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Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid:

• Ronaldo has only scored one hat-trick against Atletico.
• He has scored the first goal three times.
• Atletico have won six times since Simone took over, including four last season.

Sevilla v Barcelona:

• Barcelona are missing Iniesta, Messi and Bravo. Sevilla are missing Llorente, Vitolo and Pareja. 
• There has been 24 goals in the last four meeting with Neymar, Banega and Gameiro all getting two.
• Barcelona have scored five goals twice in the last four games.

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England have a six-point advantage at the top of Group G and know a point in Podgorica (Montenegro 9/2, Draw 23/10, England 8/11 – Match Betting) will be good enough to seal top spot. Defeat and victory for Montenegro in their final group game in Switzerland will leave England facing the prospect of a two-legged play-off.

This is likely to be their toughest game of the group so far, against a side that frustrated England at Wembley and claimed a 0-0 draw. That result highlighted their ability to defend, but the jury is out on whether they have the attacking threat to cause problems at the other end of the pitch.

The home side have conceded just three goals in six qualifying games to date, but just five goals scored tells its own story. Montenegro (20/1 to win Group G) are unbeaten in their three previous home matches in this group, although they did slip up in their 1-1 draw with Bulgaria.

They have also scored just once in each of those matches and England will be the toughest backline that they will have faced in this group. Capello insists that England won’t go there looking for a draw, but the visitors do have that as a cushion if needs be. But England (9/1 Euro 2012 Outright) have the firepower to kill off any hopes Montenegro still harbour of automatic qualification.

The major plus for England is that this game is away from home, bearing in mind their performances have been better on the road. Scoring eight goals in their three away games, the Three Lions have been impressive in victory in Switzerland, Bulgaria and Wales.

The players have recently admitted that they feel extra pressure from playing at Wembley. The tension that would have come across from the home crowd will be replaced by a positive vocal support in Podgorica.

Even with a couple of injuries, England have the luxury of bringing in young players with Premier League experience. Manchester United duo Danny Welbeck (11/8 To Score At Anytime) and Phil Jones are tipped to feature, while Scott Parker is expected to start the midfield after consistently impressive displays for Tottenham.

Montenegro midfielder Marko Cetkovic has described this as the “biggest game ever” for his country, but it looks likely to be the visitors who will be celebrating come the final whistle.

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Stoke v Chelsea (13:30 kick-off)
They may only have returned to England’s top flight in 2009 but Stoke City have already developed a reputation for being one of the division’s toughest grounds to visit.

Their all-action, combative style and vociferous vocal support means it will be testing start for new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas (Stoke 9/2 draw 14/5 Chelsea 4/6 Match betting).

The Portuguese boss knows he is under pressure from the off, with owner Roman Abramovich eager for the club to add to their trophy haul.

Villas-Boas’ predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was sacked after failing to win a trophy in his second season at Stamford Bridge, despite winning the double in his first year, so the 33-year knows his side almost certainly need to win some silverware if he is to keep his job (Chelsea 3/1 to win the Premier League outright).

The former Porto boss has been reasonably quiet in the transfer window, bringing in youngsters Thibaud Courtois and Oriol Romeu so far.

However, highly-rated Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku is close to agreeing a £18million deal to boost a forward line Villas-Boas admits is already strong.

One of his strikers – £50million man Fernando Torres – will be hoping he can kick-start his Chelsea career after scoring just once in his first six months at the club (Torres 4/1 to net first).

The Spaniard suffered concussion in his country’s friendly with Italy in midweek but should be fit to take his place in the starting XI.

City manager Tony Pulis has also been reasonably quiet in the transfer window so far. But his two buys to date – Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson – look like being shrewd purchases.

Expect the Potters to close Chelsea down at every opportunity when without the ball and when in possession, spread the ball wide to Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington early. The wingers both possess excellent deliveries for Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters to feed off (Jones 8/1 to score first). It nearly goes without saying that the Potters are also extremely strong at set-pieces.

