|
Birmingham v Sunderland
Birmingham have got new owners and it remains to be seen what effect that will have. Their greatest problem is scoring goals. Manager Alex McLeish plays a particular system but they are facing a form team.
Sunderland have had some very good results and were unlucky to draw against Manchester United. They fully deserved to beat Liverpool and it will be interesting to see how Steve Bruce copes with returning to St Andrews.
Verdict: 1-1
Match preview
Burnley v Wigan
It has been a strange season for Burnley and they have shown they can beat the best on their home turf. They have great belief at Turf Moor.
Wigan have been improving of late. They are very strong, forceful and quick on the break. Burnley will sneak it, though.
Verdict: 2-1
Match preview
Hull City v Portsmouth
Hull never looked like scoring against Fulham and really struggled. At least they have improved in their home games.
Pompey have played better than their results suggest but both teams are at the wrong end of the table. I think they'll be both down there at the end of the season as well. This game is a 24-pointer! I'm seeing this as a relegation dogfight already!
Verdict: 1-0
Match preview
Tottenham v Stoke City
Stoke are now looking more comfortable in the Premier League and have had some quite good results. Questions are still there to be asked about the team on their travels.
This weekend they are facing a free-flowing and confident Spurs side who create plenty of chances. No points for Stoke.
Verdict: 2-0
Match preview
Chelsea v Blackburn (1730 BST)
You have to back Chelsea. It's a bit strange them leaving out Ricardo Carvalho for the Champions League but their defence has been found wanting in recent games. They've been all over the place at set-pieces. But this can be easily rectified.
Blackburn had a good win against Burnley at the weekend but on the road their record is not great. They play direct football but I don't rate their chances this week.
Verdict: 3-0
Match preview
SUNDAY
Bolton v Everton (1330 GMT)
Everton have huge injury problems and on top of that they have their European games to deal with. Their squad is down to the bare bones and this weekend manager David Moyes may have to field some players out of position.
Now they find themselves going up against a team that have been good at home. Bolton are strong, very physical and will win this one.
Verdict: 2-0
Match preview
Liverpool v Manchester United (1400 GMT)
Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson are probably returning for Liverpool so that will be a huge boost. Torres is great for improving the atmosphere in the dressing room. The Reds lost four on the bounce but these things do happen. Strangely, this could be the best game to get them out of that slump - facing the enemies from 35 miles down the road!
I can't see anything apart from a draw which would stop the rot and would probably not be the worst result for United. We could be in for a feisty battle!
Verdict: 1-1
Match preview
Manchester City v Fulham
City are a strong and very determined team. Manager Mark Hughes is slowly getting most of his players fit. Soon he'll be having the problem of naming his best XI.
Fulham haven't been brilliant on the road and I think they'll struggle at Eastlands with their massive workload. Three games in six days (two league games and Europa League tie) can't be a great prospect for them.
Verdict: 2-0
Match preview
West Ham v Arsenal (1615 GMT)
The Hammers are really struggling and they are another team having to deal with a growing injury list. To stay up, they will need all their best players available for every game, and that's not happening right now.
They're facing a team this weekend in a good run of form. Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas are showing a good understanding at the back for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger's team are in good spirits and they will make it hard for West Ham to cope with. Too hard.
Verdict: 0-2
Match preview | 
Навигация
