The Premier League this Saturday looks set to give some of the teams at the bottom a massive chance to boost their survival hopes. Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City go head to head in a classic six pointer, while the early game gives Wolves a chance to climb out of the relegation zone. West Ham United and Wigan Athletic have very difficult away games but any positive result could be vital come the end of the season. Let’s take a look all the games.
Wolves vs Everton
Wolves come into this game on the back of a demoralising 4-1 loss to Newcastle United last time out. However, they are unbeaten in three home matches, finding the net on nine occasions. That is a huge positive for Mick McCarthy and if they could sort out their defensive frailties they should have enough to stay up.
Everton beat Newcastle 2-1 on their last away day but before that they had only picked up two points from their previous five matches away from Goodison Park. Once again they are crippled by injuries to Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini to name but three.
I expect this one to end in a draw, but don’t expect a boring 0-0. The draw is 3.4 (Betfair).
Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City
These two sides will battle out a massive six pointer down the wrong end of the Premier League; a win for either side would take them to 37 points and probably just one more win away from safety. Blackburn have no win in seven games, picking up just three points in that time. They did however get an encouraging point at Arsenal last time out.
Birmingham City beat Bolton Wanderers in their last Premier League game, giving them some breathing space at the bottom. They will be hoping that momentum can bring another positive result today however they have not picked up a point at Ewood Park in their last four attempts.
I think Blackburn Rovers could just sneak this one, back them at 2.06 (Betfair).
Bolton Wanderers vs West Ham United
Bolton occupy eighth place in the Premier League and are just five points off a Europa League place. They have won their last three home games and have been solid at the Reebok Stadium all season, with just one defeat in their last 11 games, against Chelsea (4-0).
West Ham are a point off safety and are unbeaten in four away matches, with three being draws. The Hammers have only won two league matches away from Upton Park since August 2009 and that should be of real concern in the closing stages of the season.
Bolton are very dependable at home and I expect them to have just too much for West Ham, back a home win at 2.22 (Betfair).
Chelsea vs Wigan Athletic
Bottom placed Wigan could not have asked for a more difficult place to go to try and climb away from the relegation zone. Before their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last away game, they did manage three straight draws; they have got four points from their last two home games.
Chelsea are very reliable at home and they should be way to strong for Wigan, back Chelsea to win both halves at 2.24 (Betfair).
Manchester United vs Fulham
Manchester United come into this on the back of an excellent win in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge in the week. Their home form this season is almost faultless, dropping just two points at Old Trafford all season.
Fulham occupy 10th place in the table and have very little to play for, it will be a challenge for Mark Hughes to keep his side interested for the final seven games. The return of Bobby Zamora will be a massive boost to them though.
I expect Manchester United to fly out the traps and get the job done early on, allowing Sir Alex to rest some of his stars ahead of the Champions League second leg coming up on Tuesday. Back Manchester United to win to Nil at 2.28 (Betfair).
Sunderland vs West Brom
Sunderland have been very poor of late, they have lost their last three home games and were soundly beaten by a goal hungry Manchester City last time out. Since the departure of Darren Bent they have really struggled for goals and have won just once in nine since his departure. They should have enough to be safe but that is largely thanks to their former star.
West Brom have picked up four points from their last two away games and beat Liverpool at home last time out. I expect them to get a win here and pretty much ensure their place in the Premier League next season.
Back West Brom at 3.60 (Betfair).
Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur return to White Hart Lane following the disaster in Madrid during the week. They will be wanting to right some wrongs from that night and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Peter Crouch get his name on the score sheet. Spurs are unbeaten in 12 at home.
Stoke’s away record is terrible and they should be thankful their home form is so good otherwise they could have found themselves in deep trouble come the end of the season. They have lost their last six on the road, failing to find the net in the last five.
Spurs will win this, back the home side to win to Nil at 2.8 (Betfair).
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