A cluttered batch of fixtures coming up - with all the FA Cup, Champions League and UEFA Cup matches squashed together - clubs are having to utilise their squads to the fullest.Saturday and Sunday's games are predicted as follows:
Arsenal vs Fulham
Last week Arsenal failed to defeat Sunderland at home - missing a hatful of chances. Then they went and played Roma off the park. Go figure. Wenger needs to get some consistency. Fulham play open attractive football - but they are guilty of misfiring in front of goal. Two squads with plenty to prove in what should be a fast open game. Yet Fulham on the road = woeful.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0
Chelsea vs Wigan
A unified Chelsea are beginning to develop a patch of momentum - with good wins against Aston Villa and Juventus. Praise has been heaped on Drogba and the blame game has been well and truly aimed at Scolari. With Hiddink seemingly getting to gel a threatening team - poor old Wigan wait in the wings. They have a resolute defence - but they will be under immense pressure.
Prediction: Chelsea 1 Wigan 0
Everton vs West Brom
As Arteta misses out with injury - Everton's other weapon - Tim Cahill returns. West Brom are a pitiful sight away from home. Goodison Park is a difficult place to go at the best of times. Other teams around the Baggies are beginning to pick up points - they effectively look doomed. Everton are a strong team and would be gravely disappointed to not get three points here.
Prediction: Everton 2 West Brom 0
Middlesbrough vs Liverpool
Boro dismantled West Ham in the week with possibly the performance of their season. And which Liverpool will turn up - League or Champs League? If Torres isn't fit - the result could be disastrous to the Merseyside team desperate to keep pace with Man Utd. The lowly attendances at the Riverside means fairly flat atmospheres - perhaps here Southgate can use this to get people back in the gates.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Liverpool 1
Aston Villa vs Stoke
Are Villa on a minor slump? They went out of the UEFA cup and were played off the pitch by Chelsea. Maybe it's lucky then that they face a Stoke side who appear to be incapable of playing a clean match. Suspensions are crippling Tony Pulis' side. Simply a game about who wants it more.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Stoke 1
Bolton vs Newcastle
God this sounds like an ugly match. Neither team can boast attractive football. This is going to be scrappy. The form suggests Bolton should take the points. Newcastle are without a suspended Kevin Nolan who would have relished a return to his old stomping ground. Bolton are most likely to edge it.
Prediction: Bolton 1 Newcastle 0
Hull vs Blackburn
With not a lot of rest after their FA Cup replay - Hull will be hoping to stop their slide down the table. Blackburn have a lot of work to do to push that gap between them and relegation. Losses now will be unacceptable. Roque Santa Cruz could well be the difference maker.
Prediction: Hull 0 Blackburn 1
West Ham vs Manchester City
Things are looking too rosy for the Hammers. A splurge of games without a win and out of the FA Cup. Craig Bellamy returns to what will be a hostile reception. He will ignore the boo boys and could attack a weakened West Ham defense with fast pace and wide interplay. West Ham are depleted with injuries and suspensions.
Prediction: West Ham 1 Manchester City 1
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