Friday, December 17, 2010

EPL Saturday Action

This week's round of fixtures begins with a 12.45pm kick-off between Sunderland and in-form Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal could return to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a victory over Stoke City as Manchester United face off with Chelsea on Sunday and Manchester City play on Monday night.

Alan Pardew takes charge of his second match as Newcastle United manager when the Magpies go to Birmingham City. Managerless Blackburn Rovers host basement boys West Ham United, Wigan Athletic entertain Aston Villa, while Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson takes on his old club Fulham in the day's evening kick-off.




Sunderland v Bolton



Sunderland did the double over Bolton last term, for the first time since the 2001/02 season, and will be aiming for another three points.

The Black Cats are unbeaten at home and have kept eight clean sheets in 17 matches - the joint-best record this campaign along with Manchester City and Chelsea.

Bolton have lost just two matches away from home this season and will look to build on last weekend's late win over Blackburn Rovers.

The last three Barclays Premier League matches between these sides at the Stadium of Light have seen 13 goals scored.



Arsenal v Stoke


Arsenal aim to recover from defeat at title rivals Manchester United last time out when they host Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

The league's second-placed team have lost two of their last three matches at home, while the Potters have lost three of their last six on the road.

Stoke have won just five times in 39 trips to Arsenal and last won a league fixture at the Gunners 29 years ago.

Tony Pulis' side were defeated for the first time in six Barclays Premier League matches at the weekend with a loss at home to Blackpool.



Birmingham v Newcastle


Birmingham sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place but take on Newcastle with a decent home record this season.

Although their five-match unbeaten run ended at local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend they have lost just one of their last 23 home fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

Newcastle will be boosted by an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool last weekend in manager Pardew's first match at the helm.

Away from St James' Park, they have netted just eight goals and conceded 15.
Blackburn v West Ham

Blackburn first team coach Steve Kean leads Rovers out against bottom club West Ham in temporary charge after the sacking of manager Sam Allardyce.

West Ham are in desperate need of points having lost their last two matches and not won on the road all season.

The Hammers are unbeaten in their last four Premier League visits to Ewood Park, drawing twice and winning twice.

Blackburn are bidding for their 250th win in the Premier League, while the Hammers need five goals for 700 in the Premier League.



Wigan v Aston Villa



Wigan go in search of a victory over Aston Villa that could see them move out of the bottom three.

The Latics have picked up just one Barclays Premier League triumph in 10 and have scored just eight goals at home - the joint fewest in the division.

Aston Villa ended a run of three straight defeats with victory over West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but they have recorded just one away win all season.

Villa have lost six away matches and scored just five goals away from Villa Park - only West Ham have fewer.



Liverpool v Fulham

Liverpool go into this fixture against Fulham with a decent home record - they have only been defeated once this season - and manager Roy Hodgson will be aiming to keep that good form going against his old side.

Fulham are the division's draw specialists with their stalemate against Sunderland last weekend making it 10 for the season.

They have not won away in the Barclays Premier League for 16 months and 26 matches and have never been victorious in 23 visits to Anfied.

Barclays Premier League fixtures



Sunderland v Bolton (Referee: Chris Foy)

Arsenal v Stoke (Lee Mason)

Birmingham v Newcastle (Michael Jones)

Blackburn v West Ham (Mike Dean)

Wigan v Aston Villa (Jon Moss)

Liverpool v Fulham (Andre Marriner)

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