• Premier League preview

Gunners looking to get their title challenge back on track

Arsenal will need all of Samir Nasri's invention in the absence of captain Cesc Fabregas

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Hughton confident of keeping Taylor
  
• News: Alex available for Birmingham trip
  

For the first place to see every goal from every Premier League match, check out ESPNGOALS.com on your mobile (UK only)

This weekend's action sees Chelsea look to arrest their slump at Newcastle, while they could enter St James' Park deposed at the top of the table if Manchester United get the better of Sam Allardyce's Blackburn 24 hours earlier. The term relegation six-pointer is often overused, but we will use it anyway to describe West Ham's home clash with Wigan, while Robert Pires will come up against some familiar faces as his Aston Villa face Arsenal.

For predictions and talking points ahead of all ten weekend matches, read on for ESPN's preview...

Saturday

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Form: It has been a tough week for Arsenal - they were seemingly cruising at Braga before capitulating to a 2-0 defeat and skipper Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out for up to a fortnight. However, Arsene Wenger's side boast the best away record in the league and victory at Villa Park will be their fifth on the road. Villa, meanwhile, have started to look more threatening but they have won just two out of their nine Premier League games under Gerard Houllier.
Key battle: Richard Dunne enjoys a physical battle and he will relish the prospect of facing an in-form Marouane Chamakh.
Player to watch: Samir Nasri has already bagged five league goals this term and, in the absence of captain Fabregas, he will shoulder the responsibility of setting Arsenal's tempo.
Talking point: Robert Pires made his first appearance for new club Villa in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn and, with Jonathan Hogg doubtful, he could start against his former club.
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Chamakh to score first, 6/1

Bolton v Blackpool
Form: Whisper it quietly but Bolton are actually playing some good football. Owen Coyle has overseen a shift in tactics and it is paying off - they currently sit fifth in the table. Blackpool continue to impress and a win at the Reebok Stadium could propel them up to seventh.
Key battle: While Bolton's strike force has been grabbing the headlines, Matt Taylor has been working tirelessly behind them to feed them in spades. Charlie Adam is Blackpool's talisman and their duel should be fascinating.
Player to watch: Johan Elmander has struck up a wonderful partnership with Kevin Davies and the Swede cannot stop scoring at the moment.
Talking point: Wanderers are unbeaten in their last four home games against Blackpool, but Ian Holloway's side are not afraid to attack so they could end their poor run against their bogey team.
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Charlie Adam to score the first goal, 10/1

Everton v West Brom
Form: West Brom are finding life tough in the top flight at present - claiming only one point from their last five league fixtures. After a sluggish start, Everton are slowly improving and will fancy a third home win of the campaign.
Key battle: The artistry of Mikel Arteta against the industry of Youssuf Mulumbu will make for compelling viewing.
Player to watch: Hard to look past Tim Cahill when he keeps banging in the goals. Everton, however, cannot solely rely on the Australian to find the net as his hot streak will surely not last forever.
Talking point: Marouane Fellaini will be missing for the Toffees for a third successive game through suspension, but how big a loss will he be against a team that has not won at Goodison Park in the league for 31 years?
Prediction: 2-0
Bet of the day: West Brom to win, 5/1

Fulham v Birmingham
Form: Fulham will be desperate to banish the demons of their heavy defeat to Manchester City but they are on a dreadful run - winning one in 10 league games and picking up one point from their last three. Despite taking four points off Manchester City and Chelsea, Birmingham are only two points clear of the drop zone.
Key battle: The clash between Dickson Etuhu and Lee Bowyer should be a feisty one. The combative duo will not take a backward step but will they step over the mark?
Player to watch: With Andy Johnson likely to miss out with a slight hamstring strain, Diomansy Kamara could get the nod and he will be eager to take his chance in only his third start of the season.
Talking point: Birmingham last won at Fulham in December 2004, so this may be a good chance for Fulham to reach 400 goals in the Premier League - they only need three more.
Prediction: 3-1
Bet of the day: Fulham to win 3-1, 18/1

Wayne Rooney showed he still has the golden touch with the winner against Rangers in midweek © PA Photos

