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Arsenal - Source: Reuters -
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This weekend Aston Villa take on United as they try to make their top-four intentions clear; Arsenal will try to stop the rot as they take on Man City away; Liverpool face Fulham at Anfield; and Chelsea will try to keep their goal machine rolling in the Barclay's Premier League.
Barclays Premier League
SATURDAY (SUNDAY NZT)
Who: Aston Villa v Man Utd
Where: Villa Park
After netting their first win over Arsenal in fifteen years last weekend Aston Villa will enter this clash on a high with newly capped Gabriel Agbonlahor in scintillating form (his strike at the Emirates takes his current goal-tally to eight).
But after another brilliant display against Stoke at home United are hitting top gear and Ronaldo, well, the boy is back.
Just one point behind Manchester United, and level with Arsenal,
Aston Villa have a real chance to make their top-four intentions
clear and injuries to United's main players Ferdinand, and Berbatov
(picked up midweek during Bulgaria's international friendly) all
help their cause but it is inconsistency that is Villa's downfall.
It will be close but I see another United win this weekend.
Prem pick: Man Utd
Who: Chelsea v Newcastle
Where: Stamford Bridge
Can anyone possibly stop the Chelsea goal machine? Er, probably not, and definitely not Newcastle. With a draw against Wigan the Magpies have only just managed to crawl out of the relegation zone and will be feeling the pressure of yet another tough clash away from home where they have failed to win a game all season.
The welcome return of Michael Owen may prove to be a handful for
the Blues and one never bets against the No.10 scoring, but the
form of Nicolas Anelka (the Premier League's current top scorer
with 12) may be all that is needed for another Chelsea win this
weekend.
Prem pick: Chelsea
Who: Liverpool v Fulham
Where: Anfield
Liverpool boss Rafael Bentiez has incurred the wraith of Reds supporters this week by reportedly telling returning star striker Fernando Torres that his starting place is not guaranteed. Well, with the news that Robbie Keane and skipper Steven Gerrard may miss the clash due to injuries the gaffa might not have much choice.
And while he may be rusty the silent assassin once again showed
his worth in the 2-0 win over Bolton last weekend (not to mention
netting a brilliant goal for Spain midweek). Fulham meanwhile will
be looking to add a third consecutive win after they put an end to
Redknapp's reign last weekend courtesy of striker Andy Johnson who
is flourishing at his new club. And while many thought last
weekends Bolton game was the one to watch - it is this weekend's
clash that may prove to be the thorn in Liverpool's side, but they
should just grab a win.
Prem pick: Liverpool
Who: Man City v Arsenal
Where: City of Manchester Stadium
After another shock defeat questions are again being asked of stumbling Arsenal - who have picked up just 4 points in their last four game - leading some fans to call for the young Gunners who destroyed Wigan with such flair in the Carling Cup to replace the first team. Wenger, as always, will be hoping his boys' do the talking on the pitch at Eastland's this weekend.
But the loss of prolific forward Theo Walcott (who could be
sidelined until the New Year) will have hit Arsenal hard.
Manchester City are also failing to find consistent form, being
held to a tantalising 2-2 draw at Hull last weekend. Mark Hughes'
City men do have the advantage of being at home this weekend but
for all their talent and flair they are still failing to hit the
mark.
Prem pick: Arsenal
Who: Middlesbrough v Bolton
Where: The Riverside
Boro were perhaps unlucky not to grab a win at Goodison last
weekend but are still unbeaten in their last five matches. Bolton
meanwhile enjoyed two wins on the trot before suffering at the
hands of Liverpool (and Rob Styles, depending on whose side you're
on) and will be looking to get back on track in this middle of the
table clash. Compared to Middlebrough, Bolton are a strong,
physical side and could have just enough to wear Southgate's
Boro down.
