After previously being stalwarts of the top flight in years gone by, the two sides haven’t met since 2004 and you can be certain that both teams will be desperate to get one over on their local rivals.

After making eleven new signings in the summer QPR have struggled to gel, taking just two points from their opening five league games, and are now bottom of the table following Reading’s draw on Saturday.

Furthermore they’re currently in the midst of somewhat of an injury crisis, most notably in defence, where three of their first-choice back four are currently out of action.

However, they do have plenty of talent in both midfield and attack and the return of Alejandro Faurlin has undoubtedly made a massive difference to the side.

However, it’s former Hammer Bobby Zamora (11/8 to score at anytime) who is most likely to be their key man on Monday and he’ll be desperate to prove he can still mix it in the Premier League, after a largely disappointing time since moving to Loftus Road in January.

With West Ham struggling to defend crosses this season, Zamora will fancy himself to get on the scoresheet for what would be his fifth goal of the season.

In contrast to their rivals, Sam Allardyce’s men have made a solid start to their return to the top flight, taking eight points from their first five matches to leave them tenth.

However, after a fairly straightforward start to the campaign this is one of their last easy games before they meet some of the big boys and they will be targeting three points on Monday.

One of their problems this season has been scoring goals, an issue that has been magnified by the injury to Andy Carroll and, with Carlton Cole looking out of form so far this term, even more responsibility has fallen on captain Kevin Nolan (5/2 to score at anytime).

Despite not being a favourite amongst the fans, the veteran is always reliable when the Hammers need a goal – a quality that more than makes up for his lack of mobility. His ability to drift into the box can often prove priceless and he’ll be looking to catch the makeshift Hoops backline napping.

But, with so much quality going forward its surely only a matter of time before the QPR find their feet and they could just sneak this one (QPR 8/1 to win 2-1).

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Serbia’s last win on home turf came in unconvincing fashion against the Faroe Islands in September of last year, and earlier in 2011 they had to come from behind to beat Northern Ireland.

An impressive home draw with Italy followed but they drew a blank against the Republic of Ireland in August, and head into their game against Wales having failed to find the back of the net against Scotland in another goalless draw.

Wales’ last game on the road came just under 12 months ago when they took all three points with a composed 1-0 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia.

At 7/1 to repeat the feat in Eastern Europe, Wales represent great value for money, with Serbia priced as the 4/9 favourites to reinvigorate their own qualifying campaign with victory.

The draw, priced at 10/3, also offers decent value.

Elsewhere, England will be aiming to build on an accomplished 5-0 victory away to Moldova when they welcome Ukraine to Wembley Stadium.

Roy Hodgson’s men are the 2/5 favourites to earn the win and add further momentum to their World Cup qualifying campaign, while Ukraine, who held Czech Republic to a 0-0 draw when the two sides met for a friendly last month, aren’t fancied at 7/1.

The draw is available at 4/1, but the best value here appears to be in the correct score market.

England have shown in recent home internationals that they are capable of scoring goals, but also often leak the odd one or two. With that in mind, 7/1 on a 2-1 England win and 8/1 on a 3-1 England win are both interesting selections, as is the more optimistic 4-1 home triumph, priced at a mouthwatering 14/1.

Another of the home nations in action tomorrow is Scotland, who will be looking to put a disappointing home draw behind them when they welcome Macedonia to Hampden Park.

There was frustration following the Serbia stalemate that young striker Jordan Rhodes wasn’t given more minutes on the field, and those supporters may see more of the Blackburn hitman on Tuesday as Scotland seek to breathe life into their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rhodes is priced at 4/1 to score his side’s first goal.

The Scots triumphed when these two sides met ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and a second 2-0 victory in as many meetings would be a welcome boost to manager Craig Levein and his hopes of leading the team to a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Levein’s men are priced 4/6 to win the match, with Macedonia available at 7/2 and the draw 12/5.

Expect Scotland to find the back of the net in this one, but the team still lacks the confidence to rack up goals, which makes the selection of a 1-0 home win at 5/1 a very appealing prospect indeed.

Finally, there could be a shock on the cards when Belgium play host to Croatia.

Vincent Kompany and his team-mates are the 10/11 favourites to win this match and build momentum following their recent 2-0 triumph over Wales, while Croatia are priced at 3/1 to make it two wins in a week following a narrow success against Macedonia.

