Tottenham Hotspurs

• Wolves’ 1-0 win at Spurs in December was the first time they have beaten them since 1981.

• Wolves have not won in their last six league games.
• Midfielder Dave Edwards is out until the end of the month with a hamstring injury.
• Striker Stefan Maierhofer remains sidelined after exploratory surgery.
• Winger Michael Kightly is out for another fortnight with an ankle problem.
• Striker Andy Keogh is sidelined until next month with ankle ligament damage. .
• Wolves have scored only nine goals in 12 league home games this season – the worst in the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and defender Younes Kaboul are hoping to make their debuts.
• Tottenham have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 12 games.
• Spurs have won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams.

• Roman Pavyuluchenko is still struggling with a groin strain.
• Ledley King is unlikely to figure after playing on Saturday.
• Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are still out with groin injuries.
• Defender Jonathan Woodgate remains sidelined by a long-term groin problem.
• Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is set to miss the rest of the campaign after a serious motorbike accident.
• - Striker Jermain Defoe has missed six of his last ten penalties.

Expert Advice

Wolves continue to struggle to score on a regular basis and it’s a situation that must improve if they are to haul themselves out of trouble over the next three months. Mick McCarthy’s side are low on confidence as they prepare to host Tottenham but they will be boosted by the knowledge that they have already beaten the visitors once this season. Spurs have no such problems with morale and know that victory could lift them back into fourth place in the race for the Champions League places. The additions of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Younes Kaboul will add strength to their attack and defence and it would be a major surprise if Wolves were to gain the better of them again. With this is mind, Betsson’s odds of 3.15 for an away win by two or more goals looks a value bet.

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West Ham United

• Striker Ilan is hoping to start after scoring on his debut at the weekend.
• Kieron Dyer is back in contention after hamstring trouble.
• The Hammers have lost only two of their last 13 games to Birmingham.

• Daniel Gabbidon is still struggling with a hamstring problem.
• Zavon Hines is still doubtful with a knee injury.
• West Ham are without a win in six games.

Birmingham City

• Kevin Phillips is in contention to start after scoring twice as a substitute against Wolves on Sunday.
• Birmingham have lost just one of their last 18 games.
• The Blues’ win against West Ham in December was the first time they have beaten them in six attempts.
• Lee Bowyer scored the only goal when the two teams met earlier in the season.

• Striker Christian Benitez is doubtful with an ankle injury.
• Defender Stuart Parnaby is still sidelined by a back problem.
• Midfielder Lee Carsley will be out for another fortnight with ankle ligament damage.
• Striker Garry O’Connor is out for at least another month after complications arising from groin surgery.

Expert Advice

With the word ‘Armageddon’ ringing in his ears, Gianfranco Zola has been left in no doubt by the club’s new owners about what relegation would mean for West Ham this season. While there is no need for a major panic just yet, the Hammers boss will know his side needs to start winning sooner rather than later and he will be hoping his recent investment in three strikers produces the necessary return against Birmingham. As the Blues have proved time and again this season, though, they are no pushovers and their well-organised defence are unlikely to offer too many gifts for the home team. The visitors have found it much harder to score prolifically than keep clean sheets so expect a low-scoring affair, with Betsson’s price of 2.8 for there to under 1.5 goals appearing a value bet.

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Everton

• Everton are the only team to take points off Chelsea at home this season when they drew 3-3 at Stamford Bridge.
• The Toffees’ defeat to Liverpool at the weekend was their first loss in ten Premier League matches.
• Nigerian duo Joseph Yobo and Yakubu are back in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

• Midfielder Steven Pienaar is unavailable as he serves a one-match ban.
• Marouane Fellaini is an injury doubt after hobbling off at Liverpool.
• Everton haven’t beaten Chelsea at Goodison Park since February 1994.
• Phil Jagielka remains sidelined by long-term knee problems.

Chelsea

• Captain John Terry is expected to shrug off a thigh injury to continue in defence.
• Leading scorer Didier Drogba has scored 16 goals in his last 17 games.
• Drogba scored twice when the two teams met in December.
• Chelsea haven’t lost to Everton in their last 24 encounters.
• The Blues are unbeaten in their last 13 matches and have won seven of their last eight.

• Brazilian Juliano Belletti is still struggling with a calf problem.
• Midfielder Michael Essien will be out for another week after knee surgery.
• Full back Jose Bosingwa is out until the end of the month with a knee injury.
• Chelsea have lost three games on the road this season.

