The Fight For The Premier League Title and Champions League Spots Hots Up!

After their convincing 3-0 win against Fulham on Wednesday, it looks as if we're set for yet another year of Manchester United as Premier League champions. However, with only five points between the Red Devils and second placed Liverpool, the race is anything but over yet if Liverpool can dig deep and pull out their big guns.

In another race—the race for the Champions League—we are witnessing an exciting fight for 3rd and 4th (and even 2nd) places with Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Arsenal all in contention for the remaining prestigious European spots.

Can the in-form Villa keep up their brilliant run of results, will the faltering Chelsea squad turn things around with the appointment of new coach Guus Hiddink, and do Arsenal still have what it takes to be part of the Big Four?

The results of this weekend's matches could very well give us the answers to these questions as we preview the upcoming fixtures.

Man United v Blackburn Rovers


Saturday 21 February 2009, Old Trafford

Kickoff: 17:30

Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0 at Old Trafford in their last league outing, making a run of fourteen games unbeaten since their last defeat (2-1 against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium).

Man Utd have won twelve and drawn two of their fourteen game streak (including nine wins on the bounce); taking 38 points from a possible 42. The Red Devils have found the back of the net 24 times and not conceded a single goal, extending a new Premier League record for consecutive clean sheets to 14 games, as they sit top of the table.

Manchester United will have to do without Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Anderson (ankle), while Gary Neville should be available after being struck down with a virus and Wayne Rooney is fit again following a hamstring injury.


Blackburn lost 2-0 against Aston Villa at Ewood Park in their last league outing, their first defeat in seven games since losing 3-0 against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium.

They have won two, drawn four, and lost one of their last seven games; collecting 10 points from the 21 offered. The Rovers have found the back of the net 10 times and leaked six goals during this time, as they sit eighteenth in the league table.

Blackburn will have to do without Brett Emerton (knee) and Steven Reid (knee).


Prediction

Manchester United beat Blackburn 2-0 in this corresponding fixture last season with two goals from Ronaldo and repeated that scoreline 2-0 victory at Ewood Park earlier this season.

The current Premier League leaders are on their best form of the season and have won 11 successive games at Old Trafford, making this a daunting task for lowly Blackburn, especially as the Rovers haven’t won away from home in nine games since beating Newcastle 2-1 at St James’ Park.

However, despite defeat in their last match, Blackburn are on improving form in general and as a Lancashire derby, they will be trying their best to prevent Manchester United notching up another victory at their expense.

The reigning champions seem to be building momentum, and with Dimitar Berbatov hitting some kind of goal scoring form (with five goals in his last eight matches), the return of Wayne Rooney and the home crowd behind them; and despite the good form of Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts with eight goals in the last seven games between them (four each), the Red Devils will go into this encounter as strong favourites for victory.

Arsenal v Sunderland


Saturday 21 February 2009, Emirates Stadium

Kickoff: 15:00


Arsenal drew 0-0 away to Tottenham in their last league outing, to make a run of 11 matches without a loss.

In their last 11 matches, Arsenal have won five and drawn six to earn a total of 21 points from a possible 33 on offer. The Gunners have scored 13 and conceded seven goals in these matches, and they currently sit 5th in the league, five points behind 4th placed Chelsea.

Arsenal will be without Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Cesc Fabregas (knee), although Abou Diaby and Mikael Silvestre may make their return from injury for this match.

Striker Eduardo has recovered from his broken leg and should also feature in this match after his impressive two goal haul in Monday's 4-0 FA Cup win over Cardiff. Emmanuel Eboue will not miss this match, as he served his one match suspension in the win against Cardiff.

Further good news for Arsenal in that Theo Walcott is set to make his return after three months on the sideline from a dislocated shoulder, and could be fit for either this match or Arsenal's first Champions League fixture against Roma on February 24.

Finally, Andrey Arshavin will make his Premier League debut if he plays in this match, after the Russian international was an unused substitute in Arsenal's 0-0 draw against the Spurs two weeks ago.


