ASTON VILLA v NORWICH CITY 12:45, Villa Park (Saturday)

Former Norwich manager Paul Lambert will face his old club for the first time since his departure and needs a win over the team he helped build. Norwich have been struggling since Lambert’s resignation but after registering their first win against Arsenal last weekend they will be full of confidence against a Villa team who have only won once this term.

Norwich’s top scorer from last season, Grant Holt, has found his form of late with three goals in three games but the Villa faithful will be hopeful that with Darren Bent back in the starting line-up they can start to turn their season around.

What to look out for:

A tight game with both sides desperate for a win and neither impressive in front of goal – both teams scoring only six times this season, the lowest totals in the league.

Possible line-ups:

Villa – Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Vlaar, Bennett;Ireland, Delph, El Ahmadi, Holman; Agbonlahor, Bent

Norwich- Ruddy; R Martin, Turner, Bassong, Garrido; E Bennett, Hoolahan, Johnson, Tettey; Pilkington, Holt

Recent form: Villa – DWLDLL;Norwich – DDLLLW

Prediction: 2-1

 

ARSENAL v QUEENS PARK RANGERS 15:00, The Emirates

Arsenal will hope to bounce back from their unexpected defeat at Norwich last week while QPR are still searching for their first victory of the season. The Gunners early season form seems to have faded of late having won only one of their four previous league games, but it is a far cry from QPR who have only picked up one point in as their last four matches.

Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at home to Schalke in midweek coupled with their growing injury list will be a concern for Arsene Wenger, but the news that Jack Wilshere is fit to play again will give some optimism to the Frenchman.

What to look out for:

Arsenal will look to exploit QPR’s haphazard defence who have conceded 17 times this season. The Gunners’ fast movement and slick passing should help secure a much-needed win.

Possible line-ups:

Arsenal – Mannone; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos; Ramsey, Arteta, Coquelin, Podolski; Cazorla; Gervinho

QPR – Julio Cesar; Bosingwa, Mbia, Nelsen, Traore; Diakite, Granero, Taarabt, Park; Hoilett;Zamora

Recent form: Arsenal – WWDLWL; QPR – LDLLLD

Prediction: 2-1

 

READING v FULHAM 15:00, Madejski Stadium

Struggling Reading will hope to gain their first victory of the season against a Fulham side who have made a promising start to the campaign. Reading lie in 19^th position and are only above bottom side QPR on goal difference while Fulham are eighth in the table just two points outside the top four.

The Royals can take heart from the fact that Fulham’s traditionally poor away form has continued this season as the Cottagers have only won one of their four away games, conceding nine goals in the process.

What to look out for:

Reading have been unlucky at home this season and will sense this is as good a chance as any to get a win and you wouldn’t bet against former Fulham striker Pavel Pogrebnyak scoring against his old club.

Possible line-ups:

Reading– McCarthy; Cummings, Gorkss, Mariappa, Shorey; Kebe, Hunt, Leigertwood, McAnuff; Guthrie; Pogrebnyak

Fulham – Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Richardson, Sidwell, Baird, Petric; Berbatov, Rodallega

Recent form: Reading – LLLDDL; Fulham – LWWLDW

Prediction: 2-1

 

STOKE CITY v SUNDERLAND 15:00, Britannia Stadium

Stoke and Sunderland have an almost identical record this season with the Black Cats losing just once more than their counterparts, albeit having played one more game. Sunderland are the last team to beat Stoke on their home turf in the league, a run which dates back to February, although Martin O’Neill’s men have not won away from home this season.

The Black Cats will also take confidence from the fact that Stoke have failed to score against Sunderland in five of their last seven Premier League encounters. But the Potters should never be written off at home and have claimed draws against Man City and Arsenal at The Britannia this season.

What to look out for:

Stoke have scored 75% of their goals from headers this campaign and with 6ft 7ins striker Peter Crouch up front, expect a lot of crosses into the box.

Possible line-ups:

Stoke – Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Whitehead, Adam, Nzonzi, Kightly; Walters, Crouch

Sunderland- Mignolet; Bardsley, Cuellar, O’Shea, Rose; Johnson, Larsson, Gardner, McClean; Sessegnon; Fletcher

Recent form: Stoke – DDLWDL;Sunderland – DDDWLD

Prediction: 2-1

 

WIGAN ATHLETIC v WEST HAM UNITED 15:00, The DW Stadium

Wigan will look to win for the first time at home this season against an impressive West Ham side who sit a noteworthy seventh in the table. The Latics have been in poor form of late losing four of their last six games which is in stark contrast to The Hammers who have lost only once in as many games.

Wigan can take some confidence from their 4-1 win over West Ham the last time the sides met, although this was in a league cup match in which Sam Allardyce fielded a much weakened team.

What to look out for:

Goals – there has been an incredible 19 of them scored between these two sides in their past four meetings.

