There are six matches in the Premier League on Saturday with Wolves travelling to local rivals Aston Villa aiming to maintain their 100 per cent start the pick of the bunch as we assess that clash and the other top-flight encounters which may take your fancy.
Aston Villa v Wolves (12.05pm)
Alex McLeish’s men are unbeaten with four points from their opening two games, but they have been overshadowed by their Midlands rivals as Mick McCarthy’s side boast a 100 per cent record going into the Villa Park showdown.
Villa strike duo Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey have been declared fit after suffering minor injuries against Blackburn, while youngsters Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj are vying to replace QPR-bound Luke Young at right-back as the hosts aim to stretch their decent run to one defeat in 11 league games.
Ironically, the last side to win at Villa Park was Wolves in March as they ended a 31-year wait for that feat.
If they repeat that success (Wolves 3/1 Away 90 Minutes) on Saturday lunch-time it will be the first time they have ever won three successive Premier League matches.
McCarthy is set to name an unchanged side from the one that defeated Fulham at Molineux last Sunday.
However, it is Villa who are looking in good shape to avenge last season’s defeat and will bring Wolves’ good start to a halt.
Prediction: Villa Home 90 Minutes @ evens
Value Bet: Gabby Agbonlahor 1st goal Match Goalscorer @ 11/2
Wigan v QPR (12.30pm)
An interesting clash at the DW Stadium as Wigan are unbeaten from their opening two matches having drawn with Premier League new boys Norwich and Swansea.
They will be hoping to secure a first win against the third promoted outfit this weekend when Neil Warnock’s Londoners arrive.
Roberto Martinez’s men will be without Antolin Alcaraz, Steven Gohouri and possibly Victor Moses as they look to stretch their unbeaten run on home soil which dates back to February.
However, the R’s will be boosted by their 1-0 win at Everton last weekend not to mention the arrival of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton on a four-year deal, although he might not be eligible to play.
They are also unbeaten in their previous games at Wigan, while they boasted the best away record in the Championship last term.
A close game beckons and that is why we can?t separate them so a draw is the likeliest outcome.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Wigan/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1
Blackburn v Everton (3pm)
An early season basement battle at Ewood Park will see the under-fire Steve Kean’s Rovers go head-to-head with David Moyes’ Toffees.
Rovers have lost their opening two games, while Everton have only played one – but lost at Goodison Park to new boys QPR last Saturday.
Something will have to give this weekend and Kean will hope captain Chris Samba can make his first appearance of the season after overcoming a groin injury, while here could be a debut for new midfield signing Simon Vukcevic.
Everton usually do well at Blackburn, although they lost the first match in seven on the opening day of last season (9/4 Home 90 Minutes).
And, with money sparse for new signings Moyes will be hoping Tim Cahill (13/8 Anytime Goalscorer) can end his 11-match run without a league goal.
Winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is available after completing a three-match ban, while fit-again pair Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini are set for their first league starts of the season.
Another tight game, but we fancy Everton to get their season up and running while heaping more misery on Kean.
Prediction: Everton Away 90 Minutes @ 13/10
Value Bet: Everton 2-1 Correct score @ 8/1
Chelsea v Norwich (3pm)
New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas got his first taste of victory last weekend with a narrow win against West Brom at Stamford Bridge, while ten-man Norwich snatched a draw from the jaws of victory at Carrow Road when Stoke – who held Chelsea on the opening weekend – scored an injury time equaliser.
Chelsea have won seven of their last eight league games on home soil and Villas-Boas will look for that to be eight out of nine on Saturday evening.
New signing Juan Mata is likely to be on the bench, but David Luiz is set to miss out due to his ongoing thigh problem, while Hilario will again deputise for injured number one goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Unbeaten Norwich failed to win on the road in their previous Premier League campaign in 2004/05 and will be looking for a first away-day success in the top flight at the 32nd attempt.
Boss Paul Lambert has Leon Barnett back from suspension following his red card against Stoke.
But recent signing Daniel Ayala is out for eight weeks with a knee injury, while Wes Hoolahan is doubtful with a hamstring problem.
Chelsea have won their last three games against Norwich at Stamford Bridge 4-0 (17/2 Correct Score) and that tells you everything you need to know when considering a punt on Saturday’s showdown.
Prediction: Chelsea Home 90 Minutes @ 1/5
Value Bet: Juan Mata Last Goalscorer @ 5/1
Swansea v Sunderland (3pm)
These two sides meet at the Liberty Stadium boasting just one point from their opening two games of the season so a first win will be the top priority for Swans boss Brendan Rodgers and his Black Cats counterpart Steve Bruce.
Swansea have the omens on their side have they won the previous three games in South Wales – albeit they last met in the 1982-83 season.
However, they will have to try and get a fourth win without Garry Monk, who remains sidelined by a foot injury, and knee injury victim Ferrie Boddie.
Bruce’s Wearsiders have endured a difficult week after following up a creditable opening day draw at Liverpool with a North-East derby defeat against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light and a Carling up reverse at Brighton.
Sunderlan, who are set to hand John O’Shea his debut, have lost 11 of their last 16 games in the Premier League and will have to work hard to ensure that tally is not added to on Saturday.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Swansea/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1
Liverpool v Bolton (5.30pm)
King Kenny Dalglish’s Reds got their season up and running with an impressive 2-0 win at Arsenal last Saturday after being held by Sunderland a week earlier, while Bolton followed up their opening day 4-0 romp at QPR with a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
However, the Merseysiders appear to have an Indian sign over the Trotters having won their last nine games against them, keeping six clean sheets in the process.
And, Dalglish will be looking for that to be 10 on Saturday, although he might have to do without Glen Johnson, who faces a fitness test on a hamstring problem.
Luis Suarez is certain to start after being on the bench at Arsenal, while Andy Carroll will look to score his first league goal of the season after notching at Exeter in the Carling Cup in the week.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle will hope he can end his side’s 55-year wait for maximum points at Anfield, although he will be without left-back Marcos Alonso after he broke a bone in his foot in the League Cup win against Macclesfield.
Gretar Steinsson, Sam Ricketts and Tyrone Mears are also sidelined for the encounter which is likely to see Liverpool continue their good run against the Wanderers.
Prediction: Liverpool Home 90 Minutes @ 2/5
Value Bet: Andy Carroll 1st Goal Liverpool 2-0 Scorecast @ 14/1
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