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Liverpool enter Merseyside melting pot

Fernando Torres has been confirmed fit © PA Photos

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Very rarely can a Merseyside derby be labelled a relegation battle, but that is a situation Everton and Liverpool find themselves in this weekend. It is also extremely seldom that matters on the field come second to those off it, but Liverpool's court room battles have brought a whole new plot to Sunday's fixture.

The derby will affect matters at the bottom of the table, where a big clash between Wolves and West Ham awaits at Molineux, whereas at the top of the Premier League, leaders Chelsea face a tough trip to Aston Villa while Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy home encounters.

For predictions, key battles and talking points from all 10 matches, read on below...

Everton v Liverpool
Form: Liverpool could barely be in worse form heading to the home of their neighbours and, while the form book often has little bearing on the outcome of a derby, a home defeat to Blackpool proves the Reds are currently not a good side. Everton appear to be improving after becoming the first team to win at Birmingham in over a year, but David Moyes' men have not won at home this season.
Key battle: Tim Cahill has a knack for scoring against Everton's Merseyside rivals, and in Martin Skrtel he comes across a defender who can frequently be found stationary at set pieces.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres. Roy Hodgson claims his star striker is fit, and Liverpool need the Spaniard to start inspiring his side as he did at Goodison two seasons ago.
Talking point: Will the impending takeover at Liverpool lift the pressure from the shoulders of their players? Or are the Reds really as bad as their results suggest?
Prediction: 2-0
Bet of the day: Lucas Leiva first booking: 12/1 with Stan James

Aston Villa v Chelsea - Live on ESPN
Form: Chelsea responded in the best possible way to their first defeat of the season, recovering from defeat at Manchester City to beat Arsenal. However, now another tough away day awaits, although it remains to be seen if Gerard Houllier's men are ready to perform as a unit after suffering defeat at Spurs in their last outing.
Key battle: In the likely absence of Emile Heskey, it will be up to John Carew to punch his weight against a Chelsea defence missing Alex.
Player to watch: Gael Kakuta. Named in the starting XI up front alongside Nicolas Anelka, the young Frenchman is said to be the future of the Blues.
Talking point: Is Chelsea's squad strong enough to cope with a growing injury list that includes the names of Alex, Yossi Benayoun, Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard?
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Richard Dunne to score anytime: 9/1 with Stan James

Manchester United v West Brom
Form: Manchester United have not been beaten this season, but they have recently only taken two points from a possible six. Contrastingly, West Brom have taken seven points from nine and their victory at Arsenal should act as a warning to the Red Devils.
Key battle: Dimitar Berbatov will undoubtedly be restored to the line-up after United were shot-shy at Sunderland, but he will meet an unruly figure in Jonas Olsson.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney. The England striker this week revealed, contrary to his manager's claims, that he has not been injured for two months. Ferguson will no doubt demand a performance that proves it this weekend.
Talking point: Is all OK between Rooney and Ferguson? The United boss appears to have been attempting to protect his prized asset during a tough time off the pitch, but Rooney has not responded happily to being dropped.
Prediction: 2-0
Bet of the day: Darron Gibson to score first: 9/1 with Stan James

Arsenal v Birmingham
Form: Arsenal have not won any of their last three league games, and their previous home clash with West Brom ended in defeat. Birmingham need to bounce back after losing their marvellous home record to Everton.
Key battle: Marouane Chamakh missed a plethora of chances against Chelsea, and he will no doubt get a few more on Saturday. Whether he takes them is partially down to Ben Foster in the Birmingham goal.
Player to watch: Alexander Hleb. Dazzled and disappointed in equal measures during his time in north London, now he has the chance to prove his point upon his return.
Talking point: Cesc Fabregas claims Arsenal need a winning mentality, but is the more pressing factor that they need a goalkeeper and defence that they can trust?
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Birmingham to score in both halves: 7/1 with Stan James

