A round-up of the weekend's matches in the English Premiership
Everton v Blackburn
The visit of Blackburn could provide Everton with an opportunity to increase their goal tally – Rovers have yet to keep a clean sheet since they beat Bolton 1-0 in April. Blackburn’s upturn in form has been helped by the goals of former Everton striker Yakubu Ayegbeni, who is banned for this game.
Odds: Everton 8-13 Blackburn 6-1 Draw 3-1
Man City v Tottenham
Manchester City are attempting to get closer to the Premier League title but in another sense they have been going backwards. This is a match in which City may need some of their former exuberance but Tottenham were deflated by the home draw with Wolves .
Odds: Man City 10-11 Tottenham 10-3 Draw 11-4
Sunderland v Swansea
Martin O’Neill says Swansea’s passing game is “great to see” in the Premier League and Sunderland will face a side high on confidence after the superb win over Arsenal last week. The Chelsea midfielder, Josh McEachran, arrived at the Liberty Stadium on loan earlier this week and is likely to start on the bench.
Odds: Sunderland 10-11 Swansea 15-4 Draw 5-2
Stoke v WBA
On St Stephen’s Day, West Brom were ninth in the Premier League and looked set for a comfortable season but a run of three successive defeats has left them in 15th place and Roy Hodgson now admits his side are in a relegation battle. Stoke are unbeaten in 10 matches against Albion.
Odds Stoke 10-11 West Brom 10-3 Draw 5-2
Fulham v Newcastle
Fulham have the best home record in the bottom half of the table – four wins and 15 points from 10 matches – the same as Newcastle in away games. This match may depend on how Newcastle cope without their African stars, especially if Yohan Cabaye does not pass a fitness test.
Odds: Fulham 21-20 Newcastle 3-1 Draw 5-2
Wolves v Aston Villa
Back in 1997 Robbie Keane made his debut for Wolves – 14 years and €85 million in transfer fees later he returns to Molineux in Aston Villa colours after joining on loan from LA Galaxy. He will not find a happy place, Wolves have gone seven league games without a win and lost to Birmingham City in the FA Cup during the week.
Odds: Wolves 13-8 Aston Villa 15-8 Draw 11-5
QPR v Wigan
Each of these relegation-threatened teams are desperate for a win as Mark Hughes’ QPR (18th) entertain Roberto Martínez’ bottom-placed side. Hughes sole league outing as the new Rangers manager was the 1-0 loss at Newcastle last Sunday.
Odds: QPR 11-10 Wigan 3-1 Draw 12-5
Norwich v Chelsea
Norwich were unlucky to lose 3-1 when these sides met in August, as they gave Chelsea a jarring test. Paul Lambert opted to play with a lone striker that day and Grant Holt gave John Terry such a mauling that it will be intriguing to see if both Holt and Steve Morison are unleashed on the Chelsea defence.
Odds: Norwich 5-1 Chelsea 8-13 Draw 3-1
Bolton v Liverpool
Attention will be focused on two strikers. Liverpool’s €42 million Andy Carroll and Bolton’s €5 million David Ngog have much to prove. Ditto their two managers. While Owen Coyle is desperate to lift Bolton out of the relegation zone, Kenny Dalglish knows seventh position is not good enough.
Odds: Bolton 11-2 Liverpool 4-6 Draw 3-1
Arsenal v Man U
It must gall Arsenal that the season is not far beyond its halfway stage and there are title implications here only for their opponents. United have the best away record in the league but this is also the chance for Arsenal to get August’s 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford out of their system.
Odds: Arsenal 7-4 Man Utd 13-8 Draw 12-5
