Saturday, October 27, 2007
Birmingham v Wigan
Birmingham against Wigan is a lower mid-table clash between two adjacent clubs with identical league records of played 10, won two, drawn two and lost six. Both have scored eight goals but Wigan are inferior by virtue of conceding one more (14 to 13).
The Midlanders are eager to avoid a fourth successive league loss; the Latics have lost their last four - the longest current losing streak in the Premier League, which has coincided with Emile Heskey's injury lay off.
These clubs are meeting for only the third time in the Premier League. Birmingham are unbeaten
Chelsea v Man City
Chelsea, successful in the Champions League midweek, are looking to stretch their incredible club record unbeaten home league run to a 68th game. Avram Grant is hoping his side can close the gap on Manchester City to one point.
But Manchester City, under Sven-Goran Eriksson, have enjoyed their best start to a league season in 37 years and go to Stamford Bridge in search of a fourth successive Premier League victory which would put City equal on points with leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea are vying for a 50th league victory over Manchester City, and a fifth in a row; City have not managed a single goal in five league games against the Londoners, and just one goal in 10 clashes with them.
Man Utd v Middlesbrough
Manchester United and Middlesbrough clash for the 99th time in the league. The Red Devils are out to follow up their impressive 4-2 Champions League win away to Dynamo Kiev, with an eighth straight league victory to jump over Arsenal and return to the top of the table. The Teessiders know that a fourth straight league defeat would leave them fourth bottom, just one point above the relegation zone.
United boast the Premier League's tightest defence with three goals shipped in 10 outings and an unparalleled seven clean sheets; 'Boro have conceded the opening goal in an unequalled eight of their 10 games in this division this term. Boro have only lost once in six Premier League visits to Old Trafford since March 2002, winning two and drawing three.
Portsmouth v West Ham
Portsmouth are looking to complete five wins on the spin for the first ever time in the Premier League; West Ham are eager to avoid a third successive league reverse on the road. Harry Redknapp boasts an unbeaten record against West Ham of three wins and one draw - all as Pompey boss - since leaving the managerial position at Upton Park in May 2001.
West Ham are the only Premier League club without an overseas player on their goalscorers list.
Reading v Newcastle
This is a clash between clubs with contrasting fortunes. Reading have lost five of their last seven Premier League matches; Newcastle are looking for a fifth win in seven.
The Royals find themselves in the top 12, despite the joint leakiest defence in the Premier League; the Magpies are aiming for a top four berth, despite failing to keep a clean sheet in 17 away league games.
Sunderland v Fulham
Two off-form clubs languishing in lower mid-table, one point above the bottom three, meet on Wearside, both desperate to end unwanted sequences. Sunderland have lost the last three, and are on the longest current string in the Premier League of nine matches without a clean sheet.
Fulham are the draw specialists of the Premier League, on the longest current winless run of eight matches in the top division, and without a victory in 21 league games on the road.
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