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Battle of Manchester takes centre stage

ESPN staff
February 9, 2011
Michael Owen grabbed the headlines in the last Manchester derby at Old Trafford, poking home an injury-time winner for United © Getty Images
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Betting: Berbatov the man at Old Trafford

Following a record weekend of Premier League goals, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the latest round of top-flight fixtures. Can Manchester United recover from defeat at Wolves to end City's title challenge? How many goals will Arsenal need to score to feel safe against Wolves? Can Liverpool's renaissance continue under Kenny Dalglish against Wigan? And will Fernando Torres find his scoring boots in Chelsea's Monday visit to Fulham?

Manchester United v Manchester City
Form: A subdued Manchester United were brought crashing back to earth by Wolves last weekend - a 2-1 defeat their first loss of the campaign. With five points separating the Manchester rivals, United will be pleased they get to tackle their neighbours on home turf - they have won 12 out of 13 at Old Trafford. For City, meanwhile, the game takes on arguably even greater importance seeing as they have played a game more than Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Since their defeat away to Aston Villa - City's only loss from their last 11 matches in all competitions - Roberto Mancini's side have hit form, scoring five times in their last two league fixtures.
Key battle: Carlos Tevez will undoubtedly relish the chance to ruffle a few feathers on his old stomping ground but he will have to get past Nemanja Vidic first.
Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov didn't score against Wolves therefore, with the way his season is going, expect him to bag at least a brace.
Talking point: With Tevez displaying such outstanding form, in contrast to Wayne Rooney's lacklustre season, did United allow the wrong striker to leave when they got rid of the Argentinian?
Bet of the day: Dimitar Berbatov to score first and United to win 2-1: 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Tottenham - Live on ESPN
Form: Currently seventh in the table, Sunderland need to be careful they don't go into freefall. They have suffered two defeats on the spin, shipping seven goals in the process and they haven't won at the Stadium of Light since beating Blackburn on New Year's Day. Spurs continue to baffle, following up a humiliating FA Cup exit with back-to-back wins in the league. Goals, or a lack of them, will be a concern for Harry Redknapp - his side have only found the net six times in the league this year.
Key battle: Rafael Van der Vaart is enjoying a wonderful debut season in the Premier League but, in Sulley Muntari, the Dutchman will be up against a true midfield destroyer.
Player to watch: You wouldn't necessarily think of Kieran Richardson as a goal machine but since the electric winger moved to a more prominent position further up the pitch, the former Manchester United midfielder has scored four goals in his last three outings.
Talking point: Where are Spurs' goals going to come from if their midfielders don't bail them out?
Bet of the day: Kieran Richardson first goalscorer: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Blackpool v Aston Villa
Form: Blackpool are on the slide. A 2-1 victory against Liverpool last month only papered over the cracks because that victory has been their sole triumph in eight league encounters. Of primary alarm to Ian Holloway will be the rate at which they are conceding - they've shipped 11 goals in their last three league games. Villa continue to stutter, appearing to move forward one week only to suffer a relapse the next. However, with Blackpool leaking goals at will, Darren Bent and Co. will be targeting another move in the right direction.
Key battle: Charlie Adam continues to impress, despite his obvious disapproval at missing out on a move to Liverpool. However, his fitness levels will fall under the microscope when Jean Makoun tries to keep him on a tight leash.
Player to watch: Darren Bent has already scored twice for his new club and he will want to continue his impressive strike rate.
Talking point: Ghana's Richard Kingson is Blackpool's only available senior goalkeeper after Paul Rachubka picked up a knee injury. If Kingson goes down, who will Holloway turn to?
Bet of the day: Villa to win 2-1: 8/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Cheik Tiote goes ballistic after scoring Newcastle's equaliser against Arsenal © PA Photos
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Arsenal v Wolves
Form: Arsenal are unbeaten in seven matches but will still be reeling from letting a four-goal lead slip at Newcastle last weekend, while Wolves are on a crest of a wave after ending United's unbeaten run on Saturday.
Key battle: Kevin Doyle didn't know much about his winner at Molineux, but he was in the right place at the right time. Having scored just one goal in 15 league outings before Christmas, he has now scored two in his last four, and with injuries leaving Arsenal spread thinly at the back, Doyle could prove a handful for the inexperienced Laurent Koscielny.
Player to watch: Jack Wilshere impressed on his full England debut in midweek, and all eyes will be on the precocious youngster as Arsenal continue their title quest.
Talking point: Can Wolves get another scalp this season? Having picked up wins against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, Wolves are still in the relegation zone, level on points with bottom side West Ham. Manager Mick McCarthy has them well-drilled, but will the Gunners prove too strong at home?
Bet of the day: Robin van Persie to score first in a 3-1 Arsenal win: 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

