Norwich v Arsenal 12:45

The opening fixture of the weekend promises to be an entertaining affair with Norwich defying pre-season expectations to lie in ninth place, just two places below Arsenal, who have now started to click after a torrid start.

The Gunners go into the match on the back of a four-match winning streak and the threat of goals is apparent with Over 2.5 a 4/6 favourite in the Total Goals market, particularly with Norwich yet to keep a clean sheet.

Robin van Persie is simply irresistible at the moment with eight goals in those four games and is worth a stab at 4/1 in the first goalscorer betting, while he is priced at 11/10 to score at any time.

However, it might not be all one-way traffic though as Norwich have shown their penchant for attacking football but it is hard to see beyond an Arsenal win.

Man City v Newcastle 15:00

The Premier League’s two unbeaten teams go head-to-head at the Etihad as top entertains third but the betting suggests Newcastle’s run will come to an end with City 1/3 favourites to make it six out of six at home.

The match pits the best attack against the best defence but there are many who will argue that this is the Magpies first serious test of the season, despite having already played both Arsenal and Spurs.

There will be those who see value in the 10/1 about an away win and 4/1 on the draw but Newcastle have a poor away record in this fixture, and a reality check is about to dished out.

Wigan v Blackburn 15:00

A massive match looms at the foot of the table as well with the bottom two going head-to-head and although a win for either side would not take them out of the bottom three, it would keep them in touch with the sides above them.

Wigan are unbeaten in the last four against Rovers, including a thrilling 4-3 win ion this fixture last season, and are 6/4 favourites to take the three points.

However, they have lost their last eight games and can hardly be full of confidence going into the match and, despite having just one win to their name, Rovers are more than capable of getting something from this one.

The draw is priced up at 6/4 but a Rovers win is available at 19/10 and there are those who side with Steve Kean, like him or loathe him, and believe that Blackburn have deserved more than what they have got so far this season.

Elsewhere, and Everton and Wolves go head to head at Goodison but it is hard to see the Toffees as 8/13 favourites with just one win at home this season, and Mick McCarthy’s men may be able to take a point home with them at 11/4.

Stoke have not had Europe to worry about this week and can bounce back from the Bolton horror-show and justify 5/6 favouritism against inconsistent QPR , while Fulham can pick up a point at the Stadium of Light at 23/10 with Sunderland firing blanks in five of the last six matches between the two.

West Brom have struggled of late and will struggle to justify Evens favouritism against a Bolton side who have the incentive of climbing out of the relegation zone and above Saturday’s opponents with a win at 14/5 (the draw 5/2), while Manchester United are expected to be the first visiting team to win at the Liberty Stadium at 8/15 – although do not expect many goals in the day’s final game.

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Wigan

The Latics just managed to beat the drop this season and it is going to take more than the arrival of Alcarez to prevent them from being sucked into another relegation battle in the next campaign.

Roberto Martinez’s men played some great stuff at times and looked world beaters when turning over both Chelsea and Arsenal at the DW Stadium but they were far too inconsistent and hovered just above relegation all season.

The 9-1 hammering at Tottenham earlier in the season highlighted all their frailties, while the 8-0 defeat at Chelsea, albeit with 10 men for much of the game, showed Martinez has a stack of work to do.

At least he recognises the problem areas and the Spaniard believes that Alcaraz will add some much-needed quality at the back.

“We are thrilled to have been able to capture a player of calibre of Antolin,” Martinez told the club’s website.

“I think everyone will realise what a quality player he is when we see him at the World Cup for Paraguay.

“He is a highly versatile defender with great awareness and distribution and has great pride in keeping clean sheets.

“He is entering the best period of his career and is looking forward to adding to his international and European experience, as well as playing for his country in the World Cup.”

Martinez needs even more quality if Wigan are to edge their way up towards the top 10 but it is not the only problem he faces this summer.

Trying to keep his best players will also be a difficult job as the vultures are already starting to circulate.

There are already rumours doing the rounds suggesting Charles N’Zogbia is a target for Birmingham, while there will be no shortage of interest in Hugo Rodallega this summer.

Wigan are without doubt a selling club and any big offers that come in will be accepted. That has been proven in the past when the likes of Wilson Palacios, Antonion Valencia and Lee Cattermole have all been allowed to leave as soon as the big money comes out.

Even so there is still plenty to be optimistic about at Wigan. It is not that long since they were playing in the non-league and the fact they are turning themselves into an established Premiership club is a near miracle.

They will flirt with danger again but Martinez will be confident of again beating the drop, especially if he can keep his top men and draft a few more in at the same time.

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