English Premier League: Week 27 Previews and Predictions

Eleven games remain in the English Premier League for most clubs, Liverpool and Everton will play the Merseyside Derby in-hand next week, and the race for the title now looks left to be decided between the confines of Manchester.

Manchester City continue to set the pace at the top while Manchester United remain two points behind as they have matched the Citizens point-for-point for the better part of the last two months.

With Tottenham failing to stay on form, they have allowed the two at the top to pull 11 and 13 points clear, while Arsenal have managed to climb back to fourth place in the table and are only four points back from Spurs.

Chelsea have a new boss for at least the next few weeks with Roberto Di Matteo having been appointed caretaker manager for the time being as he hopes to right the Blues sinking ship before it's too late.

The sacking of Andre Villas-Boas seems almost to have come to late for anything to be saved but there is still time for the club to regain a Champions League place. If the Blues can channel some of the spirit that Arsenal recently displayed against AC Milan in London, then maybe, just maybe they can make up the ground to advance to the last eight.

Liverpool again managed to win 90 percent of a game at Anfield, but poor finishing once again would cost the Reds three points for yet another time this campaign.

Newcastle United are also failing to keep their form with only taken two points from their last nine available and were lucky to have salvaged a draw against Sunderland in last week's Tyne-Wear Derby.

West Brom are surging up the table with three straight wins while Fulham have been crushing opponents as well.

Everton, Stoke City and Norwich are all maintaining their place in the middle of the table, while the bottom five battle is continuing to heat up.

Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers are all within just a few points of one another as the relegation zone is proving to be just as exciting as the top.

Here's to another week of crazy results in the 2011-12 EPL season.

Bolton Wanderers vs. Queens Park Rangers

Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers find themselves fighting for survival at the bottom of the pile amongst a group of five teams all within two points of one another.

Wanderers may have advanced to the next round of the FA Cup against Millwall three weeks ago, but that felt like a distant memory after suffering their fourth straight EPL loss to Manchester City last weekend.

Queens Park Rangers will enjoy the return of Djibril Cisse to the first team following his three-match ban.

However, are equally as frustrated as Bolton with only two draws in their last five games.

This is sure to be a barnstormer of a basement battle at the Reebok.

Match Prediction: Bolton 2 - 2 QPR

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Adam Bogdan, Marcus Alonso, David Wheater, Tim Ream, Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Fabrice Muamba, Martin Petrov, Ryo Miyaichi, Chris Eagles, David N'Gog, Ivan Klasnic

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Patrick Kenny, Fitz Hall, Anton Ferdinand, Nedum Onuoha, Taye Taiwo, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jaime Mackie, Joey Barton, Shaun Derry, Djibril Cisse, Bobby Zamora

Players to Watch:Ryo Miyaichi and Djibril Cisse

Aston Villa vs. Fulham

Aston Villa continue to struggle in the league, and the loss of Darren Bent has only increased their desperation to get back to winning ways.

Fulham meanwhile are on blistering form, having won three straight games including their pummeling of Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend 5-0.

Clint Dempsey and Pavel Pogrebnyak will once again look to scorch the back of the net as Villa have looked loss since the injury of Richard Dunne at the back.

Match Prediction: Aston Villa 0 - 3 Fulham

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Shay Given, Alan Hutton, Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Stephen Warnock, Garry Gardner, Barry Bannan, Marc Albrighton, Charles N'Zogbia, Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: Mark Schwarzer, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise, Danny Murphy, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Damien Duff, Pavel Pogrebnyak

Players to Watch: Marc Albrighton and Pavel Pogrebnyak

Chelsea vs. Stoke City

Chelsea welcome action back to Stamford Bridge under the eyes of new caretaker boss Roberto di Matteo after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

The Blues are somehow still in the race for fourth place only due to the parody of this EPL season and the up-and-down inconsistency of nearly every single team below Manchester City and Manchester United.

With only five points from their last 15 available, the three-point gap to Arsenal in fourth almost looks bigger than it truly is.

Stoke City have won two straight matches, and the hardened side of Tony Pulis could just snatch a victory from the Blues at home if they do not find a way to unite and save their season with nine games left.

Match Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 1 Stoke City

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Florent Malouda, Ramires, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Thomas Sorenson, Danny Collins, Jonathan Woodgate, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Shotton, Dean Whitehead, Matthew Etherington, Jonathan Walters, Peter Crouch

Players to Watch: Juan Mata and Matthew Etherington

Sunderland vs. Liverpool

Liverpool once again disappointed themselves and their fans last weekend when they had Arsenal on the back foot for the full 96 minutes of action at Anfield and still lost 2-1.

Robin Van Persie was the one to inflict all the damage for Arsenal as he only touched the ball twice on the night and netted two key goals for the Gunners.

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson were sorely missed and should be back for the Sunderland match this weekend.

The Black Cats themselves suffered a late frustrating result as Newcastle United scored an equalizer to prevent the Wearsiders from claiming a Derby day away victory.

Sunderland will hope to at least steal another point from the Reds just as they did on Merseyside at the start of the season while Liverpool will hope their good away form continues to earn them results.

Match Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 2 Liverpool

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Simon Mignolet, Phillip Bardsley, John O'Shea, Michael Turner, Kieran Richardson, Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner, James McClean, David Vaughn, Nicklas Bendtner, Frazier Campbell

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll

Players to Watch: Nicklas Bentdner and Luis Suarez

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers

Another of the weekend's basement battles comes between Wolves and Blackburn Rovers.