Birmingham v Stoke
Form: Since their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Manchester United, Birmingham have enjoyed an unbeaten run. Their win at West Ham last weekend was huge but they remain in a precarious position - they sit 16th in the league - partly due to their mediocre home form. At St Andrew's they have drawn seven out of 12 games - the most home draws in the league. Stoke won an enthralling contest against Sunderland last time out but their shaky defence is looking vulnerable.
Key battle: Nikola Zigic scored the winner against West Ham and he finally seems to be finding his feet in the Midlands. Robert Huth will be chomping at the bit to pit himself against the huge striker.
Player to watch: New boy John Carew grabbed his first goal in the 3-2 win over Sunderland, the first of many for the Potters?
Talking point: When the two teams met at the Britannia Stadium, Dean Whitehead snatched an 85th minute winner for Stoke. With both teams prone to conceding could another five-goal thriller be on the cards?
Bet of the day: Zigic to be first goalscorer: 6/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Blackburn v Newcastle
Form: Newcastle staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in Premier League history when they battled from 4-0 down to steal a 4-4 draw against Arsenal. But how much will it have taken out of them? There is some good news for Newcastle fans however, Blackburn have lost three of their last four in the league.
Key battle: Leon Best never shies away from a physical confrontation and it's just as well because Chris Samba craves a battle.
Player to watch: Cheik Tiote earned himself instant hero status with the Magpies' fans when he capped off a truly amazing comeback against Arsenal with a long-range equaliser. He will be desperate to keep riding the wave.
Talking point: In their last six Premier League meetings, Blackburn have won all six matches against Newcastle, both home and away. The Toon Army have been warned.
Bet of the day: Leon Best to be first goalscorer: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Raul Meireles has been banging goals in for fun for Liverpool © Getty Images
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Liverpool v Wigan
Form: Kenny Dalglish has more than steadied the ship since taking charge at Anfield, Liverpool are now up to sixth having won their last four league fixtures. Wigan arrive with just two wins and 11 points from their travels - their 4-3 victory over Blackburn last Saturday was their first triumph in eight league outings.
Key battle: Jamie Carragher was magnificent against Chelsea but his pace, or lack of it, will be tested when Hugo Rodallega stretches his legs.
Player to watch: Raul Meireles is turning into a bit of a goal machine; his smart finish at Stamford Bridge was the midfielder's fourth in five games.
Talking point: Should Liverpool win it will be the first time they have won five in a row since the last games of the 2008-09 season. A Champions League place may not be out of the question.
Bet of the day: Raul Meireles to score two or more goals: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

West Brom v West Ham
Form: The Hawthorns bears witness to a relegation six-pointer on Saturday - though a win for either side could propel them as high as 14th in the table. West Brom are on a dreadful run and they will be desperate to claim in a first win in four. Avram Grant's West Ham lost against Birmingham but it was their first defeat in three in the league.
Key battle: Youssuf Mulumbu's battle with Scott Parker will take centre stage, with the winner of that personal duel likely to be on the winning team.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie has already scored nine goals in the current campaign and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a fragile Hammers defence.
Talking point: With Roberto di Matteo ousted, will West Brom respond to new manager Roy Hodgson?
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw: 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Sunday

Bolton v Everton
Form: After such an impressive start to the season the wheels have come off Bolton's season - they've lost five and drawn one of their last seven matches. Owen Coyle will want to redress the balance, and quickly, although he may have to wait because his team welcomes a resurgent Everton to the Reebok Stadium. The Toffees edged a thriller against Blackpool 5-3 for their first win in four, though on the road they have won two and drawn seven.
Key battle: Stuart Holden has a tremendous work-rate but his fitness levels need to be at their peak to keep up with the elusive Tim Cahill.
Player to watch: Shorn of the injured Louis Saha, pressure will fall on Jermaine Beckford to supply Everton's goals.
Talking point: Everton are due to be awarded a spot-kick. They are the only team in the league not to have won a penalty this season.
Bet of the day: Everton to win 2-1: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Monday

Fulham v Chelsea
Form: Fulham are moving in the right direction under Mark Hughes - they've only lost twice since the turn of the year. Chelsea, on the other hand, are struggling for consistency. Fernando Torres was supposed to lift the Blues but a defeat against former club Liverpool was the stuff of nightmares.
Key battle: Now that the Liverpool game is behind him, Torres could spark into life. Brede Hangeland will need to be on his mettle.
Player to watch: Nicolas Anelka was supposed to be used as a makeweight in the transfer of Torres but the Frenchman declined the opportunity to return to Anfield. Carlo Ancelotti will be thankful because Anelka looks the most in-form striker on the Chelsea books.
Talking point: Fulham last beat Chelsea in 2006 but they may not get a better chance to end such a poor run.
Bet of the day: Andy Johnson to score first and game to finish 1-1: 45/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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