Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United: Pardew aims to rewrite history at the DW

We’re only two days in to 2011 but here is a stat that will blow your mind. Newcastle United have never won on Wigan soil in league football. Astonishing isn’t it? Well Alan Pardew won’t get a better chance of rewriting history and winning over some of the doubters than today. The former West Ham U...

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Chelsea v Aston Villa: Another Blue day in store for Houllier's men

Aston Villa return to the scene of their biggest thrashing last season and the smart money is on another high scoring defeat for the Villains. Chelsea may have beaten Bolton in midweek but they are far from being the cohesive, offensively dominate side that they were at the start of the campaign. In...

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Birmingham City v Arsenal: Can Big Eck deliver knockout blow to Wenger’s title hopes?

Dear oh dear. Arsenal thought they had turned the corner by comprehensively beating the champions on Monday night. Two days later their title credentials were in tatters as Premier League strugglers Wigan Athletic held them to a point with only 10 men. That result can be blamed on Arsene Wenger’s de...

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West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United: Fergie aims to end away day blues

Manchester United enter 2011 as Premier League leaders and favourites for the title, but they visit the Hawthorns this weekend still looking for only their second away win of the campaign. In a season that has produced so many shocks and surprises, the fact that United are top of the table and still...

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Manchester City v Blackpool: Seasiders look to rock Mancini’s men

Manchester City signalled their title ambitions on Tuesday by thrashing Aston Villa at home 4-0. It was made even more impressive by the fact that Roberto Mancini achieved such a result without starting with three of his main men, Carlos Tevez, James Milner and Gareth Barry. However, can they keep t...

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Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers: Will it be a happy start to 2011 for Hodgson?

Liverpool’s shock defeat to struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek capped off a dreadful year for the Reds, but can they start the New Year with a return to winning ways against high-flying Bolton Wanderers? Under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will certainly be hoping so as he clings on to ...

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Stoke City v Everton: More pain in store for the passionate Potters?

The Potters have lost their last two league matches at the Britannia Stadium and you’d have to fancy Everton to inflict a hat-trick of defeats on the Potters this weekend. Blackpool and Fulham have stunned the passionate fans from the Potteries in recent weeks and they will not be looking forward to...

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Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers: Rovers target winning feeling again

The Black Cats lost their first home game of the season in midweek as Ian Holloway’s rollercoaster season with Blackpool continued, but can Steve Kean’s Blackburn Rovers make it two defeats on the trot for Steve Bruce’s side? Rovers enter the game buoyed by theirmidweek win at theHawthorns and will...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: Cottagers hope to avoid New Year spanking

Spurs have taken maximum points from their festive fixtures and you’d have to be a diehard Fulham fan to bet against them making it nine out of nine on New Year’s Day. The visitors have won at White Hart Lane only twice since the end of the Second World War – the last win came in 2003 – and have onl...

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West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Survival’s in sight for the league’s basement boys

This is arguably the game of the weekend. The basement boys lock horns at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday with both teams desperately seeking survival. West Ham have done their chances no harm at all with a win and two draws but Mick McCarthy’s side surprise win at Anfield has put them in the box seat...

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hodgson and McCarthy desperate for a boost

For different reasons Roy Hodgson and Mick McCarthy are under extreme pressure this Christmas - both need a result. For Hodgson there is the shadow of Rafa Benitez who is back on the Wirral after being sacked by Inter and with Liverpool in mid-table and under new-ish owners no manager is necessaril...

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Wigan Athletic v Arsenal: Should be a few goals from midfield

Despite winning their last game, Wigan are again in the relegation zone but will hope to catch Arsenal still celebrating their win over Chelsea. With all the relegation threatened clubs picking up wins in December Wigan will be hoping to again escape the relegation zone in what is proving an imposs...

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Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers: If Coyle wins this could he replace Ancelotti?