Blackpool v Manchester City
Form: Blackpool are coming off one of the best results in the club's history at Liverpool, but a sobering thought comes with the fact that they have not won a league game at Bloomfield Road this season. Manchester City are doing things the unspectacular way, but wins against Chelsea and Newcastle will slowly be building confidence in Roberto Mancini's camp.
Key battle: Luke Varney worked the flanks brilliantly at Anfield, and City showed weakness at right back against Newcastle as Jonas Gutierrez caused havoc in the first half. Jerome Boateng must prove he is as impressive going backwards as he is moving in the opposite direction.
Player to watch: Adam Johnson. City fans cried out for the winger to be introduced against Newcastle, and when he finally arrived he scored a stunning winner. A nightmare for fullbacks.
Talking point: Having stated pre-season that home form would be crucial to their survival, are Blackpool actually going to need to rely on their away form to save them from the drop?
Prediction: 1-2
Bet of the day: Manchester City to win 1-0: 7/1 with Stan James

Fulham v Tottenham
Form: Fulham simply do not believe in deciding league matches this season, drawing six of a possible seven. Tottenham are as likely to concede as they are to score, having failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since the opening day, but they tend to make sure they do more of the latter within 90 minutes, as proved in the recent victory over Aston Villa.
Key battle: Peter Crouch has been linking up excellently with Rafael van der Vaart, resulting in goals for the Dutchman, but he comes up against the towering figure of Brede Hangeland this weekend.
Player to watch: Danny Murphy. The former Liverpool man did not target Spurs in his tough-tackling rant, but Harry Redknapp may tell his midfield to set about him at White Hart Lane.
Talking point: Harry Redknapp claims Fabio Capello completely failed to get the best out of Crouch against Montenegro. Would the Spurs boss make a better England manager than the Italian?
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Niko Kranjcar to score anytime: 11/4 with Stan James

Frederic Piquionne has become the main man at West Ham © PA Photos

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Wolves v West Ham
Form: West Ham are most definitely on the up after four games without a defeat in all competitions, and they travel to a Wolves side who have lost their last four in the league.
Key battle: Without the suspended Karl Henry, Michael Mancienne will need to silence the engine room of West Ham's team, namely Scott Parker.
Player to watch: Kevin Doyle. Struggling for form for club and country this season, he appears to be suffering from Mick McCarthy's 4-5-1 formation.
Talking point: Is it time McCarthy reined his playes in following the shocking dismissal of Henry at Wigan? Danny Murphy certainly thinks so.
Prediction: 1-2
Bet of the day: Wolves-Draw HT/FT: 14/1 with Stan James

Newcastle v Wigan
Form: Newcastle played well at Manchester City but defeat means they have lost their last two. They have also lost their last two home games in the league. By contrast, Wigan are undefeated in their last three in all competitions.
Key battle: Andy Carroll was labelled the future of Newcastle this week, and he should be restored to the side after the defeat at Eastlands to test a Latics defence still being knitted together by Roberto Martinez.
Player to watch: Charles N'Zogbia. Once a Newcastle player, he was the most prominent Wigan attacker in their 2-0 victory over Wolves.
Talking point: Are Newcastle flattering to deceive with decent performances, or will Chris Hughton lead them away from the threat of relegation?
Prediction: 2-0
Bet of the day: Less than two goals in the match: 9/4 with Stan James

Bolton v Stoke
Form: Bolton are playing good football under Owen Coyle and have drawn their last three league matches. Stoke's results are even more positive, with three straight wins in all competitions.
Key battle: Johan Elmander is really hitting his straps this season, and he will strive to match the physical prowess of Abdoulaye Faye at the Reebok Stadium.
Player to watch: Kevin Davies. Just back from England duty, the powerful forward should bring confidence to Saturday's encounter.
Talking point: Accused of sending players out 'too pumped up' by Danny Murphy, how will the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Andy Wilkinson react under the spotlight.?
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Stoke to win from behind: 16/1 with Stan James

Blackburn v Sunderland
Form: Blackburn are coming off a defeat to Stoke, but they have not lost back-to-back games this season. They meet a Sunderland side in an impressive run of form after draws against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Key battle: Steed Malbranque floated dangerously off his flank against Manchester United and should have scored. Gael Givet will have to communicate well with his defenders to ensure Malbranque does not slip their grasp.
Player to watch: Asamoah Gyan. With Darren Bent unlikely to be fit, the Ghanaian takes on extra responsibility at Ewood Park.
Talking point: Has Sam Allardyce missed Danny Murphy's point in the tough-tackling debate? Does the Rovers boss send his side out to stop teams playing at all costs?
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Blackburn to win with clean sheet: 12/5 with Stan James

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