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United head to site of past coronation to boost title hunt

ESPN staff
February 25, 2011
Aston Villa and Blackburn have become very familiar with each other in recent seasons © PA Photos
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Betting - Rooney to awake from his slumber

The Carling Cup final between Arsenal and Birmingham may tower above the rest of the weekend's football action, but there's still a lot to play for among those sides continuing their Premier League campaigns. Manchester United and Liverpool may have been unimaginative in midweek, but they return to domestic games with important away matches that could go a long way to defining the remainder of their league efforts. That would be straightforward enough, if not for the fact their opponents - Wigan Athletic and West Ham United respectively - will also be aware the result could cast a new light on what is becoming an increasingly complex relegation battle.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Blackburn
Form: These two sides are such familiar foes that recent form is almost insignificant. Villa seem to have reacted adversely to an Old Trafford defeat to Manchester United at the beginning of the month, drawing subsequent games against Fulham and Blackpool. Blackburn, meanwhile, drew last time out against Newcastle having lost their last three - one of them against Villa, no less, in the FA Cup.
Key battle: £18 million signing Darren Bent will be one of the few unfamiliar faces in a game between two sides that have met regularly over the last couple of seasons, and how Christopher Samba shackles the poacher could go a long way to affecting the result.
Player to watch: Marc Albrighton was a key creator last time the two sides met, and could be poised to make another major impact after being rested for the club's last two matches.
Talking point: Both sides are within five points of the drop zone, having both changed their managers during the course of the current campaign. Are either club too good to go down, or do their new bosses have a growing fight on their hands?
Bet of the day: Aston Villa have had the upper hand over Rovers in recent times, and arguably need the three points the most. Back them to win 2-0: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Sunderland
Form: The Toffees will be on a high after knocking holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup on their own patch, but have been erratic in recent weeks - with the other obvious highlight being a 5-3 beating of Blackpool. Sunderland might be riding high in the league, but they've lost the last three on the spin and Steve Bruce will be desperate to arrest the slide.
Key battle: Without Louis Saha, Everton may need to rely on Jermaine Beckford - who could find he struggles to have any impact if John 'Rock of Gibraltar' Mensah has any say in the matter.
Player to watch: Leighton Baines underlined his importance to Everton's attacking play with his goal against Chelsea, but will need to work extra hard with the likes of Stephane Sessegnon keeping him honest defensively.
Talking point: Never mind last week, is this Everton's most important game of the season? A win would draw them within striking distance of the top eight ... but a defeat could leave them firmly embroiled in what is becoming an increasingly sticky relegation battle.
Bet of the day: This game could go any number of ways - but Sunderland to miss a penalty looks an interesting punt, especially with Asamoah Gyan and Steed Malbranque in the side: 33/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

Newcastle v Bolton
Form: The Magpies have lost just one of their last six games - but, admittedly, have only won one too - while Bolton have reeled off three successive victories thanks primarily to some resolute defending. With Newcastle having sold Andy Carroll and still missing the injured Shola Amoebi, that could be significant.
Key battle: Stuart Holden has been one of the revelations of the season, and has shown no fear in cementing his status as a competent player in the Premier League. But an afternoon against Joey Barton poses its own challenges, and it will be interesting to see how the pair face off.
Player to watch: Daniel Sturridge has been on fire since joining the club on loan. With Chelsea ready to take him back at the end of the season, the striker will be keen to continue his great form after missing two games due to ineligiblity.
Talking point: Cheik Tiote agreed a massive (and lucrative) six-and-a-half year contract with Newcastle on Friday - this will be his first opportunity to prove it is as sound a long-term investment as the club think.
Bet of the day: How about Tiote to celebrate his new contract with a goal?: 22/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Nani will be expected to deliver against Wigan at the DW Stadium © PA Photos
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Wigan v Manchester United
Form: United's record in the last ten games is formidable - seven wins, two draws and one solitary defeat to Wolves. Wigan's is altogether less predictable - five draws, two wins and three defeats. Roberto Martinez's men have made something of a habit of being consistently inconsistent this season, often to their detriment. United clinched their title at the DW back in 2008 - another win this weekend could prove a major step on the way to a repeat success.
Key battle: Gary Caldwell against Dimitar Berbatov - Wigan have lost all of their last 12 clashes against United, conceding 37 goals in the process. With Berbatov's streaky scoring record this season, Caldwell might worry another brace is on the cards for the Bulgarian.
Player to watch: After the drab draw in Marseille, Nani will be expected to provide the moment(s) of inspiration United will require to avoid dropping any points in their title hunt.
Talking point: United slumped to defeat in similar circumstances against Wolves earlier this month, their first loss of the league campaign. Was that an Aberration, or have Wigan found something to exploit from watching that match that could blow the title race wide open?
Bet of the day: Berbatov to score two or more goals has to be worth a look: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-3

