As promised, I will be previewing the following fixtures today: West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland, Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa and Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers.
But before I get started, here are the betting odds for all of Saturday’s English Premier League fixtures.
Betting Odds
Chelsea (1/3) v Bolton Wanderers (21/2); Draw (9/2)
Newcastle United (8/13) v Wolverhampton Wanderers (11/2); Draw (3/1)
Queens Park Rangers (17/10) v Fulham (15/8); Draw (23/10)
West Bromwich Albion (6/4) v Sunderland (2/1); Draw (12/5)
Wigan Athletic (9/5) v Aston Villa (9/5); Draw (23/10)
Manchester City (1/5) v Blackburn (18/1); Draw (7/1)
Now then, let’s get started.
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland: Match Preview
Martin O’Neill leads Sunderland to The Hawthorns to take on West Brom on Saturday, February 25.
Sunderland have won three of their last five games overall, and they have also won three out of five away from the Stadium of Light.
In retrospect, West Brom have won two of their last five matches overall, while failing to win in their last five games at home.
Players to Watch
Peter Odemwingie is the danger man for West Brom. The Nigerian’s blistering pace will surely give the Sunderland defence fits.
Can Odemwingie unlock the Black Cats defence? We shall see.
Keep an eye on in-form Stephane Sessegnon, who has bagged six goals and seven assists in 25 Premier League games in 2011-12, for Sunderland.
Prediction
Sunderland maintain their fantastic form, 2-1 Black Cats.
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: Match Preview
Aston Villa will travel to the DW Stadium to take on last-place Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Both Villa and Wigan have won one of their last five matches, while failing to win a home game in their last five attempts.
Furthermore, Villa have won three out of their last five away matches. All things considered, more bad news for Wigan.
Players to Watch
For Wigan, Victor Moses is surely the danger man. The former Crystal Palace winger has the pace and trickery to give Villa all they can handle.
England talisman Darren Bent is the player to watch for Villa. Bent has tallied nine goals and one assist in 21 league games in 2011-12.
Will he score on Saturday? I’d bet on it.
Prediction
Wigan stay bottom, 2-1 win for Villa.
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers: Match Preview
Blackburn Rovers travel to the Etihad Stadium to try to become the first Premier League side to get a result in City’s home stadium.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t like their chances.
As previously alluded to, City are unbeaten at home in the Premier League, while Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last five away fixtures.
Players to Watch
Spain international David Silva, who has bagged five goals and 12 assists in the Premier League this season, is the man to keep a close eye on for City.
For Blackburn, Yakubu is always the danger man. The Yak has scored 13 goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season, a remarkable goal-scoring record to say the least.
Prediction
Mancini will unleash the shackles very early on, 4-0 City rout.
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