Fifth plays sixth as Chelsea face Bolton in a crisis after hitting relegation form for a couple of months to throw away their advantage at the top of the table. Chelsea start this game from fifth place - and the pressure is building on Carlo Ancelotti- but they can move back into the top four with ...

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Birmingham City v Manchester United: Second season syndrome?

Birmingham will rely on their good home form to get them out of trouble, but not many expect them to break Manchester Uniteds unbeaten run today. A home defeat against the league leaders could plunge Birmingham into the relegation zone if Fulham or West Ham get a win earlier in the day - a definite...

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West Ham United v Everton: Hammers eye safety against improving Everton

West Hams recent win may be enough to keep Avram Grant in place for January - a time when Everton will surely want to improve their strike force. One swallow does not make a summer - and one winter win does not save a struggling side from the drop. But West Ham must be buoyed by four points from t...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United: Unlikely to end goal-less

A big game between two entertaining sides gives Spurs a chance to move above Chelsea into the Champions League places; Alan Pardew will be looking for another good performance after a solid start to his tenure. Tottenham are unbeaten in the last nine games - including beating Arsenal, Inter and Li...

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Sunderland v Blackpool: Will Blackpool be fresher after postponements?

Sunderland and Blackpool are both exceeding expectations this season, with Sunderland only four points shy of Champions League qualification and Blackpool well clear of danger. Sunderland will not be the only club looking at the patchy form of Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea and wondering if there may...

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Stoke City v Fulham: Potters look to expose frail Fulham

Stoke start the game in eighth after a series of good results; whereas Fulham have slumped to eighteenth Stoke enter this game on the back of four wins and two draws in the last seven games, scoring 13 goals in that time - so Stoke will expect another couple of goals in this game. Matthew Etheringt...

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Manchester City v Aston Villa: City eye top spot against vapid Villa

There is little doubt that Manchester City will outspend Aston Villa in the January transfer window, but equally, there is no debate as to which side really needs a boost. Manchester City kick-off five hours before league leaders Manchester United and a win can put City top and put pressure on them...

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West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers: Heading in opposite directions?

West Brom and Blackburn have the same number of points and goal difference as we approach half-time in the season - but there is little doubt which team most pundits expect will be left behind by March. West Brom will start this game as the favourites and will miss the suspended Chris Brunt, althou...

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Arsenal v Chelsea: Can the Gunners finally beat one of the big boys?

Its the game everyone has been waiting for this Christmas. Title challengers Arsenal and Chelsea lock horns at the Emirates with the Gunners looking to end their barren run against the top sides while Chelsea are desperate to get back to winning ways. But who will be the ones celebrating come the fi...

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Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City: Pulis targets Ewood Park success

The Potters haven’t won at Ewood Park for 26 years but they won’t get a better chance of rewriting history than today. New Blackburn Rovers owners the Venkys have given caretaker manager Steve Kean the manager’s job until the end of the season, Christopher Samba is far from happy with Big Sam’s sack...

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Blackpool v Liverpool: Can Hodgson avoid Tangerine double whammy?

If at the start of the season I had offered any Blackpool fan the chance to enter Christmas level on points with Liverpool they would have snapped my hand off. The fact that the Seasiders have a game in hand on their Boxing Day visitors and have already taken maximum points from Anfield this season ...

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Manchester United v Sunderland: No good will at Old Trafford for old boy Bruce

Manchester United fans had the best early Christmas present ever on Monday night when they watched their City rivals blow their big chance of leading the Premier League title race. Now they have the chance to extend their lead as they host Sunderland, but Steve Bruce’s men will be no pushovers. The...

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Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion: Cracker of a game in store at the Reebok

Two of the best football teams in the Premier League lock horns at the Reebok this Christmas and it should prove to be a cracker. Both Bolton and West Brom love to play football the traditional way and they should serve up a feast of football for the fans. The Wanderers missed out on a chance to bo...

