Manchester United are, as has been pointed out plenty of times in the last few weeks, the only unbeaten team in the Premier League. That record is only good enough to put them second in the table but they can move to the summit by avoiding defeat against Blackburn.

 

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Arsenal have the best away record in the Premier League but crucially skipper Cesc Fabregas is ruled out of this game with a hamstring injury. That should be enough to put off any would-be Gunners backers who might be tempted by the odds-against dangled following defeats against Spurs and Braga. This isn't an ideal game for Arsenal to get back on the winning trail as Aston Villa are unbeaten at home and have already held Manchester United and Chelsea at Villa Park. With Villa having no game in midweek and Arsenal having a nightmare trip to Portugal on Tuesday - Gerard Houllier's team should be fresher and that could prove to be vital. We'll keep this simple and back Villa to grind out a win against weary Arsenal. The 3.40 offered by most bookies is certainly worth taking.
Verdict: Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 1

 

Bolton v Blackpool
Blackpool continue to surprise and entertain in equal measure and they look a decent bet to get something out of their game with Bolton at the Reebok. Though Bolton are flying high in fifth place their recent results have been similar to Blackpool's - both teams have drawn with Everton and beaten Wolves in the last few weeks. Collateral form doesn't always work out but it's hard to see why the Tangerines are priced up at 6.20 with the draw as big as 4.20. Blackpool continue to be underestimated by the bookies and they've only lost by more than one goal in three of their 14 league games. With this in mind I think they are worth a play on the Asian Handicap. Betsson go 2.37 about Blackpool +1, which means we'll collect if Ian Holloway's team win or draw, while stakes are returned for a one-goal defeat.
Verdict: Bolton 1 Blackpool 1

 

Everton v West Brom
West Brom have gone off the rails since they had two men sent off in a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool and as this represents Everton's easiest task in a while, they should be able to take all three points. The trouble is the Toffees are a best-price 1.57 and the 2.05 about them -1 on the handicap doesn't appeal either seen as they've been struggling to get any sort of win this season. Tim Cahill is chalked up at 2.40 to score anytime which is fair enough as he's scored three in his last four, while 1-0 Everton at 6.50 might appeal to some as this could well be nervy. However, as you may have guessed, there's nothing that really catches the eye in terms of startling value so we'll be leaving this game alone.
Verdict: Everton 1 West Brom 0

 

Fulham v Birmingham
Birmingham are yet to win away from home but they've been in very good form of late and rate a decent value bet at 4.00 to beat Fulham. Alex McLeish's side haven't travelled particularly well this season, picking up just four points from seven road games, but in two of their last three they've drawn 0-0 at Aston Villa and Manchester City. Their 1-0 win over Chelsea last week was their fourth clean-sheet in their last six league games and when they get on a roll like this they are hard to get a result against as last season showed. I really fancy them to put in a big performance at Fulham. Mark Hughes' side built up a hard-to-beat reputation at home under Roy Hodgson, but they've won only two out of seven league fixtures at Craven Cottage this campaign. Last time they were trounced by Manchester City and that could well affect their confidence especially as they are hovering just above the drop zone. Indeed, confidence could be key here, and it's Birmingham who'll start the game with a spring in their step. Chance City to get their first away win of the season.
Verdict: Fulham 0 Birmingham 1

 

Manchester United v Blackburn
Manchester United are, as has been pointed out plenty of times in the last few weeks, the only unbeaten team in the Premier League. That record is only good enough to put them second in the table but they can move to the summit by avoiding defeat against Blackburn. Leaders Chelsea aren't in action until Sunday so this is a great chance for the Red Devils to make a statement. Wednesday night's 1-0 Champions League win at Rangers saw Wayne Rooney get back on the goal trail and Sir Alex Ferguson has signalled that it is more games that will help the striker get back to his best. However, Rooney is only a best-price of 1.72 to score in this match which doesn't provide enough value given his recent lack of involvment. Blackburn enter this match on the back of a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and the recent takeover of the club by Venky's. Morten Gamst Pedersen has hit a good of form but they still look a little short of what is required to spring a big surprise on Saturday. United aren't handing out thrashings at the moment so stay away from backing a big home win and switch focus to Saturday's other games.
Verdict: Manchester United 3 Blackburn 1

