• Premier League

Resurgent Liverpool welcome champions Chelsea

ESPN staff
November 5, 2010
Steven Gerrard has found his form just at the right time for Liverpool © PA Photos
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Liverpool currently lie in mid-table mediocrity and their surge up the table may have to wait as they welcome table-toppers Chelsea to Anfield this weekend. Didier Drogba has promised to put the Reds in their place, and he has a fantastic record against the Merseyside club.

Manchester United will have to tackle Wolves without Wayne Rooney, while Newcastle head to the Emirates with a goal-hungry strike force. If only Roberto Mancini at Manchester City could say the same thing. For predictions and talking points for all ten matches, read ESPN's preview below...

Liverpool v Chelsea
Form: Chelsea travel to Anfield thirteen points ahead of one of their supposed rivals. Roy Hodgson will prey on the fact that Chelsea have dropped five points from their five away ties, although Carlo Ancelotti's men have netted 11 times on their travels.
Key battle: Jamie Carragher may not be the quickest centre-back in the land but he makes up for his lack of pace with his brains. The in-form Nicolas Anelka will stretch his mind and his legs on Sunday.
Player to watch: Steven Gerrard has finally arrived this season, grabbing a scintillating hat-trick in the 3-1 win against Napoli on Thursday.
Talking point: Joe Cole, who left Stamford Bridge for Anfield, is missing after picking up a hamstring strain, so it remains to be seen where Liverpool's flair will come from.
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Steven Gerrard to score first goal: 9/1 with Stan James

Bolton v Tottenham
Form: Harry Redknapp may struggle to come down from cloud nine after watching his side dismantle Inter Milan 3-1 on Tuesday, but only four wins in the league may bring him quickly back down to earth. Bolton could be the perfect opposition, however, as the Trotters have only won one of their last eight matches in the Premier League.
Key battle: Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander have struck up an effective, if not beautiful, partnership and their duel with William Gallas and Younes Kaboul will go some way to deciding the match.
Player to watch: Hard to look past Gareth Bale. The flying Welshman is producing such breathtaking performances that even Redknapp - a man who never runs dry of things to say - has run out of superlatives to describe the electric winger.
Talking point: Redknapp has assured Spurs fans that Bale is not for sale, but if the youngster keeps churning out masterful displays, would the White Hart Lane outfit be able to reject a £50 million bid in January?
Prediction: 1-2
Bet of the day: Gareth Bale to score first goal: 9/1 with Stan James

Birmingham v West Ham
Form: Birmingham have kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time since December and should they make it a third it will be the first time since March 2007. The Hammers are on a dreadful run having lost on their last two outings and they are winless in four.
Key battle: Both England goalkeepers Robert Green and Ben Foster have been in excellent form this season and, with Joe Hart also consistent at Manchester City, another telling performance from either keeper could see them battling for the England jersey.
Player to watch: Carlton Cole looks likely to be restored to the front line and the striker, who top-scored for the Hammers last season, will be keen to impress manager Avram Grant.
Talking point: A defeat for Birmingham would condemn Blues to their 100th loss in the league - although on a positive note they only need four goals to notch up 250.
Prediction: 1-0
Bet of the day: West Ham to score three or more goals: 10/1 with Stan James

Blackburn v Wigan
Form: Just as it seemed Wigan were turning their season around, they went and produced an abject performance last time out against Fulham. Roberto Martinez will be desperate to turn the corner and, considering Blackburn have gone four league games without a win, he has reason for optimism.
Key battle: Hugo Rodallega has the capacity to be lethal in front of goal - providing he has the service. None of Blackburn's back four are blessed with raw pace so their offside trap will need to be spot on to repel Rodallega's threat.
Player to watch: El-Hadji Diouf. Rovers have only found the back of the net nine times and their dry run in front of goal is one of the main reasons they find themselves in the relegation zone. For all his negative attributes, Diouf can serve a purpose when he gets the fire in his belly.
Talking point: On home soil, Blackburn remain a stubborn outfit, with only Arsenal and Chelsea leaving Ewood park with three points. So why do all the problems start for Allardyce's men on the road?
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: A Wigan victory: 4/1 with Stan James