Belgium are in better form than their opponents, but there is enough strength in the Croatian side to take this game to their opponents, so don’t be surprised to see Igor Stimac’s men upset the odds.

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United remain favourites at 1/2 with totesport to wrestle the trophy off Chelsea (11/2) and claim a record-breaking 19th top-flight title but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have stuttered in recent weeks and do not look anywhere near as dominant as some of the all-conquering sides the Scot has assembled at Old Trafford over the past 15 years or so.

Saturday’s late 1-0 win over Bolton underlined the fact that they cannot be compared to some of the free-scoring attacking sides that have graced the Premier League’s upper echelon’s recently while defeats at Liverpool and Chelsea prove they are vulnerable when the pressure’s on as well.

However, United remain five points clear of Arsenal – who have also once again proved the same-old weaknesses continue to hamper them in recent weeks – and probably just about possess the all-round strength needed to out-muscle their rivals in the run-in.

If United do go on to win the title again it is doubtful the side will go down in the club’s folklore as one of the greatest ever but, as Saturday proved, sometimes winning ugly and getting lucky is just as an important quality to have alongside simply being the best team in the country.

To many neutrals, that tag really belongs to Arsenal but can the Gunners shake off their predictable demons and finally realise the title dream? Well, maybe they can actually. And at 11/4 with totesport, the price is tempting as well.

For all their pretty football, Arsene Wenger’s men appear dogged by familiar problems that seem to be preventing them from getting over the line in first place but they are well-placed in second with a game in hand and have yet to host United at the Emirates so the title could still be theirs for the taking.

They do struggle to do what champions do at this stage of the season and grind out results when up against it. As critics say it is simply not in their DNA. Saturday’s comeback at West Brom proved they can dig in and rescue a game but Manuel Almunia gifting the Baggies their second goal shows a long-standing problem – they have not got a top-class goalkeeper – remains unresolved.

That could well be addressed if Pepe Reina is brought in from Liverpool in the summer but, of course, it will be too late to help them in the current campaign. However, the return of Jens Lehmann may just be the Wenger masterstroke that steadies the ship and helps them go on to claim the top prize in a couple of months.

Finally, Chelsea are now back in the groove after their poor mid-season form and boss Carlo Ancelotti has not given up on the title as they sit nine points behind United with a game in hand.

The Italian says his side need to win their remaining nine games to get back involved in the race but, if they can build on the hard-fought win over Man City on Sunday, then do not rule the Blues out just yet – especially if they can get Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka to gel and wreak havoc up front in what’s left of the season.

So, with a less-than-formidable United stuttering, an extremely-talented Arsenal outfit hoping to dazzle again and a well-oiled Chelsea close to clicking back into top gear, we may just be about to experience the most exciting title battle in the Premier League for several years.

Prediction:

1 Arsenal
2 Manchester United
3 Chelsea.

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Ian Holloway

Arguably the richest side in the world will travel to Blackpool on Sunday to take on a side who broke their transfer record in the summer with the signing of DJ Campbell for £1.25million.

Campbell’s transfer fee pales into insignificance when compared to the amounts City have spent over the past two years, breaking the British transfer record when they signed Robinho for £32million.

The likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and James Milner have all cost over £20million, loose change to the Abu Dhabi United Group which currently owns City.

The financial gap between City and Blackpool might be massive but in the Premier League the sides are separated by just four points.

Holloway’s men have been the surprise package this season, beating Liverpool at Anfield last time out as they moved up to ninth in the division.

Sunday’s game against City will represent another chance for Blackpool to claim the scalp of one of England’s biggest teams.

City (15/2 Premier League Outright) made a sluggish start to the season but have recently found some form, moving up to second in the league with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Despite Blackpool’s recent performances victory for Roberto Mancini’s side will be seen as a formality as they look to keep up the pressure on current leaders Chelsea.

However, Holloway has other plans and believes money won’t necessarily buy City victory against his plucky outfit.

“To outsiders, this will be the biggest mismatch in the history of football because of our financial situations,” said Holloway.

“But let’s see what we can do. If it was all about how much you’re on, we’d be bottom of the league by a zillion miles.

“Before Liverpool, I was reminding my lads we were a point above them, and this is a league game – we’re in the same division as them on merit.

“And I’ll be doing the same thing with Manchester City.”

