Everton v Liverpool
Goodison Park
23-11-2013 @ 12.45 UK
Everton (4-3-3): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Osman, McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Lukaku, Pienaar.
Injuries: Darron Gibson (Knee), Arouna Koné (Knee). Doubts: Antolin Alcaraz (Lack of match fitness), Tony Hibbert (Lack of match fitness), Apostolos Vellios (Knock). Bans: None.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho; Suárez, Sturridge.
Injuries: Iago Aspas (Thigh), Sebastián Coates (Knee). Doubts: Steven Gerrard (Knock). Bans: None.
Saturday features the first Merseyside Derby of the season when Liverpool visits Everton at Goodison Park. The hosts have played well this season and are currently 6th in the table, only three points from Liverpool 2nd. Both side currently have two players on the injury list while there are doubts with a few profiles. However, Steven Gerrard is expected to feature in the starting XI on Saturday. The last two derby's have ended in draws, and this match might as well be as equal. Both sides are in great form and shows some impressing attacking play, but at the same time none of them can afford to lose points.
Saturday features the first Merseyside Derby of the season when Liverpool visits Everton at Goodison Park. The hosts have played well this season and are currently 6th in the table, only three points from Liverpool 2nd. Both side currently have two players on the injury list while there are doubts with a few profiles. However, Steven Gerrard is expected to feature in the starting XI on Saturday. The last two derby's have ended in draws, and this match might as well be as equal. Both sides are in great form and shows some impressing attacking play, but at the same time none of them can afford to lose points.
Stoke v Sunderland
Britannia Stadium
23-11-2013 @ 15.00 UK
Stoke (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Palacios, N'Zonzi, Arnautovic; Ireland; Crouch.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Stephen Ireland (Foot), Wilson Palacios (Knock), Andy Wilkinson (Knee). Bans: None.
Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Mannone; Celustka, O'Shea, Brown, Bardsley; Giaccherini, Ki, Colback, Johnson; Larsson; Fletcher.
Injuries: None. Doubts: None. Bans: Lee Cattermole, Andrea Dossena.
Very surprisingly Sunderland took three points against Manchester City in the last round, and with their win against Southampton in the Capital One Cup they are unbeaten in two matches. However, Stoke have only lost one of their five home matches at Britannia Stadium this season with three draws and a single win against Crystal Palace. Both sides are struggling in the lower part of the table with Stoke just above the relegation line and Sunderland facing a chance to exchange position with The Potters if they manage to get three points on Saturday. Historically the two teams often play tight matches, and the last two have ended in draws. That said, Sunderland have won four of the last ten meetings.
Arsenal v Southampton
Emirates Stadium
23-11-2103 @ 15.00 UK
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.
Injuries: Abou Diaby (Knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Knee), Lukas Podolski (Hamstring), Yaya Sanogo (Back), Theo Walcott (Pelvic). Doubts: Per Mertesacker (Illness), Aaron Ramsey (Illness), Tomas Rosicky (Illness), Gedion Zezalem (Lack of match fitness). Bans: Mathieu Flamini.
Southampton (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Rodríguez, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Lallana; Lambert; Osvaldo.
Injuries: Guilherme Do Prado (Knee). Doubts: Rickie Lambert (Muscle). Bans: None.
The greatest surprise of the season, Southampton, is visiting Arsenal at Emirates on Saturday and can bring themselves in front of the Premier League with a win. However, Arsenal have only lost one home match this season, and that was in the opening match against Aston Villa. Last round The Gunners lost against Manchester United and needs three points to keep distance to Liverpool and Southampton. Despite being without key players as Lukas Podolski and The Walcott others have taken over and especially Aaron Ramsey have been a key player this season. A number of players are rated doubtful for both sides, but they are all more or less expected to feature in the starting XI's on Saturday. Southampton have the ability to surprise in this match, but I expect Arsenal to pull it of with a 2-0 victory.
Fulham v Swansea
Craven Cottage
23-11-2013 @ 15.00 UK
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic, Senderos, Amorebieta, Richardson; Parker, Sidwell; Dejagah, Kasami, Ruíz; Berbatov.
Injuries: Matthew Briggs (Hernia), Hugo Rodallega (Groin). Doubts: None. Bans: Sascha Riether.
