Relegation issues take centre stage in most of Saturday’s six Premier League games, with both West Ham and Wigan Athletic hoping to climb out of the bottom three.
The Hammers face Blackburn Rovers in a must-win clash at Upton Park, with the visitors still in danger themselves as they are only three points above the drop zone.
Avram Grant’s hosts are 5/6 to gain three points that are an absolute necessity if they are to have any realistic chance of escaping the drop, with Blackburn 3/1 to secure a victory that would ease their own relegation fears greatly.
The outcome could well hinge on whether key duo Scott Parker and Matthew Upson pass fitness tests to feature for the home side, with the former having been an inspiration for his side all season.
Wigan’s task looks a little harder on paper as they travel to improving Aston Villa, who have all but banished their own relegation fears in recent weeks.
Again injury problems could have a major bearing on the result at Villa Park, with winger Charles N’Zogbia (dead leg) still doubtful for the Latics, with his skill and trickery a crucial factor if Wigan are to head home with anything to show for their efforts.
However, they head to the West Midlands buoyed by the knowledge that they have not lost in five Premier League visits to Villa Park.
The Latics have conceded just one goal in those five games, so don’t write them off just yet and they are 16/5 to keep a clean sheet when it really matters.
Blackpool will take to the field against Spurs already aware of the results that West Ham and Wigan have gained earlier in the day and that could heap even more pressure on Ian Holloway’s misfiring side.
A run of four consecutive home games should have provided a platform for the Seasiders to move towards safety, but having taken just two points from those games, they now need to shine in much more difficult fixtures.
The trip to White Hart Lane doesn’t look very appealing for Pool, with the hosts still holding out hopes of a top-four finish and a return to the Champions league and the visitors are 8/1 to gain a shock victory and 4/1 to even manage to secure a point.
Birmingham City are not entirely safe and a trip to Newcastle United is nothing like the guaranteed three points which Alex McLeish’s side require to ensure top-flight survival.
Earlier this season the Magpies won 2-0 at St Andrew’s and Alan Pardew’s men have reached mid-table security since then, despite the January sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool.
They seem unlikely to give up three points without a fight and with the Blues having only scored 35 goals in 35 games this season, a draw, available at 9/4, looks like being the final result.
Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland meet at the Reebok Stadium in a match which has very little riding on it and given the Black Cats’ striker injury crisis, the home side should be confident of earning a win (Bolton 4/5, draw 5/2, Sunderland 16/5).
At Goodison Park Everton play host to Manchester City, who are now all but certain of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.
However, the Toffees have been in fine form in recent weeks and have won six of their last seven meetings with the Citizens and are good value at 7/1 to win 1-0 this weekend.
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