Wigan v West Ham: Tough fight ahead

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Wigan Athletic take on West Ham United at the JJB Stadium on 12^th September and both teams will look to secure a victory for themselves. As of now, Wigan are languishing in the 17^th place and West Ham United are only slightly higher in the 11^th place. Both the teams have had a mediocre start to the season and will fancy each other to secure 3 points for themselves. Last year, the Hammers finished 9^th and the Latics finished 11^th and both will be looking to improve on that.

Wigan seriously need to find someone to defend well. In the four matches they have played so far, they have scored only four goals with Paul Scharner, Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas managing to score. On the other hand, they have let in eight goals and have looked shaky in defence. In four matches, they have only won once against Villa at Villa Park. They lost to the Wolves, then were humiliated by United (0-5) at home and lost away to Everton thanks to a last minute penalty conversion from the hosts. They will be depending on Scharner to score again and hopefully get them a much needed home victory.

West Ham United, on the other hand, have had a very strange season. They have shown moments of brilliance and then threw it away. While they started the season with an away victory against Wolverhampton, they had a poor home loss against the Spurs despite taking the lead. An away draw against Bolton was not a result they were looking for. While they have only conceded two goals, they also need to score some goals. They have had only three in the three matches played so far. Carlton Cole, Mark Noble and Matthew Upson have managed to hit the goal for the Hammers.

It is difficult to predict who will win on 12^th September. One thing is for sure. Both the teams will be desperate for victory and in all probability, will go all out against each other. There are no major injury worries and we predict that both teams will be at full strength. The betting houses have put West Ham as favourites. However, come match day and it will be a full battle. Wigan will tackle hard, as they did against Everton at Goodison Park and West Ham will have to be strong if they want to win at the JJB.

Stoke v Chelsea: Anybody guessing?

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Britannia Stadium will be painted red and white on 12^th September when Stoke City take on Chelsea. Both teams have started well this season and this looks like a superb match in the offing.

Stoke City have had a mixed start to the season so far. They started off well by defeating Burnley at home but then were smashed by Liverpool (0-4). However, a draw against Birmingham and the 1-0 victory against Sunderland has rejuvenated them and they will be looking to challenge their fancied rivals until the last moment. The problem for Stoke has been upfront. They have only managed three goals so far this season (one of them an own goal by Stephen Jordan of Burnley). If they want to take on the Blues, they will need to find at least a goal because it looks quite impossible to stop Chelsea from scoring, going by the way the Blues have played. Britannia Stadium will be rooting for their favourite sons as they have been so far and will ensure that Stoke rise up to the task.

Chelsea are at the top of the English Premier League and so far this season, they have played some sensational football. Everything they have touched has been painted colour blue. After a tough opener against Hull City that they won 2-1, they have strolled against Sunderland, Fulham and Burnley. This will be their toughest test yet this season because they will probably face their toughest test so far. Didier Drogba already looks to have shaken off the disappointment of last season when the Blues faced unfortunate defeats in the Champions League and were also just about pipped to the post in the Premiership. The best news for Chelsea is that they are looking good all around and Michael Ballack and Nicolas Anelka (two goals apiece) are also looking menacing along with Drogba (three goals). Deco and the ever trustworthy Frank Lampard and John Terry are also looking in fantastic touch. Carlo Ancelotti has already waved his magic wand for the Blues.

Going by the trend this season, Chelsea certainly look the favourites to win and keep their hundred percent winning record this season. However, they will have to fight hard against Stoke City who are not going to give them even an inch. It will be a fight of passion and strategy and although Chelsea are the hands on favourites, Stoke may manage to spring a surprise or two.

Portsmouth v Bolton: See the underdogs present some miracle!

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Portsmouth and Bolton are currently occupying the last two places in the Premier League and simply because of that reason, this clash on 12^th September promises to be a mouth watering clash.

Portsmouth have had a torrid start to the season and have lost all their four games so far, two at home and two away. To give credit to them, they lost 0-1 in their matches against Fulham, Birmingham City and Manchester City. But they were thrashed 1-4 by the Gunners. Going by the early trends, things are not at all looking good at Fratton Park. That they lost to Manchester City and Arsenal can still be digested, but surely not the defeats against Fulham and Birmingham City. The only man who has managed to score for them has been Younes Kaboul. That surely does not say much about their fire power. The Pompey faithful will expect a lot from their strikers and cheer their team to defeat lowly Bolton. This has been one of the worst starts to the season for Pompey and they will need to tighten their socks soon enough or, even though it is too early to say, find themselves relegated to the Coca Cola Championship.

Bolton have had a horrid season so far, losing all their three matches Sunderland, Hull City and Liverpool. They somehow managed to escape relegation last season but going by the trends this year, they will have to do remarkably well to stay in the Premier League next season. Two home defeats in as many matches does not augur well for them. Bolton were known as giant killers until recently. They have somehow lost the fire. This season is very young still and they have all the chance to bounce back and make amends to the start they have had. Kevin Davies has, as usual, looked good for them and other players have the capability to turn things around. It is a matter of getting one good result and things could turn towards the positive.

Both teams will be looking to enter the safe zone in the Premiership and this is the match that can turn things around for either of them. Portsmouth will have a great home support and Bolton will need to find their magic back in dead ball situations. Both teams will try to outsmart and outplay each other and earn the full three points that will take them over the others.