Prem pick: Bolton
Who: Portsmouth v Hull
Where: Fratton Park
Phil Brown's Tigers may be slipping down the table with three
tough losses in four weeks but it doesn't mean they are giving up
the fight as his side showed in their electric 2-2 draw with Man
City last weekend. Portsmouth meanwhile endured a dull and
frustrating 0-0 draw with struggling West Ham and are failing to
hit the mark since the departure of Harry Redknapp (they have won
just one game since Tony Adams took charge). Adams is slowly trying
to make his side take shape but with the loss of Sol Campbell,
possibly Jermaine Defoe, Hull's great away form, and the class of
Geo, I think this is going to be a tough one to call.
Prem pick: Draw
Who: Stoke v West Brom
Where: Britannia Stadium
Newly promoted Stoke may have been be fairly inconsistent this season but have had some great wins over Spurs, Sunderland and Arsenal and have lost just two out of six games on home turf. Meanwhile, after a decent start to their Premier League campaign bottom placed West Brom are struggling to survive after failing to win a match since they beat Fulham at the beginning of October.
Both sides will be feeling the need to grab three points this
weekend, and the Baggies will be hopeful they can avoid a fourth
consecutive away loss. Stoke's top scorer Ricardo Fuller is
suspended (Dave Kitson is expected to start up front) but I see a
win for Stoke this weekend.
Prem pick: Stoke
SUNDAY (MONDAY NZT)
Who: Sunderland v West Ham
Where: Stadium of Light
Sunderland enjoyed Carling Cup revenge last weekend with a great
win over Blackburn that will have given manager Roy Keane a little
bit of respite from the fans calling for his head. West Ham
meanwhile managed to keep their first clean sheet in 25 matches -
against Portsmouth - but continue to struggle with Zola having to
watch many of the Hammers fans leave before the end of their match
with Pompey last week. Cisse and co are stepping it up and I think
this will be a home win for Sunderland.
Prem pick : Sunderland
Who: Tottenham v Blackburn
Where: White Hart Lane
Harry Redknapp's sparking Spurs revival came to a stuttering stop last weekend after another cracking error from Heurelho Gomes saw Tottenham thwarted 2-1 by Fulham. The result has seen Spurs drop back down into the relegation zone - just one point behind Blackburn - who also suffered yet another Premier League defeat last week.
Blackburn have been rubbish away from home this season (2 wins,
2 draws, 2 losses) and there is now a real belief at White Hart
Lane that Tottenham, well, they really are too good to go down. As
long as they manage to keep Blackburn away from Gomes, Spurs should
be fine.
Prem pick: Tottenham
MONDAY (TUESDAY NZT)
Who: Wigan v Everton
Where: JJB Stadium
A struggling Wigan head into this weekend's clash with just one win in seven Premier League outings. With all their strength they should have won at Newcastle last weekend after Titus Bramble proved to be Newcastle's nemesis, but gave the win away with some poor defending. Everton, meanwhile have been great on the road this season with four wins and just like Boro, the Toffees are unbeaten in five matches.
Bolstered by the return of Yakubu, and the fact that Wigan have
never managed to beat Everton at home, the Blues will be looking to
climb up the table when they hit the JJB this weekend.
Prem pick: Everton
Last weeks results
Who: Arsenal v
Villa
Pick:
Arsenal Result:
Villa
Who: Blackburn v Sunderland Pick:
Blackburn
Result: Sunderland
Who: Bolton v
Liverpool: Pick:
Liverpool Result:
Liverpool
Who: Fulham v
Tottenham
Pick:
Tottenham
Result: Fulham
Who: Man United v Stoke Pick:
Man
United Result:
Man United
Who: Newcastle v
Wigan Pick:
Draw Result:
Draw
Who: West Brom v Chelsea Pick:
Chelsea Result:
Chelsea
Who: West Ham v Portsmouth Pick:
Portsmouth Result:
Draw
Who: Everton v Middlesbrough Pick:
Everton Result:
Draw
Who: Hull v Man
City
Pick:
Draw Result:
Draw
*Sarah got five out of ten picks right
