Premier League Preview

We look at all the weekend’s top flight football action and recommend bets for each match.

All odds given are best on the market. Just click on any of the links, sign up with the relevant bookie and claim your free bets.

Norwich v Chelsea:

The Canaries have every reason to be chirping, sat ninth in the table and following three straight wins in all competitions. The home fans may fancy their chances at 5/1 (Ladbrokes) but Chelsea mirror their form with three successes on the bounce as well. Frank Lampard has scored in each of those outings to become the top scorer at the club this season with 11. He’s started all the recent games too, so he could be worth a look at 6/1 (Bet365) in the first goalscorer market.

Everton v Blackburn:

Victor Anichebe has scored twice off the bench in the last four league matches; other than that the only Everton player to score in that run was goalkeeper Tim Howard! Given their mediocre form and goalscoring problems, the Toffees are far too short to win at 4/7 (Coral), but it is possible to sweeten the deal. A home win by a one-goal margin is 13/5 with BetVictor. After winning 3-1 with 10 men last week, Rovers may fancy their chances at 6/1 (PaddyPower) to cause an upset. Their last away league game was a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.

Fulham v Newcastle:

Fulham’s home record is identical to the away record of Newcastle - four wins, three draws and three defeats. It therefore looks too close to call with the value bet probably the draw at 5/2 (Totesport). Damien Duff has netted in both of the last two and is 9/2 (Skybet) to do so again. The three Magpies league wins since Christmas have all come with a clean sheet; they are 11/2 (Bet365) to be the only goalscorers at Craven Cottage.

QPR v Wigan:

A massive game between two sides rooted in the relegation zone. The Hoops have only scored more than one goal once in their last nine league outings, and that was a 3-2 defeat to Sunderland. Nobody in all four divisions has scored fewer than the Latics - 18 in 21 league games - so a goal-fest is unlikely! The 0-0 draw is 10/1 (StanJames), and the 1-0 away win is the same price with the same firm. A 1-0 home win for Mark Hughes is 7/1 (Ladbrokes).

Stoke v West Brom:

The Potters can take heart from history in a fixture they haven’t lost in 10 encounters, with eight wins and two draws. With the league table and the form book also stacking up in favour of the hosts, odds of evens (Boylesports) on a Stoke win look pretty generous. The Baggies have scored just one league goal in their last four league games - a Shane Long penalty. Their attacking hopes largely seem to rest with the Irishman who is 8/1 (WilliamHill) in the first goalscorer betting.

Sunderland v Swansea:

Two upwardly mobile sides clash at the Stadium of Light with the hosts already getting accustomed to scoring late decisive goals in front of their own fans. There were injury-time winners against Blackburn and Man City, as well as in the 89th minute away to QPR. In what could be a close contest, perhaps Sunderland will continue this pattern by drawing at half-time but winning in the end at 19/5 (Boylesports). Swansea are 25/1 (StanJames) to repeat the 2-0 victory they earned at Villa Park recently.

Wolves v Aston Villa:

A crunch local derby with Mick McCarty tipping victory for his refreshed side (13/8 WilliamHill) after he made 10 changes for the FA Cup. Lining up against Wolves will be Robbie Keane; he made his debut at Molineux 14 years ago, and he’s 15/2 (Bluesquare) to score the last goal of the match for the visitors. It will be the 53rd birthday of Alex McLeish on Saturday and the Villa boss could dearly do with his side presenting him with three points at 19/10 (Skybet).  He is just 10/1 (Ladbrokes) to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

Bolton v Liverpool:

It’s hard to find reasons for optimism if you’re a Bolton fan awaiting a fixture that Liverpool have won 10 consecutive times in the top flight. Perhaps the ‘former club factor’ gives the Trotters some hope. David Ngog lines up against his old club for the first time and he recently scored against the other Merseysiders, Everton. He is 10/3 (Bet365) to strike again. Perhaps more likely is a Steven Gerrard goal. The Reds captain has scored five seasons running against Bolton; he is 5/1 (Coral) to break the deadlock.

Man City v Tottenham:

One of the biggest games of the season as first play third. City surely won’t repeat their 5-1 victory (100/1 StanJames) achieved in August at the Lane, but the 1-0 home victory in this fixture last May would work for Mancini at 8/1 (Ladbrokes). Spurs are 10/3 (BetVictor) to grab three points and blow the title race wide open. They have won 11 of the last 15 league games between the sides. A repeat of the 1-0 away win that secured a Champions League spot for Redknapp’s boys in 2010 is 12/1 (Coral).

Arsenal v Man United:

Another massive clash for Super Sunday. The re-match after the Gunners were crushed 8-2 at Old Trafford in the summer. Wenger’s team have been looking fragile again of late after blowing leads at Fulham and Swansea, going on to lose both. If you think that pattern may continue, how about ‘half time: Arsenal - full time: Man Utd at 28/1 (Boylesports). The Premier League’s leading marksman, Robin van Persie is 5/1 (Ladbrokes) to open the scoring, the same price as Wayne Rooney is with the same firm.