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Its Saturday and the EPL is back. Here is a preview of Saturday’s matches where Man City host Swansea, Arsenal face London rivals QPR, and other mid-table teams are up against each other:
(1.) Aston Villa v Norwich City at Villa Park – 12:45 BST/ 17:15 IST
The first match of the week is between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park. Both teams have made poor starts to the season , winning only one match each. In their last outing, Aston Villa lost 1-0 at Fulham, while Norwich surprised by winning 1-0 against Arsenal.
Paul Lambert will face his former side Canaries for the first time after switching to Aston Villa and will look to pull of a great result. Chris Houghton’s side will want to continue last week’s performance and get another win, but they have very poor record in away matches.
Both teams are hovering above the relegation zone. Its a tricky game where a draw looks the most possible result; but I am predicting a home win for Aston Villa.
Players to watch out for Aston Villa – Agbonlahor, Benteke and VlaarPlayers to watch out for Norwich – Holt, Pilkington and Ruddy
Prediction – Aston Villa 2-1 Norwich City
(2.) Arsenal v QPR at The Emirates – 15:00 BST/ 19:30 IST
Arsenal take on winless QPR at the Emirates. Arsenal had a week to forget as they lost both their matches: 0-2 to Schalke at home and a surprise loss at Norwich by 0-1.
After consecutive losses, Arsene Wenger will look to silence the critics with a win in this London Derby. QPR drew last week against Everton at home, something that they will try to take positives from and hope to spring a surprise at the Emirates as they still hunt for their first win of the season.
Mark Hughes is under serious pressure as QPR are yet to win a match in this season and have a very poor record in away matches. Only a miracle need happen if they have to get anything from the match. However, miracles don’t come easy at the Emirates.
Players to watch out for Arsenal – Gervinho, Cazrola and MertasackerPlayers to watch out for QPR – Hoilett, Granero and Julio Cesar
Prediction – Arsenal 3-1 QPR
(3.) Reading v Fulham at Madejski Stadium – 15:00 BST/ 19:30 IST
Winless Reading host Fulham at the Madejski Stadium. Reading are yet to win a single match this season and Fulham are in the top half of the table.
In their last outing, Reading lost 0-1 at Liverpool, while Fulham won 1-0 at Aston Villa. Brian McDermott will have been encouraged by his team’s performance and will hope to get his first win on home soil, where they have drawn two matches out of three played.
Martin Jol’s side will look for another win. but they have an indifferent away record. The attacking options available to Jol means his side are unlikely to be outscored by a team languishing at the bottom of the table, despite their notoriously poor away form. Its anyone’s game to take, but I am going for an away win for Fulham.
Players to watch out for Reading – Pogrebnyak, Kebe and ShoreyPlayers to watch out for Fulham – Berbatov, Duff and Riise
Prediction – Reading 1-2 Fulham
(4.) Stoke City v Sunderland at Britannia Stadium – 15:00 BST/ 19:30 IST
The Potters are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches and will look to continue this form at home. Last week, Stoke lost 2-4 at Man United, while Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United. Tony Pulis’ physical side are difficult to break down, especially at home, so they will look for 3 points against a Sunderland side struggling to score goals this term.
Martin O’ Neil will want to improve his side’s goal-scoring record. As Stoke have made Britannia their very own fortress, its hard to see them lose this encounter so a home win or draw could be the outcome. Both teams are hard to separate so I am predicting a draw.
Players to watch out for Stoke – Crouch, Knightly and ShawcrossPlayers to watch out for Sunderland – Fletcher, McClean and O’Shea
Prediction – Stoke City 1-1 Sunderland
(5.) Wigan Athletic v West Ham United at DW Stadium – 15:00 BST/ 19:30 IST
Wigan welcome in-form West Ham at DW Stadium, where they have conceded at least two goals in every match this season. In their last outing, Wigan lost 1-2 at Swansea and West Ham won 4-1 against Southampton at home.
The Latics will like to end their winless run as they have not won a match in their last six and also they have a leaky defense- conceding minimum 2 goals on home turf. Roberto Martinez will look to get his first win at home.
The Hammers are in superb form as they are very well placed in top half of the table. Sam Allardyce will want to continue this approach to get 3 points and push into the top four of the table. The clash of styles between the Latics’ possession-based game and the Hammers’ direct attacking play and set-piece strength could make an exciting game and could result in an entertaining draw.
Players to watch out for Wigan – Di Santo, Maloney and Al-HabsiPlayers to watch out for West Ham – Carroll, Nolan and Jaaskelainen
Prediction – Wigan Athletic 2-2 West Ham United
(6.) Manchester City v Swansea City at The Etihad – 17:30 BST/ 22:00 IST
Manchester City host Swansea at the Etihad Stadium where they haven’t lost in 33 matches. Man City are unbeaten in the Premier League but their wins have been unconvincing this season.
In their last outing, Man City won 2-1 in the dying moments at West Brom with 10 men, while Swansea also won 2-1 against Wigan at home. Roberto Mancini’s side suffered a miserable defeat midweek in Champions League against Ajay, so Mancini will like to guide his troops back to their successful ways with this fixture.
Micheal Laudrup’s side has been terribly inconsistent so far and their chances look meek. Comfortable for City is on the cards.
Players to watchout for Man City – Aguero, Dzeko and Yaya TourePlayers to watchout for Swansea – Michu, Routledge and Vorm
Prediction – Manchester City 3-0 Swansea City
