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Away trips offer big rewards with destinies in doubt

April 13, 2012

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While the FA Cup semi-finals will drag attention to Wembley for 90 minutes (and maybe more) on both Saturday and Sunday, there are still some vital Premier League games taking place this weekend.

Manchester City face a tricky trip to Carrow Road as they bid to take advantage of the unexpected title race lifeline that was handed them by Manchester United - who have what looks to be a relatively undemanding home visit against Aston Villa to try and bounce back after that blip against Wigan in midweek.

Things are even more delicately poised at the bottom - with relegation-threatened QPR and Blackburn both facing winnable away fixtures that could go a long way to deciding their league status come the end of the campaign.

Read on as ESPN previews all the weekend's games from England's top flight...

Saturday

Norwich v Manchester City

Form: Norwich have experienced something of a mixed bag of results in recent times - picking up two wins, two draws and two defeats from their last six league matches. It's not hard to see why Manchester City's title challenge has faltered when you consider that their form has been exactly the same - although both sides won on their last outings (against Spurs and West Brom respectively). Norwich have lost just one of their last six home games - City, meanwhile have lost three of their last six away from the Etihad.
Key battle: Even during their recent stumble, Vincent Kompany has looked imperious at the back for City. You feel Steve Morison will need to work hard to unsettle the Belgian if Norwich are to experience much joy going forward.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez. He scored his first goal for City in 11 months against West Brom in midweek. Is another pivotal role over the final stages of the season on the cards once again for the controversial Argentinian striker?
Talking point: Seemingly out of the title race, Manchester City put on their most assured performance in weeks against West Brom - and then suddenly found themselves back in contention thanks to Wigan's win. But now the pressure is back on, will they crumble again or deal with the pressure better this time?
Bet of the day: Man City have scored the third most away goals of any team in the league this season, while Norwich are somewhat porous at home (although they know how to score themselves). Over three goals in this contest looks intriguing at 6/4 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Sunderland v Wolves

Form: Things have tailed off somewhat for Sunderland after the remarkable start to Martin O'Neill's tenure; the club have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games but are winless in their last three. Wolves, meanwhile, look doomed to life in the Championship next season - especially after seven straight defeats. Their last win came ten games ago, against QPR.
Key battle: Nicklas Bendtner is in a goalscoring groove at the minute, while Wolves - having lost Sebastien Bassong to a red card in the Wednesday defeat to Arsenal - are in defensive trouble. A lot rests on Richard Stearman, especially if the disruptive Roger Johnson is returned to the first-team.
Player to watch: Is Stephane Sessegnon unhappy on Wearside? Martin O'Neill says he is not, but regardless of the diminutive forward's personal situation he can increase the chances of a big club expressing an interest in him with another dominant display at the Stadium of Light.
Talking point: Sunderland, safe in midtable as they are, are an example of a club that were proven right to change their manager mid-way through the season. Wolves, meanwhile, have flopped since Mick McCarthy's departure. Would they be in quite so much peril if they had stuck by the former Black Cats boss?
Bet of the day: Wolves have been awful under Terry Connor, but they still possess players capable of turning a game on one moment of incision. A score draw would seem a firm possibility at 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Swansea v Blackburn

Form: Perhaps with safety - or all the plaudits being sent their way - playing on their minds, Swansea have slumped to four successive defeats having won the two prior to that, with the defeat to QPR in midweek surprising in the ineptitude shown. Blackburn, for perhaps similar reasons, have also lost their last four on the bounce after successive victories had appeared to put them on the verge of safety. Now, however, they have it all to do once again.
Key battle: Swansea are masters of possession - a characteristic that has been flogged to death by the media all season, but remains true all the same. Do Blackburn have the midfield enforcers (here's looking at you, Steven Nzonzi) to successfully break up play and give their own flair players (well, Junior Hoilett) a chance to make an impact?
Player to watch: Blackburn should leave gaps in and around their defence - but does Joe Allen have the eye for a pass to exploit them?
Talking point: Of their five remaining opponents this season, only Wigan are currently lower in the table than Swansea. Is this a must-win game for Rovers if they realistically want to remain in the division?
Bet of the day: Blackburn's desire should be stronger than Swansea's, but the Welsh side may just have more ability. A draw - any draw - is 5/2 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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West Brom v QPR

Form: Motivation might be a concern for Roy Hodgson, as he has seen his side pick up just four points (and just one win) from their last six games since playing themselves into a cosy position in the middle of the pack. QPR, meanwhile, are fighting tooth and nail for survival - winning three and losing three of their last six in what is nevertheless the seventh best run around at the moment.
Key battle: Shane Long opened the scoring last time these two sides met, in a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road. He will want to get on target once again in this one, but Anton Ferdinand will be keen to keep him in check.
Player to watch: Jamie Mackie. With Djibril Cisse back from suspension after this game, the grafter has one more chance to show he deserves to start for Mark Hughes, rather than revert to his previous 'super-sub' role that team-mates have ribbed him about.
Talking point: Mackie has said this week that QPR's home form will be vital in their battle for survival. But can they really stay up without picking up at least one away win over the closing weeks of the campaign?
Bet of the day: The Baggies have been subdued in recent weeks, but have nevertheless won three of their last four encounters at the Hawthorns - while you have to go back to November 19 for QPR's last away win. West Brom edging a three-goal thriller is 15/2 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Sunday

Manchester United v Aston Villa

Form: The league leaders have won five of their last six games, but lost their most recent game against Wigan at the DW Stadium. At Old Trafford, however, they have taken 15 points from their last 15. Villa, meanwhile, have drawn three, lost two and won just one of their last six encounters - also picking up just three points from their last five away trips.
Key battle: About the only senior defender left for Alex McLeish to call upon, James Collins has a job on his hands to both organise an inexperienced backline and prevent Javier Hernandez from nipping in behind him in the box.
Player to watch: All eyes on Shay Given in this one - you sense the Irishman will have to rediscover his glorious best if Villa are to get anything out of the contest.
Talking point: Will the slip-up at Wigan provoke a reaction from Utd, or will the closer nature of the title race see them clam up? For Villa, just six points from the drop zone, how many points do they need to pick up over the last five games to finally confirm survival?
Bet of the day: This should be a comfortable United win, and Wayne Rooney could well notch more than two goals at 7/4 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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