EPL Predictions: Chelsea To Drop Points As Arsenal Gain Ground
Another weekend of English Premier League action will begin with a dynamite clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. As if the attacking talents of Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez, Florent Malouda, and David Silva are not enough, we will have the first meeting between the sides since the infamous "handshake" game last season.
There seems to be more chance of John Terry and Wayne Bridge swapping shirts afterward than there is of this game being boring.
Here we predict Chelsea to drop points and give you 10 more predictions for each EPL game this weekend.
Tevez To Score and Hold Chelsea To Draw
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Both Chelsea and Manchester City suffered Carling Cup exits this week at the hands of Newcastle and West Brom respectively. Undeterred, the two will go head to head for one of the matches of the season so far in the Premier League.
Chelsea could be without Frank Lampard again, while Micah Richards is doubtful for City. However, both lineups will be full of attacking stars in what will be a classic affair. Carlos Tevez will lead the City line, and will remember the success he had in a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge last season.
Expect City to gain a point in what will be the first game Chelsea have not produced a comfortable victory this season.
Prediction: Manchester City 1, Chelsea 1
Arshavin To Lead Way As Baggies Are Destroyed
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Arsenal are emerging as a title contender and have more of an edge to their play than in previous seasons. Andrey Arshavin is regaining form and is a formidable force in attack.
West Brom will win many admirers with their style of play, but it will do them no favors here. Attempting to beat Arsenal by outplaying them is an impossible task when you take into account the talent level of the Baggies lineup.
The game will be entertaining, but Arsenal will cruise to a comfortable win and gain ground if Chelsea slip.
Prediction: Arsenal 4, West Bromwich Albion 1
Grey Skies For Wigan at Birmingham
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Wigan face a tough task on Saturday, making a trip to St. Andrews to play in a hostile environment. Wigan are currently in the relegation zone but will feel they have better form ahead of them.
Birmingham are on a long home undefeated run, and avoiding defeat here will push their streak past the one-year mark. The Blues have added some quality players recently, with Alexander Hleb joined by Chile international Jean Beausejour, who provided two assists in their midweek Carling Cup victory.
Charles N'Zogbia has worked his way back into the team after his ongoing transfer saga, and will be a good addition as the season goes on.
The Blues will have too much for the Latics here, and will push on up the table.
Prediction: Birmingham City 2, Wigan Athletic 1
Blackout in the Northwest
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Blackpool have stuck to their attacking principles, but will face a polar opposite here in well-drilled and disciplined Blackburn Rovers.
Charlie Adam is an impressive midfield playmaker, but he and his Blackpool mates will have a tough time breaching a Rovers back line anchored by Chris Samba and Phil Jones.
Expect a hard fought stalemate in this game, as both teams tally a precious point.
Prediction: Blackpool 0, Blackburn Rovers 0
Toffees Get Out of Sticky Situation With Win at Fulham
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Everton have had a frankly horrific start to the season. They currently sit in the relegation zone and were knocked out of the Carling Cup midweek thanks to a home defeat at the hands of League One Brentford.
Fulham remain unbeaten in Premier League play, and Mark Hughes has made an excellent start to life as Fulham manager.
With players like Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini, and Steven Pienaar, it is merely a matter of time before Everton hit winning ways, and they will begin that here with three points at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: Fulham 0, Everton 1
Liverpool Grind Out Ugly Win To Stay Afloat
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Like their merseyside rivals Everton, Liverpool have also endured a horrific start to the campaign. League Two Northampton came to Anfield in midweek and dumped them out of the Carling Cup, whereas in the league they sit in 16th place as of this weekend.
Sunderland will bring an on form strike force to town with Darren Bent paired with Ghana World Cup star Asamoah Gyan.
Liverpool will gain a badly needed three points here to revive their season.
Prediction: Liverpool 2, Sunderland 1
West Ham Rise Up To Grab Point From Spurs
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West Ham have struggled so far and are tipped by many to be in the relegation mire come the end of the season. The visit of local rivals Tottenham will spark the Hammers into life in what should be a hotly contested affair.
Tottenham were destroyed 4-1 midweek in Carling Cup play to Arsenal. With one eye on the Champions League, Spurs could slip up here and drop points to West Ham.
Prediction: West Ham United 2, Tottenham Hotspur 2
Berbatov To Maintain Hot Streak Against The Wanderers
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Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen will return to action following a three-match suspension. He will be kept busy by a United team looking to win to stay in touch with Chelsea.
Dimitar Berbatov will continue up front after netting a game winning hat trick against Liverpool last weekend.
Rio Ferdinand is set to make his first Premier League start, whereas Bolton's star defender Gary Cahill will be missing.
The Red Devils will cruise to a comfortable win and hope for Chelsea to slip.
Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 0, Manchester United 2
Wolves To Frustrate Injury-Hit Aston Villa
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Wolves are becoming known for physical and gritty play that is difficult to beat. Wolves will see their home success as the key factor in their survival in their division, heightening the stakes here.
Richard Dunne is out, while Gabriel Agbonlahor and Stephen Ireland are both doubts for Villa. Wolves are hoping goal scoring defender Jelle Van Damme can play as he is carrying a slight injury.
Wolves will hold strong and frustrate the Villains here in an intense rivalry game.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Aston Villa 1
Geordies Held at Home By the Potters
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Cult hero Shola Ameobi will hope to feature after his game-winning brace against Chelsea in the Carling Cup. Goalkeeper Steve Harper is out for three months, meaning Tim Krul should play for Newcastle this weekend.
Winger Jermaine Pennant is a doubt for Stoke and will face a late fitness test.
Krul will face a baptism of fire, with Stoke putting long throws and deep crosses into the area on a consistent basis. He may concede but Newcastle should even it up in front of their passionate home support.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1, Stoke City 1
