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United eye chance to avenge Carling Cup humiliation

West Ham pulled the plug on Manchester United's Carling Cup aspirations © Getty Images

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After a welcome international break for many clubs, domestic matters take centre stage with the return of the Premier League. Manchester United face an awkward trip to Upton Park, where a resurgent West Ham outfit lie in wait, while the ESPN cameras will see whether title challengers Arsenal can stay in the hunt with three points against relegation-threatened Blackburn. Elsewhere, Tottenham prepare for their Champions League clash against Real Madrid with a trip to Wigan and Chelsea, who host United in an all-English European quarter-final on Wednesday, have an unenviable away game at Stoke.

Saturday

West Ham v Manchester United
Form: United's most recent memory of playing at Upton Park is the humiliating 4-0 Carling Cup defeat at the end of November, so Sir Alex Ferguson will have his men chomping at the bit to avenge that chastening result. United's away form in the league is unspectacular, however, with the leaders only winning four of 15 on the road. The Hammers appear to have turned the corner and, although not out of the woods yet, one defeat in their last seven league encounters has given them renewed hope of avoiding the drop.
Key battle: Chris Smalling has looked assured at the back for United, despite his own concerns he lacks experience at the highest level. An in-form Demba Ba will ensure the centre-back continues his unforgiving education.
Player to watch: Javier Hernandez has pace to burn and the West Ham defence will need to run a tight ship if they are to thwart the Mexican.
Talking point: West Ham have gone 186 minutes without conceding a goal - the first time they have kept successive clean sheets since February 2010. Can they make it three on the bounce?
Bet of the day: Hernandez to score first and United to win 2-1: 40/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Blackburn - LIVE ON ESPN
Form: The Gunners are enjoying a purple patch at Emirates Stadium - they've picked up 13 points from a possible 15 at home and they will fancy their chances of extending that run against a Blackburn side that have failed to claim a point from their last five away fixtures. Rovers' defensive deficiencies have seen them fall to 13th in the table, with a single point separating them from 18th-placed Wolves and, worryingly, their winless run currently stands at seven matches.
Key battle: Jermaine Jones will attempt to act as a shield in front of his back four but, with Jack Wilshere seemingly growing in confidence by the game, the defensive midfielder may find himself chasing shadows.
Player to watch: Talisman Cesc Fabregas sat out the trip to The Hawthorns two weeks ago because of a hamstring strain but the Spaniard returns to Arsenal's starting line-up and that's bad news for a beleaguered Rovers defence.
Talking point: Why do Blackburn have such a dreadful away record against Arsenal in the league? They last won at Arsenal in October 2002.
Bet of the day: Arshavin to score first and Arsenal to win 2-0: 20/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Birmingham v Bolton
Form: Birmingham's Carling Cup hangover shows no sign of lifting; the Blues are yet to celebrate a victory in all competitions since their triumph at Wembley more than a month ago. Alex McLeish's side have been sucked into the relegation battle, although they may find some comfort in the fact their opponents, Bolton, have lost five of their last eight on the road.
Key battle: Kevin Davies is never one to shy away from a physical confrontation and Roger Johnson won't need to worry about going to look for the England forward.
Player to watch: After scoring in four consecutive games following his loan move from Chelsea, Bolton striker Daniel Sturridge has failed to find the back of the net in his last two outings. With Birmingham leaking goals at an alarming rate, Sturridge will fancy his chances of getting back on the scoresheet.
Talking point: Expect goals in this one. Bolton return to St Andrews three weeks after booking a place in the FA Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 3-2 win and the two teams produced a 2-2 thriller at the Reebok Stadium earlier in the season.
Bet of the day: A 2-2 draw: 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Birmingham's Carling Cup triumph must seem a long time ago for Alex McLeish and his side © PA Photos