Holloway will have to hope he can work his magic from the stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban for his abuse of the officials during Blackburn’s win at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool (5/4 to stay up) fans will be hoping Holloway is the only regular face missing on Sunday as they wait to hear whether Craig Cathcart and Neal Eardley have recovered from the problems which forced them off against Liverpool.

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Manchester City

In a largely cagey affair, a solo goal from striker Carlos Tevez was enough to seal the victory and it saw the Citizens move up to fourth place in the Premier League table, just four points behind the leaders.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had gone into the match having scored 21 goals in their five previous matches to set the early pace this season, but they created few chances against a resolute City rearguard.

Mancini had stated before the game that he thought Chelsea were the best team in the country and that they would win the league “easily”, and despite masterminding their first defeat, the Italian tactician has not seen anything to change his mind.

“I still think they will win it easily because I think they are the best team in the Premier League,” Mancini said after the game.

“Sometimes you might get a result like today. But they are the better team.”

Mancini was aware of the attacking threat that Chelsea had shown in their previous games and made no excuses for denying the Blues the space to exploit any weaknesses in his back four.

“It is not possible for them to score five goals every game,” the City boss added.

“If Chelsea find space it is easy for them to score. But if they don’t have space it is too hard and our players defended very well.

“But we cannot think everything is OK just because we won this game.”

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti applauded his counterpart for his tactical execution and believes City are genuine title challengers, but admitted his players had not played to their full potential at the weekend.

“They used a good tactic to play against us. To play against us they wanted to counter attack and they did some very well. We knew this but from one counter-attack they scored,” Ancelotti said.

“If you play against a good team with a strong defence and you don’t play at your best then it is normal that you don’t score a goal.

“They have fantastic players and a very good squad and they can fight for the title.”

Meanwhile, Mancini has ruled out the possibility of a January move for Everton’s Jack Rodwell and says it will be “impossible” to sign him.

The young midfielder has long been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, with Manchester United reportedly keen to sign him in the summer.

Mancini has confirmed his interest in the player but admits that a deal in the transfer window is unlikely to come to fruition.

“We put English players in the team but it isn’t easy because all the clubs that have English players won’t sell,” Mancini told the Daily Star Sunday.

“I like Jack Rodwell but will Everton sell? Impossible. If I can, I give young players a chance.

“I was just 16 when I first played in Serie A.”

City (4/5 favourites in the match betting) are next in action on Thursday when they host Italian giants Juventus (3/1 to win, 9/4 the draw) in Group A of the Europa League, before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League next Sunday.

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Manchester City

Carlo Ancelotti’s men make the trip to Eastlands for Saturday’s early kick-off in fantastic form although they did blot their copybook with a Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek.

Ancelotti elected to give some of his stars the night off but the XI still featured the likes of John Terry, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou alongside some youngsters and fringe players.

The Italian saw his side reduced to 10 men but only through injury when all three substitutions had been made so he was happy with the performance as Chelsea came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3, before eventually losing 4-3.

Injuries are a problem for City as well – with Saturday’s hosts able to call on just three defenders who are described as fully fit.

Mancini is definitely without Micah Richards (hamstring) while there will be late decisions taken on Joleon Lescott (groin) and Jerome Boateng (knee).

But it is Mancini’s apparent concession of the title to Chelsea that is sure to raise a few eyebrows at Old Trafford and the Emirates.

“Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League at the moment,” said Mancini. “They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily.

“They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years.

“They have a fantastic manager and they have worked to reach this situation.”

Chelsea have won all of their Premier League games this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding just one in the process (Chelsea 17/10 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).

But they travel north mindful of the fact City did the double over them last season when they backed up a 2-1 win at Eastlands with a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge at the end of February.

Chelsea will again be without England midfielder Frank Lampard following hernia surgery  and he is joined on the sidelines by striker Salomon Kalou (thigh) and midfielders Yossi Benayoun (calf) and Gael Kakuta (back).

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Liverpool

New Reds boss Roy Hodgson was one of the busier managers  before  the window closed last Tuesday after drafting in the likes of Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Raul Meireles and Christian Poulsen, among others.

But the former Fulham chief also missed out on a couple of high-profile players as well, with Dutchman van der Vaart opting to join Tottenham and the Champions League, while interest in taking Gomez on loan ultimately came to nothing for the Merseysiders.

Van der Vaart told Sky Sports: “Liverpool were interested. Bayern (Munich) were not interested.

“In the end you have to have a good feeling, and with this manager I got a good feeling. I am happy and I am going to Spurs.

