Liverpool v Cardiff
Anfield, 12.45, Saturday
THE FIRST GAME of the weekend could see Liverpool climb to the top of the Premier League table with a win over a Cardiff team struggling for goals and an owner seemingly intent on forcing his manager from the club.
The home side will also be boosted by Luis Suarez’s new contract and the Uruguayan looks a virtual certainty to add to his 17 league goals this season.
Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge remain on the sidelines for the Reds while former Liverpool striker and keen amateur golfer Craig Bellamy faces a late fitness test for Cardiff.
Bet: Liverpool @ 2/9
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Selhurst Park, 3pm, Saturday
Palace are two from two at home since Tony Pulis took over but high-flying Newcastle represent an altogether different challenge than those posed by West Ham and Cardiff. Three points though, would lift Palace out of the relegation zone ahead of a busy festive period.
The Magpies will hope to repeat the heroics of their last Premier League away day when they toppled defending champions Manchester United and they’ll travel to Selhurst Park with only Ryan Taylor’s knee presenting any injury concerns.
Bet: Newcastle @ 7/5
Fulham v Manchester City
Craven Cottage, 3pm, Saturday
Manchester City take an eight-game unbeaten streak to Craven Cottage but they must travel without Sergio Aguero whose goal-a-game ratio this season was key to that run. However, with Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo also in fine form in front of goal, Manuel Pellegrini won’t lose too much sleep.
Fulham sit 19th in the Premier League on 13 points and will probably fancy getting a result from upcoming games with Norwich, Hull and West Ham more so than this weekend. Recent history isn’t on their side either with their last win against City coming way back in 2005.
Bet: Man City @ 2/5
Manchester United v West Ham United
Old Trafford, 3pm, Saturday
The reigning Premier League champions have not lost three in a row at Old Trafford since February 1979 and will be thankful that it’s West Ham who visit on Saturday as the Hammers have registered just a solitary draw with United their last nine league games.
West Ham’s away record is nothing to write home about either winning just one of their eight games on the road and failing to score on no less than five occasions.
David Moyes couldn’t have hand-picked a better opponent this weekend.
Bet: Man Utd @ 2/5
Stoke City v Aston Villa
Britannia Stadium, 3pm, Saturday
Image: Lynne Cameron/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Aston Villa may lie 11th in the Premier League but have taken maximum points just twice in their last ten games and failed to score in back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Fulham in their last two.
Stoke are three games unbeaten but will miss captain Ryan Shawcross because of a groin injury meaning a potential start for Marc Wilson. Four of their last five meetings with Villa have ended in a draw so…
Bet: Draw @ 9/4
Sunderland v Norwich City
Stadium of Light, 3pm, Saturday
They may prop up the Premier League table on a miserly nine points but a Capital One Cup win over Chelsea mid-week could be just the tonic Gus Poyet’s men needed to kick-start what has been a disappointing campaign.
After a shaky period, Norwich have lost just two of six and have taken seven points from the last 12 available. Gary Hooper will look to continue his goal-scoring streak for the visitors after last week’s brilliant effort against Swansea.
Bet: Draw @ 23/10
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
The Hawthorns, 3pm, Saturday
Steve Bruce is doing an admirable job with Hull and the Tigers have lost just one of their last four league games. However, they are a much more impressive outfit at home — where they’ve conceded just three goals — than they are on the road.
This will be the Baggies first game without Steve Clarke who got the chop after four consecutive league defeats. Keith Downing will be in charge as West Brom hope to add to their single win in all competitions since September.
Bet: Draw @ 5/2
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
St Mary’s, 1.30pm, Sunday
Southampton come into this game in ninth and still without their two first choice keepers; Artur Boruc is not expected back until January while no timetable has been set for Kelvin Davis’ return. It should come as no surprise then that the Saints have failed to keep a clean sheet since October.
Spurs didn’t get the bounce the board may have hoped from by sacking AVB when they crashed out of the Capital One Cup during the week. Tim Sherwood’s 4-4-2 formation may have pleased Tottenham fans on Wednesday but it’s difficult to see them getting a result here.
Bet: Southampton @ 8/5
Swansea v Everton
Liberty Stadium, 4pm, Sunday
Swansea have never beaten Everton and the Toffees have won a remarkable 12 of their last 17 encounters with the South Wales club. A win could put Roberto Martinez’s team into the Champions League qualification places and Everton will hope to continue their impressive defensive record this year — their 15 goals conceded is the best in the league.
Swansea can’t move up the table with a win but a loss could see them fall as far as 15th (depending on results) but, with the Europa League out of the way for a few weeks, they will hope to really kick-start a frustratingly inconsistent season with a big home win.
Bet: Everton @ 6/4
Arsenal v Chelsea
The Emirates, 8pm, Monday
The biggest game of the weekend sees first take on third and the Blues will go into the game knowing that Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side has never beaten a Jose Mourinho led Chelsea team. Defeat to Sunderland in the cup mid-week may just have been a way for the Special One to tell his owner he needs a decent striker.
Arsenal will hope to bounce back from their 6-3 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City but must do so without Jack Wilshere who serves the first of his two-game ban for an ill-advised early Christmas message to City fans.
Bet: Draw @ 9/4
Accumulator
A tenner will win you €45,5591 this week.