Expert Advice

Chelsea found out exactly what Everton are all about at Stamford Bridge before Christmas as the Toffees came back from going behind three times to earn a point and another close encounter looks in prospect here. David Moyes’s team had their nine-match unbeaten run in the league ended by Liverpool at the weekend but they remain in good form and have more than enough weapons going forward to concern the Blues who had a hard-fought win over Arsenal on Sunday. Didier Drogba’s return to lead their attack has been a big plus for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this month but it will be fascinating to see how manager Carlo Ancelotti handles Everton after their last encounter. Chelsea have a fantastic record at Goodison Park but evidence suggests that this will be closer than previous encounters and Betsson’s odds of 1.95 for there to be over 2.5 goals looks a sound bet.

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Blackburn Rovers

• Blackburn have taken seven points out of nine from their last three home games.
• Defender Lars Jacobsen is hoping to return after a thigh problem.
• Rovers shared a goalless draw with Hull when the teams met in December.

• Centre back Christophe Samba is unavailable as he starts a two-match ban.
• Vince Grella is still doubtful with a thigh injury.
• Midfielder David Dunn remains sidelined by a calf problem.
• Turkish star Yildiray Basturk is still not fully fit.

Hull City

• Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is hoping to return to the starting line-up.
• Hull’s victory against Manchester City last Saturday was their first league win in 11 games.
• The Tigers are unbeaten in their last three matches.
• Three of the last five fixtures between the teams have ended in draws.

• Hull have not won away from home in 26 league games, including 12 this season.
• Brazilian Geovanni is an injury doubt.
• Midfielder Jimmy Bullard is still sidelined by a knee injury.
• Ian Ashbee is sidelined by a long-term knee problem.

Expert Advice

Hull are proof of what can be achieved if a side can string a few results together and, having looked deep in trouble only a fortnight ago, Phil Brown’s side can move to within a point of Blackburn with victory at Ewood Park. A well-deserved draw against leaders Chelsea was followed at the weekend by a comfortable win over Manchester City and the Tigers will be in confident mood as they set about finally ending their wretched run on the road. They are unlikely to get too many better chances against a Blackburn side who are without some key players and still appear to be recovering from the Carling Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa last month. Sam Allardyce’s team are a difficult side to overcome, though, on home soil so a draw at Betsson’s odds of 3.4 appears a value bet.

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Aston Villa

• Villa are bidding for a fifth successive clean sheet.
• Martin O’Neill’s side has the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 18 goals in 24 games this season.
• Full back Wilfred Bouma is back in full training following a long-term toe problem.
• Villa beat Man United 1-0 at Old Trafford in December thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor’s goal.

• Defender Stephen Warnock is out for at least another two weeks with a shin problem.
• Striker Emile Heskey is doubtful with a groin strain.
• Villa have won only one of their last seven league games.
• Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is out for up to three months with an ankle stress fracture.
• Marlon Harewood will be sidelined until April with a broken metatarsal.

Manchester United

• Defender Nemanja Vidic could finally return after a month out through injury.
• England star Wayne Rooney has scored 14 goals in his last 12 league games.
• Rooney equalled his best ever tally for a season of 23 goals against Portsmouth at the weekend.
• Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has won their last five Premier League fixtures and seven out of the last eight.
• United’s defeat against Villa in December was their first in 27 games against them.

• Centre back Rio Ferdinand is unavailable as he serves the third game of a four-match ban.
• Defender John O’Shea is expected to be out until at least March with a thigh problem.

Expert Advice

After tasting defeat at home in December, United will know they will have their work cut out if they are register another victory and keep up the pressure on leaders Chelsea. Five successive wins has underlined how serious Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is about claiming a record fourth title in a row and they have a fantastic recent record against Aston Villa. But Martin O’Neill’s decision to strengthen his defence at the start of the season has paid instant dividends and Villa are likely to keep things very tight and allow the champions little room to manoeuvre. A fascinating clash appears in prospect but, with the game difficult to predict, Betsson’s price of 1.78 for there to be under 2.5 goals looks a sound bet.

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Arsenal

• Arsenal are unbeaten against Liverpool in their last four games.
• Striker Andre Arshavin has scored five goals in his last two appearances against the Reds.
• Captain Cesc Fabregas has scored five goals in his last seven matches.
• The Gunners beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in December.

