Swansea v Chelsea
Key Battle: Swansea beat Arsenal recently and Mark Allen was particularly impressive. If he can outshine Juan Mata in midfield Swansea could win again.
Player to Watch: Daniel Sturridge will be the man Chelsea look to supply the goals and if he can get back to his best form Chelsea canwin.
Talking Point: Can inconsistent Chelsea get a break in Wales?
Prediction: 2-1
Tottenham v Wigan
Key Battle: Tottenham are in fine form, last week’s defeat to Man City aside, and Gary Caldwell will find the going tough against Emmanuel Adebayor.
Player to Watch: Gareth Bale is at the heart of everything Tottenham do well and they will need him at his best.
Talking Point: Surely Tottenham can’t lose at home to basement boys Wigan – then again they did last year….
Prediction: 3-0
Wolves v Liverpool
Key Battle: The battle in midfield could be key, with Liverpool lacking a defensive presence. Can Steven Gerrard make up for Lucas’ absence and win the battle with Jamie O’Hara?
Player to Watch: Wolves have been difficult to beat of late and with Steven Fletcher in good form they will hope to shock Liverpool.
Talking Point: Wolves are a tough team to beat, but Liverpool have the better players.
Prediction: 1-0
Everton v Man City
Key Battle: David Silva is key for City and he will find it tricky to impose himself with Marouane Fellaini around.
Player to Watch: Landon Donovan is the man Everton hope will turn their season around – can he help them get a result here?
Talking Point: City’s defence is weak but Everton’s attack is as well. It should be a low scoring game.
Prediction: 0-0
Man Utd v Stoke
Key Battle: Wayne Rooney has been quiet of late and will hope to get his best form back again up against Ryan Shawcross, the former United defender.
Player to Watch: Antonio Valencia is in fine form and his ability to create chances has been crucial for United.
Talking Point: Stoke usually roll over at Old Trafford – don’t expect them to show anything like the resilience they do at other big teams.
Prediction: 4-0
Aston Villa v QPR
Key Battle: QPR will be hoping that Anton Ferdinand can keep quiet Darren Bent and ensure QPR can take something.
Player to Watch: New signing Taye Taiwo will be one of the few decent players on show and he has a habit of scoring spectacular goals from left back.
Talking Point: Two poor teams, but Mark Hughes is a half decent manager and better than Alex McLeish, and can guide QPR to a useful win.
Prediction: 0-1
Blackburn v Newcastle
Key Battle: When these two meet there are usually goals. Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are back from the African Nations Cup – can they outscore Yakubu?
Player to Watch: Junior Hoilett is a danger man for Blackburn and Newcastle will have to keep a close eye on him.
Talking Point: Blackburn have been improving of late whilst Newcastle have not been at their best.
Prediction: 2-1
Bolton v Arsenal
Key Battle: Bolton Wanderers will hope that Mark Davies can pick up where he left off against Liverpool but Alex Song and Arsenal will be a tough prospect.
Player to Watch: Arsenal are in awful form and Robin van Persie will be tasked with dragging them out of their rut.
Talking Point: Will Andrei Arshavin get a game for Arsenal after recent events?
Prediction: 0-2
Fulham v West Brom
Key Battle: Clint Dempsey was in fine form against Newcastle and is scoring for fun. Mulumbu for WBA will have to keep an eye on him.
Player to Watch: Bryan Ruiz impresses for Fulham but has not yet hit the goal trail.
Talking Point: Fulham were scintillating against Newcastle whilst WBA have been better away from home than at the Hawthorns
Prediction: 0-1
Sunderland v Norwich
Key Battle: Grant Holt has been superb for Norwich this season and will hope to get the better of John O’Shea
Player to Watch: Sebastien Sessegnon has been an unsung hero this season for Sunderland and is fine scoring form.
Talking Point: Can Norwich’s impressive away run continue, having not been beaten in four away from East Anglia?
Prediction: 1-0