Swansea (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; De Guzmán, Britton; Dyer, Shelvey, Routledge; Bony.
Injuries: Pablo Hernández (Thigh), Michu (Ankle), Garry Monk (Knee), Alan Tate (Hamstring). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
This haven't been the best season for Fulham with seven defeats in ten matches so far. The visitors on Saturday, Swansea, have not lived up to the expectations they started after the impressing season last year, but are still mid table. While Fulham have lost the last the last three Premier League matches, Swansea have drawn two and lost one. With only two points separating the two sides, there is everything to play for on Saturday. The history shows that Swansea have a good take on Fulham at Craven Cottage as they have won the two last meetings in London.
Hull v Crystal Palace
KC Stadium
23-11-2013 @ 15.00 UK
Hull City (4-2-3-1): Harper; Rosenior, McShane, Davies, Figueroa; Huddlestone, Livermore; Elmohamady, Koren, Brady; Sagbo.
Injuries: Sone Aluko (Achilles), James Chester (Hamstring), Allan McGregor (Thigh). Doubts: Robert Brady (Hernia). Bans: None.
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Dikgacoi, Bannan, Jedinak; Bolasie, Chamakh, Thomas.
Injuries: Adlene Guédioura (Rib), Jack Hunt (Ankle), Glenn Murray (Knee), Jonathan Williams (Ankle). Doubts: Patrick McCarthy (Lack of match fitness). Bans: None.
The first meeting of the season between the Championship promoted sides Hull and Crystal Palace will take place at KC Stadium on Saturday. While Hull finds themselves mid table with twelve points, Crystal Palace is struggling in the bottom of the table with only four points and is in a serious need of three points. The injury list has looked the same for a couple of weeks for the two teams, playing with their best players available on Saturday. The two sides have a history of seven draws within the last ten matches, and even though Crystal Palace have won two and Hull only one since 2006 it is the hosts that are favorites on Saturday.
Newcastle United v Norwich
St James Park
23-11-2013 @ 15.00 UK
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Sissoko, Tioté, Cabaye, Gouffran; Ameobi, Remy.
Injuries: Paul Dummett (Hamstring), Jonás Gutiérrez (Personal reasons), Massadio Haidara (Hamstring), Ryan Taylor (Knee), Stuart Taylor (Hamstring). Doubts: None. Bans: Mathieu Debuchy.
Norwich (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Martin, Benett, Turner, Olsson; Fer, Howson; Snodgrass, Elmander, Pilkington; Hooper.
Injuries: Elliott Bennett (Knee), Alexander Tettey (Ankle), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Foot). Doubts: Anthony Pilkington (Hamstring). Band: None.
Six points are separating the two teams before the match on Saturday, when Newcastle welcomes Norwich to St James Park. The Toons have found their form after a disappointing league start and have won their two last matches in the Premier League. While Newcastle beat Chelsea and Tottenham, Norwich have 7-0 against Manchester City before winning 3-1 against West Ham at home last round. The last meeting between the two sides ended in a goalless draw, but with Newcastle's current form and Norwich lack of the same I can only see The Toons in this match.
West Ham v Chelsea
Boleyn Ground
23-11-2013 @ 17.30 UK
West Ham (4-3-3): Jääskeläinen; Demel, Tomkins, Collins, Rat; Morrison, Collison, Noble; Downing, Nolan, Cole.
Injuries: Andy Carroll (Foot), Winston Reid (Ankle), Matthew Taylor (Calf), Ricardo Vaz Te (Shoulder). Doubts: George McCartney (Lack of match fitness), Joey O'Brien (Hamstring), Mladen Petric (Calf). Bans: None.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o.
Injuries: Tomas Kalas (Leg), Fernando Torres (Muscle), Marco van Ginkel (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
West Ham will have to do without the strong defender Winston Reid for the clash with Chelsea at Boleyn Ground, he will probably be replaced by Collins in the central defends. Chelsea are 4th in the league table and can with a win bring themselves into top three if other results match, as well. Last time the two sides met at Boleyn Ground, Chelsea brought themselves in front after thirteen minutes, but by three goals in the second half West Ham won the match. The Hammers profile Matt Jarvis has said to the press that he believes his side can do it again, and Chelsea have shown to be vulnerable this season. I could see West Ham take a slender win at home.
