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Seamus Coleman's Everton face Chelsea this weekend. Peter Byrne/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Predictions

Premier League preview: how to fill out your football accumulator this weekend

We determine how each of this weekend’s ten fixtures is likely to turn out.

All games kick-off Saturday 3pm unless stated otherwise

Chelsea v Everton (Saturday 12.45)

Following their uncharacteristically meek display against Man City last week, Chelsea will be relieved that their talismanic captain John Terry is set to return from injury.

Meanwhile, for the Toffees, the news that Romelu Lukaku is back from injury has been offset by the fact that he is ineligible to play against his parent club.

That City anomaly aside however, the Londoners have a very respectable record in big games this season, and so should have enough to overcome Everton in the early kick-off.

Bet: Chelsea @ 4/7

Arsenal v Sunderland

Sunderland have secured a number of positive results against the big sides this season, yet consistency remains a chronic issue, which is why they currently sit in the bottom three.

The Black Cats have got Arsenal at as good a time as any, with the Gunners likely to be less sprightly than usual, following their dispiriting 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayern during the week.

That said, it would still be considered a big shock if Arsene Wenger’s side slipped up for a second time in a week.

Bet: Arsenal @ 1/3

Cardiff City v Hull City

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival at Cardiff hasn’t seen many changes in their fortune, with the Welsh club currently languishing in 19th position, having picked up just five points from their past ten games.

This weekend however, they have an excellent opportunity to secure points against the team that they were promoted alongside last year — Hull.

The Tigers’ form has been similarly poor of late, having acquired only four points from their past seven matches.

Bet: Draw @ 11/5

Man City v Stoke City

From Barcelona to Stoke, this Saturday’s game poses a completely different challenge for Maunel Pellegrini’s side, compared with their demoralising midweek exploits.

The hosts do have some good news though, as captain Vincent Kompany has been deemed fit to play, after picking up a knock against the Spanish side.

Stoke, meanwhile, will not exactly be buoyed by the statistic that they haven’t beaten Man City away since October 1997.

Bet: Man City @ 1/5

West Brom v Fulham

A relegation six-pointer if ever there was one, as Felix Magath makes his Premier League debut as a manager.

West Brom will surely be going into this game with a positive mindset, having gained an impressive 1-1 draw with league leaders Chelsea in their last match.

Fulham, on the other hand, have earned just one point from their previous six league games — though it was an impressively resilient 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Bet: Draw @ 5/2

West Ham v Southampton

An excellent run of form has seen West Ham gain some breathing space from the relegation zone.

The Hammers have lost one of their past six matches, though their opponents this weekend — Southampton — are unbeaten in six.

The Saints’ bid for a European spot looks unlikely at this stage, given that they sit a full 11 points behind fifth-placed Spurs currently, but a win on Saturday could ostensibly go level in the table with United.

Bet: Southampton @ 7/5

Crystal Palace v Man United (Saturday, 17.30)

United could go four games without a win should they falter in the evening kick-off, and they meet a Palace side that are in resurgent form under Tony Pulis.

David Moyes’ team will be hopeful of a pre-game boost, provided rumours that Wayne Rooney is about to sign a new contract are true, while their forgotten man, Marouane Fellaini, could be in contention for a start

With those players competing, it’s hard to see how United can slip up, but then again, such logic has seldom applied in their campaign so far.

Bet: Man United @ 8/13

Liverpool v Swansea (Sunday, 13.30)

Liverpool’s record at Anfield of late indicates the outcome of this game is a formality, while the return of the increasingly impressive Jordan Henderson should constitute a further boost to their chances.

The Reds have made their home ground a genuine fortress, picking up 28 out of a possible 30 points there, since their early-season loss to Southampton.

Swansea have failed to win their last seven away fixtures by contrast, and have never won a league game at Anfield, so they can’t upset the odds on Sunday, can they?

Bet: Liverpool @ 3/10

Newcastle v Aston Villa (Sunday, 13.30)

A meeting between two teams whose form has oscillated wildly over the course of this campaign.

Villa could go just one place below the Magpies in the table should they win at St James’ Park this weekend, but they would still be six points behind them overall.

Newcastle, however, will be slight favourites, with Fabricio Coloccini, Loic Remy and Cheick Tiote all set to return and conceivably further improve their chances.

Bet: Newcastle @ 23/20

Norwich v Tottenham (Sunday, 16.00)

Tottenham are coming off the back of an underwhelming 1-0 Europa League loss to Ukrainian side Dnipro, however Tim Sherwood is expected to ring the changes for this encounter.

In the league at least, Spurs are looking impressive — if the Premier League started when Tim Sherwood took over, they would be in second place, just one point behind Chelsea.

Norwich, meanwhile, have emerged victorious in just one of their previous 11 games, and consequently are obvious underdogs on Sunday.

Bet: Tottenham @ 11/10

Accumulator

Betting on the following results will earn you a nice tally of €6407.98, should they prove correct.

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