Easter is often viewed as a crucial time of the season when titles can be won and relegation sealed. On Saturday there are seven Premier League games and plenty of those could have big ramifications at both ends of the table.
Stoke v Wolves (5.30pm)
It’s almost getting to the last-chance saloon for Wolves (9/2 – match prices) as they stare down the barrel of relegation, six points adrift of the other strugglers and with just seven games to save themselves.
Another defeat on Saturday would be the latest nail in the coffin so Terry Connor must do all he can to motivate his side for what is always a difficult trip to the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters 4/6 themselves are 10 points clear of the relegation places but will be looking for at least a couple more wins to guarantee another season of top-flight football. Expect them to pick up three points in this one to keep them safely in mid-table and leave Wolves virtually needing a miracle.
Prediction: Home win.
Chelsea v Wigan (3pm)
The Blues (1/4) made it through to the Champions League semis in midweek but it’s been a domestic season of disappointment so far for the top-four chasers. Roberto Di Matteo has done a fine job since being placed in interim charge but his side are still five points behind Spurs in the race for fourth.
While that’s not insurmountable, it looks like a forlorn chase at this stage with the focus now very much on Europe and the FA Cup semi-final against London rivals Spurs.
Wigan, on the other hand, remain very much in the mire but have proved in recent years they have the stomach for the fight and they might just shock a jaded Chelsea at the Bridge. An away win (11/1) looks too far-fetched but the Latics could easily come away with a vital point at what is a mouth-watering 5/1 chance.
Prediction: Draw.
Bolton v Fulham (3pm)
Bolton (13/8) have rallied in recent weeks to move themselves out of the drop-zone but are still just a point clear of 18th place, although they do have a game in hand.
It’s been a season of struggle for the Trotters with boss Owen Coyle’s reputation taking a few knocks along the way but they, too, now look up for the fight and can claim another big three points in this one.
For Fulham, on offer at 7/4 to win, who sit comfortably in mid-table, this match does not seem as important but they are always a tricky outfit to contend with and Martin Jol never settles for going through the motions.
However, this one means far more to Bolton than the Cottagers and a home win at 13/8 should be backed.
Prediction: Home win.
West Brom v Blackburn (3pm)
The Baggies (10/11) have moved themselves clear of trouble in recent weeks and are have an eight-point cushion going into the weekend, despite two straight defeats.
Roy Hodgson will want to put that record straight when struggling Rovers visit the Hawthorns but it’s likely to be a tight encounter between two well-drilled, organised sides.
Rovers (3/1) were a tad unlucky not to take a point off leaders Manchester United on Monday and will feel they can get something from the Baggies so a draw also looks good here at 5/2.
Prediction: Draw.
Liverpool v Aston Villa (3pm)
This game is big for both clubs but for different reasons. Liverpool’s shocking run of form has seen them lose six of their last seven games in the league and slip out of the top six with local rivals Everton edging ahead in the process.
Results and performances have led some fans to question whether ‘King Kenny’ Dalglish is really the right man for the job and, while he generally retains the support of the majority, another home defeat to out-of-form Villa will not be tolerated.
With (7/1) that in mind, a narrow home win (4/9) looks on the cards but don’t expect a classic. Villa have a poor recent record at Anfield and Alex McLeish’s men are on a bad run themselves, so much so that the Scot has admitted they could be drawn into the relegation scrap.
The Midlanders are surely too good to go down but are likely to have to search elsewhere in the rest of the season for those much-needed points to ensure safety.
Prediction: Home win
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