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Newcastle United v Manchester City: Pardew targets Mancini’s turkeys

Roberto Mancini blew the perfect opportunity to lead the Premier League table on Monday night but at least the Carlos Tevez situation has been sorted out . . . for now. But can they bounce back from their Everton disaster to beat a resurgent Newcastle side? Alan Pardew couldn’t have asked for a bet...

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Everton v Birmingham City: Blue affair in store for Big Eck at Goodison

The Toffees smashed Birmingham’s year-long unbeaten home record in October and David Moyes will be looking to pour more misery on Alex McLeish’s men by recording their first double over the Blues in 24 years. Everton spoiled Manchester City’s party on Monday night by denying the billionaires the ch...

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic: Safety’s in sight for both sides

All Wolves and Wigan fans want for Christmas is to escape the bottom three. On Boxing Day Mick McCarthy and Roberto Martinez have the perfect opportunity to realise those wishes and leave the other in deep trouble. Wolves enter the game one point behind the visitors but will start the game as sligh...

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Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs strive to stuff Houllier’s men

This time last season Aston Villa were battling it out for a top four place. This season they will be lucky to avoid being in the bottom three when Big Ben brings in 2011. Gerard Houllier loosened the noose around his neck last time out by beating Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion and on Boxing ...

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Fulham v West Ham United: More than capital pride at stake at the Cottage

We’re just days away from heralding a new year but could we be entering 2011 with Avram Grant on the managerial scrapheap? The Hammers’ boss has reportedly been given three games to win a game and save his job. He failed his first challenge at Ewood Park last weekend by only managing a draw at manag...

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Manchester City v Everton: City target Christmas number one

Talk about an early Christmas present. Thanks to the majority of the weekend’s games falling foul of the weather, Manchester City have the chance to top the Premier League on Christmas Day – something they haven’t achieved since 1929! Unfortunately for the fans, life at Eastlands is anything but eas...

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Liverpool v Fulham: Hodgson hopes to stuff his former employers

Roy Hodgson hosts his former club Fulham today in what should be a home banker. Liverpool have won their past five games at Anfield while Fulham have never won on Liverpool soil. Mark Hughes has some afternoon ahead of him. The Cottagers go into the game with three draws from their past six games b...

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Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United: Grant hopes to stuff the chicken owners

Some Rovers fans cried fowl play this week following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, others though will have thought Christmas had come early. One thing’s for sure though, caretaker boss Steve Kean cannot afford to lose to bottom place strugglers West Ham this afternoon. The Hammers are in desperate ...

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Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: Houllier targets back-to-back victories

Aston Villa normally have no problem when it comes to playing at the DW Stadium. They’ve left Wigan with maximum points on the last three occasions but, if you listen to the media, this isn’t a happy Villa camp. Gerard Houllier hasn’t endeared himself to the players or the fans with his training met...

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Birmingham City v Newcastle United: Can Pardew build on debut success?

Alan Pardew couldn’t have asked for a better debut as Newcastle boss. Given their terrible record against Liverpool only the most passionate Newcastle fan would have tipped the Mags to win but Andy Carroll and co defied the critics to send Roy Hodgson away from the north east empty-handed. But can t...

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Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers: Christmas cracker in store on Wearside

Hands up who thought this would be a top eight clash at the start of the season. Not many, I’m sure, but let’s give Steve Bruce and Owen Coyle’s men credit. Both sides are well drilled, full of attacking endeavour and resilient. They fully deserve their place in the top half and European football is...

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Arsenal v Stoke City: Gunners tipped to dispose of the Potters

Are Arsenal serious title contenders or just pretenders? Arsene Wenger’s men looked distinctly average on Monday night against Manchester United as the Red Devils toppled the Gunners at the summit and questions have yet again been raised about their championship aspirations. Are they good enough? Do...

