Premier League Previews

Friday, 13/01/2012

by Ger McCarthy

Aston Villa v Everton

On-loan Republic of IrelandstrikerRobbie Keane could make his debut for Aston Villa at home to Everton on Saturday with both sides looking to rebound from recent Premier League defeats. One point currently seperates the sides in the standings with Villa’s poor home form of three wins and five losses a cause for concern for manager Alex McLeish. Everton’s injury crisis sees David Moyes likely to travel to Birmingham without Jack Rodwell and a host of first team regulars suggesting another difficult afternoon for the Toffees. Verdict: Villa win

Blackburn Rovers v Fulham

Bottom of the table Blackburn are desperate to end a run of just one victory in their previous six Premier League outings when Fulham visits Ewood Park. News that centre-back Chris Samba is interested in a move away from Blackburn will no doubt upset the home supporters and failure to add to their paltry two home wins could leave Rovers and under pressure manager Steve Kean adrift of their fellow relegation candidates. Fulham are enjoying a decent run of results with a 4-0 FA Cup defeat of Charlton following a famous victory over Arsenal. Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora have rediscovered their goal scoring touch and this suggests another miserable home fixture for struggling Blackburn. Verdict: Fulham win

Chelsea v Sunderland

The Martin O’Neill revolution rolls into Stamford Bridge on Saturday with Sunderland hoping to continue their recent resurgence under their new manager. The Black Cats’ have registered four victories since O’Neill’s arrival but face one of their toughest assignments to date. Andre Villas-Boas can ill afford any more slip-ups as the Blues attempt to close the gap on the top three and keep Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle at bay. If Fernando Torres can rediscover his goal scoring touch (and it is a big if) then Chelsea should edge this one and solidify their place in fourth position. Verdict: Chelsea win

Liverpool v Stoke City

Kenny Dalglish will be hoping to build on Liverpool’s encouraging midweek League Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City when Stoke City visits Anfield. Luis Suarez’ suspension continues which means a likely starting berth for the twin strike force of Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll. One loss in their last eight outings means Stoke enter Saturday’s encounter as one of the form teams of England’s top division. Peter Crouch, Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones have shared City’s goal scoring burden this year and Stoke could well earn a point this weekend if they can repeat the work rate that has seen the Potters draw with Dynamo Kiev and defeat Tottenham in recent weeks. Verdict: Draw

Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers

Owen Coyle’s side have been enjoying something of a mini-revival of late by taking four points from their last two Premier League fixtures. Bolton will need to produce their best performance of the campaign to get anything out of their trip to Old Trafford with United anxious to rebound from back-to-back defeats at Newcastle and at home to Blackburn. Wayne Rooney is still struggling to rediscover last year’s form but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will no doubt still be buzzing from defeating title rivals Man City 3-2 in the FA Cup last weekend. Verdict: Manchester United win

Tottenham v Wolves

Harry Redknapp’s free-scoring Tottenham went joint-second in the Premier League thanks to a midweek 2-0 victory at home to Everton. Michael Dawson made a welcome return to the first team and Spurs will be favourites to add to their impressive tally of eight home victories when relegation threatened Wolves visit White Hart Lane. Mick McCarthy’s charges are just a single point above the drop zone and without a win since December 4 when Stephen Fletcher netted both goals in a 2-1 win over Sunderland. Verdict: Tottenham win

West Brom v Norwich

Last Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Cardiff City ended a run of three games without a win for West Brom. Roy Hodgson’s side managed to hold league leaders Manchester City to a scoreless draw on December 26 yet Albion remain just six points above the relegation zone. Frustratingly, recent performances have not yielded deserved points despite Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie dovetailing to good affect up front. In contrast, Paul Lambert’s Norwich side are enjoying a terrific run that has seen the Canaries rise to ninth. Grant Holt and Steve Morison have each netted eight goals this term and look set to fire Norwich to another win at the weekend against a West Brom side that has drawn two and lost six times at the Hawthorns this term. Verdict: Norwich win

Sunday

Newcastle United v QPR

Mark Hughes begins his reign as manager of QPR with a difficult away trip to St. James’ Park against an in-form Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Rangers parted company with Neil Warnock during the week and club owner Tony Fernandes moved swiftly to appoint Hughes as his successor in the hope of attracting some big names to Loftus Road. QPR have failed to win any of their last eight league fixtures. Seventh placed Newcastle will be without the services of Cheick Tiote and top scorer Demba Ba who are both away on African Cup of Nations duty. Their recent 3-0 humiliation of Manchester United and gutsy 2-1 defeat of Blackburn suggest Alan Pardew’s side are able to cope without their two star players. Verdict: Newcastle win

Swansea v Arsenal

Two of the most attractive teams to watch in the Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Thierry Henry’s triumphant return (on loan) was completed with the only goal in a 1-0 defeat of Leeds in the FA Cup last Monday and the Frenchman should feature at some stage. Twelfth placed Swansea upset Aston Villa 2-0 away from home last time out and Brendan Rodgers’ side will respect but have no fear of taking on a free-scoring Arsenal in what should be a cracking encounter. Verdict: Arsenal win

Monday

Wigan v Manchester City

By the time Roberto Mancini’s side take to the DW Stadium playing surface on Monday night both Manchester United and Tottenham could be joint-top of the table with the current leaders. City have lost consecutive cup ties since demolishing Liverpool 3-0 in their last Premier League encounter. An away victory is a must if City are to keep a minimum three point gap at the top of the table. Wigan are currently second from bottom and with no win in their last five outings. Roberto Martinez’s side has only won twice on the road this season. Verdict: City win

Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

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