Saturday’s Premier League games
BIRMINGHAM v WEST BROM, St Andrews, 12:45
Birmingham’s cup win last weekend could determine whether they stay up or not. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, the victory over Arsenal ensures it’s been a memorable one for the Blues, meaning they could rest on that success and take their foot off the pedal.
Alex McLeish will want to make sure this doesn’t happen, and would have been keen to keep his players’ feet on the ground to guarantee the reaction to the win is positive.
Roy Hodgson has at least instilled belief into West Brom, who have picked up two valuable points with late Carlos Vela goals since his arrival.
Hodgson may give the Mexican a start, or stick with the tried system of bringing him off the bench.
Two things to watch:
1) Birmingham lack of home goals
Birmingham have only scored 13 league goals at home, comfortably the worst in the league. Zigic has found his feet though and could be an aerial handful for Swede Jonas Olsson.
2) Hogdson’s selection
West Brom started with a defensive looking midfield of Mulumbu, Sharner and Dorrans at Stoke, but began to create when Odemwingie, Tchoyi and Vela were introduced. Against similar opponents it will be interesting to see if the same approach is adopted.
Possible teams:
Birmingham – Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Larsson; Martins, Zigic.
West Brom – Carson; Reid, Olsson, Meite, Shorey; Vela, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Brunt, Thomas; Odemwingie.
Recent form:
Birmingham – WWLWWD
West Brom – DDDLDL
Prediction: 1-1
ARSENAL v SUNDERLAND, Emirates Stadium, 15:00
A high-scoring victory over Leyton Orient did much to divert attention from last week’s cup final defeat, and shortened the jitters over whether Arsenal are ready to bounce back.
That was with the second string though, and most of those beaten by Birmingham will return to the line-up against Sunderland. The title race is in Arsenal’s hands for the first time in six years, and they cannot afford to drop points in this fixture.
Sunderland are out-of-form, losing their last four and conceding 11 in the process. Injuries have harmed their performances of late, with Cattermole, Turner and Welbeck all missing.
Their early season form ensured relegation wasn’t possible, but will want to avoid a powder-puff finish.
Two things to watch:
1) Nicklas Bendtner
The Dane could be set for a lengthy spell in the side after Robin Van Persie picked up an injury. Coming into this off a hat-trick in the week bodes well for his already high-confidence.
2) Gyan and Arsenal’s defence
Arsenal’s centre halves have been scared by the bustle of Orient’s Jonathan Tehoue and Oba Martins in recent weeks. Gyan will look to pose a similar threat by playing on the nervous Koscielny.
Possible teams:
Arsenal – Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Wilshere, Nasri; Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh;
Sunderland – Mignolet; Ferdinand, Bramble, Mensah, Bardsley; Elmohamady, Henderson, Richardson, Muntari, Sessegnon; Gyan
Recent form:
Arsenal – WLWDWW
Sunderland – LLLLWD
Prediction: 2-1
BOLTON v ASTON VILLA, Reebok Stadium, 15:00
Bolton are firmly back on track after their recent wobble, and are unbeaten in four, with Daniel Sturridge the main reason for their good form. The on-loan Chelsea striker has added trickery, pace and reliable finishing to Bolton’s otherwise limited attack, scoring four times in five games.
With survival certain, Bolton, like Sunderland, won’t be giving up hope of a late surge for Europe.
Villa have lost just one league game in six, and played some fine football in their 4-1 win over Blackburn last week. Gerard Houllier’s team selection in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday clearly showed he wants to make certain of safety as a priority, but did it alienate him from the Villa fans?
Expect Bent, Pires and Downing to return, as well as Ashley Young, who has scored the first goal the last four times he has played against Bolton.
Two things to watch:
1) Bolton’s attacking system exploited?
To accommodate Sturridge, Owen Coyle has dropped a midfielder rather than Elmander or Davies. It means the work-shy Petrov has to track back more, which may be exploited by Kyle Walker.
2) Pires’ changed role
Playing in Spain has helped prolong the career of Robert Pires. The pace he once demonstrated whilst playing on the left-wing for Arsenal has gone, but the experience and awareness he gained abroad means he can play as a deeper lying midfielder alongside the more combative Reo-Coker.
Possible teams:
Bolton – Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Cahill, Wheater, Alonso; Muamba, Holden, Petrov; Sturridge, Elmander, Davies.
Aston Villa – Friedel; Walker, Dunne, Clark, Delph; Pires, Young, Reo-Coker, Albrighton, Downing; Bent.
Recent form:
Bolton – DWWWLW
Aston Villa – LWDDLW
Prediction: 1-1
FULHAM v BLACKBURN, Craven Cottage, 15:00
A lower mid-table slog this may look like, but picking up points is vital at this stage of the season, especially as it could plunge the defeated into further danger. Whoever loses this one could be in serious trouble.
Fulham have drawn half of their league matches this season which looks disappointing at first. They have been without their three best strikers for large parts of the season though.
Blackburn were poor in defeat at Villa last week, with Steve Kean seemingly unsettled on what his best line-up is, particularly in attack. Roque Santa Cruz has quality, but hasn’t found the net since his return to Blackburn, whilst Nikola Kalinic, Jason Roberts, Mame Diouf and Benjani make up an inconsistent crew of back-ups.