Thanks to their FA Cup exploits last season the club began their campaign early with a Europa League qualifying tie against Hadjuk Split.

With that tie safely negotiated they can go into this game full of confidence and with the hope their extra match sharpness will make the difference (Stoke 9/1 to win 1-0).

Prediction: Stoke 1 Chelsea 1

West Brom v Man United (kick 0ff 16:00)
Manchester United laid down a marker for the upcoming campaign with a roaring comeback against Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.

Despite losing Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes to retirement, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refreshed his squad with a new generation of young players, including new-boys David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young (Man United 13/8 favourites Premier League outright).

Portuguese star Nani grabbed two goals at Wembley last week and he looks to be one of United’s most dangerous attacking threats this season (Nani 6/1 to score first), while the signing of Young now gives United a direct threat on either wing.

However, one thing Ferguson will be keen to address this campaign is their away record. United won just five away games in 2010/11, the same number as relegated Blackpool.

They will be severely tested on the road straight away though as they travel to the Hawthorns to play a West Brom side rejuvenated under Roy Hodgson.

The Baggies lost just twice in 12 games under the 64-year-old, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in January, en route to a respectable 11th place finish, halting their recent tendency to yo-yo between the top two divisions in English football.

The Midlanders have boosted their squad this summer with the signings of Ben Foster from Birmingham, Shane Long from Reading and Zoltan Gera from Fulham.

Long in particular adds a goal threat to the side and he should form a prolific partnership with Peter Odemwingie, who hit 15 goals for the club last season (Long 8/1 to score first).

Prediction West Brom 1 Man United 2

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Arsenal

The Toffees are unbeaten in their last seven games in the top flight – a record that was kept alive in midweek as former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford bagged his first Premier League goal, four minutes into injury time against Bolton to salvage a point.

Everton though will be without midfielder Marouane Fellaini after he was given a straight red during the match against Bolton but there is good news for the Toffees in that Dutch defender John Heitinga is set for a return following his recovery from a knee injury.

Jack Rodwell could also make a return to the starting line-up as the talented youngster has overcome an ankle injury which has forced the player out of action since August.

The 19-year-old was expected to be on the sidelines until Christmas but Rodwell has recovered weeks ahead of schedule and could be troubling the Gunners defence on Sunday.

However, Arsenal will be confident as they go into this game having scored four or more goals in a match against Everton in eight of their 36 Premier League games.

The North London side picked up a valuable away win against Wolves in midweek to keep in touch in the title race as Manchester United and City played out a goalless draw.

Arsenal will be hoping that they can continue their strong away Premier League form having won their last three games on the road, scoring nine goals in the process, and at 6/5 for an away win the Gunners look more than capable of bagging all three points at Goodison given their current form.

In the other Sunday game, league leaders and defending champions Chelsea take on Sunderland in what should be a one sided game at Stamford Bridge.

Sunderland did play well on their last trip to the capital as they frustrated an attacking Tottenham Hotspur side at White Hart Lane, recording a 1-1 draw in North London on Tuesday night and they would be delighted if Asamoah Gyan can get on the score sheet at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea do have their injury problems as Frank Lampard will be sidelined for a further three weeks after he picked a muscle injury in training, while the Blues will also be without midfielder Michael Essien, who was sent off in their midweek win against Fulham.

Despite these absentees, Chelsea will be confident of picking up all three points after they put seven goals past Sunderland in their last meeting.

It is difficult to see Sunderland getting anything out of this one as they have won only one of their last 24 matches away from the Stadium of Light and Chelsea are expected to win comfortably (Chelsea 8/15 to be winning at half-time and full-time).

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Chelsea

The 32-year-old is expected to return to the Blues starting line-up when Arsenal arrive at Stamford Bridge having sat out the 2-0 victory over Marseille in mid week.

Drogba has been at his imperious best this season as he helped Carlo Ancelotti’s men get off to a flying start, winning their first five Premier League matches before they came unstuck against Manchester City last weekend.

