Newcastle v Liverpool
St James’ Park, 12.45, Saturday
SECOND-PLACED LIVERPOOL travel north to the ground where they handed Newcastle their biggest home defeat in over 80 years last April.
That 6-0 drubbing will surely be on the mind of Magpies boss Alan Pardew ahead of this afternoon’s lunch-time kick-off and he will be relying on the in-form Loic Remy to add to his five Premier League goals.
The Reds have four players – Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen – back available with potent strike force Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge likely to continue up front.
Bet: Liverpool @ 17/20
Arsenal v Norwich
Emirates Stadium, 3pm, Saturday
Table-toppers Arsenal host Norwich at the Emirates boosted by the news that Mesut Ozil is fit.
Their record summer signing was substituted in Germany’s 5-3 win over Sweden with a knee problem but looks to have shaken that off so should start.
Ireland winger Anthony Pilkington pulled out of Noel King’s squad due to a hamstring injury and could miss out for the struggling Canaries — currently ranked 18th and in need of goals.
Bet: Arsenal @ 3/10
Chelsea v Cardiff
Stamford Bridge, 3pm, Saturday
Troubled Cardiff City will be hoping their off-field problems are put to one side at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
The club’s owner recently sacked the head of recruitment Ian Moody and replaced him with a 23-year-old who was formerly on work experience but manager Malky Mackay remains at the helm.
Chelsea are just two points off Arsenal and Liverpool thanks to a 3-1 win away to Norwich which saw Oscar, Eden Hazard and Willian all score.
Bet: Chelsea @ 1/4
Everton v Hull
Goodison Park, 3pm, Saturday
Roberto Martinez was at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday to see his midfielder Darron Gibson break down with cruciate knee ligament damage which will sideline him for several months.
It is a blow for the Toffees but fellow Ireland international James McCarthy and on-loan Gareth Barry have performed excellently in the centre of midfield this season so should start for the visit of Hull.
The Tigers, just one point off today’s opponents, may be boosted by the early return of Robbie Brady after a hernia operation as they look to keep up their good run.
Bet: Draw @ 10/3
Manchester United v Southampton
Old Trafford, 3pm, Saturday
Traditionally tricky opponents for Manchester United, Southampton head to Old Trafford with a four point advantage over the current champions.
David Moyes had teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj to thank for their last win before the international break and the United boss must consider whether or not to leave him in the team.
The Saints have conceded just two goals all season and Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will be hoping to carry their goalscoring international form into today’s game – although RVP could be a doubt.
Bet: Draw @ 3/1
Stoke v West Brom
Britannia Stadium, 3pm, Saturday
Stoke’s decent start to the season under Mark Hughes has been undone by three straight defeats and they take on West Brom with just goal difference keeping them out of the drop zone.
The Baggies, contrastingly, have been impressive in recent weeks with that superb win over Manchester United followed up be a respectable draw at home to Arsenal.
Bet: Stoke @ 13/10
Swansea v Sunderland
Liberty Stadium, 3pm, Saturday
Sunderland are at the Liberty Stadium for Gus Poyet’s first game at the helm. The Uruguayan, who has been tasked with saving the Black Cats from relegation, is making his managerial debut in the Premier League and needs to hit the ground running.
The Swans’ league form has suffered due to Europa League commitments and Michael Laudrup must be looking at this game as an acquirable three points.
Bet: Draw @ 11/4
West Ham v Manchester City
Upton Park, 5.30pm, Saturday
West Ham must have messed up a few accumulators with their 3-0 win over London rivals Spurs on their last outing.
That result was even more of a shock because of the Hammers’ current lack of available strikers and while Andy Caroll, Mladen Petric and Cartlon Cole all remain sidelined, Ravel Morrison is playing superbly right now.
Man City are without their captain and best defender Vincent Kompany and have earned just one point on the road this term.
Bet: Man City @ 8/11
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Villa Park, 4pm, Sunday
Spurs need to bounce back from their loss at the hands of West Ham with a win over Aston Villa in order to get their title challenge back on track.
A second Premier League defeat means they are three points off the top but AVB’s side have already beaten Villa in the Capital One Cup this season.
The home side could be strengthened by Christian Benteke’s return to the squad for the first time since September.
Bet: Spurs @ 21/20
Crystal Palace v Fulham
Selhurst Park, 8pm, Monday
The Monday night game is at Selhurst Park where 17th and 19th face off. Palace are without a win since August while visiting manager Martin Jol has eased the pressure thanks to their victory over Stoke a fortnight ago.
Darren Bent hadn’t notched in the league since the opening day of the season but grabbed the winner against the Potters and needs to start pitching in more regularly.
Bet: Fulham @ 17/10
Accumulator
A tenner will return €42,967 for you this week. Sure it’s free money!*
*may not actually be free money