Enlarge

Manchester United v Blackburn
Form: The incentives are clear for United - they can go top for the first time since April 24 and, if they avoid defeat, they will equal their best unbeaten start to a season. Rovers have won two of their last three in the league, with their encouraging form taking them to the cusp of the top half of the table.
Key battle: Wayne Rooney is looking lean and mean and, after scoring the winner against Rangers, he will not give Christopher Samba any respite.
Player to watch: With Nani in their side, United look far more threatening and adventurous. The Portuguese winger has scored four but it is his assists that really add up.
Talking point: United's last defeat was a mere 238 days ago - against Chelsea - and their impressive record against Rovers means they are likely to stretch it to 239 days.
Prediction: 3-0
Bet of the day: Rooney to score a hat-trick, 16/1

Stoke v Manchester City
Form: After a tumultuous start to their campaign, Stoke have turned their season around. Tony Pulis' side are enjoying their best run in the league - winning three on the trot - although they may have met their match as they welcome a Manchester City outfit that have not tasted defeat in the league for four matches.
Key battle: Robert Huth may be as strong as an ox, but the brute of a centre back will need mobility as well as a powerful presence to deal with the relentless engine that is Carlos Tevez.
Player to watch: Mario Balotelli returns to the fold after serving his suspension, and he returns with much to prove.
Talking point: Stoke look likely to lose pace out wide, with Jermaine Pennant, who lasted only 11 minutes against West Brom, nursing a hamstring injury.
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw, 5/1

West Ham v Wigan
Form: This is a must-win game for West Ham boss Avram Grant. Should the Hammers lose his position as manager may become untenable. They have only won once this term but they will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Wigan side that are only two places higher in the table.
Key battle: With Hugo Rodallega banned, Franco Di Santo needs to step up to the plate. Matthew Upson will be tasked with keeping him quiet.
Player to watch: Robert Green. West Ham possess the necessary firepower to score goals but they need their 'keeper to be a hero at the other end in order to secure three points.
Talking point: West Ham's talisman Scott Parker, who netted the winner in the same fixture last season, is a major doubt after missing the defeat at Liverpool with illness.
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Charlie N'Zogbia to score the first goal 9/1

Wolves v Sunderland
Form: Mick McCarthy welcomes his former club to Molineux with Wolves struggling to turn good performances into positive results. Sunderland are still on a high after thrashing Chelsea and, should they win and results go their way they could catapult up to the dizzy heights of fifth.
Key battle: Darren Bent has pace to burn so Christophe Berra could be in for a long afternoon.
Player to watch: Danny Welbeck is in red-hot form in front of goal and he seems to be thriving on playing more regularly.
Talking point: Karl Henry faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments so we are denied a belter of a contest between the Wolves skipper and the hot-headed Lee Catermole.
Prediction: 1-2
Bet of the day: Lee Catermole to score any time, 9/1

Sol Campbell may make his first start for Newcastle © PA Photos

Enlarge

Sunday

Newcastle v Chelsea
Form: Chelsea have seen their dominance subside in recent times, losing three of their last four matches in the league. But they may be meeting Newcastle at the perfect time, their goals have dried up and they suffered a 5-1 mauling at the hands of Bolton last time out.
Key battle: With John Terry watching on from the stands, Andy Caroll will be licking his lips. It will be up to Alex to negate the threat of the burly striker.
Player to watch: With Newcastle looking vulnerable at the back, Didier Drogba could come to life at St James' Park.
Talking point: Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson are both unavailable because of suspensions, meaning Sol Campbell could make a first start for Newcastle.
Prediction: 1-1
Bet of the day: Andy Carroll to score first goal 6/1

Tottenham v Liverpool
Form: Spurs are in a rich vein of scoring form, racking up 10 goals from their last three matches in all competitions. Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to confuse, hitting their straps one week before looking devoid of ideas the next. Still, four wins and a draw from their last six games is not bad for a team short on creativity.
Key battle: Glen Johnson may have some gas but will he be able to cope with the blistering speed of the man-of-the-moment, Gareth Bale?
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe came on during the 3-0 win over Werder Bremen and the electric striker could be handed a starting berth.
Talking point: In the summer, Harry Redknapp spoke of his admiration for Joe Cole. But the former Chelsea man decided to head north for Anfield and he could return, after a hamstring strain, to haunt his former West Ham manager.
Prediction: 2-1
Bet of the day: Spurs to win 2-1, 15/2

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.