A review of the Premiership matches this weekend
Manchester C v Newcastle
The Premier Leagues two remaining unbeaten records are on the line as the divisions meanest defence – Alan Pardews keenly-drilled all-sorts – meets the most prolific attack. Newcastle’s hopes are aided by the absence of Samir Nasri and the tiring effects on Citys of a week of globetrotting.
Odds Man City 1-3 Newcastle 10-1 Draw 9-2
Everton v Wolves
Wolves have been in faltering form this season but did show signs of improvement in the win against Wigan. Everton will hope their England performers – Jack Rodwell and Phil Jagielka in particular – bring their international form back to the Premier League.
Odds Everton 8-13 Wolves 11-2 Draw 11-4
Swansea v Manchester U
United will be boosted by the return of Ashley Young but Danny Welbeck may join Michael Owen, Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling on the sidelines. Brendan Rodgers must decide whether to restore the fit-again Scott Sinclair to a team that has enjoyed more possession than United this season.
Odds Swansea 7-1 Man Utd 6-11 Draw 10-3
Sunderland v Fulham
The aim of these sides is to shake the other one off. Both are locked on 10 points, having won two, drawn four and lost five of their first 11 matches and neither can escape the prospect of a winter spent in the relegation zone. Sunderland will fret given the absence of top scorer Sebastian Larsson.
Odds Sunderland 11-8 Fulham 2-1 Draw 9-4
Stoke v QPR
After an abject performance in the 5-0 thrashing by struggling Bolton, a fortnights break has given Pulis the chance to reorganise and also time for players such as Matthew Etherington, Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson to recover from injury. All are expected to be involved today but QPR are a resilient side.
Odds Stoke 5-6 QPR 4-1 Draw 13-5
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Tottenham have not been beaten in the league since the crushing 5-1 loss to Manchester City at home in August. Since then, the team appear to have found flamboyance, scoring two goals or more in each of the eight league fixtures that have followed. Villa have not won away this season.
Odds Tottenham 4-7 Aston Villa 6-1 Draw 10-3
Chelsea v Liverpool
While Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas can only be concerned by the goals conceded so regularly by his side, there is comfort in both the firepower, and some very good days that have ensued. Liverpool, with little more than a goal a game in the Premier League, look outmatched in attack.
Odds Chelsea 5-6 Liverpool 15-4 Draw 11-4
Norwich v Arsenal
Norwich have yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season, and are unlikely to relish the visit of an Arsenal side that score freely away from home and has a long-running unbeaten record at Carrow Road. The Canaries have not been helped by the continued absence of defender Elliott Ward.
Odds Norwich 9-2 Arsenal 7-10 Draw 3-1
West Brom v Bolton
The international break came at exactly the wrong time for Bolton Wanderers. A thumping 5-0 win against Stoke had given the club impetus for the first time this season. Albion lost their assistant manager in the break – Michael Appleton taking the top job at Portsmouth – but will be hungry after successive defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.
Odds West Brom 20-19 Bolton 3-1 Draw 5-2
Wigan v Blackburn
Only Wigan are below Blackburn Rovers at the bottom with Roberto Martínez requiring victory as desperately as Steve Kean. Each clubs dismal record shows one win and only 11 goals scored between them from a combined 22 outings. So far no Premier League manager has been sacked: today could change that.
Odds Wigan 8-5 Blackburn 7-4 Draw 9-4
