Saturday Premiership Preview

• bryanseb

  22 Dec 06, 20:10

  The battle to be Christmas number one will be fought out at Villa Park and The JJB Stadium, as Manchester United and Chelsea face tricky away trips.
  
  United handed Chelsea a window of opportunity by being beaten at West Ham, but Sir Alex Ferguson can tuck into his turkey on a high provided his charges beat Aston Villa.
  
  Chelsea will be primed to pounce on any scraps, although Wigan are sure to put up a stiff fight.
  
  There are interesting games towards the foot of the table, none more so than at The Riverside as Middlesbrough host Charlton.
  
  Fulham boosted their survival hopes with a fine win over Middlesbrough on Monday and they will be seeking another three points at home to West Ham.
  
  Two sides who enjoyed contrasting fortunes in the Carling Cup meet at St James' Park, as Newcastle host semi-finalists Tottenham, while there is a North West derby at Eastlands as Bolton travel to Manchester City.
  
  Liverpool have found some good form in recent weeks and basement boys Watford will not be relishing a trip to Anfield, while fellow Merseysiders Everton are on the road at Reading.
  
  Arsenal seem to have been in the last chance saloon for a number of weeks, but a home clash with Blackburn hands them the chance to revive their hopes, while sixth-placed Portsmouth host improving Sheffield United.
  
  Fulham v West Ham preview - 12.45pm - live on Sky Sports 2
  The Hammers have won all three away games to Fulham in the Premiership era. Only one of West Ham's 17 points has been accrued away from home this season.
  
  Arsenal v Blackburn preview - 3pm
  Arsenal have won the last three home games against Blackburn without conceding a goal.
  
  Aston Villa v Manchester United preview - 3pm
  United have won nine of the 14 games against Villa at Villa Park - no side has won there more often.
  
  Liverpool v Watford preview - 3pm
  Tommy Mooney gave Watford their only Premiership away victory in 27 attempts (up to Dec 11 2006) when he scored the only goal of the game at Anfield in 1999.
  
  Manchester City v Bolton Wanderers preview - 3pm
  None of the five Premiership matches between Bolton and City in Manchester has ended as a draw - City won the first three while The Trotters have won the last two.
  
  Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic preview - 3pm
  Middlesbrough and Charlton have met seven times in the Premiership on Teesside and five of the games have ended as draws with one win apiece.
  
  Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur preview - 3pm
  None of the last 14 meetings between Spurs and Newcastle in the Premiership have ended as draws.
  
  Portsmouth v Sheffield United preview - 3pm
  Pompey have won only one of the last seven meetings with Sheffield United.
  
  Reading v Everton preview - 3pm
  Reading and Everton have only ever met three times in all competitions and The Toffees have won all of them.
  
  Wigan Athletic v Chelsea preview - 5.15pm - live on PremPlus
  Chelsea have won both Premiership meetings with Wigan by a 1-0 scoreline.
• mcfadden

  23 Dec 06, 13:16

  Originally posted by bryanseb:

  Arsenal v Blackburn preview - 3pm
  Arsenal have won the last three home games against Blackburn without conceding a goal.
  
  Aston Villa v Manchester United preview - 3pm
  United have won nine of the 14 games against Villa at Villa Park - no side has won there more often.
  
  Liverpool v Watford preview - 3pm
  Tommy Mooney gave Watford their only Premiership away victory in 27 attempts (up to Dec 11 2006) when he scored the only goal of the game at Anfield in 1999.
  
  Manchester City v Bolton Wanderers preview - 3pm
  None of the five Premiership matches between Bolton and City in Manchester has ended as a draw - City won the first three while The Trotters have won the last two.
  
  Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic preview - 3pm
  Middlesbrough and Charlton have met seven times in the Premiership on Teesside and five of the games have ended as draws with one win apiece.
  
  Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur preview - 3pm
  None of the last 14 meetings between Spurs and Newcastle in the Premiership have ended as draws.
  
  Portsmouth v Sheffield United preview - 3pm
  Pompey have won only one of the last seven meetings with Sheffield United.
  
  Reading v Everton preview - 3pm
  Reading and Everton have only ever met three times in all competitions and The Toffees have won all of them.
  
  Wigan Athletic v Chelsea preview - 5.15pm - live on PremPlus
  Chelsea have won both Premiership meetings with Wigan by a 1-0 scoreline.

  must see liao.