Chelsea looked off colour at Eastlands last Saturday but were somewhere near their best in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Drogba and his team mates will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Arsenal having won the last four meetings against their London rivals.

Drogba has been the scourge of Arsenal since he joined Chelsea in 2004, scoring 12 goals in 10 starts and two substitute appearances against Arsene Wenger’s men.

Drogba (5/1 to score two or more against Arsenal) got both goals in last season’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, while also getting a brace at the Emirates Stadium in the 3-0 win.

Last season’s golden boot winner says he is expecting a tough encounter on Sunday given Arsenal’s start to the season, with the Gunners having won four of their first six.

“I can say that I am a bit lucky because I scored a few goals against them,’ he acknowledged.

“Every game is different. I remember some games when we played well against Arsenal, but this one will be a different one, I don’t know how.

“It is a strange start to the season for me, I scored goals and made some assists but I am not really 100 percent yet with the surgery I had in pre-season so it is a bit difficult for me to catch up but I am doing my best and I hope that maybe in one or two weeks I will be better.”

The Gunners (7/1 Premier League outright) are expected to be missing a number of star names for the clash with Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Vermaelen and Manuel Almunia all unavailable.

Chelsea have their own injury problems, although not as bad as Arsenal, with Jose Bosingwa, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all out.

Despite the two club’s injury problems fans can still expect Ancelotti and Wenger to name to starting elevens packed with internationals as they look to maintain their push for the Premier League title.

The game is likely to prove to be a good acid test of the pair’s title credentials this season, although Drogba refuses to say a defeat to either side will badly dent their hopes.

“I won’t say [it is] critical because the season is long. Last year Arsenal were 10 points behind us and they came back and they were fighting for the league with three games to go, so it’s going to be a big game, an important game, but not one that will say Chelsea or Arsenal will be champions,” Drogba added.

“I think we can beat anybody but we can also lose against anybody, that’s football and you want to win when you come to the pitch but you never know if you’re going to win or not.”

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Joey Barton

The newly-promoted Magpies were given a tough start to the new season and were comfortably beaten 3-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Monday, but got their home campaign off in fine style against managerless Villa.

The game could have been entirely different had John Carew not blazed a tenth-minute penalty high into the stand after Ashley Young had been brought down by goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Newcastle wasted little time in taking advantage when Barton smashed in a dipping 20-yard effort to set the ball rolling and the home side never let up as the confidence drained from Villa, who had started brightly.

Kevin Nolan doubled the lead on the half-hour mark, before Andy Carroll added a third before the break.

Newcastle’s dominance continued after the interval with Carroll grabbing his second on 67 minutes, Nolan his second with three minutes to go and Carroll (33/1 to finish as the Premier League’s top goal scorer) completing his first senior hat-trick for the club in the last minute of injury time.

It was a great performance in front of the fanatical home crowd but Barton is determined that he and his team-mates keep their feet on the ground as Newcastle (4/1 to be relegated) look to re-establish themselves as a Premier League club.

“We weren’t too bothered about Monday – a lot of teams will get beaten by more than we did at Manchester United,” Barton said.

“It was important to make a statement today and now we want to carry the momentum forward.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer but we’ve got to put in the same kind of shift in our next game at Wolves.

“We want to stabilise this club in the Premier League and we have given Villa a game today.”

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton looks set to strengthen his midfield after agreeing terms with FC Twente for Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote, who has passed a medical and is now just awaiting a work permit.

Hughton admits it is a very important signing for the club, with Alan Smith the only other defensive midfielder in the squad, but is hopeful that the transfer dealings will not end there.

“We feel it’s such an important area in this division,” Hughton said. “Hopefully there will be one or two more signings before the window closes.”

Newcastle are next in action on Wednesday and are strong 4/9 favourites in the match betting to win their Carling Cup tie at Accrington Stanley (5/1 to win, 3/1 the draw) before travelling to Wolverhampton, who have taken four points from their opening two league fixtures, on a return to Premier League duty on Saturday.

