Manchester City

City’s draw at Stoke City last weekend has been painted as two points dropped by most of the media, but not many teams have won at the Britannia Stadium – and Manchester United didn’t either when they went there earlier this season.

It could be seen as a point gained and one recovered from a losing position after Peter Crouch closed all entries for the goal of the season competition with a stupendous strike.

City keeper Joe Hart must be getting sick of playing another cameo role in this year’s goal of the season, but he appears to be one of the City players who remain in good form as we head into the last eight weeks of the season.

Vincent Kompany’s return from injury is a key moment in the title race and he can marshal the City back four to a clean sheet against the Black Cats – who will be on a big downer after exiting the FA Cup at home to Everton in midweek.

Sergio Aguero’s injury is a blow, but more so if he misses out against Arsenal next week because City have the firepower to bag a couple against Sunderland (11/2 2-0 Man City in Correct Score) with Carlos Tevez (11/10) a potential anytime goalscorer.

In the other Saturday Premier League matches, Everton (4/5) are a team to keep on your side at the moment and should be too strong for streaky West Brom (7/2, Draw 13/5) at Goodison Park.

Roy Hodgson’s side have picked up one point from their last three matches, and should have been beaten by Wigan in the match where they got a draw.

They appear to fare better against the physical teams, particularly away from home – having won at Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves since December – but are liable to lose to the craftier sides.

Everton have demonstrated they fall into this bracket and should pick up three points – and another clean sheet.

The Toffees have tightened up defensively, conceding only two goals in their last six home matches and now boasting the fourth best goals against record in the Premier League.

However, with Leighton Baines (16/1 First Goalscorer) standing proudly as their top goalscorer, they are still far from prolific.

Nikica Jelavic (5/4 Anytime) is showing signs of taking on the scoring mantle and may be worth a bet to be the Last Goalscorer – rather than the first – in case he does not start (9/2).

Chelsea (5/6) got back to winning ways against Benfica in midweek and normally they would have too much for Aston Villa (7/2, Draw 13/5).

But Saturday’s match could easily lack the intensity of a Champions League clash for them and, with changes due, it may be that a draw is the most likely result.

Villa would probably settle for a draw and, judging by the Blues’ inability to find the net at home to Spurs last week, 0-0 (15/2 in Correct Score) might be the order of the day again.

Queens Park Rangers (7/2) could make it tough for Arsenal (5/6), but the Gunners’ form continues to impress and they should overcome the Hoops with a glut of goals in the second half (Evens – 2nd Half in Half Most Goals).

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Joe Hart

The 23-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season while on-loan at Birmingham City to earn a place in the preliminary 30-man squad.

The Manchester City ace is certain to be on the plane to South Africa as only two others, David James and Robert Green, have been included in the initial squad, with six players to miss out when Fabio Capello trims the squad for the June 1 deadline.

Hart is certain to feature in tonight’s friendly against Mexico and he admits he cannot wait to take the field to try and do enough to earn him the starting position when the serious business gets underway on June 12.

“It would mean everything to play at Wembley,” Hart told www.thefa.com.

“I don’t really think about it, plan for it or set any goals, because it is an absolute bonus just to be involved in the squads.

“But I will be doing everything in my power to catch the manager’s eye and hopefully get a few more caps to my name.”

Hart has certainly been catching the eye this season and has been lauded by some pundits as England’s best keeper at the moment, although whether Capello would go with someone as inexperienced – one cap against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008 – remains to be seen.

James had been England’s number one but injury problems led him slipping down the pecking order, with Rob Green taking over as first-choice under Capello, although his club West Ham only just survived in the Premier League after a long relegation battle.

Despite the position seemingly being up for grabs, Hart insists that there is great camaraderie and unity between the three of them and he is learning all the time from being around them.

“The spirit between the keepers is definitely there,” he said.

“We train and work together far more closely than anyone else in the squad.

“We are all different keepers and obviously Jamo and Greeny have got vast experience over me which I am looking to learn off.

“They are two big personalities and great people to be around.”

England are currently the third favourites at 11/2 in the tournament ouright betting, behind favourites Spain at 7/2 and Brazil at 4/1, and Hart has revealed that Capello certainly has the players prepared for what is to come.

“Fabio is a very intense character and that really brushes off on the lads,” said Hart.

“When we are at the stadiums or the training ground it is work time.

“Everything revolves around winning and building a good strong side.”

England are 1/3 favourites to win Group A and open their campaign against USA on June 12, before taking on Algeria six days later and Slovenia on the 23rd.

ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

The Eagles take on Sheffield Wednesday this weekend in a survival shoot-out, with Hart convinced his side can get at least the point they need from the game to ensure their Championship status for another year and therefore relegate the Owls instead.

An early own goal by Steven Reid gave Palace the perfect start against already-promoted Albion at Selhurst Park but Gabriel Tamas’ equaliser made for a nervy night in south London on Monday.

Hart, however, is upbeat ahead of the huge clash this weekend and has called on his players to put in a similar performance against Wednesday to make sure of their place in the Championship.

“We just need another performance of that calibre,” he said afterwards.

“We don’t have to win – our away form is excellent so it’s a game to look forward to.”

The draw means they are just two points better off than the 22nd-placed Owls before the crunch clash at Hillsborough.

ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.