EPL Previews: Carlo Ancelotti's Make-or-Break Game at Chelsea

Wolverhampton vs. Manchester City

Mick McCarthy's men claimed a huge scalp last weekend when they defeated Chelsea at the Molineux. However, he will know for sure that it will be very difficult to reproduce that performance at Eastlands when they face Manchester City.

Man City recently showcased their new signing, Edin Dzeko, but he is highly unlikely to play even from the start. Edin Dzeko has not played for quite some time as the German Bundesliga has been on a break. So, it will be highly improbable that Roberto Mancini will be risking his recent acquisition for a home game against Wolves.

Wolverhampton beat Manchester City at the Molineux last time around and they can do the double over them by replicating the same result at Eastlands. Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards will both be absent for City, while George Elokobi is missing for Wolves because of suspension.

However, Mick McCarthy seems to be the well-placed amongst the two after he has a number of players either returning from injury or from suspension. Karl Henry and Steve Mouyokolo are some of the key players returning for Wolverhampton for the match.

Man City - Wolverhampton kicks off at 16:00 CET at the City of Manchester stadium.

Stoke vs Bolton

Tony Pulis will be looking to erase the bad memories of Stoke City losing to Bolton in the reverse fixture this season. Bolton Wanderers scored a last-minute goal to beat Stoke at the Reebok Stadium and Pulis clearly had his feelings known after the manner in which his side was defeated.

Now though, he has the best opportunity to get revenge for the defeat and his side will certainly be pumped up for the occasion. Bolton enjoyed a good run of form before suffering consecutive defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Liverpool. Since then, it has been slightly downhill for the Trotters and things do not look up brightly for the match as well.

Owen Coyle is suffering from a number of injury problems and he is even struggling to put a full 16-man squad out for the game. Jlloyd Samuel, Ricardo Gardner and Joey O'Brien are some of the players are currently missing for the Trotters.

Injury worries apart, Owen Coyle will be looking for the win that will propel his team towards Europa League qualification next season. Ironically, Stoke City are also looking to getting into the top half of the table.

Stoke - Bolton kicks off at 16:00 CET at the Britannia Stadium.

West Brom vs Blackpool

Roberto di Matteo has managed to remain confident about his team's chances for this season, despite the fact that they have lost their last six games in the Premier League without exception.

However, one could argue that they have put in a performance in each of those matches and have been unlucky with some of the finishing and referring decisions. However, as it is, they are slipping down fast into the bottom half of the table and they are just the two places above the drop zone.

Di Matteo will not have been worried about his team this much even when they won the promotion last season. Such is the dire state of first-team that they do not know where their next points will be coming from.

His task is not at all made easy when his side faces a confident Blackpool side that are coming on the back of a fantastic victory over Liverpool.

Ian Holloway has exceeded expectations and so has his side. They have constantly evaded the threat of the relegation this season and Ian Holloway will be looking to maintain that against West Brom too. Scott Carson will be the major absentee for West Brom after Roberto di Matteo revealed that he will be dropped in favour of Boaz Myhill.

West Brom - Blackpool kicks off at 16:00 CET at The Hawthorns.

Chelsea vs Blackburn

This is quite possibly a make or break game for Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea have recently struggled for form, but they finally seem to have overcome the situation after they thrashed Ipswich Town by seven goals. However, it would count for nothing if they don’t to win against Blackburn Rovers at home.

Even if they win, the chances of Chelsea retaining the title look really slim after Manchester United have a nine-point cushion between them. Right now, the priority for Carlo Ancelotti is ensuring that Chelsea finish in the top four, thereby qualifying for Champions League.

Blackburn, however, seem to be settling into a nice rhythm after they defeated Liverpool in the last Premier League outing. Steve Kean will surely know that getting that kind of result against Chelsea, away from home is probably the most difficult thing in the world, but given Chelsea's recent stuttering’s he could well give a go at it.

It has been heavily rumoured that Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda could be dropped from the side after the team performed brilliantly without them. Daniel Sturridge impressed in the match against Ipswich Town and it would not be a big surprise if he ended up starting the game.

Chelsea - Blackburn kicks off at 16:00 CET on Stamford Bridge.

Wigan vs Fulham

This is the six-pointer match of the weekend and the winner of the match could be comfortable, at least for a few weeks. Fulham are probably the best placed team to win the match after they have enjoyed good run of results in the past few games, which has included victories over West Ham United and Stoke City.

However, Mark Hughes will know that he must not take Wigan lightly even though they have just taken the monkey off their back by winning their first Premier League games away from home for quite a while. Wigan have been quite inert for the past few weeks, with not a lot to show in the way of results.

However, they have defeated Hull City in the FA Cup a few days ago and have taken points of Arsenal only a few weeks back. Apart from that, their form has been nothing to shout about and Roberto Martinez will be hoping that it changes when they face Fulham.

Fulham recently signed Steve Sidwell in the first major signing for the Londoners and he could make his debut against Wigan in the match. Fulham are also boosted by the return of Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele.

Wigan - Fulham kicks off at 16:00 CET on the DW Stadium.

West Ham vs Arsenal

This is without doubt the highlight fixture of Saturday and it will be the one that will decide the future of Avram Grant.

Grant seems to have turned the corner at West Ham United, but his situation with the board does not seem to have improved one little bit after the confrontation regarding transfer targets.

Steve Sidwell was the centre of controversy and it was reported that while Avram Grant wanted to sign the player, the board did not allow him. Hence, if West Ham United lose against Arsenal, it will provide the perfect reason for the board to sack Grant.

Avram Grant will have to say his job without the services of Victor Obinna, who is suspended after the red card against Birmingham in the Carling Cup. Carlton Cole is expected to deputise in his absence.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to keep abreast of the leaders at the top of the table. They also will be looking at the defeat against Ipswich in the FA Cup with some kind of bitterness and West Ham could prove to be the tool to release that anger. Arsene Wenger has a fully fit squad to choose from.

West Ham - Arsenal kicks off at 18:30 CET on Boleyn Ground.

Xavier - mysportshub.co.uk