Wolves v Blackpool
Form: Wolves have lost four of their last six - but a win against Manchester United suggests they are not a side to be taken lightly. Blackpool threatened to fall apart after a run of five straight losses, but a draw with Aston Villa and important win over Tottenham suggests they have steadied the ship.
Key battle: Kevin Doyle's leading of the line proved more than Manchester United could handle at Molineux at the start of the month - it remains to be seen whether Ian Evatt has the experience and skill to shut down the Republic of Ireland international.
Player to watch: James Beattie has laid on two goals for his new team, but is yet to score for the club himself. After Brett Ormerod notched a landmark goal in midweek - joining Luke Varney, DJ Campbell and Marlon Harewood on a long list of obscure goalscorers - surely the former Southampton man's turn is just around the corner.
Talking point: Wolves' last three wins have come against United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Are they the most dangerous side ever to be bottom of the league, and why can they not seem to find the motivation against lesser sides?
Bet of the day: At some point you stop betting against Ian Holloway's side - this could be a good week to start. A 3-2 win for the away side would provide a healthy return: 33/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-3

Sunday

West Ham v Liverpool
Form: West Ham may still be buzzing from the 5-1 demolition of Burnley in the FA Cup from Monday - or they may instead be dwelling on the knowledge that it could be them playing in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, had they held on against Birmingham. Liverpool, after two defeats early in his reign, are now eight games unbeaten under Kenny Dalglish - with the scalp of Chelsea one of them. Having cemented themselves in sixth, the Reds are once again on the verge of 'expecting' to win games such as this one at Upton Park.
Key battle: Scott Parker, now assisted by Mark Noble and Thomas Hitzlsperger, remains the Hammers' focal point in the heart of midfield. The oft-maligned Lucas will have to be on his game to combat him, especially if Christian Poulsen is sacrificed for an option elsewhere.
Player to watch: Luiz Suarez. Liverpool were utterly devoid of invention and attacking thrust on Thursday against Sparta Prague - and the former Eredivisie hitman is likely to be the only notable change to the line-up. He needs to perform.
Talking point: Joe Cole returns to the club where he made his name as a young tyro. But after another dour showing in midweek, has the Englishman lost his way completely or is redemption still at hand?
Bet of the day: Liverpool to win from behind: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Can Edin Dzeko continue his goalscoring form against Fulham? © PA Photos
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Manchester City v Fulham
Form: City have lost just twice in their last ten - but one of those was against arch-rivals United in arguably the only game where they would have been considered underdogs. Fulham are coming from a defeat in the cup to Bolton, but were four unbeaten prior to that stretch. Last time the two sides met, City cruised to a 4-1 triumph.
Key battle: Brede Hangeland and Edin Dzeko will see a battle of two men who stand comfortably over six-foot - after scoring twice in Europe during the week will the Bosnian find a way to continue his goalscoring form like he has pledged?
Player to watch: Mark Schwarzer is under increasing pressure for his place from recent England call-up David Stockdale, but will doubtless have numerous opportunities to make eye-catching saves in this one.
Talking point: City have kept 12 clean sheets this season - the joint highest in the league - but haven't scored at the rate that might be expected considering their attacking options. Will Roberto Mancini ever cut the cord and allow more attacking adventure, or will he always feel too much is at risk?
Bet of the day: Carlos Tevez to score anytime and Manchester City to win 2-0: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Monday

Stoke City v West Brom
Form: The appointment of Roy Hodgson has brought renewed optimism to West Brom, who have drawn their last two games with teams around them. However, their away record is atrocious, losing nine of 13, and Stoke are undefeated in their last five in all competitions at the Britannia Stadium.
Key battle: Anybody who has seen Stoke play since the signing of John Carew will know he has added extra threat to their attack, finding a particularly useful understanding with Jermaine Pennant, so Jonas Olsson will have to stand tall on Monday.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian makes everything happen for West Brom, but he was surprisingly wayward in the draw with West Ham.
Talking point: Was Hodgson the right appointment for West Brom? Can he repeat his heroics at Fulham?
Bet of the day: John Carew to score first in a 3-1 Stoke victory: 50/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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