The action begins at the Reebok Stadium as Tottenham aim to carry on their momentum achieved from a fine scalp of European champions Inter Milan on Tuesday when they tackle Bolton at lunchtime on Saturday, live on Sky Sports HD2. Spurs are positioned fifth in the table after they were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford last Saturday. Victory in the North West would ensure Harry Redknapp's men, who boast the on-fire Gareth Bale, apply pressure on and leapfrog Manchester City, who do not play until Sunday. Bolton lie 11th in the standings and have managed just one victory in their last eight Premier League fixtures. Goals can be expected in this match-up, with Spurs without a clean sheet since the opening day of the term and the Trotters achieving only one shut-out in their last 18 top flight games.
Roy Hodgson's Reds appear to have turned a corner after their late win at Bolton last Sunday made it back-to-back league successes for Liverpool, which in turn lifted them up from the relegation zone into 13th spot. Incredibly, such is the tightness of the division at present, the Reds are now just three points behind fifth spot, despite their disastrous beginning to the season. But they face a fierce test against champions Chelsea, live on Sky Sports HD1 & also in 3D. The Blues currently boast a five-point lead at the summit, having demonstrated resolve by coming from a goal down to win at Blackburn. Frank Lampard is expected to make his return from injury as manager Carlo Ancelotti aims to bring Liverpool back down to earth with a crash at Anfield.
Manchester United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Old Trafford in one of six 3pm kick-offs on Saturday. These two sides met recently in the Carling Cup as the Red Devils edged their way into the quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory. Furthermore, in last campaign's corresponding league match-up, there was much controversy as Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made wholesale changes to his team and saw them comfortably beaten 3-0. McCarthy will unlikely repeat his actions, in particular after he was handed a suspended fine for fielding a so-called weaker side. Wolves head into this clash buoyed by a first win since the opening day, after they valiantly overcame City. United, meanwhile, are in excellent form, with the club unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches.
West Ham United are in danger of becoming isolated at the wrong of the table with the club currently bottom, with three points separating them from their nearest rival. Had the Hammers not capitulated against Newcastle a fortnight ago then the club would have been staring at being within three points of mid-table. Therefore, Avram Grant's side travel to Birmingham City in need of a win - this is West Ham's lowest-ever points tally after 10 games in the Premier League. The Blues' four points gained from their previous two matches have lifted the club, although a lack of firepower remains a concern. Indeed, Birmingham have failed to score in three of their last four league matches at St Andrews.
Everton will strive to maintain their excellent upturn in form when they make the trip to Bloomfield Road to face newly-promoted Blackpool. The Toffees have climbed to eighth in the division following of five matches unbeaten, of which they have won three. And David Moyes' charges are now just two points behind Tottenham, despite their ropey start to the season. Blackpool, meanwhile, sit just a place below Everton following their intriguing 2-1 defeat of nine-man West Brom. The result was the Seasiders' fourth win of the term, and their first first top-flight home victory since 1971. Speaking after the game, boss Ian Holloway hit out the critics who suggested his team would be the worst in Premier League history. Another positive result this weekend would go further to prove those doubters wrong.
Sunderland simply must respond from their heavy 5-1 loss at bitter rivals Newcastle when Steve Bruce's men host Stoke City at the Stadium of Light. The aforementioned battering will still remain sour in the mouths of Black Cats supporters, to it is up to manager Bruce to ensure his team achieve a result which will help wash away their painful medicine received on Tyneside. Bruce can at least take heart from a strong record on home turf, having lost only once in the league on Wearside since Boxing Day 2009. For Stoke, the club are on a run of three straight league defeats for the second time this season. They followed that previous series with a return of 10 points from a possible 12.
Aston Villa have slid down the table of late, with Gerard Houllier's side now occupying 14th. The Frenchman will be desperate for his charges to respond when they make the journey to Craven Cottage to lock horns with Fulham, who ended a poor run last time out. Indeed, Mark Hughes' team landed just their second league three-point haul of the term as they beat Wigan. And the Welshman will demand that Fulham notch back-to-back league triumphs for the first time since February. Goals are a major concern for Houllier, as Villa have gone 344 minutes without hitting the back of the net, while they have not travelled well of late, with five losses notched in their last six games on the road.
Lastly on Saturday, Blackburn Rovers do battle with North West counterparts Wigan Athletic. The former currently sit in the drop zone by a point after, despite an impressive effort, they were undone by the league leaders. But Rovers manager Sam Allardyce will have taken much encouragement from the performance, and will hope his players can maintain that standard against the Latics. Wigan are the team placed above Blackburn after a decent run of four matches without a loss came to an end at Fulham. Rovers may be without a win in their last four league matches at Ewood Park, but Roberto Martinez's team have taken all three points in just one of their last 12 league matches on the road.
On Sunday lunchtime, Arsenal welcome Newcastle United to Emirates Stadium, live on Sky Sports HD1. The Gunners are in sound league form having emerged victorious from their last three outings, but their rhythm was somewhat disrupted as they lost in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed with his side's complacency in that defeat and will demand full focus against the Magpies, who they beat in the Carling Cup 4-0 last week. Newcastle will head into the match with their tails up following a 5-1 hammering of their North East rivals, but manager Chris Hughton, whose future should surely not even be in debate, will be aware of the test that lies ahead in North London.
At 3pm on Sunday, West Bromwich Albion face Manchester City. The pressure has mounted on City manager Roberto Mancini's shoulders after his side slipped to successive Premier League losses with a shock defeat at Wolves, which was followed by a further reverse in the Europa League. Mancini will be aware of the importance of a response, in particular ahead of next week's Manchester derby. The Baggies are unbeaten at home in the league this season, while Roberto Di Matteo's team performed well with nine men in their last match at Blackpool. Said defeat was a first in seven matches for the Baggies, who sit sixth in the table following a great start to the campaign.
Liverpool v Chelsea 1st Goalscorer: Drogba, D. 7/2
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