• Strikers Eduardo and Carlos Vela are still doubtful because of injury.
• Arsenal have won only one of their last nine games against the Premier League’s Big Four’ teams.
• The Gunners are bidding to avoid a third successive defeat.
• Kieran Gibbs will miss the rest of the season with a foot problem.
• Dutch star Robin van Persie could miss the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury.
• Defender Johan Djourou has been ruled out for the campaign with a knee problem.

Liverpool

• Defender Fabio Aurelio is hoping to return to the starting line-up after a calf strain.
• Rafa Benitez’s side are unbeaten in their last seven league games.
• Liverpool are bidding for a fifth successive clean sheet.
• The Reds have drawn their last three Premier League matches at Arsenal 1-1.

• Defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos is unavailable as he starts a three-match ban.
• Leading scorer Fernando Torres is out for at least another fortnight following knee surgery.
• Midfielder Yossi Benayoun will be sidelined for around another two weeks with a fractured rib.
• Full back Glen Johnson is out until next month after a knee operation.
• The Reds have not won in the league at Arsenal for ten years.

Expert Advice

After a campaign that promised so much, Arsenal’s season is rapidly unfolding before their own eyes and they badly need a victory if they are to continue to harbour hopes of the title. The Gunners did beat Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the campaign and have enjoyed the better of things against the Reds in recent meetings but Rafa Benitez’s side look to be a much-changed team from that meeting. It’s almost as if the penny has finally dropped that qualifying for the Champions League again is the only thing that can redeem a poor season and Liverpool have responded with the sort of battling displays you would expect from a team in adversity. Without Torres and Benayoun, they may not be the most attractive side to watch but they are a difficult outfit to break down who have rediscovered the knack of winning games ugly. Another frustrating evening could be in store for the Gunners and Betsson’s odds of 3.35 for a draw appears a sound bet.

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Wigan Athletic

• Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno could make their full debuts in attack.
• Captain Mario Melchiot is hoping to return from a neck problem.
• Roberto Martinez’s team remain unbeaten in all six matches when Hugo Rodallega has scored.
• Maynor Figueroa scored a candidate for goal of the season when the teams met in December.

• Wigan have won only one of their last nine matches in the Premier League.
• Roberto Martinez’s side has thrown away 14 points when leading this season.
• The Latics have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league games.
• Wigan have taken only two points off Stoke in their last four meetings.

Stoke City

• Stoke are bidding for a third successive clean sheet.
• Tony Pulis’s side is unbeaten in their last five games.
• The Potters have not lost to Wigan in their last four matches.
• Danny Higginbotham’s goal against Blackburn at the weekend was his first league goal since Oct 2008.

• Defender Abdoulaye Faye faces a fitness test on a back injury.
• Stoke have won only three of their last 30 away games.
• The Potters have scored only four goals on the road this season – the worst in the Premier League.
• Pulis’s team has taken only eight points from 11 away fixtures this campaign, winning just once.

Expert Advice

One win in their last nine matches is the record of an out-of-form side who could be in trouble and Latics boss Roberto Martinez will be desperate to improve that statistic in the coming weeks – starting with victory over Stoke. Wigan’s problem of late has not been getting into winning positions but more killing teams off when they are there for the taking and Martinez will be hoping the addition of Moses and Moreno will help on that front. It might be easier said than done against a Stoke side who come into the game with confidence boosted by a 3-0 win over Blackburn at the weekend. The Potters still need to address their obvious problems away from home, though, so Betsson’s price of 3.25 for a draw appears a sound bet.

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Portsmouth

• Loan striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie is in line to make his full debut.
• Aruna Dindane is expected to return alongside him attack.
• Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last five games against Sunderland.
• Pompey beat Sunderland 2-1 in the FA Cup at Fratton Park last month.

• Midfielders Michael Brown and Papa Bouba Diop are struggling to overcome back and hamstring problems.
• Hermann Hreidarsson and Tommy Smith are also injury doubts.
• Nigerian Kanu is still expected to be missing after African Cup of Nations duty.
• Pompey have won only one of their last nine league fixtures.
• Avram Grant’s side is seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Sunderland

• Phil Bardsley is hoping to start after returning to full fitness.
• Leading scorer Darren Bent scored when the two teams drew 1-1 in the league in December.
• The Black Cats are hopeful Jordan Henderson can overcome an ankle injury to feature.

• Defender John Mensah faces a fitness test on a hamstring problem.
• Sunderland have failed to win in their last 11 Premier League fixtures.
• The Black Cats have won only one of their last 22 away matches.
• Anton Ferdinand is still sidelined by ankle trouble.
• Sunderland have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 games.