Sunderland beat Stoke City 2-0 at home in their last league outing, creating a run of three matches without a loss.

In their last five encounters, Sunderland have won two, drawn two and lost one, earning eight points from a possible 15. The Black Cats have scored six goals and conceded four in these matches, and they currently sit 11th in the league.

Sunderland will be without Russell Anderson (knee) and Darren Ward (back), although Nyron Nosworthy, Paul McShane and Teemu Tainio could all make their return from injury. Both Phillip Bardsley and Andrew Galer are suspended, and so will miss the match against Arsenal.


Prediction

Arsenal beat Sunderland 3-2 in their corresponding fixture last year, but the two sides drew 1-1 earlier this season at the Stadium of Light. The draw, however, came at a time when Arsenal's form was anything but solid, but since then the Gunners have improved and are showing a more consistent output in their performances.

The loss of striker Emmanuel Adebayor will undoubtedly be a big blow for Arsenal's attacking capabilities, but the inclusion of Arshavin and Eduardo in the squad could largely mitigate this. Also, Robin van Persie should provide plenty of firepower up front for the Gunners, as the 25-year-old Dutch international has been in impressive form as of late.

Arsenal are just five points behind 4th placed Chelsea, and with the faltering Blues facing an in-form Aston Villa away from home, the gap between the two teams could be reduced to just two points if Arsenal were to win this match and Chelsea lose theirs. The chance to edge closer to the top four and a Champions League berth will provide an extra incentive for the Gunners to win this match.

Arsenal's home record this season has been impressive, and after three consecutive league draws (two of which came away from home), the Gunners will be looking to post a much-needed victory at the Emirates Stadium, as they go into this encounter as firm favourites.

Aston Villa v Chelsea


Saturday 21 February 2009, Villa Park

Kickoff: 12:45


Aston Villa won 2-0 against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in their last league outing, making a run of thirteen games unbeaten since their last league defeat (2-1 against Middlesbrough at Villa Park).

Aston Villa have won nine (including a club record seven consecutive wins away from home) and drawn four of their thirteen game streak; taking 31 points from a possible 39. The Villains have scored 20 goals whilst conceding eight during those thirteen games on their way up to third in the league.

Aston Villa will have to do without injured trio Carlos Cuellar (hamstring), Nigel Reo-Coker (hamstring) and Martin Laursen (knee), while Emile Heskey (ankle) is a doubt.


Chelsea drew 0-0 with Hull City at Stamford Bridge in their last league game, ending a run of three successive wins at home.

In their last five matches, Chelsea have won two, drawn one, and lost two, earning themselves seven points from the 15 on offer. The Blues have scored four goals and conceded six in these matches, slipping down to fourth in the league

Chelsea have moved quickly to appoint Dutch manager Guus Hiddink as manager until the end of the season, following the sacking of former manager Phil Scolari.

The Blues will have to do without Joe Cole (knee), Micheal Essien (knee) and Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring).


Prediction

Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-0 in this corresponding fixture last season, but lost 2-0 against them at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. Villa will have had less preparation for this match after their 1-1 UEFA Cup draw at home against Russian side CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, so that will give the Blues an advantage.

Chelsea’s appointment of Guus Hiddink could have a typically galvanising effect from new manager syndrome, and the Dutch manager has immediately signalled his determination by asserting that Chelsea can still win the title.

Aston Villa are currently in their best form and will go into this game full of confidence, and with the support of their home crowd should expect to do far better than earlier in the season. Meanwhile Chelsea will go into this match on their poorest form of the season, having gone four games since their last win away from home, a run which includes two draws and two successive defeats.

Despite Chelsea’s woes, they have two big players in Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard in good form, and with some inspiration from the new manager, they are likely to be much improved than recently to make an exciting and evenly contested match with the in-form Aston Villa.

For previews of all 10 weekend English Premier League matches with the best betting odds and the biggest free bets from leading bookmaker sites, go to the Sports Betting Review site now!