All games kick-off at 3pm
Arsenal v West Brom
Betting: 4/7 (home), 3/1 (draw), 5/1 (away).
Injured: Arsenal – Lukas Podolski, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott. West Brom – Ben Foster.
This should be an interesting game to watch with both these sides coming off the back of some poor results – West Brom have lost their last two league games, while Arsenal have only won one in six.
The Gunners have struggled to get results against teams such as Fulham at the Emirates this season, and West Brom’s typically resolute defence could prove a challenge to break down.
Moreover, the hosts are without two of their best players in Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott.
However, West Brom will presumably be less than confident in light of their recent dip in form and have a poor record against Arsenal, so getting something from this game is likely to prove a difficult ask for Steve Clarke’s men.
Verdict: Arsenal
Aston Villa v Stoke City
Betting: 6/4 (home), 9/4 (draw), 19/10 (away).
Doubtful: Aston Villa – Ron Vlaar and Charles N’Zogbia. Stoke – Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome and Michael Owen.
Suspended: Stoke – Charlie Adam
Both these sides have been somewhat rejuvenated of late.
Stoke are unbeaten in five matches, having had a slow start to the season, and Villa have not lost in their last three – a run that included a highly credible draw with Arsenal.
Paul Lambert’s men will likely be without their captain Ron Vlaar, while Peter Crouch is hoping to play for Stoke.
The game has ended all square on five of the past seven occasions that these sides have met in the league, so a similar result this time around would be no surprise.
Verdict: draw
Southampton v Reading
Injured: Southampton – Frazer Richardson. Reading – Pavel Pogrebnyak, Jimmy Kebe and Jem Karacan.
Doubtful: Southampton – Richard Chaplow
Betting: Evens (home), 5/2 (draw), 11/4 (away).
Southampton demonstrated their unreliable nature last week, losing to Liverpool, after having previously enjoyed a decent run.
Nevertheless, they have looked formidable playing at home at times this season, losing only one of their last six, so Reading have their work cut out for them.
There were encouraging signs in the visitors’ 4-3 loss against United last week, though clearly they’ve yet to master the art of defending.
Southampton haven’t beaten Reading in the league since 1960, but expect that to change today, given their impressive home form.
Verdict: Southampton
Sunderland v Chelsea
TV: Setanta Ireland
Betting: 7/2 (home), 5/2 (draw), 5/6 (away).
Doubtful: Sunderland – Steven Fletcher.
Injured: Sunderland – Lee Cattermole. Chelsea – John Terry and Daniel Sturridge.
Suspended: John Obi Mikel.
Arguably the most fascinating of this afternoon’s encounters, as two sides who’ve struggled of late come up against one another.
However, while Sunderland were beaten by Norwich the other week, Chelsea’s 6-1 thrashing of Nordsjaelland in the Champions League should restore some confidence in Rafa Benitez’s men.
During the week, Martin O’Neill admitted the fans have had to suffer through several false dawns in recent times, and the Irish coach has also suggested he may be about to bring David Meyler back on loan.
Chelsea, despite having been unexpectedly defeated by West Ham last weekend, should be good enough to come away with the victory on this occasion.
Verdict: Chelsea
Swansea v Norwich
Betting: 17/20 (home), 13/5 (draw), 16/5 (away).
Injured: Swansea – Michel Vorm and Pablo Hernandez. Norwich – John Ruddy, Michael Turner and Harry Kane.
Doubtful: Swansea – Wayne Routledge.
Not the most attractive fixture of the weekend, but certainly one that both sides will consider winnable, and thus, vitally important.
Many people predicted that these two teams would suffer second season syndrome, having performed above expectations last year, but there are no signs of a decline as of yet.
They are fairly evenly matched, both in terms of results this season and their record against one another, with Norwich winning 16 and Swansea triumphing 19 times in their past encounters.
And both have gone on West Brom-esque runs, with Norwich unbeaten in eight and Swansea without a loss in six.
Nonetheless, Swansea showed their immense talent against no less than Arsenal last week, so they will surely be slight favourites.
Verdict: Swansea
Wigan v QPR
Betting: 7/5 (home), 9/4 (draw), 2/1 (away).
Injured: Wigan – Antolin Alacaraz and Ivan Ramis.
Suspended: Wigan – Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa.
Doubtful: QPR – Julio Cesar.
QPR have looked a much-improved side since Harry Redknapp has taken over, with a palpable solidity now in place, which was conspicuously absent before.
The Latics, similarly to their opponents, have been far from convincing this season, losing nine of their 15 games.
However, Roberto Martinez’s men will surely earmark this encounter as a must-win match.
QPR, however, will be desperate to trump their opponents – failure to do so will cause them to set a Premier League record for the most games in a season without a win.
Verdict: draw