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Both clubs were in the race for a Champions League place last season but both lost out to Tottenham Hotspur, who secured the coveted fourth spot by beating City 1-0 at Eastlands in the penultimate game of the campaign (City 1/2, Spurs 3/1 – Premier League Top Four Finish).

However, City have a cheque book which matches the size of their ambition and big things are expected of Roberto Mancini’s outfit for the 2010/2011 competition.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the Aston Villa manager was pessimistic about his side competing for fourth this season (Villa 7/1 – Premiership Top Four Finish).

He said: “Just when you think your team is getting there, getting close to fourth spot, City appear on the horizon with all this money. It seems to be getting further away.

“Well done Spurs for getting into the Champions League – but up until their second last game, they could have finished anywhere from fourth to seventh.

“Top four remains a possibility but to win the title, you need to have the squad. City will have 28 or 29 top-class players available.”

O’Neill was speaking in response to the transfer saga surrounding England international James Milner, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Eastlands outfit.

The Villa boss admitted earlier in the week that Milner had expressed his desire to leave Villa Park and he admits it would be a significant blow to his side’s top four aspirations should he leave.

“If we do end up losing a player like Milner, it won’t make it easier.”

“You have to replace him, replace his ability and experience, and do it instantly yet do it with someone of probably less value. That is tough.”

Unsurprisingly, City have spent more than any other Premier League club during the close season, signing a vast array of international talent.

Serbia international defender Aleksandar Kolarov became the latest signing on Friday after moving from Lazio in a deal reported to be in the region of £19million.

Kolarov became City’s fourth signing of the summer after they completed moves for Jerome Boateng (£10.5m), David Silva (£29m) and Yaya Toure (£24m).

This spending clout has forced Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to concede that City will win the title one day, provided owner Sheikh Mansour remains interested in bankrolling their endeavours (City 4/1 to win Premiership).

He said: “I genuinely think that eventually they will win the championship.

“If they continue and the owner stays involved, and he seems very keen, then I can see them in the next few years putting together a team that will win the Premier League.”

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has assured fans that the Latics are heading to Chelsea’s  Stamford Bridge on Sunday in search of a victory.

The odds stand in Chelsea’s favour 1/10 to win on Sunday, whereas Manchester United at 1/8 – both on the back of the opposition away form that has Wigan at 20/1 to win, and Stoke slightly shorter at 18/1

It will come as great news to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson entertain Stoke at Old Trafford  looking for a win that could see them pip Chelsea to the title – should the Blues fail to beat Wigan.

• Bet on this outcome: Can Chelsea Win the Premier League

The United camp will be buoyed by Wigan’s unpredictability and will head into Sunday’s match knowing that they still have a real chance if the same Wigan side turn up that have beaten Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season.

The problem is, all of those victories over the perceived ‘Top Four’ teams have come at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan’s away form in 2010 has left a lot to be desired. In fact, it’s been woeful – avoiding defeat on just two occasions and picking up just four points.

• Bet on this outcome: Can Manchester United Win the Premier League

Since the turn of the year, Wigan have managed a solitary draw at Sunderland and one away victory, which came in a 2-0 win at Wolves on January 16th.

However, any suggestion of having nothing to play for will be hotly disputed by Latics chairman Dave Whelan, who knows that a victory could see them leapfrog Bolton into 14th and with it, secure additional money for their league finish.

A loss at Chelsea coupled with a draw or win for Wolves and a victory for West Ham could see Wigan finish as low as 17th.

So, Wigan certainly have something to play for, and in one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons in years, who would put it past the Lancashire outfit to wreck the Stamford Bridge party?

Related posts:

1. Premiership Predictions: Which Wigan Team Will Turn Up on Saturday?
2. Chelsea Take Advantage Of Manchester United Defeat at Everton
3. Chelsea, Man United, Man City & Tottenham battle it out

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