The game: Aston Villa v Norwich
The betting: Even money for Paul Lambert to win against his old club. 14/5 for Norwich to win again. The draw is 12/5.
TV: Sky Sports 2.
Paul Lambert lost some patience after Villa’s latest defeat, a 1-0 loss away to Fulham, but said there were still ‘country miles’ to go this season.
Villa currently sit 17th, just a point above Southampton and just a point below Norwich who climbed to 15th after last weekend’s win over Arsenal.
While Lambert will know all about last week’s hero Grant Holt, his first priority must be to fix Villa’s defence which has been porous in the absence of Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark.
Norwich’s defence has been no better, conceding 17 goals in eight games and whichever team can click up front at Villa Park will most likely take the points.
The verdict: Score draw.
The game: Arsenal v QPR
The betting: Just 2/5 for a home win. QPR are 15/2 to take three points.
TV: Setanta Ireland.
Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga side Schalke on Wednesday was the first time Arsenal have been beaten at the Emirates Stadium in European competition since their 2008/09 semi-final loss to Manchester United.
It was also the first time Arsenal have lost at home in Europe to a foreign team since 2003, a run stretching back before their move from Highbury to the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger’s squad confront bottom-of-the-table QPR, who are yet to record a win in the Premier League this season – but who will take confidence from their close 1-1 draw to a ten-man Everton side at Loftus Road last Monday.
Jack Wilshere will be in contention to make his first Premier League appearance in 18 months. Left-back Kieran Gibbs should also be available for the Gunners after recovering from a thigh problem.
There’s not much room for optimism for Rangers, who welcome back Fabio to full fitness, but they did win the last meeting between the sides last March.
The verdict: Arsenal.
The game: Reading v Fulham
The betting: The Royals are 7/4, with an away win priced at 8/5. A draw is 9/4, tough one to call.
TV: No, Jeff and the boys might have a live stream.
Brian McDermott’s men are still awaiting their first win and have collected just three points from a possible 21 in the top flight to sit above only QPR.
Fulham have lost two of their four away league games this season – including a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of West Ham United.
The Verdict: Reading.
The game: Stoke v Sunderland
The betting: even money for a home win. Sunderland 9/4 to get a point a 3/1 to get the “W”.
TV: 3pm Saturday? You can follow the big updates on TheScore.ie.
The odds here don’t reflect last season’s result where James McClean strengthened his reputation by scoring a fine solo effort to give the Black Cats a 1-0 win in freezing February conditions.
But Tony Pulis’ men will be hoping to reverse the result as well as maintain their impressive, unbeaten home form which has seen them concede just once in three home fixtures this term.
This week, Pulis has been unable to get over the fact that each of the four goals conceded at Old Trafford last Saturday came from crosses. An area which ought to be strong for the tallest team in Europe.
Martin O’Neill will have to hope for better service to Steven Fletcher if his side are to maximise their chances at the Britannia. Though O’Neill will welcome back Lee Cattermole and Phil Bardsley to solidify the defence.
Verdict: Score draw.
The game: Wigan v West Ham
The betting: The hosts are favourites at 13/10 with any other result adjudged to be 11/5.
TV: Another 3pm, kick-off. Can you really wait until the BBC’s final score comes on?
After beating Blackpool in the Championship playoff final last season, the Hammers have enjoyed success in their first season back in the top flight.
Sam Allardyce’s men sit seventh on the table having recorded recent wins over QPR and Southampton. Wigan, on the other hand, have only managed one league win this season – the August visit to St Mary’s.
West Ham have netted 12 goals this season, with four of those coming from influential captain Kevin Nolan.
The former Newcastle midfielder, who led the Hammers to the top flight with 12 Championship goals, has hit the back of the net in two of his last four appearances, while Mark Noble, the longest serving player in West Ham’s current squad, has chipped in with two goals this season.
Today’s encounter is sure to keep fans entertained if history is anything to go by, with an incredible 19 goals scored between the two sides in their past four meetings.
The verdict: West Ham.
The game: Manchester City v Swansea
The betting: City are 1/4. 11/1 for an away win. If you fancy the draw, it’s 5/1.
TV: ESPN
Roberto’s Mancini’s men lost 3-1 to Ajax on Wednesday and sit last in Group D and appear unlikely to progress with second-placed Real Madrid five points ahead of them.
City have won their past three English Premier League games including the most recent victory against West Bromwich Albion where Edin Dzeko netted two late goals to turn the result around.
Swansea enter the clash in winning form after a 2-1 defeat of Wigan Athletic last time out and the Welsh outfit won the last encounter between the sides in March.
Swansea’s top scorer this season, Michu, who has netted six league goals since joining Swansea from Rayo Vallecano,
The verdict: City.