They have lost ten of 14 away games. If that trend continues they could be sucked in to danger.
Two things to watch:
1) Johnson’s movement
Andy Johnson is not just a goal poacher and penalty winner, but a creator. His pin-point right-wing cross made Damien Duff’s equaliser at Eastlands last week, a move he likes to perform.
2) Rovers’ soft centre?
Defensive rock Ryan Nelsen will be suspended for Blackburn, and with Chris Samba injured, their central defence is likely to be made up of youngster Grant Hanley and Gael Givet.
Possible teams:
Fulham – Schwarzer; Baird; Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido; Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy, Duff; Johnson, Dembele.
Blackburn – Robinson; Salgado, Hanley, Givet, Olsson; J Jones, N’Zonzi, Pederson, Emerton; Santa Cruz, Kalinic.
Recent form:
Fulham – DLDDWW
Blackburn – LDLLLW
Prediction: 3-0
NEWCASTLE v EVERTON, St. James’ Park, 15:00
Newcastle’s season is already satisfying for the ever-demanding Toon Army, and the unpopular arrival of Alan Pardew has been forgotten thanks to some good results.
Stephen Ireland could make his debut for Newcastle, who are without the influential Joey Barton for the second game running. The creativity of the midfielder could be a hit at St James’.
Everton were, according to David Moyes, deservedly booed off when they lost to Reading on Tuesday. A cup run could have provided an antidote to their most inconsistent league season under Moyes, but instead they only have survival to fight for.
It should be a straightforward task for the Toffees, but they have regularly failed to deliver throughout the campaign. Newcastle’s most frequent home result is a draw, as is Everton’s most common away – a result they would probably both take.
Two things to watch:
1) Steven Taylor’s return
The Geordie defender is as popular as they come on Tyneside. He made his first appearance in five months when he came off the bench last week, and will provide competition for Williamson and Coloccini.
2) How many strikers?
Beckford and Saha worked well in the win over Sunderland last weekend, with the former scoring twice. Everton then reverted back to one up front against Reading after Beckford was punished for being stuck in traffic. He could come back into the side, or Saha could be supported by the less threatening but more industrious Osman.
Possible teams:
Newcastle – Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Ireland, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Best.
Everton – Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman; Saha, Beckford.
Recent form:
Newcastle – DWDDLW
Everton – LWDLWL
Prediction: 1-2
WEST HAM v STOKE, Upton Park, 15:00
West Ham are as resurgent as they have been all season, and with players returning from injury and new signings gelling, look as though they are up for a fight.
Demba Ba has hit the ground running, Thomas Hitzelsperger has added quality and calm and Gary O’Neill is creative from the wing. The Hammers have scored 11 goals in their last three matches.
The number of teams below Stoke probably just about makes them safe, though if they lose this game they will only be three points ahead of West Ham.
They have won just one in six in the league and are struggling to score. Jonathan Walters, Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones have yet to work up a partnership with Tony Pulis’ first choice John Carew.
Two things to watch:
1) West Ham’s versatile threat
Although The Irons are primarily a side that keeps the ball down, they won’t be afraid of playing Stoke at their own game. Piquionne and Ba are both excellent in the air, and will give Shawcross and Huth a real test.
2) The defensive forward
Stoke’s Jonathan Walters is in the side to pressurise defenders and to work hard, rather than carry a goal threat. His defend-from-the-front attitude has made him a favourite with Pulis, even if he rarely threatens the goal.
Possible teams:
West Ham – Green; Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge; O’Neill, Hitzelsperger, Parker, Noble; Ba, Piquionne.
Stoke – Begovic; Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Pugh; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington; Walters, Carew.
Recent form:
West Ham – WWDLWW
Stoke – DLWLWL
Prediction: 3-1
MAN CITY v WIGAN, City of Manchester Stadium, 17:30
Despite Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea, it would take a lot for City to overhaul the ten point gap currently between the two teams. Champions League qualification looks likely, and FA Cup and Europa League runs will keep their season going on three fronts.
A win over a Wigan side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 11 games is a must, considering they play third-spot rivals Chelsea in their next league game.
This is the latest in a vital run of fixtures for Wigan. Following on from last week’s defeat against Man United, they have this, then Birmingham (H), Tottenham (H), Chelsea (A) and Blackpool (A).
They are currently bottom but have a decent record against City in recent years, losing just three in ten.
Two things to watch:
1) City’s system
The three-pronged attack of Tevez, Dzeko and Balotelli didn’t work against Fulham last week and with David Silva back to fitness, he should replace one of them, probably Dzeko. This will mean a more familiar 4-2-3-1 shape.
2) N’Zogbia’s influence
The French winger is often cited as a talisman for Wigan but has failed to perform in recent weeks. He attempted 12 dribbles against United last week, succeeding just once. They need him to start performing if they are to make a fight for survival.
Possible teams:
Man City – Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Barry, Toure, Zabaleta; Tevez, Silva, Balotelli.
Wigan – Al Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Figueroa; Thomas, Diame, Watson; N’Zogbia, McCarthy, Rodallega.
Recent form:
Man City – WDWWDL
Wigan – LLDWDD
Prediction: 2-0