Wolves v West Brom
The 146th Black Country derby takes place at Molineux, with Roy Hodgson’s West Brom looking to hold onto the bragging rights after winning the clash at The Hawthorns in October.

The Baggies fans will travel the short distance glad they are away from home as, despite the fact they have won only three games in 12, some 18 of their 26 points earned this season have been on the road.

For Mick McCarthy this game will all be about restoring confidence. Their come-from-behind win at QPR last week ended a run of nine games without a win and they need to follow that up with another three points to drag themselves away from trouble. (Wolves 6/4, draw 9/4, West Brom 2/1)

Kevin Doyle (11/2 First Goalscorer) returned with an assist and the winning goal at QPR last weekend and McCarthy must decide whether the Irishman gets in ahead of Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

The addition of Sebastien Bassong is hoped to shore up a defence that has conceded in each of their last 21 matches, but Karl Henry, Michael Kightly, Kevin Foley, Jamie O’Hara and Dave Edwards are all set to miss out.

West Brom have a dangerous Irish striker of their own in the shape of Shane Long (13/2 First Goalscorer) and he is set to be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness after troubles with chest and back pain. Hodgson could also give Keith Andrews and Liam Ridgewell their debuts.

Both these sides need points, but McCarthy should have Wolves highly motivated and that could be key in bringing the Black Country bragging rights back to Molineux.

But more importantly, it would add points and confidence to the Wolves cause and those two things have been of short supply in recent months.

Aston Villa v Man City
City saw their arch-rivals Manchester United leapfrog them to the summit of the Premier League thanks to their Saturday lunchtime win over Liverpool.

The predicted procession to glory by City has halted and now they are looking susceptible and it is only two wins from their last nine games away from home.

It is also a struggling time for Alex McLeish and there seems to be a section of the Villa support that never did, and never will, accept the Scot at the club.

The fact Villa have not won in their last six home games does not help McLeish enamour himself to the fans, but they boast a dangerous attack that could trouble the City back four. (Villa 4/1, draw 11/4, City 8/11)

James Collins, Marc Albrighton and Gabby Agbonlahor are expected to miss the game but Villa’s spine of Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Stiliyan Petrov are present and Darren Bent (13/2 First Goalscorer) and Robbie Keane will pose a real threat.

City should be boosted by the return of Vincent Kompany – after he missed last weekend’s game with a knee issue, but Yaya and Kolo Toure and Mario Balotelli remain absent.

Roberto Mancini’s side have looked more susceptible in recent weeks, but there is no doubting their strength and it should be that overall quality that means they have too much for McLeish’s workmanlike Villa. (6/1 City 2-0 victory)

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Celtic have won their last eight consecutive SPL games and head into the fixture in fine form. In contrast, Rangers have won just three of their last six league games but boss Ally McCoist doesn’t think recent form will have any bearing on Wednesday’s crucial showdown.

“The truth of the matter is I would rather be a point ahead than a point behind,” said McCoist. “Of that there is no doubt.

“Celtic are on a good run of form at the moment in terms of victories, but it counts for absolutely nothing.”

Despite McCoist’s confidence Celtic look good value at evens to seal the win, Rangers are 14/5 and the draw can be backed at 23/10.

The Gers will be without defender Dorin Goian through suspension. The Romanian picked up two bookings in the loss at St Mirren last time out and will miss out. However, midfielder Lee McCulloch will be available despite his dismissal in the defeat at St Mirren Park.  Rangers have decided to appeal the decision and, as the hearing will not take place until January 5, McCulloch is free to feature in the Old Firm on Wednesday.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has been handed a double boost with the news that left-back Emilio Izaguirre has now fully recovered from a broken ankle and fellow defender Kelvin Wilson is now fit following an Achilles problem.

 Although the Old Firm will undoubtedly take centre stage there are plenty of other SPL ties on Wednesday night to consider.

Hibs are in the midst of an abysmal run and only goal difference separates the Easter Road outfit from rock-bottom Dunfermline. Hibs host Inverness on Wednesday but may struggle despite their home advantage against Caley Thistle, who saw off Aberdeen last time out. Neither side is in great form at the moment and this particular fixture could well end in a draw, which pays out at 9/4.

Hearts travel to Aberdeen in search of just their second SPL win on the road this season. The Edinburgh side have won their last two fixtures and will be seeking another maximum haul to keep the pressure on third and fourth placed Motherwell and St Johnstone.  A Hearts win is priced at 13/8, while the draw can be backed at 9/4.

Motherwell are riding high in the table but their home form has been erratic, with results on the road attributing to their lofty SPL standing at present.  However, Dunfermline, who have lost five of their last six, shouldn’t trouble the Fir Park Stadium side and a Motherwell win at 1/2 looks to be the best bet in this SPL fixture.

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