Is there a shadow of a doubt that the game of the week is first up? Didn’t think so.
There is no crazier derby than events routinely dished out in north-London. Two mad, incomplete, inconsistent teams who are some way short of where they feel they belong and hate eachother’s guts. It really doesn’t get any more manic than this.
Some precious sanity will be restored to the Arsenal ranks if Wojciech Szczesny is fit enough to stand in goal. The Gunners will be further boosted by the return of Jack Wilshere from suspension, but Bacary Sagna, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are doubts for Arsene Wenger.
AVB must plan without Moussa Dembele, but Jermaine Defoe’s recovery from a hamstring injury means he must choose the England striker of Mad Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
The betting: Evens on Arsenal, 11/4 Spurs and 5/2 for a draw. We like the 13/5 for Santi Cazorla as an anytime goalscorer.
The verdict: Arsenal.
The game: Liverpool v Wigan
TV: Setanta Sports 1.
It’s one of those games. A fixture you would have expected the Reds to walk on through in their sleep a few years ago. Now, any half decent club head for Anfield with real hope of frustrating the hosts.
Like Arsenal, though; Liverpool should be picking up some sideline turf and marking themselves with a crucifix as Pepe Reina is fit enough to displace Brad Jones. Brendan Rodgers’ defensive options are boosted further by the names Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtl, but things still look bleak in attack – aside from the obvious shining beacon that is Luis Suarez.
Wigan won on their last visit to Anfield, but meet a Liverpool side unbeaten in the last six games. Yet four of those six matches ended in a draw.
The betting: The hosts are odds on 1/2 with Wigan at a three, and six, to one chance of anything but defeat. We like 12/1 on the 0-0 draw.
The verdict: Stalemate.
The game: Man City v Aston Villa
TV: No. Follow TheScore.ie’s 3pm liveblog.
As straightforward looking fixtures go, Man City’s ridiculously talented squad against the least inspiring Aston Villa side since John Gregory around is one-way traffic.
Add in the absence of the visitors’ star men; Darren Bent and Charles Nzogbia and you are left with the impression that Man City will have do be at their self-destructing worst to give the Birmingham club a sniff this afternoon.
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Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri are fit again for the champions.
The betting: A massive 12/1 for an away win here. Even the draw is 5/1. Not much value at all in the 2/9 home win. Mario Balotelli is 9/2 to score first. Why not?
The verdict: Home win.
The game: Newcastle v Swansea
TV: No.
Michael Laudrup has taken his side to England’s north-east with fitness doubts still over Leon Britton, Pablo Hernandez and Kemy Agustien. He should be able to welcome back Chico Flores, however. Those problems seem somewhat insignificant compared to Alan Pardew’s.
The Newcastle boss will name Cheick Tiote in midfield, but that will be offset by the absences of Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, James Perch (all injured) and Fabricio Coloccini (suspended). Once he came to terms with all that, then the Senegal FA waded in, threatening to invoke the ‘five-day rule’ after Papiss Cisse missed his country’s mid-week fixture citing a back injury.
Who’d be a gaffer, eh? The Magpies are yet to record three points on the road this season, so will be extra eager to add to their paltry tally of three Ws this afternoon.
The betting: Almost evens, 19/20 for a home win. 5/2 looks a decent bet on the draw, while a Welsh win is 14/5.
The verdict: Home win.
The game: QPR v Southampton
TV: No.
If the goings on at The Emirates promise to be the most entertaining fare on offer, Loftus Road surely plays host the game with most serious ramifications for the clubs involved.
These bottom two sides could each haul themselves clear of the relegation one, QPR, with home advantage and a manager feeling the heat of all that cash that burned a summer hole in his trouser pocket, must surely need it more.
Rangers and Mark Hughes have not yet managed to earn three points in one go this season. Three draws at Loftus Road and one away, has so far been the extent of the highlight reel.
Southampton, on the other hand, have had more material than they would have wanted. Their early season form gave the impression of a plucky, over-achieving side naively playing an open game with little concept of the consequences. Sadly, that tired clichéd view was proven correct.
Hughes will hope the return of Fabio, Ryan Nelsen, Kieron Dyer and Hogan Ephraim will be enough to overtake Saints.
The betting: Funnily enough, this game has exactly the same odds as the above. 19/20 for a home win. 5/2 the draw. 14/5. if you fancy an away win.
The verdict: Draw.
Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport
The game: Reading v Everton
TV: No.
The Royals, with their grand total of zero wins this season, are the side in danger of dropping into the bottom two if there is a winner at Loftus Road.
Still, Brian McDermott is acquitting himself well in the circumstances; ending the 90 minutes of six out of the last seven games level.
