EPL Preview: Forget the Controversy, Saturday Is for Football

It's been an interesting week for the EPL, with the foreign fixture announcement and the decision to finally allow seven substitutes next season.

You've probably all already read my views on both, so I'll do what this article is all about and move on.

Tomorrow is Saturday—and Saturday is for football.

So forget all the controversy, and look ahead with me to the weekend's big games...

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Aston Villa are sitting pretty in a UEFA Cup spot—but if it hadn't been for their shocking 2-1 defeat to Fulham last week, they could well of have had one hand on a Champions League spot.

Newcastle really need a win, and away from the pressures of St. James' Park they'll be more relaxed heading into this one.

Having said that, I can't see Villa losing.

West Ham United vs Birmingham City

West Ham will be looking to climb the standings with a home game against a Birmingham side that find themselves in the bottom three.

Birmingham, on the other hand, would probably bite your hand off for a point at Upton Park.

Derby County vs Tottenham Hotspurs

After a well-earned point at Birmingham last week, Derby will be keen to add to it at home to Spurs, who are notoriously inconsistent.

Spurs will be looking for another another three points—and will probably come away with them, untroubled by the Premiership's weakest side.

Middlesbrough vs Fulham

Like Newcastle, Middlesbrough are hovering just above the relegation battle. Three points against one of the bottom three is a must.

For Fulham, it's a great chance to steal an away point and keep their momentum going after last week's surprise win at home to Villa.

Sunderland vs Wigan Athletic

Sunderland and Wigan both sit on 23 points on the EPL log, two points above the relegation zone.

Sunderland, who are at home, will have this game marked down as a must-win. As I said in a previous article, it will be the bottom seven who take the most points off each other that will survive.

So on that note, a draw for Wigan is better than a point for Sunderland. An almost guaranteed full house will cheer Sunderland on, and I can see them taking all three points.

Bolton Wanderers vs Portsmouth

Portsmouth have struggled recently after losing countless players to the African Nations Cup, but many will be back this weekend—minus of course Benjani, who has moved north to Manchester City.

Bolton will fancy this one. Portsmouth have fallen away from European contention and will have a couple of weary-legged travelers in the starting 11.

Watch out, though, for a rejuvenated Jermain Defoe.

Everton vs Reading

Of all the relegation candidates (bar Derby), Reading are only side who I can't see getting something this weekend.

Everton, boosted by the returns of Steven Pienaar and Joseph Yobo, are in fourth place, and will see this as the perfect game to consolidate that position.

Liverpool are at Chelsea, so Everton could easily go four points clear of their archrivals.

Yakubu has been dropped by Everton boss David Moyes after arriving home late from the African Nations Cup.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

The Manchester Derby will this year mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster that killed so many great United players.

A minute's silence and once-off kits from both teams are among the special tributes planned for the day.

An emotional Man Utd will either rise to the occasion or be overwhelmed by the moment. I'm not sure I'd fancy the expectation of the Old Trafford crowd on Sunday.

Having said that, I never made it that far, and I'm sure the lads on 100,000 pounds a week will be well up for it.

In any event, Man City will certainly fancy their chances.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Super Sunday ends with the clash of two giants at Stamford Bridge.

Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool have been firing on all cylinders lately. Chelsea have at least been picking up a few wins, whereas Liverpool continue to slip away into a battle for the fourth spot.

I see the trend continuing tomorrow with Chelsea taking all three points.

Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers

The weekend's action ends at the Emirates on Monday Night. If results go their way, Arsenal might well have a chance to break Man United's hold and go four or five points clear at the top.

Blackburn will come looking for a point, but will have to be at their dangerous best to trouble this slick Arsenal side.

Emmanuel Adebayor will be looking to catch Cristiano Ronaldo atop the EPL scorers' list.

So with all this great football ahead, send your wife off with the credit card, grab a beer, and settle down for what promises to be a wild weekend.