This week in the Barclays Premier League
Arsenal have the chance to go top of the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season, as they welcome their fierce North London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs in the weekend’s first game.
Owen Coyle’s Bolton could move into fourth place if the defeat Newcastle United at home. While Wolves visit Ian Holloway’s Blackpool team and Stoke City meet West Brom.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspurs:
This is a fiercely contested derby each year, but this season the stakes are higher, because a win could see Arsenal make their way to the top of the Premier League table ahead of London rivals Chelsea.
The Gunners have put together a decent run of five wins from their last six games, and will go into the game full of confidence despite their shaky home form this season.
However, Tottenham have only once beaten Arsenal away, and that win came way back in 1993, when Spurs defeated Arsenal by three goals to one. Since then, Spurs have drawn six and lost 11 times.
Moreover, Spurs have not kept a clean sheet since the opening day of the season and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League against Arsenal since 1998.
Birmingham City vs. Chelsea
Premier League title holders, Chelsea, are desperate to get back to their winning ways, following their shock defeat against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge last week.
The champions are bidding to avoid three consecutive defeats for the first time in two years. Moreover, Carlo Ancelloti’s men have never lost to Alex McLeish’s side in twelve Premier League meetings.
Birmingham’s last win over Chelsea came 16 matches ago in March 1980, and they will be hoping to create history tomorrow.
Blackpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Blackpool has the chance to open up a nine point gap over the visitors, who are desperate for points as they bid to move out of the relegation zone.
Mick McCarthy’ men are unbeaten in their last 10 visits to Blackpool, winning six and drawing four, after Blackpool thrashed them 7-2 in January 1962.
The Seasiders’ have not won in three, while Wolves have lost three in a row.
Bolton vs. Newcastle United
Both clubs are in red-hot form and have been impressive in their last six matches.
Owen Coyle’s men have taken seven points from a possible nine and have lost just one of their last nine games. Bolton will be looking to move into the final Champions league place, if they manage to defeat the impressive Magpies.
Chris Houghton’s side have won their last two away matches, but in ten league visits to Bolton, they have won three and lost seven. Six of those defeats have come in their last seven visits.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Stoke City
Roberto Di Matteo’s newly promoted side have lost three of their last four games and has taken just one point from a possible twelve. A fifth match without a victory would be their worst run since they failed to win in 11, from January to April 2009.
The Potters meanwhile, have won two in a row and are bidding for a hat-trick of victories for the first time in their history in the Premier League. Stoke City stunned Liverpool when they thrashed the Reds by two goals to nil at home.
The Baggies have not beaten the Potters since September 2003. Since then Tony Pulis’ side have won six and drawn one of their seven league meetings.
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