English Premier League: Week 8 Match Previews and Predictions

The Barclays Premier League picks up where it left off two weeks ago after an interesting week of international football that was highlighted by the completion of the qualification group stage for next summers 2012 UEFA European Championships.

Players now return to their clubs in England either hyped or disappointed or in Wayne Rooney's case a little out of sorts about what to think with yourself when it comes to possibly having been frozen out of your national team for nine months.

Whatever the case or frame of mind it is back to the grind for the eighth week of action in England. It seems like we are further along than we are with all the action taking place all over but it just makes it that much more interesting.

Liverpool and Manchester United have a major showdown in the game of the week while the other three unbeaten clubs face off in two other matches with Manchester City hosting Aston Villa and Newcastle playing host to Tottenham.

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

The only undefeated battle of clubs this week will go down at Etihad Stadium. Alex McLeish has done a fine job so far getting results out of his team that many had thought were going to be much weaker.

Aston Villa will be hoping to find a way to at least squeak out with a draw to keep their streak alive but with Manchester United traveling to Liverpool the Citizens will hope a win could see them jump ahead if the Reds pull off an upset.

It will a tough test but City should have the distinct edge.

Match Prediction: Manchester City 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gaël Clichy; David Silva, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, James Milner; Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko.

Aston Villa Starting XI: Shay Given; Alan Hutton, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Fabien Delph, Stiliyan Petrov, Jermaine Jenas, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Players to Watch: Samir Nasri and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Norwich City vs Swansea City

A promotion battle sees Swansea City travel to Norwich to take on the Canaries. The two sit ninth and 10th in the table on eight points each in the same pocket with Queens Park Rangers who are holding the 11th spot on the same total.

All three have over performed in the eyes of many, but Swansea and Norwich are two stilled tipped to make an exit. This match could start shedding light on which of these two potentially won't have the strength to avoid the drop.

Both clubs made excellent additions upon promotion and Michel Vorm has made Swansea an instant upset threat to many clubs due to his ability that has been shown all season.

Match Prediction: Norwich 2 - 2 Swansea

Predicted Lineups

Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy; Leon Barnett, Kyle Naughton, Marc Tierney, Russell Martin; Bradley Johnson, David Fox, Elliot Bennett, Wesley Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington; Steve Morison

Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Neil Taylor, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Angel Rangel, Nathan Dyer, Leon Britton, Kemy Agustien, Joe Allen, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Players to Watch: Anthony Pilkington and Michel Vorm.

Queens Park Rangers vs Blackburn Rovers

Queens Park Rangers had looked on the up and up after a late splurge of talent seemed to have elevated their game. However, last weeks 6-0 pounding they received at the hands of Fulham was a stark reminder that they still have a long way to go in the EPL.

Blackburn Rovers are fighting to stay up already, and if they hope to maintain their EPL status they have to beat newly promoted teams like QPR otherwise they might as well pack for the trip down a tier.

Match Prediction: QPR 2 - 3 Blackburn.

Predicted Lineups

Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Patrick Kenny; Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Daniel Gabbidon, Fritz Hall; Shaun Derry, Adel Taarabt, Joey Barton, Alejandro Damian Faurlin; DJ Campbell, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson; Michel Salgado, Scott Dann, Chris Samba, Gael Givet; Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, Mauro Formica; Ruben Rochina, Yakubu, David Hoilett.

Players to Watch: Joey Barton and Yakubu.

Stoke City vs Fulham

There may not be a bigger toss up in the league this weekend than Stoke City hosting Fulham. However, it is the two clubs' home form that may separate them.

Stoke have been dominant at the Britannia as always, but have been rather frustrated on the road. Fulham's 6-0 victory last week at Craven Cottage proves they have offensive firepower, but it has failed to show up anywhere else really this season.

However, if the Cottagers can bring some of that fight to Stoke it might be one of the best games of the season so far.

Match Prediction: Stoke 2 - Fulham 3

Predicted Lineups

Stoke City Starting XI: Asmir Begovic; Jonathan Woodgate, Ryan Shawcross, Robert Huth, Marc Wilson; Jermaine Pennant, Rory Delap, Wilson Palacios, Matthew Etherington; Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters.

Fulham Starting XI: Mark Schwarzer; Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, John Arne Riise, Damien Duff, Danny Murphy, Steven Sidwell, Clint Dempsey; Andrew Johnson, Bobby Zamora.

Players to Watch: Peter Crouch and Andrew Johnson.

Wigan Athletic vs Bolton Wanderers

Both Wigan and Bolton are in the thick of a relegation battle. The Latic's were expected to be there with the limited ability they have had to hold onto players and add new talent.

However, Bolton were thought to have a team capable of at least 14 or above and so far they have tanked in all categories. The extension of Stuart Holden's injury absence is beginning to really show, and the loss of Matthew Taylor to West Ham has been seen from time to time—whether you were a fan or him or not.

With The Wanderers circling the drain they need their big names to step up and perform otherwise Owen Coyle may be one of the first managers out the door this season with players like Gary Cahill also getting out in January.

