We’ve looked ahead to this weekend’s fixtures and reckon there are at least four potential shocks to consider for your coupon.

West Ham to beat City (3/1)

West Ham at home to Manchester City appears an away banker this weekend. But in a season in which predicting the predictable has become tougher than trying to get off a motorway in Scotland this week, a victory for the Hammers may just be the result of the weekend.

Avram Grant’s side have suddenly discovered how to play again at Upton Park and followed up the win over Wigan the other week with a richly-deserved 4-0 success over Manchester United in the Carling Cup. A narrow 1-0 loss at Sunderland was another setback last time out but there appears to finally be signs of life in Grant’s side.

Every game for the basement boys appears to be tagged ‘Save our Season’ these days and a win over ambitious City would not only give them real hope relegation can be avoided but also the chance to revel in three successive home wins and an assault on the European places.

You think I’m joking? Check the table – a win for Grant’s men this weekend could potentially leave them about nine points adrift of the top eight. That’s three wins Avram, just three more wins.

Carlos Tevez is bound to be up for it against his former side but his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini is obviously strained following last week’s outburst at being subbed – despite the denials – so there is undoubtedly instability in the Eastlands camp ahead of the trip south.

Hou can save Villa’s slide?

The West Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park is usually a keenly-contested game and a baltic Birmingham afternoon is sure to provide a perfect back-drop for this one.

The home side are slight favourites, but a win for Roberto Di Matteo’s side (3/1) appears on to leave the Claret and Blue army reflecting on what could be an unlikely relegation scrap in the new year.

Villa were abject at Liverpool on Monday to leave their fans openly questioning boss Gerard Houllier, who made possibly unforgivable mistakes in some season ticket-holders’ eyes by appearing to enjoy the win for his old side in the aftermath of his much-hyped return to Anfield.

The Frenchman, who was never first choice among the Villa faithful to take over full-time, has had to explain some of his after-match comments to the club’s website and reiterate he is as committed as ever to helping restore the club’s fortunes. Well, if getting them to the Europa League qualification places are where they want be again, that is.

The Baggies are positively revelling in the top flight once more, meanwhile, after a 4-1 win at Everton and then a 3-1 success over Newcastle. Don’t bet against another Peter Odemwingie-inspired win at the Villa.

Blackpool to sock it to Stoke (4/1)

Blackpool have, without doubt, been one of the stories of the Premier League season so far. Wins at Liverpool, Newcastle, Wigan have been supplemented by draws at Bolton and West Ham in recent weeks and they should be fresh for the trip to the Britannia as their clash with Manchester United last week was frozen off.

It definitely won’t be pretty on Saturday but don’t be too surprised to see Ian Holloway’s side come away with another shock three points as the Seasiders continue to defy the pundits – and the odds – this weekend.

A Real shock?

Real Madrid will know another win at Real Zaragoza is required as they attempt to move on from the El Clasico mauling at Barca. Jose Mourinho’s side left it until the last 15 minutes to beat 10-man Valencia at home last weekend and will not have it all their own way at Zaragoza, despite the fact the home side are bottom and have managed just one win all season.

Mourinho’s famed ego will have taken one heck of a battering following the Barca debacle but anything other than a win this weekend could be potentially even more embarrassing for the Portuguese.

However, his side have often come up short this season when the pressure is really on, so maybe Zaragoza can get something (draw 4/1) off the visitors in what would not only be a huge relegation boost for them, but also a major setback for Real’s fragile title hopes.

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