Expert Advice

Bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth appear to be slipping closer and closer to relegation with every week that passes but the troubled club won’t get too many better chances of boosting their morale than against Sunderland. Steve Bruce’s side has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous this season and arrive at Fratton Park in desperate need of a win themselves if they are to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle that just didn’t seem possible three months ago. The Black Cats appear to have developed some sort of mental block on the road and face a Pompey side who have already beaten them once at home this season. A second win may seem fanciful but Avram Grant’s team have enjoyed a good recent run against Sunderland and that could continue here, with a home by one goal at Betsson’s odds of 4.05 looking a value bet.

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Manchester City

• Winger Adam Johnson is hoping to make his full debut after his £7m move from Middlesbrough.
• Patrick Vieira is set to feature at home for the first time.
• Defender Joleon Lescott is back in contention after recovering from knee surgery.
• Striker Carlos Tevez has scored ten goals in his last ten Premier League games – but none in his last three.
• City are still unbeaten at home this season, taking 27 points from a possible 33.

• Vincent Kompany will miss his second game in four days because of a groin injury.
• Micah Richards and Roque Santa Cruz are still injury doubts with calf problems.
• Midfielder Michael Johnson will miss the rest of the season with a long-term knee problem.

Bolton Wanderers

• On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is hoping to make his debut.
• American Stuart Holden could also feature for the first time after overcoming a minor injury.
• Striker Ivan Klasnic is hoping to return after an ankle problem.
• Klasnic scored twice when the two teams shared a 3-3 draw at the Reebok Stadium in December.
• Bolton’s clean sheet against Fulham at the weekend was their second in three games.

• Midfielder Mark Davies is still battling to recover from an ankle injury.
• Owen Coyle’s side last won away from home in September.

Expert Advice

Manchester City may well be unbeaten at home but their challenge for a top-four place is in danger of petering out if they are not careful following some indifferent performances over the last month. An agonising defeat to city rivals Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-finals looks to have taken away much of their momentum and, critically, Carlos Tevez has stopped scoring in front of goal. The return of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor will help but they might to get things all their own way against Bolton. Owen Coyle’s men are still deep in relegation trouble but have tightened things up considerably at the back while they showed in December that they have the weapons going forward to bother City. A close game looks in prospect but home advantage may prove decisive and Betsson’s odds of 3.7 for a City win by one goal appears a value bet.

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Fulham

• Fulham have lost only one of their last nine Premier League home games.
• Roy Hodgson‘s side is bidding for a third successive clean sheet.
• Bobby Zamora scored when the two sides drew 1-1 at Burnley in December.

• Left back Paul Konchesky is still struggling with an ankle injury.
• Zoltan Gera is battling to overcome a knee injury.
• Fulham have won only one of their last seven league games.
• Striker Andy Johnson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee problem.
• Defender John Pantsil is still out with a long-term knee injury.
• Midfielder Clint Dempsey faces missing the rest of the campaign with knee ligament damage.
• Fulham haven’t beaten Burnley since September 2000 (five games).

Burnley

• Chris McCann and Graham Alexander are hopeful of returning from niggling injuries.
• Jack Cork is hoping to make his debut after joining on loan from Chelsea last week.
• Burnley‘s 2-1 win against West Ham on Saturday was their first victory in 13 league games.
• The victory was Brian Laws’s first as Burnley boss and his first in 14 matches in charge of any side.
• Midfielder Wade Elliott scored when the two teams met before Christmas.
• Burnley are unbeaten against Fulham in their last five matches.

• Stephen Jordan is still an injury doubt.
• The Clarets are to win away from home this season, taking only one point from 12 matches.
• Steven Caldwell is struggling with a groin problem that has sidelined him for the last six weeks.
• Laws’s team has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 games.

Expert Advice

Burnley’s win at the weekend was much needed and there will be renewed optimism in the squad as they head south looking for their first three points away from Turf Moor. The Clarets’ form on the road could hold the key to whether they survive for a second season in the Premier League but they will need to plug their leaky defence if they’re to get anything out of their visit to Craven Cottage. Only Aston Villa have beaten Fulham on their home patch in the last three months and, while Roy Hodgson’s side is not exactly scoring for fun, they have continued to take points by tightening up at the back. This is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair, so Betsson’s odds of 1.67 for there to be less than 2.5 goals appears a sound bet.

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