Today, Reading will have to make do without Jimmy Kebe, but their visitors Everton have travelled without Kevin Mirallas and Darron Gibson. David Moyes must be hoping to capitalise and cement Everton’s place in fourth position with both their nearest league rivals facing off at The Hawthornes.
The betting: Everton can proudly sit alongside Manchester United this morning as the only two way sides to be rated odds on by the bookies. 10/3 the odds on a home win, 5/2 for a draw while an Everton win require a stake at odds of 17/20 to make you some pay-dirt.
The verdict: Away win.
The game: West Brom v Chelsea
TV: No.
Steve Clarke meets his old employers this afternoon with complete belief that the Baggies can narrow the gap to the third-place European Champions to just a single point. Only Fulham have managed to keep West Brom from scoring this season. And, while Chelsea were unable to record a win in three recent Premier League outings, the Baggies managed back-to-back successes.
With the sniff of an upset against a Chelsea outfit stippled of John Terry and doubtful over the participation of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Oscar; The Hawthornes faithful should be in full voice. However, they will feel the absence of Romelu Lukaku more acutely than Roberto Di Matteo will miss his charges.
The Belgian striker is on loan from Chelsea and so cannot play against his parent club,
The betting: Even money says Chelsea can return to winning ways. 11/4 and 5/2 on West Brom getting a result. Maybe it’s our Irish eye talking, but we like the look of 21/10 on Shane Long scoring at any time.
The verdict: Draw.
Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
The game: Norwich v Man Utd (5.30pm)
TV: ESPN.
If they were playing anyone other than a Manchester United side looking in the mood to pull all sorts of results from the fire, then we’d be tempted to call this one in Norwich’s favour. Chris Hughton’s men are unbeaten in five games and have lost only once in five outings at Carrow Road this season.
United, though, just have that jammy look about them. The look that says; ‘sure, go ahead and score first, we’ll figure out a way to win before the 96th minute is out.’
Wayne Rooney has been rated alongside Jonny Evans as doubtful by Alex Ferguson, but the Scot may have been tempted to rest the striker by the incredible cameo form of Javier Hernandez. Robin van Persie is also fit, so…
The betting: 4/9 for the league leaders to win. 13/2 for a major upset and 10/3 on the minor upset.
Premier League previews: Who will win today's games and why
All games kick off at 3pm unless stated.
The game: Arsenal v Tottenham (12.45pm)
TV: Sky Sports 2.
Is there a shadow of a doubt that the game of the week is first up? Didn’t think so.
There is no crazier derby than events routinely dished out in north-London. Two mad, incomplete, inconsistent teams who are some way short of where they feel they belong and hate eachother’s guts. It really doesn’t get any more manic than this.
Some precious sanity will be restored to the Arsenal ranks if Wojciech Szczesny is fit enough to stand in goal. The Gunners will be further boosted by the return of Jack Wilshere from suspension, but Bacary Sagna, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are doubts for Arsene Wenger.
AVB must plan without Moussa Dembele, but Jermaine Defoe’s recovery from a hamstring injury means he must choose the England striker of Mad Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
The betting: Evens on Arsenal, 11/4 Spurs and 5/2 for a draw. We like the 13/5 for Santi Cazorla as an anytime goalscorer.
The verdict: Arsenal.
The game: Liverpool v Wigan
TV: Setanta Sports 1.
It’s one of those games. A fixture you would have expected the Reds to walk on through in their sleep a few years ago. Now, any half decent club head for Anfield with real hope of frustrating the hosts.
Like Arsenal, though; Liverpool should be picking up some sideline turf and marking themselves with a crucifix as Pepe Reina is fit enough to displace Brad Jones. Brendan Rodgers’ defensive options are boosted further by the names Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtl, but things still look bleak in attack – aside from the obvious shining beacon that is Luis Suarez.
Wigan won on their last visit to Anfield, but meet a Liverpool side unbeaten in the last six games. Yet four of those six matches ended in a draw.
The betting: The hosts are odds on 1/2 with Wigan at a three, and six, to one chance of anything but defeat. We like 12/1 on the 0-0 draw.
The verdict: Stalemate.
The game: Man City v Aston Villa
TV: No. Follow TheScore.ie’s 3pm liveblog.
As straightforward looking fixtures go, Man City’s ridiculously talented squad against the least inspiring Aston Villa side since John Gregory around is one-way traffic.
Add in the absence of the visitors’ star men; Darren Bent and Charles Nzogbia and you are left with the impression that Man City will have do be at their self-destructing worst to give the Birmingham club a sniff this afternoon.
Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri are fit again for the champions.
