EPL Preview: Sunday, August 29, 2010 Matches

Bolton vs Birmingham

Bolton may be without striker Klasnic as he faces a last minute fitness test ahead of their match with Birmingham. He was forced off at half time against Southampton due to a thigh injury and Sean Davis also looks unlikely to start as he faces another injury set back. Bolton had a good solid win against West Ham in their last league match, although the Hammers are not quite as good a side as Birmingham. Bolton have been an odd team to watch recently in their last 14 matches they have not scored in seven and scored 2 in six of them, so predicting how they are going to play is difficult at best.

Birmingham could be missing McFadden who is facing a late fitness test and Derbyshire could make his 1st league start after scoring in their Carling Cup match with Rochdale. The problem that Birmingham are going to face is breaking their poor run of away form (won one from their last 10) which could carry on from last season if they aren’t lucky. This should be Bolton’s game to lose they have won their last three matches against Birmingham and in contrast to Birmingham’s away form they have every chance of picking up all three points.

Liverpool vs West Brom

Liverpool are having an start to the season just as depressing as their Merseyside counterparts, they have failed to manage a win and have looked a little bit lacklustre to boot. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are likely to start after they were rested during their Europa league match, Cole will be unavailable as he continues to serve his 3 match ban. Really Liverpool need to pick up all three points here, if they don’t it is going to leave them chasing an increasing gap if they are going to realistically challenge for a top 4 spot this season. Having said that Liverpool have not exactly had easy opposition so far and West Brom may come as a welcome relief from the likes of Arsenal and Man City.

West Brom in theory have had a better start to the season that Liverpool, however not many people would even dream to suggest that they are a better side than the Merseyside outfit they will be playing, Brom’s away form is bleak, one win in 28 matches is not something that is not inspirational by any means. And with only 4 shots on target so far this season it is going to take some severe blunders on behalf of Liverpool if Brom are to have any chance of victory, if the Baggies can manage a draw at Anfield that would be a good result for them.

Sunderland vs Manchester City

Sunderland will be happy to see the return of Cattermole and Turner who have both finished serving suspensions. On the other hand they will be without is Onuoha who is ineligible to face his parent club. Anton Ferdinand is likely to be handed a start due to Sunderland’s squad concerns. Statistically this match is not looking like it’s going to go in Sunderland’s favour they have only won against City once in the last 10 years. Certainly this doesn’t make Sunderland’s chances sound all too impressive considering City are a much better side than they were then.

Man City had an impressive 3-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend and this match should not be all too difficult for them to win. On the other hand they are missing several players in the forms of Boateng, Bridge, Kolarov and possible the high profile Mario Balotelli. There is also the fact that City’s away form is pretty shaky at the moment with them failing to win any of their last 3 matches. But, what this match really comes down to is whether City will be able to score, they have not conceded since the start of the premiership, but with their poor form on the road Sunderland may be able to completely close up shop if they play their cards right.

Aston Villa vs Everton

Both of these sides have suffered some disappointing starts to the season. Villa suffered an absolute stomping at the hands of Newcastle who have only just returned to the Premiership. Any 6-0 defeat is embarrassing, but at the hands of a recently relegated side it becomes even worse. Agbonlahor should be fit despite being subbed off due to a calf strain in Villas Europa League defeat to Rapid Vienna. John Carew and Dunne are available and Villa do have quite a lot of player to chose from for once. Villa need to pick up a win here to redeem themselves for their shocking defeat. They do have one major problem: defence - they’ve been leaking goals they’ve conceded 20 goals from their last 10 matches, if they can tighten up a the back they should win this match.

Everton haven’t failed to win at least one of their 1st 3 matches since 1999, this is a place that Everton fans do not see their club return to. Generally speaking the Toffees don’t do very well when they visit Birmingham, drawing their last four matches with Villa and their local rivals. Whilst Everton need this win as much as Villa, a draw here will more than likely be considered acceptable by most simply due to the fact that the side is away from home and Evertonian’s are used to seeing their side not do to well in this fixture.

Xavier - live scores and live sports