Match Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1 - 2 Bolton Wanderers

Predicted Lineups

Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Adrián López Rodríguez, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney, Mohammad Diame, Victor Moses, Franco Di Santo.

Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Dedryck Boyata, Nigel Reo-Coker, Martin Petrov, Fabrice Muamba, Chris Eagles, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic.

Players to Watch: Martin Petrov and Franco Di Santo.

Chelsea vs Everton

Everton were frustrated to death with their loss in the Merseyside Derby two weeks ago. Jack Rodwell's red card has been reascended so he should have the go ahead to play at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres still has more time to serve for his red card against Swansea after serving the first match out against Bolton. It is likely that Daniel Sturridge will once again fill the Spaniard's boots up top for the Blues.

David Moyes will without a doubt have a solid plan to try and shut down the Blues, but his Toffees will have to find some special attacking powers in order to overcome a much better Chelsea side.

Match Prediction: Chelsea 4 - 2 Everton

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, John Terry, David Luiz, Ashley Cole, Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Raul Meireles; Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge.

Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville; Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Denis Stracqualursi.

Players to Watch: Frank Lampard and Tim Cahill.

West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Another basement battle of the weekend is between West Bromwich and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mic McCarthy's squad got off to a great start with Matt Jarvis leading the charge for a seven-point opening month for Wolves.

However, they have failed to register a point since and are nearing the bottom of the table once again. 15th to 17th is a realistic position for them as far as the season is going, but they need to start getting some points again.

The Baggies are equally frustrated, as a great second half last season has now seen the honeymoon ware off between Roy Hodgson and his team. Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long have got to start doing work at the front or else they are going to be picked away till they crumble match after match.

Match Prediction: West Brom 3 - 2 Wolves

Predicted Lineups

West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Jonas Olsson, Nicky Shorey, Gabriel Tamas, Steven Reid, Paul Scharner, Graham Dorrans, Zoltan Gera, Somen Tchoyi, Peter Odemwingie, Shane Long.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Christophe Berra, Roger Johnson, Richard Stearman: Stephen Hunt, Jamie O'Hara, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis; Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher.

Players to Watch: Peter Odemwingie and Matt Jarvis.

Arsenal vs Sunderland

Nicklas Bendtner will hate the fact he cannot play against his old club and try to stick it to Arsene Wenger while on loan away to Sunderlan.

The Black Cats are in desperate need of some results, and with Arsenal struggling it could be their best chance of knocking them off in a long time.

Both sides weaknesses will be beneficial to one another as Arsenals week defense would assist Sunderland, but their weak attack will give the Gunners a break.

Match Prediction: Arsenal 2-1

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Kieran Gibbs, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Andre Santos, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey; Gervinho, Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin

Sunderland Starting XI: Simon Mignolet; John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Titus Bramble, Kieran Richardson; Sebastian Larsson, Lee Cattermole, Jack Colback, Craig Gardner; Stephane Sessegnon, Connor Wickham.

Players to Watch: Robin Van Persie and Sebastian Larsson.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

The loss of Yohan Cabaye will be a tough one to take for Newcastle at home, but their current form has them riding high.

Tim Krul will be the x-factor once again for the Magpies and if he can hold off Spurs attack then his club has a chance. You can read more about the key match ups for the game, here.

Emmanuel Adebayor is touch and go for a possible start, and if he does not get on the pitch I would see Rafael van der Vaart pushed up and Niko Kranjcar in the lineup before Roman Povlyuchenko.

Match Prediction: Newcastle 3 - Tottenham 2

Predicted Lineups

Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul: Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Jonás Gutiérrez, Ismael Cheik Tioté, Hatem Ben Arfa, Leon Best, Demba Ba.

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel; Kyle Walker, Ledley King, Sebastian Bassong, Benoit Assou-Ekotto; Rafael Van Der Vaart, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Players to Watch: Tim Krul and Jermain Defoe.

Game of the Week: Liverpool vs Manchester United

Liverpool faces their biggest test of the year so far. With the majority of their victories being unconvincing and the club's consistent inconsistency, there is a dire need for a show of poise and class against arch rivals Manchester United.

The Reds will look at this as their opportunity to show the EPL and all the critics that they are indeed worthy of pushing for a UEFA Champions League spot for next season.

Manchester United equally will want the win to keep pace at the top of the table and put all the pressure on Manchester City; all before they face off against Aston Villa in the later matches of the weekend.

There is tons of Bleacher Report coverage for this match on both the Liverpool and Manchester United club pages and you can read another article detailing the Reds point of view, here.

Match Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester United

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Jose Enrique; Lucas Leiva, Charlie Adam; Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing; Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez.

Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Patrice Evra, Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Nani; Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.

Players to Watch: Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney.

Conclusion

No matter what happens there could still be four unbeaten teams at the end of the weekend. It is however, unlikely that it may still seem possible.

All eyes will be on Liverpool and Manchester United in the opening match of the weekend and the press will have a field day with the results no matter which way it goes.

It is a long season, but many of the matches this weekend are must wins and previews of what could be very important rematches later on in the campaign.

This weekend should see some great action as always in the EPL and I thank you for your continued reading of this weekly column.

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