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Chelsea say 'catch us if you can'

October 5, 2012

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Following a busy week of European action, the Premier League fare is split over the weekend. Table-topping Chelsea entertain Norwich, while the weekend's action gets underway with champions Manchester City entertaining unbeaten Sunderland.

A London derby features live on ESPN at 5.30pm on Saturday, with West Ham hosting Arsenal and Manchester United's trip to Newcastle is the pick of Sunday's four games.

For talking points and predictions for every fixture this weekend, check out ESPN's take on the forthcoming action.

Saturday

West Ham v Arsenal - LIVE ON ESPN

Key battle: For all the contrasting styles, the two sides have some quality in the middle of the park. And how the youngsters get on could well hold the key. Mark Noble missed out on a place in the England squad but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is confident that will still happen. He will come up against an equally talented youngster in Aaron Ramsey who is confident he is back at 100% sharpness following his serious ankle injury.
Player to watch: Allardyce's attackers carry a physical threat, none more so than Andy Carroll. He has been included in the England squad after a late cameo against QPR and will need to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Poland. Watch for him to ruffle some Arsenal feathers.
Talking point: After starting the season with three successive clean sheets, Arsenal have looked shaky at the back in recent weeks. Assistant manager Steve Bould admitted as such following the midweek win over Olympiakos. There are likely to have been extra sessions, but can they get it right?
Bet of the day: Olivier Giroud is in the spotlight after struggling for goals. He's spoken of his confidence about getting it right and we are backing him to get it right in front of the ESPN cameras. Giroud to score the first goal, 5/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Manchester City v Sunderland

Key battle: John O'Shea has been a key figure for Sunderland in the early weeks of the season but he will face a major test of his resolve against a player he knows well from their Manchester United days in Carlos Tevez. Roberto Mancini has not been happy with Tevez's fitness since his return from international duty and the Argentine may be in a mood to prove a point.
Player to watch: Adam Johnson is likely to be a man on a mission. He failed to make the grade at City and was sold to Sunderland this summer. The move is a chance to revive his career and there will be no better stage to show his class.
Talking point: Sunderland were the only side to get anything from fortress Etihad last season, claiming a point in a 3-3 draw. City are sure to have that drummed into them and will be looking for revenge, but an unbeaten Sunderland are certainly high on confidence.
Bet of the day: City are likely to lay siege to the Sunderland goal, which could well lead to a mistake. We fancy an own goal in the match, 6/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-1

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Chelsea v Norwich City

Key battle: Grant Holt has hit out at Roy Hodgson for once again overlooking him for England selection. Norwich will hope he channels his aggression in a positive manner. He will come up against a defender who has turned his back on England. His display against John Terry could be a gauge of how he would cope on the international stage.
Player to watch: ESPN are big fans of the way Chelsea are playing, with the likes of Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard offering support to Fernando Torres. Spain star Torres started the season in a blaze of goals before they dried up a shade. He has two in his last three outings and clearly having the faith of his manager, expect him to justify with creativity and goals.
Talking point: Is Roy Hodgson right to overlook Grant Holt? One goal this season would suggest yes. But Andy Carroll does not have a goal to his name and has played just 18 minutes since returning from injury.
Bet of the day: Chelsea have looked pretty good so far this season so take them to win giving Norwich a two-goal start on the handicap, 13/8 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Swansea City v Reading

Key battle: Pavel Pogrebnyak has three goals to his name this season and looked good alongside Noel Hunt against Newcastle. The Russian will look to cause problems for a defence led by Ashley Williams which has looked brittle in recent games.
Player to watch: Leon Britton will be turning out for Swansea for the 400th time. He has played in all four divisions and it would be fitting if he played a key role.
Talking point: Reading have not had the rub of the green with decisions in recent weeks, with penalty calls and handballs going against them. Reading boss Brian McDermott revealed this week that he had been told by an official that his team did not appeal enough. So will we see the Royals defence with arms up in unison like an England slip cordon?
Bet of the day: Swansea have lost three on the spin, but a return to the Liberty can spark a revival. Take them to score in both halves, 7/4 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers

Key battle: Peter Odemwingie will be a player champing at the bit after returning to the West Brom squad following a three-game ban. He admitted his sending off against Fulham was foolish and expect him to cause real problems for Ryan Nelsen who will likely have to take on the main defensive role with Anton Ferdinand a doubt due to injury.
Player to watch: West Brom are finding goals hard to come by in recent weeks, they've grabbed no more than one per game for the last four outings. This puts the strikers in the spotlight and with Odemwingie returning to the fold, it will be intriguing to see what sort of impact it has on Shane Long who has five goals under his belt this term.
Talking point: The dreaded vote of confidence came Mark Hughes' way following QPR's home defeat to West Ham. His side are propping the table up with two points to their name. Hughes has laughed off speculation that he is considering his future, but it is clear that his side need to turn things around.
Bet of the day: Peter Odemwingie to make the ideal return to the fold with the opening goal, 9/2 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Wigan Athletic v Everton

