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The red team and the blue team had a race

October 26, 2012

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Roberto Mancini's problems have been splashed across the back pages of the national newspapers on Friday. See if his Manchester City side can overcome Swansea this weekend exclusively live on ESPN

Red meets blue in a big way this weekend as Manchester United travel to Chelsea, while Liverpool visit Everton. Defeat for United would leave them seven points adrift of the league leaders, while a win for Everton would move them nine clear of their Merseyside rivals.

Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini comes under the spotlight of the ESPN cameras as Manchester City host Swansea, while Arsene Wenger bids to take another step towards a "trophy" as Arsenal attempt to finish in the top four.

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

Saturday

Manchester City v Swansea - LIVE ON ESPN

Form: Ten-man City came from behind to beat West Brom in their last league outing to prove their title credentials, then went and lost to Ajax in the midweek Champions League action. Swansea snapped a winless run with a victory over Wigan.
Key battle: City's defending of set-pieces has not been their strength this season - they were particularly vulnerable in that area against Ajax - and Swansea forward Michu has emerged as one of the league's biggest aerial threats. Joleon Lescott must take responsibility for the Spaniard if selected.
Player to watch: Samir Nasri scored City's opener in Amsterdam but got criticised by Ajax boss Frank de Boer for ignoring his defensive responsibilities. It won't be easy against full-back Angel Rangel, a reported target for Arsenal, who is one of Swansea's best players.
Talking point: Micah Richards appeared to question Mancini's tactical changes after the Ajax game, so it will be interesting to see how the players respond given that Mancini could come under more pressure if, as is likely, they fail to escape the group stages of the Champions League.
Bet of the day: Scott Sinclair to score first against his former club, 15/2 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Arsenal v QPR

Form: The Gunners have lost their last two - against Norwich and Schalke - without putting up much of a fight, but will be confident of turning a corner against Mark Hughes' Hoops, who are at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Key battle: Andre Santos looks to be the weak link in the Gunners' team at left-back, so QPR's best chance will be getting their right-winger into a one-on-one position against Santos as often as possible.
Player to watch: Jack Wilshere is expected to make his first-team return in this one, having missed the entirety of last season with an ankle problem. Could Wilshere's re-emergence ignite Arsenal's season alongside the equally inventive Santi Cazorla?
Talking point: Arsene Wenger says he would prefer to qualify for the Champions League than win the FA Cup. How many Arsenal fans are cherishing those top-four finishes as much as a joyous day out at Wembley?
Bet of the day: Draw HT/Arsenal FT is 3/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Aston Villa v Norwich

Form: A single point from their last four matches leaves Villa hovering above the relegation places in 17th, while Norwich will be flying high after their shock 1-0 win over Arsenal last time out.
Key battle: Wes Hoolahan's performance against the Gunners prompted comparisons with Juan Mata (expect Spain to come calling anytime now) and the Canaries will be hoping for a similarly creative display as they hunt for back-to-back league wins. Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, playing in a lightweight cast to protect a broken wrist, will look to pull the strings in midfield for Villa.
Player to watch: After being dropped for two games, Darren Bent returned to the Villa starting XI against Fulham, but failed to find the net or seemingly any motivation. One of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League, Bent will expect to fire against Norwich, who have conceded 17 goals this season.
Talking point: Paul Lambert comes face-to-face with the side he left in acrimonious circumstances in the summer, but his Villa side find themselves below Norwich in the table. With Canaries chairman Alan Bowkett suing Lambert for breach of contract, the Scot will either be very sheepish or very smug come 5pm on Saturday.
Bet of the day: Darren Bent to score anytime in a 2-1 Villa win is 13/1 with bet365
Prediction:2-1

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Wigan v West Ham

Form: Wigan are in an alarming run of form, having picked up a single point from their last five matches. West Ham, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in seventh with two wins from three and will be high on confidence after hitting four past Southampton last time out.
Key battle: Set to make his fourth appearance since recovering from a hamstring injury, Andy Carroll will be looking to score his first goal in West Ham colours against a Wigan side low on confidence. Latics skipper Gary Caldwell will be most likely tasked with making sure Carroll has a quiet afternoon.
Player to watch: Mark Noble's style may not be as pleasing to the eye as the likes of David Silva, Santi Cazorla or Wes Hoolahan, but he has been the dynamo at the heart of the Hammers midfield this season, scoring twice in their 4-1 win over the Saints last weekend. If Noble continues in his current vein, West Ham's No. 1 priority of avoiding relegation could be all but secure before the New Year.
Talking point: With Rio Ferdinand's long-term future at Manchester United unclear, West Ham have expressed their interest in bringing him back to Upton Park. Would Rio accept a pay cut to return to his boyhood club, or will the lure of one last pay-day in China or Russia prove too strong?
Bet of the day: Andy Carroll to end his goalscoring duck is 15/8 with bet365
Prediction:1-1

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Reading v Fulham

Form: Reading are without a win this season and find themselves in the bottom three after two draws in their last three matches. Fulham have enjoyed a solid start to the season and picked up three points against Villa last weekend.
Key battle: Having recovered from a nasty hernia problem last season, Steve Sidwell is back in form and has already found the net on two occasions for Fulham so far. As he prepares to take on his old club former team-mate Nicky Shorey, back at the Royals after spells at Aston Villa and West Brom, will be lining up against him.
Player to watch: Strikers seem to love coming up against their old clubs, and after making quite a splash during his brief stay at Craven Cottage last season, Pavel Pogrebnyak will be hoping to remind Fulham fans of what they are missing when his former side arrive at the Madejski Stadium.
Talking point: Jason Roberts has been in the headlines this week after his boycott of the Kick It Out campaign. With talk of a black players' union, are Roberts' actions detracting from the Royals' troubles on the pitch?
Bet of the day: Pogrebnyak to score the first goal but Fulham to snatch a point is 22/1 with bet365
Prediction:2-2