Manchester City v Tottenham
City of Manchester Stadium
24-11-2013 @ 13.30 UK
Manchester City (4-4-2): Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Demichelis, Kolarov; Milner, Touré, Fernandinho, Nasri; Aguero, Negredo.
Injuries: Stevan Jovetic (Calf), Vincent Kompany (Thigh), David Silva (Calf), Richard Wright (Knock). Doubts: Fernandinho (Knock), Matija Nastasic (Knock). Bans: None.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Chiriches, Vertonghen; Sandro, Paulinho; Townsend, Holtby, Sigurdsson; Soldado.
Injuries: Emmanuel Adebayor (Knock), Nacer Chadli (Hamstring), Christian Eriksen (Ankle), Danny Rose (Ankle). Doubts: Vlad Chiriches (Facial), Ezekiel Fryers (Groin), Harry Kane (Knock), Kyle Walker (Knock). Bans: None.
Christian Eriksen was added to Tottenham's injury list this week, why I believe Lewis Holtby could get a chance in the starting XI against Manchester City. The two teams are side by side in the table with only one point separating them before the early match on Sunday. City have not played their best so far this season while Tottenham have fallen back from a promising start, so it will be two teams eager to show that they belong in the top. Tottenham won the last meeting between the two clubs, but at theCity of Manchester Stadium the hosts have been the strongest in the last three matches. The advantage will also be used in Sundays early match.
Cardiff v Manchester United
Cardiff City Stadium
24-11-2013 @ 16.00 UK
Cardiff City (4-3-3): Marshall; Théophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Whittingham, Medel, Gunnarsson; Cowie, Odemwingie, Bellamy.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Andreas Cornelius (Lack of match fitness), Rudy Gestede (Knock), Peter Odemwingie (Knock). Bans: None.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Cleverley, Jones; Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa; van Persie.
Injuries: Michael Carrick (Achilles), William Keane (Knee), Danny Welbeck (Knee). Doubts: Darren Fletcher (Lack of match fitness), Phil Jones (Groin), Rafael (Ankle), Robin van Persie (Groin), Nemanja Vidic (Head). Bans: None.
Cardiff is close to have Danish starlet Andreas Cornelius back in action, but the striker will not be avaliable against Manchester United. However, the striker is much needed as the three attackers likely to start on Sunday have only scored on goal all together. In comparison Robin van Persie have scored 7 goals. Despite the small amount of goals Cardiff have managed to get some good results this season, but against a Manchester United finding their form and unbeaten in their last three matches they will come to short.
West Bromwich v Aston Villa
The Hawthorns
25-11-2013 @ 20.00
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan; Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Clark; Westwood, El Ahmadi, Delph; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Injuries: Antonio Luna (Hamstring), Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles), Jores Okore (Knee). Doubts: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Ankle), Joe Bennett (Back), Ciaran Clark (Foot), Fabian Delph (Illness), Gary Gardner (Back), Brad Guzan (Knock), Andreas Weimann (Hamstring).
West Bromwich (4-2-3-1): Myhill; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt; Anichebe.
Injuries: Ben Foster (Foot), Zoltán Gera (Knock), Billy Jones (Hamstring). Doubst: Boaz Myhill (Achilles), Scott Sinclair (Hamstring). Bans: None.
The bookmakers have West Brom as favorites against Aston Villa on Monday, but the last three matches between the two sides have ended in draws. Both teams have a draw and a win within their last two matches, but West Brom seems to be in the best form at the moment. Both sides are struggling with injuries, and The Baggies might have to use their third goalkeeper for the match as Ben Foster is out and Boaz Myhill is rated doubtful. The clubs are aside in the table and will both be focusing on securing the back in this match, with Aston Villa looking to have the strongest attack. I am not sure about this match, but I think it will end in yet another draw.
The bookmakers have West Brom as favorites against Aston Villa on Monday, but the last three matches between the two sides have ended in draws. Both teams have a draw and a win within their last two matches, but West Brom seems to be in the best form at the moment. Both sides are struggling with injuries, and The Baggies might have to use their third goalkeeper for the match as Ben Foster is out and Boaz Myhill is rated doubtful. The clubs are aside in the table and will both be focusing on securing the back in this match, with Aston Villa looking to have the strongest attack. I am not sure about this match, but I think it will end in yet another draw.
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