Newcastle v Everton
Key Battle: Newcastle have been superb of late and Demba Ba is in fine form. Phil Jagielka will have to be at his best as Everton look to break the Magpies’ unbeaten record.
Player to Watch: Yohan Cabaye has been in impeccable form for Newcastle – can this continue?
Talking Point: How long will Newcastle’s run go on for, and can Everton be the first team to break their run?
Prediction: 0-1
Arsenal v West Brom
Key Battle: Arsenal were superb against Chelsea last weekend but lacklustre against Marseille. They will hope Aaron Ramsey is back on form to supply through balls from midfield for their lethal forward line. Yusuf Mulumbu will have his work cut out.
Player to Watch: Thomas Vermaelen is back and looked good against Marseille. In his first season he displayed a goalscoring tendency at the other end too, and it will be interesting to see how he performs.
Talking Point: West Brom stunned Arsenal at the Emirates last season. Can they repeat those heroics?
Prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa v Norwich
Key Battle: Grant Holt is in fine goalscoring form for Norwich and they will go into this game buoyant. Villa’s defence looked shaky against Sunderland and Richard Dunne will hope to put things right at home this weekend.
Player to Watch: Charles N’Zogbia has looked lacklustre for Villa so far in his brief career there, though he is playing under the dour style of Alex McCleish.
Talking Point: Villa have stumbled recently, whilst Norwich have looked resurgent. The visitors are likely to play the better passing football – can they carve out the chances to shock their hosts?
Prediction: 1-2
Blackburn v Chelsea
Key Battle: Blackburn have been in a rut for the whole season but have played well at times, and have been unlucky during parts of the season. Against Chelsea’s defence they will hope Junior Hoilett can take advantage, and the visitors will need Branislav Ivanovic to be at his best to keep the lively man quiet.
Player to Watch: Fernando Torres has been quiet in recent weeks – can he wake up and fire the Blues to victory?
Talking Point: Chelsea struggled against Genk, and their defence was poor against both Arsenal and QPR. Will that prove their undoing?
Prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Swansea
Key Battle: Leon Britton was superb last week for Swansea, not misplacing a single pass. He will face a tough battle up against Lucas Levia and Liverpool.
Player to Watch: Liverpool have shown glimpses of brilliance but have also shown a lacklustre side on occasion – Charlie Adam’s creativity could be key.
Talking Point: Swansea are another promoted team in fine form; but Liverpool is a different test entirely. How will they cope?
Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United v Sunderland
Key Battle: Sunderland have looked better in recent weeks and Sebastien Larsson has been at the heart of most that is good about their play this season. But against Anderson he will find himself with one of his toughest tests so far this season.
Player to Watch: Wayne Rooney played superbly in midfield for United in the week – will he be at his best again in his favoured position up front?
Talking Point: United are still suffering the aftermath of the 6-1 loss at home to Man City – can they use this game to put it past them?
Prediction: 3-0
QPR v Man City
Key Battle: A limited QPR side will be hoping to battle Man City off the ball if they are to win anything. Joey Barton will have to push the laws to their limit, as he often does, to get the better of David Silva.
Player to Watch: Edin Dzeko had a rest in midweek, as did Sergio Aguero. Whomever starts on Saturday will give QPR a torrid time.
Talking Point: City have looked great in recent weeks, though spurred by the form of Silva. Will he have recovered from his knock against Villarreal?
Prediction: 0-7
Wolves v Wigan
Key Battle: Wigan are rooted to the bottom of the table and will be looking to Hugo Rodallega to spark some form and goals. Roger Johnson will be a formidable opponent for the Colombian.
Player to Watch: Karl Henry will have to be at his best to prevent Wigan dominating possession, which could be key.
Talking Point: Two struggling teams desperate for three points. Which usually means one result…
Prediction: 0-0
Bolton v Stoke
Key Battle: For Stoke, it is always the long throws of Rory Delap which cause the most havoc for opposing defenders. Gary Cahill has been poor this season, but will need to find his form.
Player to Watch: Bolton have struggled for control of the midfield this season with Stuart Holden out. Much pressure will be on for Fabrice Muamba to dominate against the limited Stoke.
Talking Point: Bolton have never recovered from the 5-0 defeat to these opponents in last year’s FA Cup semi final, but Stoke were in Tel-Aviv on Thursday, so how will this affect them?
Prediction: 1-0
Fulham v Tottenham
Key Battle: Fulham have started to find some form and Bryan Ruiz is a dangerous player, whom Tottenham and Michael Dawson will have to be wary of.
Player to Watch: Emmanuel Adebayor has been in fine form for Tottenham this season, and he will hope to give Brede Hangeland the runaround.
Talking Point: Tottenham have been resting players in Europe to maximise their efforts in the Premier League. How will they cope against their former coach Martin Jol and his impressive Fulham team?
Prediction: 2-2