Key battle: Two sides at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Everton flying high in second and Wigan a point above the drop zone. Nikica Jelavic has made a flying start to the season and on the back of two goals against Southampton, the Croatian will ensure Gary Caldwell knows he has had a battle.
Player to watch: Marouane Fellaini was better known for his hair when he first arrived at Everton in 2008. He quickly let his football do the talking and if anything he has taken his game to a new level this season. He is one of the key reasons behind Everton's rise to second in the table and such have been his efforts, the loss of Tim Cahill has barely been felt. Everton fans would not have thought that would be the case at the start of the season.
Talking point: Everton might not have a lot of money, but David Moyes is certainly getting the best out of what he has got. One way of swelling the coffers is securing a spot in the Champions League. It's early days, but the way Everton are playing they look like mounting a strong push for Europe. Can they keep it up?
Bet of the day: Fellaini has three goals under his belt this term, take him to add a fourth at any time in the game - 21/10 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Sunday

Southampton v Fulham

Key battle: Southampton have found life tough back in the Premier League and their defence could well find it tough keeping tabs on a certain Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian has shrugged off the disappointment of not being able to play alongside the departed Moussa Dembele to sparkle for the Cottagers. Saints will need to be alert to prevent him finding the space to influence play.
Player to watch: It'd be a bit boring if everything was about Berbatov. Steven Davis has a lot to prove back in the Premier League following his excellent spell with Rangers in the SPL. His craft and engine make him a player capable of dominating the midfield engine room for Saints.
Talking point: Southampton have conceded more goals (18) than anyone else in the league, but they have scored more goals (10) than any other side in the bottom nine. If Saints are to avoid a drawn-out battle they need to work on a plan of being solid at the back while still being sharp enough in attack. I suppose that's what managers are paid good money.
Bet of the day: Three of the last four meetings between the sides have ended in a draw. The draw is 23/10 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Liverpool v Stoke City

Key battle: Daniel Agger will come into the game nursing a minor fracture in his knee. Peter Crouch will come into the game on the back of two goals and no England call-up. Against his former side, Crouch may look to make a further point to Roy Hodgson. Can Agger's body stand up to the challenge?
Player to watch: Michael Owen. He's yet to start for his new club but there will be no better stage to announce himself than where it all began.
Talking point: Liverpool are in the wrong half of the table as far as their fans are concerned. It is a work in progress for the Reds, according to new manager Brendan Rodgers. He's said it will take time, but the only way he will get time is to put wins on the board. Home defeats like the one to Udinese in the Europa League do him no good at all. The fans are with him, but how long will they accept mid-table mediocrity?
Bet of the day: Two sides struggling to find their best form is not the most appealing contest. Take a 0-0 draw, 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

Key battle: Darren Bent answered being relegated to the bench by climbing off it and earning Villa a draw with West Brom - making it two goals in as many games. Michael Dawson took advantage of a start by scoring for Spurs in the Europa League draw with Panathinaikos. There's no guarantee either will start, but a goalscoring striker pitted against a goalscoring defender is an intriguing subplot.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe has six goals to his name this season and is firmly in the international mix. He drew a blank in Europe, but with Emmanuel Adebayor closing in on full fitness Defoe will look to hit the target and ensure he is the main man in Andre Villas-Boas' plans.
Talking point: Tottenham secured their first win at Manchester United since 1989 at the weekend, a result which saw the Villas-Boas reign crank into gear. It was followed up by a draw in Europe, but the gauge of how they back up the win over United will be in the Premier League. Is it a false dawn or an indicator that the AVB project has legs?
Bet of the day: Brad Friedel is likely to be recalled and take the American to keep a clean sheet, 6/5 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Newcastle v Manchester United

Key battle: This contest could be decided on the flanks. Patrice Evra has not looked entirely comfortable this season and Magpies boss Alan Pardew may look to deploy his silky-footed forward Hatem Ben Arfa on the right in a bid to expose Evra.
Player to watch: He's back from injury and hungry for goals. Wayne Rooney could hardly have asked for a better opponent to face as he just loves taking on Newcastle. He has 10 goals to his name in clashes with the Magpies and expect him to look to add to that tally.
Talking point: Robin van Persie and Rooney looked on the same wavelength in their midweek win in the Champions League. United shelled out £24m on Van Persie with little prospect of a decent resale value. It's a gamble, but it will be money well spent if he helps deliver silverware.
Bet of the day: Newcastle crushed the Red Devils 3-0 last season and take Demba Ba to repeat the trick of scoring the first goal, 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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