Possible line-ups:

Wigan – Al Habsi; Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa; Boyce, McArthur, McCarthy, Beausejour; Kone, Di Santo, Maloney

West Ham – Jaaskelainen; O’Brien, Reid, Collins, McCartney; Diame, Nolan, Noble; Benayoun, Carroll, Jarvis

Recent form: Wigan – DLLLDL; West Ham – WDDWLW

Prediction: 2-2

 

MANCHESTER CITY v SWANSEA CITY 17:30, The Etihad Stadium

Manchester City will hope to bounce back from their devastating 3-1 defeat to Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night with another home victory this weekend. The Sky Blues are undefeated in their last 33 Premier League home games, winning 30 of them, and will not expect this run to be stopped by Swansea.

The corresponding fixture last season was an emphatic 4-0 home win but Michael Laudrup’s men can take some hope from their improved form of late which saw them win for the first time in six games last weekend.

What to look out for:

Roberto Mancini will want a reaction from his players after their defeat to Ajax, and a repeat scoreline of last season could be on the cards.

Possible line-ups:

Man City– Hart; Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov; Barry; Y Toure, Sinclair, Aguero, Nasri; Tevez

Swansea – Vorm; Rangel,ChicoFlores, Williams, Davies; Routledge, De Guzman, Ki Sung-Yeung, Britton, Hernandez; Michu

Recent form: Man City – WDDWWW; Swansea – DLLLDW

Prediction: 4-0

 

EVERTON v LIVERPOOL 13:30, Goodison Park (Sunday)

Goodison Park will stage the 219^th Merseyside derby this weekend with the home side having been much the better of the two teams this season. Everton sit an impressive fourth in the table with their best opening to a campaign since 2005 where they finished in the same position.

Liverpool on the other hand have made a poor start and lie a lowly 12^th in the league having only won twice this season. Brendan Rodgers’ side will have some room for optimism though as Liverpool did the double over their local rivals last season and should have first choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina back.

But the Toffees will be confident and with the possibile return of star man Marouane Fellaini they will feel they can claim victory.

What to look out for:

A fiery encounter - don’t be surprised to see a sending off or two and some full on challenges in this highly charged local derby.

Possible line-ups:

Everton – Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Mirallas, Osman, Neville, Fellaini; Anichebe; Jelavic

Liverpool – Reina; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson; Sahin, Gerrard, Allen;Sterling, Suarez, Suso

Recent form: Everton – LDWWDD; Liverpool – LDLWDW

Prediction: 2-1

 

NEWCASTLE UNITED v WEST BROMWICH ALBION 15:00, St James’ Park

Newcastle will hope to win for the first time in four games against a West Brom side who have made an impressive start to the season. The Baggies were unlucky to be beaten by a last minute winner against Manchester City last weekend but have yet to win away from home this season which will give Newcastle confidence.

The Magpies will also be buoyed by the return of defender Steven Taylor to a team that has conceded more times than they have scored this season.

What to look out for:

West Brom have been in good form of late but defeat last weekend may have burst their bubble and with the return of Steven Taylor to their defence Newcastle will be confident of victory.

Possible line-ups:

Newcastle – Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Ben Arfa, Anita, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ba

West Brom – Foster; Tamas, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Dorrans, Yacob, Mulumbu, Morrison; Fortune, Long

Recent form: Newcastle – DDWDLD;West Brom – WLWDWL

Prediction: 2-0

 

SOUTHAMPTON v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 15:00, St Mary’s Stadium

Struggling Southampton will hope that they are able to tighten up a leaky defence that has conceded an alarming 24 times this season if they are to stand any chance of gaining victory.

Spurs on the other hand will be trying to get back to winning ways after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend and Andre Villas-Boas’ men will be buoyed by the return of star man Gareth Bale. The Welsh international has been in electric form but missed last weekend’s game on paternity leave.

What to look out for:

Bale will make an emotional return to the club he grew up at so expect a special performance from the fantastic Welsh winger.

Possible line-ups:

Southampton – Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Fox, Yoshida; Puncheon, Schneiderlin,S Davis, Lallana; Rodriguez; Lambert

Tottenham – Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen; Sandro, Dempsey, Dembele; Lennon, Defoe, Bale

Recent form: Southampton  – LLWLDL; Spurs – DWWWWL

Prediction: 1-3

 

CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UNITED 16:00, Stamford Bridge

Arguably the biggest game of the season so far in the title race will take place between the league’s top two and a home win would leave Chelsea seven points clear of United. Sir Alex’s side came from three down in last season’s corresponding fixture to draw and a similar result could happen.

Chelsea are undefeated in the league but suffered their first reverse of the season to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday which could dent their confidence, whereas United will be in high spirits after coming from behind to beat Braga.

The Red Devils can not afford to lose the game and with Chelsea’s influential captain John Terry suspended, Sir Alex may tell his side to attack a weaker defence.

What to look out for:

The midfield battle – this could decide the outcome of the game. Chelsea’s trio of Mata, Hazard and Oscar have been electric this season and the likes of Carrick and Cleverley will have to be at their best to stop them.

Possible line-ups:

Chelsea – Cech; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres

Man Utd – De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick, Kagawa; Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie

Recent form: Man Utd – WWWLWW; Chelsea – WDWWWW

Prediction: 2-2

 

 

Tags: Barclays Premier League, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Roberto di Matteo, Sir Alex Ferguson, Swansea