Kompany only recently returned from a calf injury, but he can rest assured that his legs will be suitably stretched by a striker at the peak of his powers.
Player to watch: All eyes will be on Mario Balotelli. The Italian emerged unscathed from a car crash in the week and it will be interesting to see what state of mind the striker is in. There does't seem to be a middle ground with Balotelli: he's either hot or cold, there's no lukewarm.
Talking point: Wenger has said Jack Wilshere will know in the next three weeks whether or not he'll be able to go to the Euros. If Arsenal can get him back on the pitch this season then England could be the major beneficiaries.
Bet of the day: City to cling onto their title hopes with a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw: 11/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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