The betting: A massive 12/1 for an away win here. Even the draw is 5/1. Not much value at all in the 2/9 home win. Mario Balotelli is 9/2 to score first. Why not?
The verdict: Home win.
The game: Newcastle v Swansea
TV: No.
Michael Laudrup has taken his side to England’s north-east with fitness doubts still over Leon Britton, Pablo Hernandez and Kemy Agustien. He should be able to welcome back Chico Flores, however. Those problems seem somewhat insignificant compared to Alan Pardew’s.
The Newcastle boss will name Cheick Tiote in midfield, but that will be offset by the absences of Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, James Perch (all injured) and Fabricio Coloccini (suspended). Once he came to terms with all that, then the Senegal FA waded in, threatening to invoke the ‘five-day rule’ after Papiss Cisse missed his country’s mid-week fixture citing a back injury.
Who’d be a gaffer, eh? The Magpies are yet to record three points on the road this season, so will be extra eager to add to their paltry tally of three Ws this afternoon.
The betting: Almost evens, 19/20 for a home win. 5/2 looks a decent bet on the draw, while a Welsh win is 14/5.
The verdict: Home win.
The game: QPR v Southampton
TV: No.
If the goings on at The Emirates promise to be the most entertaining fare on offer, Loftus Road surely plays host the game with most serious ramifications for the clubs involved.
These bottom two sides could each haul themselves clear of the relegation one, QPR, with home advantage and a manager feeling the heat of all that cash that burned a summer hole in his trouser pocket, must surely need it more.
Rangers and Mark Hughes have not yet managed to earn three points in one go this season. Three draws at Loftus Road and one away, has so far been the extent of the highlight reel.
Southampton, on the other hand, have had more material than they would have wanted. Their early season form gave the impression of a plucky, over-achieving side naively playing an open game with little concept of the consequences. Sadly, that tired clichéd view was proven correct.
Hughes will hope the return of Fabio, Ryan Nelsen, Kieron Dyer and Hogan Ephraim will be enough to overtake Saints.
The betting: Funnily enough, this game has exactly the same odds as the above. 19/20 for a home win. 5/2 the draw. 14/5. if you fancy an away win.
The verdict: Draw.
Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport
The game: Reading v Everton
TV: No.
The Royals, with their grand total of zero wins this season, are the side in danger of dropping into the bottom two if there is a winner at Loftus Road.
Still, Brian McDermott is acquitting himself well in the circumstances; ending the 90 minutes of six out of the last seven games level.
Today, Reading will have to make do without Jimmy Kebe, but their visitors Everton have travelled without Kevin Mirallas and Darron Gibson. David Moyes must be hoping to capitalise and cement Everton’s place in fourth position with both their nearest league rivals facing off at The Hawthornes.
The betting: Everton can proudly sit alongside Manchester United this morning as the only two way sides to be rated odds on by the bookies. 10/3 the odds on a home win, 5/2 for a draw while an Everton win require a stake at odds of 17/20 to make you some pay-dirt.
The verdict: Away win.
The game: West Brom v Chelsea
TV: No.
Steve Clarke meets his old employers this afternoon with complete belief that the Baggies can narrow the gap to the third-place European Champions to just a single point. Only Fulham have managed to keep West Brom from scoring this season. And, while Chelsea were unable to record a win in three recent Premier League outings, the Baggies managed back-to-back successes.
With the sniff of an upset against a Chelsea outfit stippled of John Terry and doubtful over the participation of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Oscar; The Hawthornes faithful should be in full voice. However, they will feel the absence of Romelu Lukaku more acutely than Roberto Di Matteo will miss his charges.
The Belgian striker is on loan from Chelsea and so cannot play against his parent club,
The betting: Even money says Chelsea can return to winning ways. 11/4 and 5/2 on West Brom getting a result. Maybe it’s our Irish eye talking, but we like the look of 21/10 on Shane Long scoring at any time.
The verdict: Draw.
Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
The game: Norwich v Man Utd (5.30pm)
TV: ESPN.
If they were playing anyone other than a Manchester United side looking in the mood to pull all sorts of results from the fire, then we’d be tempted to call this one in Norwich’s favour. Chris Hughton’s men are unbeaten in five games and have lost only once in five outings at Carrow Road this season.
United, though, just have that jammy look about them. The look that says; ‘sure, go ahead and score first, we’ll figure out a way to win before the 96th minute is out.’
Wayne Rooney has been rated alongside Jonny Evans as doubtful by Alex Ferguson, but the Scot may have been tempted to rest the striker by the incredible cameo form of Javier Hernandez. Robin van Persie is also fit, so…
The betting: 4/9 for the league leaders to win. 13/2 for a major upset and 10/3 on the minor upset.
The verdict: Man Utd.
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