Fulham hammered the lackluster manager-less side from the Molineux last weekend, and they will hope to keep Blackburn from doing the same this week.

Steve Kean has managed to keep his team treading water just above the relegation places and a victory here could do the club a world of good in hopes of their safety.

Match Prediction: Wolves 2 - 4 Blackburn Rovers

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Sebastian Bassong, Roger Johnson, Kevin Foley, Jamie O'Hara, Nenad Milijas, Stephen Hunt, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Bradley Orr, Grant Hanley, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Steven Nzonzi, David Hoilett, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Anthony Modeste, Yakubu, David Goodwillie

Players to Watch: Steven Fletcher and Yakubu

Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Everton managed to escape Loftus Road with a draw against Queens Park Rangers where the home side were all but victors with the woodwork denying them on multiple occasions.

The Toffees now return to host Tottenham Hotspur who has suffered to morale crushing defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United to all but end any hope of making a title push for Harry Redknapp's men.

David Moyes will hope to pounce on the damaged egos of the Londoners. Steven Pienaar will not get a chance to stick it to his current employers, but the Toffees will press hard with their recent fitness boost from Jack Rodwell and Victor Anichibe.

Match Prediction: Everton 2 - 2 Tottenham

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, John Heitinga, Phil Neville, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Darren Gibson, Royston Drenthe, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Denis Stracqualursi

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor

Players to Watch: Denis Stracqualursi and Gareth Bale

Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United survived a scare against Ajax last week and will face a tough Athletic Bilbao side in midweek as they continue to try and march towards a UEFA Europa League final. You can view the players to watch for that match here.

However, this weekend, win or lose, they will be facing a West Bromwich Albion side that are hitting form just in time to push up the table.

The Baggies have unleashed their skills to crank out three straight league victories over Wolverhampton, Sunderland and Chelsea scoring 10 goals and only allowing one in that time.

United are still on pace to push local rivals Manchester City to the last day in their hopes to clip the title late and a mistake against West Brom could prove devastating.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 2 WBA

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: David de Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverly, Nani, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Nicky Shorey, Jonas Olsson, Liam Ridgewell, Billy Jones, Yousuff Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie

Players to Watch: Wayne Rooney and Peter Odemwingie

Swansea City vs. Manchester City

Swansea City host Manchester City as the Welsh club will be hoping to find a way to work some upset magic at their home ground the Liberty Stadium.

The same ground that has seen the defeat of Arsenal as well as draws with Tottenham and Chelsea could perhaps see the Citizens drop points for the first time in several weeks.

City, however, will not go lightly as the table toppers have 23 points of their last 30 in the league and are riding a four-game win streak.

Match Prediction: Swansea City 1 - 1 Manchester City

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Angel Ranger, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Mark Gower, Leon Britton, Luke More, Joe Allen, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Eden Dzeko, Sergio Aguero

Players to Watch: Joe Allen and David Silva

Norwich City vs. Wigan Athletic

Norwich City are struggling as of late with only one win from their last five giving the Canaries only three of their last 15 points available.

A match against Wigan Athletic could be either a dose of fresh air or another taste of bitter medicine as the Latics are still sitting dead last in the league but have managed a win and a draw in their last three games.

It is going to come down to the side that can manage to make the most of any little advantage open to them.

Norwich managed to earn some impressive victories earlier in the campaign with their strength from corner's and set pieces and that could be where the home side has to take their leg up.

Match Prediction: Norwich 3 - 2 Wigan

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Marc Tierney, Zack Whitebread, Kyle Naughton, Andrew Crofts, Bradley Johnson, Wesley Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al-Habsi, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez,  Ronnie Stam, David Jones, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Ben Watson, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Players to Watch: Grant Holt and Victor Moses

Arsenal vs. Newcastle United

Arsenal as the hottest team in the league at the moment as they have maintained their momentum from their 5-2, come-from-behind win in the North London Derby.

The Gunners managed a less-than-impressive win at Anfield over Liverpool but then narrowly missed shocking all when they came to within a goal of forcing AC Milan into extra time to decide their UEFA Champions League tie.

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, unfortunately, could possibly have made the difference had he lashed his second half chance into the back of the net rather than try to chip the keeper in a style that is not his own.

Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger can take great satisfaction in the performance as it looked like the Arsenal of old with their brilliant movement and creativity all night until the dying stages of the match.

Newcastle United have been on the back foot in recent weeks and will have to get up for this match, as the last time the two met the Magpies, it was the far north side that enjoyed the last laugh.

With the Geordies having managed to lose once and draw twice in their last three games and need to find their form if they want to take one last shot at getting back to the top four.

Match Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 1 Newcastle United

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Rosicky, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Davide Santos, Michael Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Chiek Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Demba Ba, Demba Cisse

Players to Watch: Robin van Persie and Demba Ba

Conclusion

There's still plenty of time for the ebb and flow of the league to take a crazy turn and see the relegation zone and the top four battle take dramatic shifts.

However, the title looks to be in the hands of either Manchester City or Manchester United to lose.

As we near the weekend, we get to enjoy another day of action in the UEFA Europa League before the next round of the EPL takes off Saturday morning.

Get the discussion going with your own predictions in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out more on Bleacher Report and at the links below. You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook, or visit my website.