Derbies held in the north and the midlands will end all square and Manchester United could take a step closer to ripping the Premiership title out of Jose Mourinho's greasy mitts. But more importantly, this could be the weekend Sunderland win at the Stadium of Light to finally give their masochistic season ticket holders something to cheer about writes David Walker.

Saturday 8 April 2006

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City Tottenham are clinging onto fourth place at the moment but could face an attack of nerves against Manchester City in this lunchtime offering. White Hart Lane has generally been a happy hunting ground for the Citizens with them winning once and earning a draw twice in their last four meetings. Spurs won this fixture last season 2-1 but a stalemate could be in the offering this time around. Walker's Word: Get on the draw at 13/5.

Charlton Athletic vs Everton The Addicks are in solid home form at present and the last time they suffered defeat at the Valley was on Boxing Day to Newcastle United. Everton, on the other hand, have not win away from home since beating Portsmouth 1-0 on 14 January. Walker's Word: A slender home win at 13/10.

Portsmouth vs Blackburn Rovers Portsmouth have a great chance of Premiership survival this season. Not only are they on a run of three straight wins, they also have more home games left to play than their relegation rivals. Unfortunately, this won't be one that Harry Redknapp's side will capitalise on. Blackburn Rovers have won three of their last four visits to Fratton Park in both the Premiership and drew the other. The home side's recent run has seen Rovers price increase which makes it all the more attractive. Walker's Word: Blackburn Rovers at 7/4.

Sunderland vs Fulham It's been a long old season for Sunderland and after the way they stormed the Championship last term not even the most pessimistic supporter could have anticipated such a poor season. After 12 home defeats and a miserly nine goals to cheer, this could be the week Sunderland do the impossible and win at the Stadium of Light. The players showed tremendous heart in earning a 2-2 draw at Everton last weekend and who else to go one better against than Fulham, a side almost as bad on the road as Sunderland are in general? Chris Coleman's team have not won away all season and have lost 13 of the 17 matches on the road. The Black Cats won't get a better opportunity this season - and check out those odds! Walker's Word: Finally, a home win at 12/5.

Wigan Athletic vs Birmingham City Wigan have not won a Premiership fixture at the JJB Stadium since they beat Manchester City in an epic 4-3 battle. Since then they have lost to Blackburn, West Brom, Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham but managed a draw with Everton somewhere in between. They have a great opportunity to get back to winning ways against a Birmingham side who have lost seven of their last eight matches on the road and scored just one goal in their last seven league and cup matches. A goalless draw against Chelsea does not suggest a major turnaround is on the cards. Walker's Word: A first home win of the year for Wigan at 10/11.

Sunday 9 April 2006

Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion In the first of two midday kick-offs, West Brom need three points to pull away from the relegation zone but the fact it's against loca

l rivals Aston Villa, who are themselves just one place above the Baggies in the table, adds more spice to the fixture. Villa have lost four of their last five including heavy defeats at Arsenal and Everton, putting manager David O'Leary under intense pressure. West Brom themselves have lost five of their last six so this match has all the characteristics of a draw, a result both sides could do without. Walker's Word: Derby day stalemate at 9/4.

Chelsea vs West Ham United Despite a massive gulf in class in recent seasons, Chelsea have won just five matches in 11 Premiership encounters at Stamford Bridge against the Hammers. While I fully expect a Chelsea side who are unbeaten at home and have won 15 out of 16 this season there is no value whatsoever in the stingy odds offered by the bookmakers. This one should be left to the big hitters only but if you are going to get involved, remember it kicks off at 12pm. Walker's Word: No value in it, but Chelsea at 2/7.

Liverpool vs Bolton Wanderers Liverpool are keeping the pressure on Manchester United for second place and have won four Premiership matches on the spin. They should make it five on Sunday against a Bolton side that they have beaten in six out of seven league meetings at Anfield. Added to this, the Trotters have not won away since hitting four without reply against Everton last December. Walker's Word: History dictates a home win at 1/2.

Middlesbrough vs Newcastle United Newcastle ended a run of three successive league defeats last Saturday by beating Spurs while Middlesbrough have won their last two Premiership matches. Both sides could do with a win to keep their run going but this could end another derby day draw. Newcastle have had the better of previous meetings, winning five out of nine at the Riverside Stadium although three matches have been draws, surprisingly 2-2 on each occasion and that's what I'll be going for. Walker's Word: Try the draw at 9/4 and if you are feeling lucky get on the 2-2 correct score result at 14/1.

Manchester United vs Arsenal United are making a real fist of the title race this season and have cut Chelsea's lead to just seven points. With the Blues facing West Ham who they are expected to beat, this clash at Old Trafford becomes all the more important. Since losing 4-3 at Blackburn on 1 February, United responded magnificently with eight league wins in a row. Arsenal have hit form also, winning their last four in the Premiership. Both sides need a win, United for obvious reasons and Arsenal to close the gap on the top four. With all the matches the Gunners have played recently and with United strikers Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy in scintillating form, the home side could just about edge this one. Walker's Word: It will come down to who wants it the most, but I'll predict a narrow United win at evens.

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