English Premiership Previews: Round 5 *Updated
Stoke entertain the Hammers in what could already be dubbed as a relegation six-pointer with both sides languishing in the bottom three. If we're looking at form, then Stoke edge it following Monday's dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Saturday 11th September 
Stoke entertain the Hammers in what could already be dubbed as a relegation six-pointer with both sides languishing in the bottom three. If we're looking at form, then Stoke edge it following Monday's dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa. They scored twice in the final 10 minutes to claim their first points of the season and that will have come as a welcome relief to all concerned. West Ham are rock bottom, without a single point and have shipped 12 goals in four games so it already looks as though it's going to be a long season ahead. Manager Avram Grant will not be at the match, having been excused to observe the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur and already needing assurances from co-owner David Gold that his job is safe. How long the situation will be allowed to go on is debatable and we think Stoke will add to the growing pressure.
Verdict: Stoke 2 West Ham 1
Aston Villa v Bolton 
Villa let a winning position slip on Monday night at Stoke when they conceded two late goals as their form away from Villa Park continues to let them down. They are a different animal back at home though with two wins from two, four goals scored and none conceded. Uncertainty still swirls around as to whose hand is currently on the rudder. Gerard Houllier is tying up some loose ends so Kevin MacDonald is entrusted once more with tactics and selecting the team for the visit of the Trotters. They do look a bit vulnerable and a team like Bolton might just take advantage. Owen Coyle's side fell apart after Gary Cahill's dismissal at Arsenal last weekend but up to that point they had been competitive with Coyle getting them playing some decent football. They will be without Cahill after his red-card appeal was dismissed but they should still put up a worthwhile display. Recent results in this fixture have seen Villa win 5-1, 4-2 and 4-0 but I have a sneaking suspicion the visitors could get something this time around.
Verdict: Aston Villa 1 Bolton 1
Blackburn v Fulham
Rovers took advantage of a clanger between Joe Hart and Kolo Toure to open the scoring last week at Manchester City and after the hosts had equalised, clung on tremendously to secure a point. Sam Allardyce may not have City's riches or the most talented players but he has instilled a strong team spirit in his side and that should carry them into the top half once again. Mark Hughes returns to Ewood Park with his new team where he is trying to build a side of his own that gets the ball down on the floor and plays creatively. He looks to have unearthed a little gem in Moussa Dembele but his striker now has more responsibility on his shoulders as he settles into the Premier League with Bobby Zamora ruled out for an extended period. Rovers have won four of the last five encounters at Ewood Park but the visitors have made an unbeaten start to the season and have even shown some much-needed steel away from Craven Cottage. That should stand them in good stead for a point at least.
Verdict: Blackburn 1 Fulham 1
Everton v Newcastle 
There will be much worse 4/6 shots this season than Everton and they are well worth supporting to land the odds for their first victory of the campaign. Two draws and two defeats have been their return so far but the quality of performance has deserved much more. Their extraordinary comeback against Manchester United last weekend showed tremendous character and David Moyes will demand his players build on that momentum with a performance of authority. Newcastle have done okay so far back in the top flight but the 2-0 defeat to Blackpool was a huge wake-up call for manager Chris Hughton. On another day they may have netted one or more of the numerous chances created but were then caught out by a team that is playing with no fear at the moment. There is every chance Toon will find themselves outclassed this time as Everton start to hit their stride so we are keen to get involved at the odds on offer.
Everton 2 Newcastle 0
Spurs v Wolves 
There will be much for Spurs for prove when they entertain Wolves. There first ever match in the Champions League group stages in midweek saw them squander an early 2-0 lead against Werder Bremen and they were fortunate to escape with a point. And in their previous league match at White Hart Lane they produced an abject performance in a shock 1-0 defeat to Wigan. So with a Carling Cup tie against bitter rivals Arsenal looming next week, Spurs will be anxious to steady their confidence against a Wolves side who have drawn one and lost one of their two games on the road so far. Mick McCarthy's side are resolute and well-drilled, but Spurs have plenty of firepower and will edge home.
Verdict: Spurs 1 Wolves 0
West Brom v Birmingham 
Midlands derby matches are always feisty affairs and expect the tackles to be flying in once again at The Hawthorns. Blues have yet to taste defeat in four league games this season, but have only managed one win. They can count themselves very unfortunate not to have beaten Liverpool last weekend, denied by two world class saves by Pepe Reina. Their two away games have both ended in 2-2 draws, the first at Sunderland when they hit back from 2-0 down and the second at Bolton where they let a two-goal lead slip against 10 men. Newly-promoted West Brom have won one and drawn one of their two home games so far and certainly making the Hawthorns a "fortress" will be key to them keeping their top-flight status. Yet the form book can be thrown out of the window when it comes to local tussles and we think the generally available 9/4 on offer for the draw is worth snapping up with so much local pride at stake.