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Stoke v Sunderland

Form: On eight points apiece, Stoke (13th) and Sunderland (14th) have had similar starts to the season and both have four points from their last three. Stoke are coming in off the back of defeat at Manchester United, while the Black Cats earned a point in their derby clash against Newcastle last Sunday.
Key battle: Summer signing Steven Fletcher has been in scintillating form for Sunderland with five goals this season. At the heart of the Stoke defence, Ryan Shawcross will do his best to keep the Scotland international quiet.
Player to watch: Kenwyne Jones has made two substitute appearances in the league, but has been told he won't be sent out on loan. Against his former club, who sold him for £8 million, Jones will be itching to get on the pitch and make a point.
Talking point: They may not have a reputation of free-flowing attacking football, but Stoke have established themselves as Premier League regulars, and are more likely to be in a battle for a Europa League place than a relegation dogfight at the end of the season. Tony Pulis has revealed his desire to see out his managerial career with the Potters. Does he merit an Alan Pardew-esque long term deal at the Britannia Stadium?
Bet of the day: A 0-0 draw can be found at odds of 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Sunday

Chelsea v Manchester United

Form: Chelsea's impressive triumph last weekend at Tottenham cemented their place at the top of the table, while United were made to sweat before seeing off Stoke - and then went through the same ordeal against Braga in Europe.
Key battle: Manchester United have become accustomed to playing against a physically imposing Chelsea side in recent years, but now must deal with the threat of the Blues' trio of attacking midfielders trying to slip into the gaps between midfield and defence. Michael Carrick and his partner must be aware of what's going on behind them.
Player to watch: Javier Hernandez, a scorer in the reverse fixture last season, will surely be rewarded with the chance to impress following his two-goal salvo against Braga. His movement and agility could give Gary Cahill a real headache.
Talking point: Despite Chelsea's flying start to the season, boss Roberto Di Matteo has perhaps not been lavished with praise worthy of his achievements to date. If Chelsea win this, he deserves a lot of credit - even a draw is far from a disaster - as the Blues would then take a lot of catching.
Bet of the day: The draw, 12/5 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Everton v Liverpool

Form: Liverpool begin the day six points behind their neighbours but have kept three clean sheets in their last three games. Two of those have been won by the odd goal - one of which even came from the boot of Stewart Downing, but the Reds are still very much a profligate outfit in front of goal. Everton have taken seven from nine points at home this season but struggled at bottom club QPR last time out.
Key battle: Luis Suarez has given Sylvain Distin nightmares on more than one occasion during his time at Liverpool, embarrassing him at Goodison Park last season before forcing a shocking error in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Do not take your eyes off this one.
Player to watch: Glen Johnson. Fantastic going forward in Liverpool's win against Reading, the fullback has frequently registered shots on target for the Reds this season and might prove a key outlet at Goodison.
Talking point: Which team is currently better? Everton are looking extremely powerful and getting the results they deserve, while Liverpool are playing good football and not getting their rewards due to their wastefulness in front of goal.
Bet of the day: Liverpool have had their fair share of penalties at Goodison in recent years, and Suarez is due one - if only because he hits the deck so often. 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Southampton v Tottenham

Form: Southampton find themselves in the bottom three, having conceded more goals at this stage of the season than any team in Premier League history. However, they have thrashed Aston Villa and come within a whisker of beating Manchester United on home soil, so Tottenham will need to be wary as they look to bounce back from defeat to Chelsea.
Key battle: Nathaniel Clyne is facing a 100m dash or two no matter which flank he defends on Sunday. Spurs will have Gareth Bale back after he missed the Chelsea game to attend the birth of his child, so if Clyne lines up on the right he faces the Welsh whizz, while on the other side there is Aaron Lennon - who will no doubt fake to come inside before going on the outside... again and again.
Player to watch: Jan Verthonghen. Whether the ball is in his own box or the opposition's, Verthonghen always seems to be involved. Smashing shot on him too.
Talking point: Will Clint Dempsey prove to be a poor signing for Spurs? Wearing the No. 2 shirt he already looks out of place and has hardly set the world alight.
Bet of the day: Here's an interesting one. Back the game to have as many goals in the second half as it does in the first at 3/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

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Newcastle v WBA

Form: The mood around Newcastle is largely positive so far this season, but they have only taken 10 points from eight games. They enter Sunday's match off the back of a win over Club Brugge, while West Brom must respond after throwing away a 1-0 advantage against 10-man Manchester City.
Key battle: Yohan Cabaye and Claudio Yacob have been leaders for their respective teams in midfield this season. The Newcastle man likes to attack more than his rival, so it will be up to Yacob to resist those advances.
Player to watch: Fabricio Coloccini. Alan Pardew recently likened the mop-haired defender to Sir Bobby Moore, which as a spin-off means he is the new Rio Ferdinand. That's quite a reputation to live up to.
Talking point: Did Liverpool make an enormous mistake allowing Steve Clarke to leave the club? The Baggies are currently a point outside the top four, while Liverpool are not even in the top half.
Bet of the day: Not a lot of goals in this one. Take a 0-0 draw at 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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