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Everton v Aston Villa
Form: Villa enter the clash at Goodison Park bidding to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Aside from their 4-1 demolition of Blackburn at the end of February, Gerard Houllier's team have only registered one other victory from their last seven league outings. Everton are beginning to find their groove, racking up 10 points from a possible 12 at home and they haven't tasted defeat in the league since the 2-0 reverse to Bolton on February 13.
Key battle: Leighton Baines has always been admired for his sweet left foot but his defensive abilities will be called upon most when he goes head to head with winger Ashley Young.
Player to watch: Darren Bent has been fairly quiet in recent weeks at club level but a goal for England against Wales may get the blood flowing again.
Talking point: Three of the last four meetings between the sides have ended in draws but surely Everton have the edge in this one?
Bet of the day: Bent to score anytime and Everton to win 2-1: 20/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle v Wolves
Form: Newcastle and Wolves meet in conflicting circumstances. The Magpies have gone three matches without a win, while Mick McCarthy's men are unbeaten in their last four outings. They may be sitting 11th in the table but the close proximity of teams around Newcastle means their Premier League survival is far from guaranteed. Wolves appear to have used their 4-0 drubbing of West Brom as a launchpad, though the danger of relegation still remains.
Key battle: Joey Barton and Karl Henry both enjoy a midfield tear-up, though their respective managers will be hoping they make the headlines for all the right reasons after the match.
Player to watch: Kevin Nolan has 11 league goals to his name this term and, when he plays well, Newcastle normally enjoy a positive result.
Talking point: Was it worth getting rid of Chris Hughton? Under Hughton, Newcastle claimed 19 points from a possible 48, while under Pardew they've enjoyed an almost identical success rate - taking 17 from 42.
Bet of the day: Nolan to score first in a 1-1 draw: 40/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Stoke v Chelsea
Form: Chelsea have the bit between their teeth at the moment having reeled off three league victories in a row, but their rebirth may have occurred too late for them to defend their title - they're nine points adrift of leaders United. Stoke have been outstanding at the Britannia Stadium in recent times, accruing 13 points from a possible 15.
Key battle: Robert Huth has been a rock at the back for Stoke and he may not have to get out second gear if Fernando Torres plays to form.
Player to watch: Frank Lampard has been making those trademark runs into the box on a more regular basis and he will be eager to add to his tally of six league goals.
Talking point: When is Torres going to break his goalscoring duck? He is currently enduring his longest barren spell in English football - it's eight games and counting.
Bet of the day: Chelsea to win 2-1: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

West Brom v Liverpool
Betting - Kenny to rub it into Roy
Form: Roy Hodgson will have a point to prove when he comes face to face with former employers Liverpool for the first time since his Anfield departure in January. Under Hodgson's tutelage the Baggies are unbeaten in five matches, with one win and four draws helping them climb to 16th. Since taking over from Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish has steadied a creaking ship, with Liverpool moving up to sixth and they have won three of their last four on the road.
Key battle: Abdoulaye Meite is as strong as an ox but he'll need ostrich-style speed to keep tabs on Luis Suarez.
Player to watch: Andy Carroll notched his first goal for England with a beauty during the friendly against Ghana. Kenny Dalglish will be hoping the floodgates open as a consequence.
Talking point: Why are Liverpool such a bogey team for West Brom? The Reds have won all nine of their Premier League games against them, scoring 25 goals and, embarrassingly for Albion, conceding none.
Bet of the day: A 2-2 draw: 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Wigan v Tottenham
Form: While Spurs have been playing with abandon in Europe, they have seen their Premier League progress plateau in the last couple of months. Their last victory was on Italian soil, a 1-0 win over AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League, with defeat against Blackpool and three draws following their triumph at the San Siro. Wigan are bottom of the table but a morale-boosting win over Birmingham last time out leaves them two points from safety.
Key battle: Jermain Defoe only needs one goal to reach 100 in the Premier League. Gary Caldwell will need to draw on all his experience if he is to keep the striker on a tight leash.
Player to watch: Harry Redknapp failed to downplay Luka Modric's importance to Spurs when he said he wouldn't sell the diminutive midfielder for £1 billion. All eyes will be on the influential Croat.
Talking point: Why are Spurs stuttering in the league and yet making seismic waves in Europe?
Bet of the day: Wigan to win 2-1: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Charlie Adam's value to Blackpool cannot be underestimated © PA Photos

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Sunday

Fulham v Blackpool
Form: Fulham are making steady progress under Mark Hughes but they will continue to look over their shoulders while they remain only three points above the relegation zone, and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton in their most recent match will have acted as a timely reminder of their precarious position. Blackpool are without a win in three but, with Charlie Adam almost single-handedly driving them on, they are just about keeping their head above water.
Key battle: Bobby Zamora possesses much more than an aerial threat but Craig Cathcart will have to be extra vigilant at set-piece time.
Player to watch: Blackpool's Adam is the heartbeat of Ian Holloway's side and if he has another stand-out performance then the Tangerines may break away from the cluster of sides hovering above the drop zone.
Talking point: If Adam has a bad game can Blackpool create enough going forward to steal all three points?
Bet of the day: Fulham to win 2-0: 15/2 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Manchester City v Sunderland
Form: It has been a humbling few weeks for Roberto Mancini and his City squad. After being dumped out of the Europa League by Dynamo Kiev, the Eastlands club were leapfrogged by Chelsea into third place in the league after going down 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Sunderland are on a woeful run, failing to pick up a win in six matches and only finding the back of the net once in their last four.
Key battle: Sulley Muntari is renowned for his combative style and he is likely to relish pitting himself against an equally impressive gladiator in the form of Yaya Toure.
Player to watch: Asamoah Gyan struck late on to earn Ghana a famous draw against England in midweek and Steve Bruce will be hoping he can replicate his fine finish against City.
Talking point: Where have Sunderland's goals gone? They've gone 349 minutes without one. Worrying times for Bruce and co.
Bet of the day: City to win 3-1: 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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