Previewing Saturday’s English Premier League fixtures: Part I

The English Premier League resumes this Saturday with six fixtures on the matchday schedule.

Today, I will be providing match previews and predictions for three fixtures: Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers v Fulham.

Tune in tomorrow for match previews and predictions for the following games: West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland, Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa and Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers.

Let’s get started.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers: Match Preview

Struggling Premier League sides Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers will clash on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues desperately seeking three points.

Since beating Liverpool (3-1) and drawing with Arsenal (0-0) in back-to-back home fixtures, Bolton have fallen to the likes of Norwich City (0-2) and Wigan Athletic (1-2).

On the other side of the touchline, Chelsea have not won in their last five games in all competitions, and are coming off a 3-1 defeat to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.

Surely it’s only a matter of time before Abramovich decides to make changes to his coaching staff and his squad.

Players to Watch

With Fernando Torres on horrendous form in 2011-12, fellow Spaniard Juan Mata, who has tallied five goals and eight assists in 23 league games this season, has been the danger man for the Blues all year long.

Look for Mata to carve up Bolton at every opportunity.

For Bolton, on-loan 19-year-old Ryo Miyaichi, who starred in the fifth round of the FA Cup versus Millwall last weekend, is the man to watch.

Will the Japanese winger get the better of Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa on Saturday? We shall see.

Prediction

Chelsea win, 3-0.

Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Match Preview

Boss-less Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Sports Direct Arena to take on Newcastle United at the weekend.

Wolves are coming off a horrific 5-1 loss to bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, while the Toon are looking to get back to form after being routed 5-0 by Tottenham Hotspur.

Players to Watch

Midfield maestro Yohan Cabaye, who is set to make his return following suspension for the Magpies, is the player to watch for Newcastle.

Look for Cabaye to boss the game from the first whistle.

In retrospect, talisman Steven Fletcher is always the player to keep an eye on for Wolves.

Prediction

Newcastle dominate the game, winning by a score of 2-0.

Queens Park Rangers v Fulham: Match Preview

US international Clint Dempsey and Fulham travel to Loftus Road to take on Mark Hughes’ Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

QPR are win-less in their last four fixtures, while Fulham are fresh-off a 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

Players to Watch

Striker Clint Dempsey, Fulham’s leading scorer this season, is the man to watch for the away side.

For QPR, keep an eye on controversial figure Joey Barton, who is more than capable of making the headlines for all the right or wrong reasons.

Prediction

QPR win 2-1.