A look ahead to the English Premiership matches

Arsenal v Swansea

Michael Laudrup’s side arrive at the Emirates today just one point and one place behind their hosts as the Dane has maintained the attacking vibrancy they had under Brendan Rodgers. After two hard-fought away draws, Arsène Wenger promises Arsenal will thrive in December. A win today would be the ideal start.

Odds Arsenal 2-5 Swansea 13-2 Draw 7-2

Manchester C v Everton

Roberto Mancini’s team are only a point behind Manchester United with a goal difference that is better by two ahead of Everton’s arrival. David Moyes’s side have defeated Mancini’s City on five of the six occasions they have met and the Toffees should once again prove to be a tricky proposition.

Odds Man City 8-15 Everton 11-2 Draw 11-4

QPR v Aston Villa

Harry Redknapp will get a rousing reception from QPR supporters desperate for a saviour. Aston Villa beat Reading in midweek but have not won successive Premier League matches for over a year. Neither team is scoring freely and who has the greater need for Darren Bent?

Odds QPR Evens Aston Villa 13-5 Draw 12-5

Fulham v Tottenham

A meeting of many old friends at Craven Cottage. Despite a fine – if largely unnoticed – display against Chelsea in midweek, the Cottagers are at their lowest ebb of the season so far in terms of league position and they will find it tough against a visiting side looking to extend their winning run to three games.

Odds Fulham 7-4 Tottenham 7-5 Draw 12-5

Newcastle v Wigan

After four successive defeats Newcastle United could do with a win. Wigan have never won a Premier League game at St James’ Park but little has gone right for Pardew since he signed an eight-year contract in September. No Newcastle side have ever lost five successive Premier League fixtures

Odds Newcastle 10-11 Wigan 14-5 Draw 5-2

Norwich v Sunderland

Martin O’Neill’s side are in the midst of a black period, having collected just 13 points from 13 games, and are playing with a severe lack of imagination and incisiveness. Their opponents are undefeated in their past seven league games, although Chris Hughtons side also lack a genuine cutting edge.

Odds Norwich 6-5 Sunderland 11-5 Draw 9-4

Liverpool v Southampton

Southampton’s focus is on securing a fifth match without defeat and clambering out of the relegation zone. Much is at stake for the hosts, too, whose own unbeaten run was ended at White Hart Lane in midweek. Home spirits should be lifted, however, by the return of Lucas Leiva from a long-term thigh injury.

Odds Liverpool 4-11 So’ton 15-2 Draw 7-2

Reading v Manchester U

There have been four top-flight games between these sides and Reading can take heart from the draws they have achieved on two of those occasions. Less heartening, however, is the Royals current league position – they are 19th, having won only once all season.

Odds Reading 6-1 Man Utd 2-5 Draw 18-5

West Ham v Chelsea

Trips to the Boleyn Ground have represented easy pickings for Chelsea in recent times, with only two points shed in their last six visits. The visitors arrive without a win in six league games and with fans still deeply unsettled by the arrival of Rafael Benítez. The manager may rest Eden Hazard as he seeks a win to lance the tension.

Odds West Ham 14-5 Chelsea 10-11 Draw 5-2

WBA v Stoke

West Brom’s midweek defeat to Swansea provides Steve Clarke with a chance to see the resolve of his high-flying squad and they will certainly not get an easy ride against Stoke, who are unbeaten in four games but without Peter Crouch after he broke three teeth in a clash with Newcastle’s Fabricio Coloccini in midweek.

Odds West Brom Evens Stoke 13-5 Draw 12-5