West Brom v Man Utd 1 Jan 12:45

Going into 2011, with half the season gone, Manchester United have yet to experience the pain of defeat. But a trip to the Hawthorns still presents a potential banana skin, especially when you consider United’s less-than-impressive away form this campaign (just one win on the road in eight games). The Baggies are in a rut though, with no win in their last three matches, and their home record against United is poor.
Prediction – United pile pressure on Di Matteo – Away win

Liverpool v Bolton 1 Jan 15:00

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson upset some of his own fans recently with comments about the infamous Anfield support – or lack of it. Hodgson has made a poor start to his Liverpool tenure and there are whispers that he will lose his job should Bolton win this fixture. But as Liverpool have won their last eight Premier League matches against Bolton (with Wanderers failing to score in six of those eight defeats), we suspect Roy will live to fight another day.
Prediction – Massive relief at Anfield – Home win

Man City v Blackpool 1 Jan 15:00

Blackpool have won precisely none of their previous nine league matches against Man City, but you’d be wise to ignore the formbook where Ian Holloway is concerned. The Seasiders have only lost one of their last eight league games, a remarkable achievement given their tiny budget, which is a fraction of the millions available to City boss Roberto Mancini. However, City are looking more and more like a real team and they should have enough strength to keep up their title push.
Prediction – The City juggernaut rolls on – Home win

Stoke v Everton 1 Jan 15:00

Stoke didn’t manage a single shot on target against Everton in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in October, but surely the Potters will be more effective at the Britannia. Everton are draw specialists this season, with six draws in their last nine games, but they are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions against Stoke and will be confident of getting at least a point from this game.
Prediction – Physical contest, no quarter given – Draw

Sunderland v Blackburn 1 Jan 15:00

The last eight Premier League meetings between these teams have either ended in draws or have been won by a single-goal margin – all of which points to another tight match on New Year’s Day. Sunderland come into this fixture on the back of two 2-0 defeats, but they will be encouraged by Blackburn’s poor away record: Rovers haven’t kept a single clean sheet on the road this season.
Prediction – Black Cats back to winning ways – Home win

Tottenham v Fulham 1 Jan 15:00

Tottenham refuse to go quietly and are still in with an outside chance of winning the league this season, especially if talisman Rafael van der Vaart and human dynamo Gareth Bale stay fit. Fulham have a lousy record recently against Spurs, with only one win in 12 matches, but at least they come into this match on the back of a morale-boosting victory, at Stoke. But it’s difficult to see anything other than a home win.
Prediction – The Spurs go marching on – Home win

West Ham v Wolves 1 Jan 15:00

As we enter a crucial stage of the season, this looks like a must-win fixture for both of these relegation-threatened teams. Both clubs are mired in the bottom three, despite some improved form of late, but a win for either team would be enough to lift them out of the drop zone, though temporarily, as Aston Villa and Wigan both play on Sunday.
Prediction – The Spurs go marching on – Home win

Birmingham v Arsenal 1 Jan 17:30

Here’s an interesting stat, albeit one which makes painful reading for Arsenal fans: Birmingham have scored a 90th-minute goal in three of their last four home games against the Gunners. Arsenal simply can’t afford to throw away points like that if they are to keep up with the two Manchester clubs. One bright spot for Arsene Wenger: Samir Nasri has scored in both of his league appearances against the Blues.
Prediction – Gunners fired up – Away win

Chelsea v Aston Villa 2 Jan 13:30

This is one of the last fixtures Gerard Houllier needs right now. The beleaguered Villa boss is dragging his team towards relegation, and so a trip to Stamford Bridge only spells more doom and gloom for the Midlands club. The formbook doesn’t make for pretty reading for Villa fans either, as Villa have lost six of their last eight Premier League visits to the Bridge.
Prediction – Chelsea too strong for ailing Villa – Home win

Wigan v Newcastle 2 Jan 16:00

After a storming start to his Newcastle tenure, Alan Pardew’s honeymoon period has well and truly ended, with a couple of defeats over Christmas (albeit against two strong teams in Man City and Tottenham). There’s still every chance that the Magpies could be caught up in a relegation fight, as they have scored fewer points in the last eight matches than any other team in the Premier League; it’s a worrying loss of form. Wigan too need to find some form, as they are even closer to the drop zone than Sunday’s visitors.
Prediction – Feisty contest, honours even – Draw

West Brom v Man Utd 1 Jan 12:45Going into 2011

With half the season gone, Manchester United have yet to experience thepain of defeat. But a trip to the Hawthorns still presents a potential banana skin, especiallywhen you consider United’s less-than-impressive away form this campaign (just one winon the road in eight games). The Baggies are in a rut though, with no win in their last threematches, and their home record against United is poor.