Tottenham v Manchester United: Some cracker show for fans

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On 12^th September, Tottenham take on Manchester United at White Hart Lane. From all indications so far, we all look set to expect a cracker of a game.

Last year, in the same fixture, Tottenham held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane. It was a great match for the Spurs and they fought hard to secure a draw despite United’s repeated attacks on their goal. Overall, Spurs had a forgettable last year when they finished 8^th in the standings after a difficult start. This year, the story has been a little different for Tottenham. They have had a great start to the 2009-2010 season and have managed to win all their three matches so far. They have already defeated Liverpool at home and demolished Wigan 5-1 away and also won at Upton Park against West Ham United. They are second in the league table, trailing Chelsea only on goal difference. Jermaine Defoe has already scored 4 goals and is on top of the goal scorers’ standing.

Manchester United are of course the defending three times champions and looking to make history by winning four Premier League titles in a row. They have had a mixed start to the season and have three out of their four matches so far, including a come from behind victory against the Gunners. The shocker was the 0-1 away defeat to newly promoted Burnley. United will be without injured defender Nemanja Vidic, their stalwart in defence. However, the win against Arsenal will surely pep them up enough to take on the Spurs head on. The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez is still something they are coping up with, but Wayne Rooney seems to have found his goal scoring touch and has already netted four times this season to be jointly on top of the goal scorers’ list.

While Tottenham will probably be going all out for a victory, Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to take a more cautious approach. Normally the Spurs would probably be happy with a draw, but this year, they may want to ride the wave of their great start and take United on. Manchester United are chasing their fourth consecutive Premier League crown and they know that anything less than a victory will not do for them given that Chelsea look in great touch this year. Overall, we have a great game in the offing.

Manchester City v Arsenal: Clash of Titans?

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The City of Manchester Stadium will see a new look Manchester City take on Arsenal on 12th September. Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has already had a spat with Sir Alex Ferguson and will be looking to better their bitter city rivals.

Manchester City have been bolstered by some heavy cash inflow and have bought some important players in like Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez. Other important signings include Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Toure, Shay Given and Joleon Lescott. City are fourth in the league standings with a game in hand and are yet to concede in the four matches they have played. Emmanuel Adebayor is already looking menacing after his transfer from Arsenal. He already has three goals to his name and will be looking to add to the tally against his old club. Manchester City have great plans to paint Manchester blue this year and with the kind of start they have had this year, that promise already looks promising enough. The City of Manchester Stadium will surely by blue on 12th September and Mark Hughes will be looking to cash in on Arsenal’s frustrating defeat against Manchester United.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have looked solid. They stared off by winning their first two games against Everton (whom they thrashed 6-1) and Portsmouth (4-1). Everyone thought they were going to at least earn a point at Old Trafford until that unfortunate own goal by Abou Diaby. The Gunners are looking menacing at the front and are pumping goal after goal. Cesc Fabregas has already taken charge of the midfield and Andrei Arshavin also showed his intentions by scoring that stunner against United. Arsene Wenger seems unperturbed by the loss of some key players and has made it clear that he is not going to deviate from his policy of nurturing a young team and turn them into world beaters. They have also qualified for the Champions League by demolishing Celtics.

Both the teams have looked solid in both attack and defence and of the matches scheduled on 12th September, this one looks the most mouth watering clash of them all. Manchester City will be looking to extend their unbeaten run (with another shutdown) and Arsenal will look to bounce back from their defeat against the Red Devils. Blue and red will clash like titans in the City of Manchester Stadium and it is really hard to predict who will come out on top.

Liverpool v Burnley: What to expect?

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Anfield will see giant killer Burnley take on struggling Liverpool on 12^th September. Anfield is known for its vociferous support for the home team and Burnley will not only have to take on the Reds but also the crowd.

Liverpool, by their standards, have had a miserable start to the season. Last year, they were so near yet so far. After leading the table for most part of 2008, a mid season collapse saw them hand over the reigns over to eventual champions Manchester United. They started badly this year when they lost Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and Rafael Benitez already seems short of players and ideas. After their away loss to the Spurs in the first match of the season, they bounced back well against Stoke. But a home loss to Aston Villa further compounded their problems and thanks to Steven Gerrard, they managed to win against lowly Bolton. They were predicted to be the champions this year but many have written them off already. Liverpool will really have to up their ante if they want to pose any serious challenge to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. They are currently in 7^th position in the table and will need a lot of hard work if they want to reach the top. Fernando Torres seems red hot at the moment and in all likelihood, they will hold sway over Burnley.

The visitors have already caused some ripples beating Manchester United at home. Though they lost badly to both Stoke City and Chelsea, they have showed flashes of brilliance. Playing at home, they have a raucous home support, but Anfield will pose a challenge for them. Their loud supporters will be behind them at Anfield too but they are likely to be drowned by the massive support that the Reds will enjoy. Burnley are currently in 10^th position in the league table and they look good for a higher position. Their only problem could be offence because they have managed only two goals in their four matches.

Anfield will be all red come 12^th September and the Liverpool fans will shout their heart out to egg their team on. All in all, it looks all set to be a superb game where both the teams will have a go at each other. Burnley will be satisfied with a draw but nothing less than a victory will matter for Liverpool.