There will be plenty of action in the Barclays Premier League at the weekend, with six fixtures on the matchday schedule for Saturday and three more on the cards for Sunday.
Part I of this segment will include match previews and predictions for Bolton Wanderers v Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa v Fulham and Chelsea v Stoke City.
Subsequently, Part II will feature Sunderland v Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers and Everton v Tottenham Hotspur.
Now then, let’s get started.
Preview: Bolton Wanderers v Queens Park Rangers
Mark Hughes and QPR travel to Reebok Stadium to take on 19th place Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Bolton are win-less in their last five Premier League fixtures, with their last win coming versus Liverpool (3-1) on January 21.
Meanwhile, QPR have had their own struggles, also recording their last victory on January 21 against Wigan Athletic (3-1).
Surely something’s got to give at the Reebok on Saturday.
Players to Watch
Former Fulham front-man Bobby Zamora, who has bagged two goals in four Premier League starts for QPR, is the danger man for the Hoops.
For Bolton, Bulgaria international Martin Petrov is the man to watch. Petrov has netted three goals and seven assists in 24 games in all competitions for Bolton, and is their primary creative midfield player.
Prediction
No win for either side, 1-1 draw.
Preview: Aston Villa v Fulham
Martin Jol’s Fulham will battle Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, March 10.
Fulham’s recent spell of good form has seen them rise to 8th place in the English Premier League table; however, the Cottagers away form has been less than stellar this season, and their 2-5-6 away record certainly confirms that.
In retrospect, Alex McLeish’s side have been woeful at home in 2011-12, posting a dismal record of 3-4-6 at Villa Park.
Players to Watch
As always, Clint Dempsey is the man to keep an eye on for Fulham, while Stiliyan Petrov, who has tallied four goals and two assists in 25 league games in 2011-12, is the player to watch for Aston Villa.
Prediction
Villa’s home struggles continue, 2-1 Cottagers.
Preview: Chelsea v Stoke City
Interim boss Roberto Di Matteo will make his 2011-12 managerial league debut on Saturday when the Blues play host to Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.
Di Matteo and Chelsea are coming off a 2-0 win over Championship side Birmingham City in the FA Cup, and will be eyeing nothing less than three points versus Stoke on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Stoke have won their last two league games against Premier League newcomers’ Swansea City (2-0) and Norwich City (1-0).
Surprisingly, just 10 points separate these two sides at the moment.
Players to Watch
In-form winger Juan Mata, who has tallied five goals and nine assists in 25 league fixtures this season, is the man to watch for Chelsea, while his counterpart Matthew Etherington is the player to keep an eye on for the visitors.
Prediction
Chelsea win convincingly, 3-0 Blues.
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