Prediction – United pile pressure on Di Matteo – Away win

Liverpool v Bolton 1 Jan 15:00

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson upset some of his own fans recently with comments aboutthe infamous Anfield support – or lack of it. Hodgson has made a poor start to his Liverpooltenure and there are whispers that he will lose his job should Bolton win this fixture. But asLiverpool have won their last eight Premier League matches against Bolton (with Wanderersfailing to score in six of those eight defeats), we suspect Roy will live to fight another day.
Prediction – Massive relief at Anfield – Home win

Man City v Blackpool 1 Jan 15:00

Blackpool have won precisely none of their previous nine league matches against Man City,but you’d be wise to ignore the formbook where Ian Holloway is concerned. The Seasidershave only lost one of their last eight league games, a remarkable achievement given theirtiny budget, which is a fraction of the millions available to City boss Roberto Mancini.However, City are looking more and more like a real team and they should have enoughstrength to keep up their title push.
Prediction – The City juggernaut rolls on – Home win

Stoke v Everton 1 Jan 15:00

Stoke didn’t manage a single shot on target against Everton in the reverse fixture atGoodison Park in October, but surely the Potters will be more effective at the Britannia.Everton are draw specialists this season, with six draws in their last nine games, but they areunbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions against Stoke and will be confident ofgetting at least a point from this game.
Prediction – Physical contest, no quarter given – Draw

Sunderland v Blackburn 1 Jan 15:00

The last eight Premier League meetings between these teams have either ended in draws orhave been won by a single-goal margin – all of which points to another tight match on NewYear’s Day. Sunderland come into this fixture on the back of two 2-0 defeats, but they will beencouraged by Blackburn’s poor away record: Rovers haven’t kept a single clean sheet onthe road this season.
Prediction – Black Cats back to winning ways – Home win

Tottenham v Fulham 1 Jan 15:00

Tottenham refuse to go quietly and are still in with an outside chance of winning the leaguethis season, especially if talisman Rafael van der Vaart and human dynamo Gareth Balestay fit. Fulham have a lousy record recently against Spurs, with only one win in 12 matches,but at least they come into this match on the back of a morale-boosting victory, at Stoke. Butit’s difficult to see anything other than a home win.
Prediction – The Spurs go marching on – Home win

West Ham v Wolves 1 Jan 15:00

As we enter a crucial stage of the season, this looks like a must-win fixture for both ofthese relegation-threatened teams. Both clubs are mired in the bottom three, despite someimproved form of late, but a win for either team would be enough to lift them out of the dropzone, though temporarily, as Aston Villa and Wigan both play on Sunday.
Prediction – The Spurs go marching on – Home win

Birmingham v Arsenal 1 Jan 17:30

Here’s an interesting stat, albeit one which makes painful reading for Arsenal fans:Birmingham have scored a 90th-minute goal in three of their last four home games againstthe Gunners. Arsenal simply can’t afford to throw away points like that if they are to keep upwith the two Manchester clubs. One bright spot for Arsene Wenger: Samir Nasri has scoredin both of his league appearances against the Blues.
Prediction – Gunners fired up – Away win

Chelsea v Aston Villa 2 Jan 13:30

This is one of the last fixtures Gerard Houllier needs right now. The beleaguered Villa bossis dragging his team towards relegation, and so a trip to Stamford Bridge only spells moredoom and gloom for the Midlands club. The formbook doesn’t make for pretty reading forVilla fans either, as Villa have lost six of their last eight Premier League visits to the Bridge.

Prediction – Chelsea too strong for ailing Villa – Home win

Wigan v Newcastle 2 Jan 16:00

After a storming start to his Newcastle tenure, Alan Pardew’s honeymoon period has welland truly ended, with a couple of defeats over Christmas (albeit against two strong teams inMan City and Tottenham). There’s still every chance that the Magpies could be caught up ina relegation fight, as they have scored fewer points in the last eight matches than any otherteam in the Premier League; it’s a worrying loss of form. Wigan too need to find some form,as they are even closer to the drop zone than Sunday’s visitors.
Prediction – Feisty contest, honours even – Draw

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