A look at the weekend's matches
Everton v Norwich
Norwich’s draw at Anfield and last week’s win against Newcastle suggest they will present a tough challenge to the home side. The hosts, who need Louis Saha – or anyone – to discover a scoring knack, may find Paul Lambert’s bold attacking style to their liking.
Odds: Everton 4-6 Norwich 5-1 Draw 3-1
Wolves v Stoke
Having outmuscled Spurs to three points last weekend, confidence should be high within the Stoke squad as they head to Molineux. However, the players will be aware their away form remains rotten; they have never won back-to-back Premier League fixtures outside of the Potteries and will find it tough to set that record straight today.
Odds: Wolves 6-4 Stoke 2-1 Odds 6-4
Fulham v Bolton
Bolton are bottom with nine points to leave Owen Coyle as the latest manager desperate for a win as he arrives at Craven Cottage. Fulham were dumped out of the Europa League on Wednesday by Odense with the games final touch, but Martin Jols men are 14th and six points better off than the visitors.
Odds: Fulham 4-6 Bolton 11-2 Draw 14-5
Spurs v Sunderland
Martin ONeill must decide whether to include Lee Cattermole and Nicklas Bendtner after their arrests on suspicion of causing criminal damage. Sunderland face a Tottenham team full with confidence despite their defeat at Stoke City, when they felt they were robbed.
Odds: Spurs 2-5 Sunderland 8-1 Draw 4-1
QPR v Man Utd
These are strange times for Manchester United; out of the Champions League and losing key players. However, should they triumph in west London, they will return to the top of the Premier League for a few hours at least. QPR, with four defeats in their last six games, are definitely there for the taking.
Odds: QPR 7-1 Man Utd 1-2 Draw 17-5
Wigan v Chelsea
Victory against Manchester City, hard on the heels of finishing first in their Champions League group, was an emphatic response to talk of another dressingroom revolt at Chelsea and André Villas-Boas will expect to maintain pressure on the leaders by beating a Wigan side that has won once at home in the league this season.
Odds: Wigan 17-2 Chelsea 2-5 Draw 4-1
Blackburn v WBA
The next two games could be crucial to Steve Kean and Blackburn’s chances of survival. Beat West Brom and Bolton at home and Kean can relax with his Christmas dinner. Lose and his job will be on the line. Roy Hodgson is under no such pressure but his side have lost their way of late.
Odds: Blackburn 7-5 West Brom 11-5 Draw 5-2
Man City v Arsenal
If City are to win the Premier League, they can do so only by showing powers of recovery after their recent setbacks, including their first Premier League defeat, away to Chelsea. Arsenal arrive as a side unbeaten in the league since October 2nd and through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Odds: Man City 7-10 Arsenal 9-2 Draw 14-5
Aston Villa v Liverpool
With Jay Spearing suspended and Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva sidelined, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam are set to continue in central midfield for Liverpool in a game that marks Stewart Downing’s return to his former club. Villa will be without the suspended Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Odds: Aston Villa 17-5 Liverpool 10-11 Draw 5-2
Newcastle v Swansea
Much may depend on whether the much-coveted Cheik Tiote passes a late fitness test on the knee injury which has sidelined the midfielder since October. If not, 19-year-old Mehdi Abeid, an Algeria under-23 international midfielder, is expected to start in central midfield.
Odds: Newcastle 5-6 Swansea 4-1 Draw 11-4