Verdict: West Brom 1 Birmingham 1
Sunderland v Arsenal
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce must have visibly aged as he watched Arsenal's 6-0 midweek demolition of Braga in the Champions League. Six goals could eaily have been 10 and playmaker Cesc Fbaregas - for most of the summer linked with a multi-million pound move to Barcelona was nothing short of sensational. Even without Robin van Persie, Niklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott, the Gunners are still full of goals with free summer signing from Bordeaux Marouane Chamakh looking like he has been in the team all his life. So just how do Sunderland stop Arsenal? Well they would be very unfortunate to catch them in similar form for a start and it is a certainty Fabregas will not be afforded the space he was given on Wednesday. The Black Cats won this fixture last season and will be sterner opposition than hapless Braga, we still think Arsene Wenger's side will triumph.
Verdict: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 2
SATURDAY PICKS:
Everton to beat Newcastle at 1.66 (Ladbrokes).
West Brom to draw with Birmingham at 3.25 (Betsson).
Sunday 12th September 
Manchester United remain unbeaten this season but Sir Alex Ferguson's frustration is developing as all the domination is not being turned into victories. Last weekend's dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton when they squandered a two-goal lead in injury time was a prime example and Ferguson said afterwards: "The disappointment must resonate with the players. They can't make mistakes like that gain." Ten changes were made for the Champions League opener in midweek but they failed to break down a resolute Rangers defence. The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Paul Scholes will be back for this game to give the hosts that added dimension. If any motivation was needed then Ferguson added: "This is the fixture." Roy Hodgson also made changes for his Europa League exploits and he is hoping a refreshed Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can spearhead a push for victory down the East Lancs Road. Torres has netted the last three times at Old Trafford but a seemingly sulky and disinterested effort against Birmingham had the critics circling and questioning his motivation. Interestingly, Hodgson has revealed that he wished this fixture had not come so soon in the calendar although it will provide a decent barometer as to how he is getting to grips with the job. This is a fiendishly hard match to call but I think the home side might just shade it. Liverpool should make a fight of it though and a small bet on both sides to score at a fraction of odds-against looks the best way to get involved.
Verdict: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1
Wigan v Manchester City
Wigan have not been defeated by City at the DW Stadium in their last six encounters and Roberto Martinez feels his team is finally coming together after a very shaky start to the season. A shock win at Spurs and a gritty point at home to Sunderland where they limited the visitors to just one shot on target suggests that the summer's new arrivals are finally finding some sort of solidity. A sparkling 3-0 win over Liverpool in the league at the end of last month heralded much for City but a loss and a draw since against Sunderland and Blackburn was not on Roberto Mancini's agenda and there are already rumblings that his high-cost side needs to start delivering pretty quickly. They were comfortable 2-0 winners at Salzburg in the week where the likes of James Milner and Adam Johnson were left on the bench in a bid to freshen them up. Wigan are still an iffy betting proposition but Martinez has been talking up the form of striker Mauro Boselli despite a stuttering start in the Premier League. His awareness and positional sense have been excellent and Martinez believes it can only be a matter of time before his proven goalscoring talent comes to the surface. He is worth a small bet to break his duck in a fixture that the Latics obviously relish.
Verdict: Wigan 2 Manchester City 2
Chelsea v Blackpool
Blackpool are revelling in their underdog status this season and three more points pinched from Newcastle last week gives them early cause for optimism in the fight for survival in the top flight. They are sure to turn up at Stamford Bridge and enjoy themselves considering they have already got more points than predicted by Ian Holloway from this and the Newcastle fixture. Their last trip to the capital was a 6-0 hiding at the hands of Arsenal and Holloway will probably anticipate something similar. Carlo Ancelotti's side got off to an impressive start in the Champions League in midweek and back at the Bridge they have scored 23 times in their last four home games - an average of 5.75 per game. Ancelotti's attacking policy has made them a threat from all over the pitch with the returning Michael Essien free to thrust forward and make an impact - he has notched three in his last two games and is 11/4 to grab another at some stage. With a busy period on the cards for Chelsea, Ancelotti may rotate his squad but that is unlikely to stem the flow of goals - as Nicolas Anelka said: "We will try to do the same, even better." Blackpool may even join in the fun with the lively DJ Campbell a threat and over 4.5 goals would hardly come as a surprise.
Verdict: Chelsea 4 Blackpool 1
SUNDAY PICKS:
Manchester United v Liverpool, both teams to score at 1.90 (Bet365)
Chelsea v Blackpool over 4.5 goals at 2.675 (Bet365)
Wigan’s Mauro Boselli to score anytime against Manchester City at 3.40 (Bet365)