“I am going to give it my best and hopefully I will play a lot of games and be important for the team. I hope to get a lot of goals and have a lot of fun.”

Gomez has revealed that Bayern see him as a player for future despite the fact the 25-year-old Germany international struggled for first-team football last season (Bayern Munich 1/2 – Bundesliga Outright).

“I have said that if I leave Bayern I will go abroad,” Gomez told Bild.

“Then came this interesting offer from Liverpool. I took the loan offer seriously and discussed it with my family and girlfriend because I just want to play.

“But Bayern gave me the impression that they see a future for me. And therefore a change was not an issue anymore.”

Meanwhile, star striker Fernando Torres admits he is not yet 100 per cent fit but promises Liverpool fans the best is ahead of him (Torres 7/1 – Premiership Top Goalscorer).

The Spain ace’s start to the season has been hampered because of an injury sustained in the World Cup final, with the Reds refusing to rush him back.

The 26-year-old, though, is pleased with the way his recovery has been handled and optimistic over his fitness for the rest of the campaign.

The former Atletico Madrid captain said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.

“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”

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Manchester City

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill revealed on Friday evening that Milner had virtually sealed a big-money switch to Eastlands.

However, as the versatile midfielder is part of Fabio Capello’s England squad for the friendly against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday, Mancini expects to tie up the loose ends on his move the following day.

Balotelli is also due to feature for Italy in midweek, so City will wait until the back end of the week to get him officially on board in what could be the final pieces of the jigsaw in their bid to muscle their way into the title race (City 5/1 Premier League Outright).

“We are close with both players but now they are going with their national teams,” said Mancini. “We hope that we can have these players by next Thursday.”

“For now we have two days off and we are not going to talk about the market. Next week we will see. These deals could happen but we need to wait.”

City continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-0 friendly win against Valencia on Saturday, with Gareth Barry and Jo scoring the goals.

Craig Bellamy (7/1 Top Man City Goalscorer) did not even feature in the game sparking more speculation that he could be on his way out of the club, while there were no clues who would start in goal as Shay Given and Joe Hart were both handed 45 minutes.

Mancini added: “I am fortunate that I have two strong goalkeepers. This is important when you have a long season with three matches every week.

“I have an idea who I will play but I still have a week to decide. I know whoever I pick, the other one will help that person. It is not a problem for us.”

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Bacary Sagna

The north London club have yet to win any silverware since their FA Cup success over Manchester United in 2005, failing to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities since that time.

Last year Arsenal finished 11 points off eventually winners Chelsea but at times looked as though they would challenge for the title, even topping the league in February.

However, once again the Gunners form dipped coming into the run-in and back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea eventually cost them.

While Arsenal fans having been calling on manager Arsene Wenger to improve his side’s strength in depth in a bid to compete on the domestic and European fronts, so far the Frenchman has only brought in two new players.

With the Gunners (4/7 to finish in the top four) having lost three centre-halfs during the summer, with just one coming in, there might a number of Arsenal fans worried that problems at the back could cost them dear again.

Those doubters wouldn’t have been impressed in the club’s 6-5 friendly win over Legia Warsaw, a game which saw a near full strength side concede a number of goals from set pieces.

However, despite signs that Arsenal’s defensive frailties have yet to be dealt with Sagna is confident he and his team mates will be serious title contenders this season.

“Yes we can win it. I’m 100 per cent confident,” declared the Frenchman.

“It will be down to us now. We have a good team and some new players. We have an amazing team and play good football. We just need to be more consistent and to be a bit more focused on the pitch.”

The full-back went on to say that while he expected Manchester City (5/1 Outright Winners) to join the likes of Chelsea (13/8), Manchester United (12/5) and Liverpool (12/1) in challenging for the title, he feels that they cannot count on their spending power equalling success.

“They have bought a lot of good players and they will be hard to beat but we are still Arsenal, we play good football and just want to continue to play as we are now,” he added.

“Real Madrid [also spent money on] lots of good players but they couldn?t win anything last year so it’s down to the game we play on the pitch.”

Arsenal will be hopeful their youthful looking squad can finally do the business this season, especially after Cesc Fabregas’ decision to stay on for at least another season.

However, the Gunners could be without their captain, along with striker Robin van Persie, for the first game of the season as they head to Anfield looking to record a fourth straight victory over Liverpool (5/4 to beat the Gunners) in all competitions.

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