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Manchester United v Arsenal: The phoney war ends here

Either Manchester United or Arsenal will top the table after this game, but with just one point separating the top four its clear that the phoney war that is masquerading as a title race will probably be exchanged for a mad dash later this month. Most of the title contenders meet in December and so...

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Birmingham City: Relegation fears haunt derby

HWolves face Blues with both in the bottom six and just three wins apiece so far this season. Wolves have played well with little reward many times this season, individual errors in defensive areas often to blame - with Hahnemann and Stearman recently dropped. With other results going well yesterda...

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Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers: Silk or steel?

Another Lancashire derby sees Big Sam return to a Bolton side that has changed significantly under Owen Coyle. Bolton have the best goal difference outside the top four - and have scored more goals than teams with more loudly heralded attacking options like Liverpool or Tottenham. These are happy t...

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Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea: Spurs hope to benefit from Chelsea's struggles

Spurs will look to close to a point behind fourth placed Chelsea in an eagerly awaited clash. Tottenham are now free of their Champions League commitments and they may well be grateful of that - because it is the poor results that immediately follow big European nights that have kept them out of th...

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Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion: Can the Baggies do to Houllier what they did to Hughton?

Chris Hughton was sacked by Newcastle United this week and after Gerard Houllier’s sickening love-in at Anfield on Monday night you have to wonder how long the Frenchman has left at Villa Park. Houllier may have only been in charge at Villa for a few weeks but the former Liverpool manager enraged l...

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Fulham v Sunderland: Black Cats target a west London double

What a week it has been to be a Sunderland fan. You’ve seen your boys climb to within six points of a Champions League place with victory over West Ham United, laughed as Newcastle United sack their boss and hire Alan Pardew and now you’re off to west London – the scene of your most famous, and only...

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Everton v Wigan Athletic: Toffees clear favourites to see off the Latics

Everton have already lost three times at home this season and sit just two points off the dreaded drop zone but the Panel believes there is way too much class at Goodison Park to lose to Wigan Athletic. On paper that may be the case. With the likes of Cahill, Arteta, Jagielka, Yakubu and co, Everto...

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Stoke City v Blackpool: Fresh Tangerines fancy breaking Potters’ unbeaten record

Blackpool will be fully recharged after their enforced break last weekend due to the adverse weather conditions and Ian Holloway will be keen for his troops to continue their fine form. The visitors have lost just one of their past six Premier League outings – against Aston Villa – and will fancy th...

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West Ham United v Manchester City: City tipped to continue great capital form

Manchester City marksman Carlos Tevez will always be given a warm welcome by the West Ham fans following his exploits at the club. However, his absence this afternoon through suspension will be hugely appreciated by everyone in claret and blue as the Hammers fight to preserve their Premier League st...

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Newcastle United v Liverpool: Hodgson aims to ruin Pardew’s big day

There’s never a dull moment on Tyneside and Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley made sure of that this week. Where is the logic in axing a tried and trusted manager in Chris Hughton, someone who the players had the utmost respect in, for someone who was sacked by League One outfit Southampton only...

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Liverpool v Aston Villa: What is the H-Plan?

Liverpool managers past and present meet up as Gerard Houllier returns to Anfield after six years away from the English game. Liverpool start the game in mid-table on the back of a tough European game and a trip to Spurs that ended with a last minute defeat. Unfortunately for Liverpool the top five...

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Sunderland v West Ham United: Will the black cats freeze out the hammers

Sunderland face West Ham, with one club shooting for the top six - and the other simply hoping to move off the bottom. Sunderland are, perhaps a little surprisingly, only one of two top flight clubs that remain unbeaten at home. But more draws than wins at home mean that Sunderland are fighting to ...

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West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United: Baggies hope to end their Newcastle curse

West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United go into this weekends game on the back of two impressive results. The Baggies thrashed Everton 4-1 in their own backyard while the Mags held the champions Chelsea to a share of the spoils at St James Park. However, its Chris Hughtons men who head to the Hawt...

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