 

Stoke City v Manchester City
This is the sort of fixture Manchester City's overpaid stars will hate and Stoke look a cracking bet to get all three points at 3.40. We saw Liverpool's mini-revival end at the Britannia Stadium in a visually offensive affair two weeks ago and though it's unlikely to be much prettier here, the Potters can force a similar result. Tony Pulis' team are in good form after three wins on the trot - a run of consistency that Roberto Mancini can only dream of at present. His team put in a superb performance at Fulham last week but it's hit and miss whether they can string a couple of decent efforts together and they won't be given time to get into a rhythm against Stoke. Bet365 offer 3.40 about the home side and that is a price too big to ignore.
Verdict: Stoke 2 Manchester City 0

 

West Ham v Wigan
No Premier League manager needs a win as much as Avram Grant does this weekend. The lacklustre 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last weekend has heaped the pressure on the Israeli and the departure of assistant Zeljko Petrovic this week hasn't painted a positive picture of life at Upton Park. The one, albeit fairly major positive sign, for the Hammers ahead of the clash against Wigan is the return of the talismanic Scott Parker. The midfielder missed the Anfield capitulation but Grant told the Evening Standard ahead of last weekend just how vital the ex-Chelsea player is to his side. "Scott is a crucial part of this club's project this year," said Grant. "I believe in him and this club is good for him. He has been amazing for us this season, blocking shots, winning tackles, always running and scoring important goals." It was Parker who stepped up to the plate in last season's home game against Wigan. He fired the Hammers towards safety with a fantastic late winner in the 3-2 victory on April 24. Wigan are once again at the wrong end of the table this season and they travel to London after a typically inconsistent run of results. They have picked up a couple of draws on the road this season to make the 3.50 for the game to end all-square tempting. Parker's return, however, should inspire the Hammers and the 7.30 with Bwin for him to score anytime is the tip for this match.
Verdict: West Ham 2 Wigan 1

 

Wolves v Sunderland
"All managers know in football, it's about getting results. If you're not getting results the pressure mounts. It's a huge fight. It was before Saturday. That result made it even harder." That was Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's reaction this week to the 2-1 defeat at Blackpool, a result that leaves his side joint-bottom of the table. The Molineux outfit have lost four games in a row after the 2-1 win over Manchester City on November 6. Performances have been better than results suggest but the positive signs are quickly forgotten when the points don't arrive. Next up is a clash against Sunderland, who have been hit by the news that defenders Titus Bramble and Michael Turner are out until 2011. The Black Cats are still on a high after the 3-0 victory at Chelsea but that result isn't reflective of their record away from home. They have failed to win any other games on the road this season but they are usually hard to beat as the 1-1 draw at Tottenham proved. Wolves have a few injury problems of their own in defence ahead of this game. The suspended Christophe Berra and injured Jody Craddock miss out so attacks should be on top. It is at 1.80 with Bwin and bet365 for both teams to score and the action at Molineux this season supports the tip. Six of Wolves' seven home Premier League games so far have seen both teams find the target so the stats suggest goals are on the cards.
Verdict: Wolves 2 Sunderland 2

PICKS:
Aston Villa to beat Arsenal at 3.40 at Bwin, Betsson, Bet365.
Blackpool (+1) on the Asian handicap to beat Bolton at 2.37 at Betsson.
Birmingham to beat Fulham at 4.00 at Bet365.
Stoke to beat Man City at 3.40 at Bet365.
Scott Parker to score anytime v Wigan at 7.30 at Bwin.
Both teams to score in Wolves v Sunderland at 1.80 at Bet365 and at Bwin.