A preview of the weekend's matches in the English Premiership
Bolton v Wigan
Defeat is not an option for two sides rooted in the relegation zone. Bolton head into this encounter encouraged by recent results at home, most notably the 3-1 win against Liverpool on January 21st, and will feel they can torment Wigan, who sit bottom having lost four of their last six games.
Match odds: Bolton 19-29 Wigan 11-4 Draw 12-5
Tottenham v Newcastle
Harry Redknapp and Tottenham must battle to retain their focus. Newcastle will prove a stern test. Everyone outside the north-east of England keeps on predicting that Newcastle will fall away but still they fly high in fifth and a win here would advance their Champions League credentials.
Match odds: Tottenham 9-20 Newcastle 29-5 Draw 16-5
Fulham v Stoke
The midweek visit of Valencia is sure to be in the minds of Stokes players but there is a real need for them to focus on the job in hand. They face Fulham having lost their last three matches in a row and aware their opponents have been strong at home in recent weeks.
Match odds: Fulham 19-20 Stoke 11-4 Draw 12-5
Wolves v WBA
Roy Hodgson can reflect on his first year in charge of West Bromwich Albion with some satisfaction but his mood will darken should this Black County derby be lost to a side that sits just above the relegation zone. Wolverhampton Wanderers should be buoyed by last week’s 2-1 win at Loftus Road against QPR.
Match odds: Wolves 7-5 WBA 19-10 Draw 11-5
Swansea v Norwich
Promoted last summer, both these sides would have wanted little else but survival from this season but can now realistically aim for a top-half finish. They sit 10th and ninth respectively and have drawn many admirers for the pleasing nature of their approach play.
Match odds: Swansea 5-6 Norwich 16-5 Draw 5-2
Everton v Chelsea
The presence of Chelseas owner at training this week has been a reminder to André Villas-Boas that his position as manager is under increasing scrutiny. It will hardly ease his worries, then, to face an Everton side that beat Manchester City in their last fixture on home soil.
Match odds: Everton 21-10 Chelsea 5-4 Draw 9-4
Manchester U v Liverpool
Luis Suárez will face an away crowd and Patrice Evra for the first time since serving his ban for racially abusing the defender, if selected, and can prey on a shaky United defence. United will look to set a club record of scoring in 43 successive league games.
Match odds: Man Utd 5-6 Liverpool 16-5 Draw 5-2
Aston Villa v Manchester C
Manchester City have shown their fire-power, but the effectiveness is not as great in away matches as that of Manchester United. Robert Mancinis team have 21 points on the road but might still be optimistic about this trip since Aston Villa have recorded just three wins at home in the League.
Match odds: Villa 19-5 Man City 7-10 Draw 13-5
Sunderland v Arsenal
A litmus test of Sunderland’s short-term potential. Win and they will be four points behind Arsenal. Defeat would suggest that eighth is probably the highest Sunderland can aspire to. Much may hinge on how tired they are following Wednesdays FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough.
Match Odds: Sun 12-5 Arsenal 11-10 Draw 23-10
Blackburn v QPR
QPR have won just one of their last 12 Premier League matches and, like Blackburn, are caught up in the battle against relegation. This will be a cagey affair but a win for either side could go a long way towards ensuring safety is achieved at the end of the season.
Match odds: Blackburn 13-10 QPR 2-1 Draw 23-10
