EPL Preview: Manchester United Looking to Get Back on Track

Aston Villa vs Blackburn

Aston Villa will be looking to take on Blackburn, hoping that their home-field advantage will count against the Lancashire team. Home form has certainly improved since the January transfer window, and it has helped the club improve on their position from being relegation strugglers to mid-table contenders.

The signing of Darren Bent has been one thing that has propelled Aston Villa to a position of relative safety, even though the threat of relegation still remains for Gerard Houllier's men. The last two matches have been certainly disappointing for Villa, having taken just two points from a possible six.

They will be looking to take advantage of Blackburn's poor away form, which has been the main cause of concern for Steve Kean. The two sides have already met at Villa Park earlier in the season for the FA Cup, and it was Aston Villa who came out on the victorious side.

Houllier will be hoping for a repeat result on Saturday. Blackburn will be boosted by the presence of Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet, who had been doubtful for the match. Villa has a fully fit squad apart from the already injured players.

Everton vs Sunderland

Everton will be extremely buoyed by the result against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, even though it only progresses them to the fifth round of the FA Cup. The manner in which the victory was achieved was something special for David Moyes' side, and he will be hoping for a repeat performance against a Sunderland side that has lost their last two matches.

Prior to the two consecutive defeats, Sunderland was doing rather well in the League, but the two defeats have meant that their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League has diminished slightly.

Everton, meanwhile, will certainly be happy about the timing of the Chelsea result, especially given that they had just one victory in their last six matches. The Chelsea result now means that Everton will be the confident team going into the match.

Sunderland is definitely struggling from injuries to key players like Danny Welbeck, Michael Turner and Campbell. They are just some of the players that will be missing for Steve Bruce's side, while David Moyes will have to deal with no new injury worries. Louis Saha is expected to return to the side after missing the Chelsea match, which will be a massive boost for David Moyes.

Newcastle vs Bolton

Newcastle will be taking on the Bolton Wanderers, trying to improve their home form, which has been a source of concern all throughout the season. This is going to be one tough match for Alan Pardew's men, especially given that the Bolton Wanderers have been resurgent away from home ever since the Tottenham defeat.

They have won their last two matches on the road, and more importantly, have kept a clean sheet in each of them. The loss of Andy Carroll does not seem to have affected the performance of Newcastle after their convincing win over Birmingham in the last Premier League match.

The two teams are separated by just one point going into the match and both still have a chance of qualifying for Europe. Bolton has been generally poor away from home, but there have been signs of improvement in that regard in the last two matches.

Owen Coyle has praised the performance of Daniel Sturridge and he is expected to start for Bolton. He has scored three goals in his last three appearances for the Trotters.

Newcastle is missing a number of players including the likes of Shola Ameobi, Stephen Ireland and Danny Guthrie.

Wigan vs Man Utd

Manchester United had to endure a disappointing draw against Marseille in the Champions League, but they will be hoping that their fortunes reverse against a poor Wigan side that have been flirting with relegation throughout the season.

As a result, Roberto Martinez sees his side in the final relegation spot, although just one point separates them from the position of relative safety. Given that the match is at home, Roberto Martinez will be in for nothing less than 100 percent commitment from his men, which has been lacking up until now.

The only win that Wigan have managed in the last six matches has been the roller coaster victory over Blackburn Rovers. Apart from that, they are in pretty dismal form and this will certainly be something that United will be looking to take advantage.

Manchester United will be once again without Rio Ferdinand for the match, while his usual replacement, Jonny Evans, is also missing due to injury. Wigan will be without Emmerson Boyce for the match, but apart from that, they have a full strength squad to name. Manchester United's form has been faultless in the Premier League so far, and Alex Ferguson will be looking to continue that at DW Stadium.

Wolverhampton vs Blackpool

Blackpool completed a stunning victory against Tottenham midweek to end their horrible runoff results that stretched back to January.

Blackpool were struggling near the foot of the table only a few weeks ago, but this impressive victory has improved their position to a respectable 12th, although it is just five points away from Wigan Athletic in the 18th position. They will be looking to take some points away from Wolverhampton at the Molineux in order to further strengthen their position.

The lack of pressure has been one of the main reasons for Blackpool performing so effectively in the early stages of the season, but of late, they have been under immense pressure to deliver in their early season form.

Even though they seemed to struggle initially, Blackpool looks to be getting back on track for putting up another run. This is certainly something that Wolverhampton is lacking, and Mick McCarthy will be looking to take his side to the next level.

The biggest worry for Blackpool will be the loss of their main threat, Charlie Adam, who is suspended for the match. Wolverhampton will be missing the services of Stephen Hunt.

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores