Martin Downer: 5 English Premier League weekend highlights

Match to catch

One of the top Premier League fixtures of recent years has an unusually lopsided look to it this weekend, as Manchester United go into their fixture at Stamford Bridge trailing hosts Chelsea by a sizeable nine-point margin and in dire need of a boost for their flagging first season under David Moyes. United won the corresponding fixture 3-2 last term under Alex Ferguson, but it’s difficult to see the current injury-hit and under-performing side matching that, especially as the title-chasing Blues have been going about their business with quiet efficiency in recent weeks.
Prediction: Chelsea 2 Man Utd 0.

Keep an eye on

Aston Villa are next in the firing line for Liverpool’s impressive array of attackers in Saturday’s late match. Paul Lambert’s struggling side are unlikely to be too much of a threat to the Reds, but the chance to watch Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho strut their stuff at Anfield make this match worth waiting for. Prediction:
Liverpool 3 Aston Villa 1.

For the purists

Saturday is a big day for Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis as he welcomes his former side Stoke City, who he took to the Premier League and then established as a solid top-flight outfit, to Selhurst Park. He left the Britannia Stadium last summer as Stoke sought a fresh start under Mark Hughes, with Pulis then replacing Ian Holloway in the capital and bringing some much-needed defensive stability to the Eagles. Kenwyne Jones apparently refused to play for Stoke against Liverpool last weekend – and he would do well to stay away from this far from enticing fixture as well!
Prediction: Palace 0 Stoke 1.

Showing form

Manchester City – 99 goals for the season, seven times they have scored five or more in a game, two strikers with 20-plus goals and aiming for a quadruple. Cardiff City – 21 goals for the season, 11 times they have failed to score in a match, one away league win all campaign and only one point off the bottom of the table. The statistics tell you all you need to know about Cardiff’s trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and how hugely difficult it will be for them to get a result. Stranger things have happened, but not many.
Prediction: Man City 3 Cardiff 0.

Need a win

Swansea City look they are sliding into difficult second season syndrome as they plummet down the Premier League table. After winning over the neutrals with their stylish football in a brilliant campaign last time around, the Swans have struggled to cope with the demands of the Europa League and injuries to star man Michu and they are now on the bottom of the form table, while they sit just three points above the relegation zone. Tottenham, who are on a good run under Tim Sherwood, visit the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Prediction: Swansea 1 Spurs 2.

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