Blackpool v Everton
Form: Blackpool's 2-1 victory against West Brom on Monday was a landmark win - it was their first at home this season. They are now bidding to win successive games for the first time in 12 but they could come unstuck against a resurgent Everton side that are unbeaten in the league in five matches.
Key battle: Both Charlie Adam and Tim Cahill could lay claim to being their side's playmaker and whoever wins this clash will also likely end up being responsible for a win.
Player to watch: One of Everton's problems has been the lack of firepower upfront. Yakubu became the first recognised Toffees striker to score this season with an angled finish against Stoke and the Nigerian could be the man to spark a goal rush.
Talking point: Jack Rodwell, who returned as an unused substitute against Stoke after missing two months, could be involved and that is likely to have David Moyes licking his lips.
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Blackpool to win: 4/1 with Stan James

Fulham v Aston Villa
Form: The two meet in contrasting circumstances. Fulham returned to winning ways against Wigan to lift them to 10th in the table, while Villa have not scored in three and are without a win in four.
Key battle: Ashley Young may have been picked for countless fantasy teams up and down the country at the start of the season, but the winger has failed to match his performances of a year ago. Carlos Salcido will relish the chance to keep him quiet for another week.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey has four goals to his name in the league, five in all competitions and he appears to be loving life under Mark Hughes.
Talking point: Villa have been lacking a prolific spearhead and, with John Carew joining Emile Heskey on the treatment table, where are the goals going to come from?
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: 0-0 draw: 8/1 with Stan James

Kevin Nolan may be the man to watch at the Emirates © PA Photos
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Manchester United v Wolves
Form: Despite finding themselves five points behind Chelsea, United are still unbeaten in the league. At Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson's men look invincible, winning 15 and drawing one of their last 17 matches at the Theatre of Dreams. Wolves, by contrast, are one of four teams not to have won on the road this term, but they did beat Manchester City last time out.
Key battle: Karl Henry has found himself in the headlines on numerous occasions this season for some eye-catching tackles. Paul Scholes isn't one to shy away from a 50/50 challenge so we can expect fireworks.
Player to watch: With Wayne Rooney off to America for rehabilitation, the spotlight will again fall on man-of-the-moment Javier Hernandez. The Mexican will have his winning goal in the Carling Cup fixture still fresh in the memory.
Talking point: Their 10-match unbeaten streak in the league is United's best unbeaten start since 1991. But how much longer will it continue?
Prediction: 3-1
Bet of the day: Javier Hernandez to score a hat-trick: 14/1 with Stan James

Sunderland v Stoke
Form: Sunderland will be keen to bounce back from their humiliating 5-1 defeat to Newcastle. It was their first league defeat in eight games, although five draws in that run tells its own story. Stoke have lost their last three league games and Tony Pulis will be desperate to stop the rot.
Key battle: Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones lines up against his former club and his presence is likely to have a fragile Sunderland defence quaking in their boots.
Player to watch: Darren Bent has six goals in the league already and his pace may be too much to handle for a Stoke defence who are renowned for their physicality, not their gas.
Talking point: Sunderland's Titus Bramble is banned following his red card at former club Newcastle - a blessing in disguise for Steve Bruce?
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Stoke to win: 3/1 with Stan James

Arsenal v Newcastle
Form: The Gunners have hit their straps and are in the middle of a purple patch having won their last three league fixtures. A fourth straight win would represent their best run since March. But they may have found their match in a Newcastle team that are unbeaten in three, including successive triumphs over West Ham and Sunderland.
Key battle: Andy Carroll thrives on a physical battle and the traditional centre-forward will not be short-changed when he goes hammer and tong with Laurent Koscielny.
Player to watch: Kevin Nolan is the talk of the Toon after his hat-trick against the Black Cats. Will the Premier League joint top-scorer add to his growing tally?
Talking point: Whisper it quietly but Shola Ameobi appears to be making waves at St James' Park. The 29-year-old has been at the club for 10 years but has he ever looked as good?.
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Kevin Nolan to score a hat-trick: 150/1 with Stan James

West Brom v Manchester City
Form: The pressure continues to mount on Roberto Mancini after Manchester City lost to Lech Poznan - their third loss on the spin. Albion haven't lost at home this season, picking up 11 of their 15 points at the Hawthorns, leaving Mancini's side with an ominous-looking task.
Key battle: Mario Balotelli has endured a tough start to his Manchester City career but he should start in this one and Scott Carson may be a busy man.
Player to watch: Whenever James Milner plays well, City usually follow suit. A lung-burning performance from the midfielder is a must.
Talking point: City have tasted defeat in their last two games in the league, against Arsenal and Wolves - the first time they have lost consecutively since May 2009. Time for Mancini to go?
Prediction: 2-2
Bet of the day: West Brom to win by two goals: 10/1 with Stan James

All odds courtesy of Stan James. Click here to open an account and receive a £25 free bet

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