Norwich v Arsenal
Key Battle: Kyle Naughton will have a tough day on his hands up against Arsenal’s in form Ivorian Gervinho, whose width and direct running have caused problems for many opponents this season.
Player to Watch: Arsenal’s recent good form has coincided with that of Aaron Ramsey in midfield. Van Persie may score the goals, but without Ramsey’s incisive passing, some of Arsenal’s best moves would not get off the ground.
Talking Point: Can Arsenal continue their good form and start to pick up a win on the road?
Prediction: 0-3
Everton v Wolves
Key Battle: Leon Osman will have to be at his creative best to carve open the Wolves back line, in which Roger Johnson will be hoping to marshall his defenders well to keep out their opponents.
Player to Watch: Tim Cahill has not been at his goalscoring best this season and Everton have been below par – can he get back on the scoresheet?
Talking Point: Wolves had a decent win last time around whilst Everton lost – who will have the upper hand this weekend?
Prediction: 1-0
Man City v Newcastle
Key Battle: David Silva will be hoping to show his usual brilliant form for Man City, but he will be up against a tough battle in Check Tiote, possibly one of his hardest opponents yet this season.
Player to Watch: Expect Steven Taylor to throw himself in the way of everything this weekend as Newcastle look to maintain their unbeaten run.
Talking Point: Newcastle’s defence has been superb this season and they may go for a defensive approach – City have not had to deal with a good team packing the defence this season (only Aston Villa have adopted the tactic, but they are a poor side).
Prediction: 0-0
Stoke v QPR
Key Battle: Kenwyne Jones’ height and power will test Anton Ferdinand and Stoke will look to use their forward man’s physical stature as they usually do.
Player to Watch: Joey Barton’s ability to dominate midfield will be tested against Stoke this weekend
Talking Point: Two of the worst teams in the league, this is unlikely to be a game for the neutrals. So who can come out on top?
Prediction: 4-0
Sunderland v Fulham
Key Battle: Danny Murphy’s ability to dictate the play will be tested by Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole, and who comes out on top could have a bearing on the direction of this game.
Player to Watch: Bobby Zamora has been in good form; can he continue that at the Stadium of Light?
Talking Point: Sunderland have had a poor season, and though Fulham have not been much better, the mood in the camp down south is better.
Prediction: 1-2
West Brom v Bolton
Key Battle: Chris Brunt will be hoping to use his creative skills to carve open a porous Bolton defence, which will be marshalled by Gary Cahill – can he get back to form?
Player to Watch: Can Bolton get back to scoring ways? Ivan Klasnic has scored a few for them this term and he could be key.
Talking Point: West Brom are without their main two forwards, so how will they score goals this weekend?
Prediction: 0-0
Wigan v Blackburn
Key Battle: Junior Hoilett has looked lively this season and been one of Blackburn’s best players – he will hope to get the better of Antonin Alcarez.
Player to Watch: Wigan will need Ben Watson to be at his best in midfield to dominate the play against Blackburn.
Talking Point: Two of the relegation favourites, Blackburn have played well this season, despite their position – can it finally show?
Prediction: 2-3
Swansea v Man Utd
Key Battle: Ashley Williams has been superb this season for Swansea but he will have his toughest test of the campaign up against Javier Hernandez
Player to Watch: Leon Britton’s ability to dictate the play and dominate possession in midfield could be key to preventing United overrunning the Welsh side.
Talking Point: Swansea have been superb at home this season, and have been able to dominate possession against most. Can they pull off another great result?
Prediction: 0-0
Chelsea v Liverpool
Key Battle: Jose Bosingwa will have to be on form defensively to ensure that Liverpool can’t cut Chelsea open defensively, through Stewart Downing’s direct running.
Player to Watch: Chelsea are likely to press Liverpool into their own third and the ability of Juan Mata to cut open their defence will be key.
Talking Point: Raul Mereiles and Fernando Torres will be keen to prove a point against their former team, but how will the Chelsea defence hold up?
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Key Battle: Tottenham have been in superb form in recent times and Emmanuel Adebayor will hope that his trip to Africa this week doesn’t take too much out of him ahead of a clash with Richard Dunne.
Player to Watch: Gareth Bale has been in superb form of late and will hope to get the better of former Spurs man Alan Hutton.
Talking Point: Villa are a limited side without much ability, so are likely to play defensively and be pinned into their own half of the pitch for much of the game.
Prediction: 3-0
