Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday November 20 - 7:45pm

Dring’s prediction: 3-1

Key players:  Cesc Fabregas & Gareth Bale

This weekend kicks off with a tantalising North London derby at the Emirates.

Tottenham have a horrendous away record against the big four, and they’ll have to go on the attack from the start as they’ve not kept a clean sheet since the opening game of the season. If Spurs are to pull off a shock then Gareth Bale will need to have a stormer.  

Arsenal are clear favourites, and as long as they can keep Tottenham’s attackers quiet, their superior experience and skill should lead them to victory. Captain Cesc Fabregas’ form has picked up and the Spanish playmaker is this game’s key man.

Birmingham City v Chelsea

Saturday November 20 – 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-2

Key players:  Roger Johnson & Didier Drogba

Birmingham have the daunting task of playing a Chelsea side seeking redemption.

Birmingham frustrated Man City last week to earn a goalless draw and they’ll need to do the same tomorrow. The centre half pairing of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann will be severely tested and they’ll need to stay resolute.

Chelsea’s pride needs restoring after they were walloped at home by Sunderland last Sunday. Ancelotti will have them all fired up, but with an injury crisis at the back, they’ll need to be positive. Didier Drogba hasn’t been at his best lately and I expect the Ivorian to step it up and keep Chelsea on course.

Blackpool v Wolves

Saturday November 20 – 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-2

Key players:  Marlon Harewood & Matthew Jarvis

Blackpool welcome Wolves to Bloomfield Road in an preemptive relegation battle.

Blackpool never seem to have a boring match and I don’t expect this to change tomorow. If they’re going to stay up this season, Marlon Harewood is going to have to stop spurning all the chances his teammates keep creating for him.

Wolves are another side who keep on throwing away points and Mick McCarthy knows his team’s good performances need to be backed up by points on the board. Matthew Jarvis is Wolves’ livewire, and his deliveries will need to be accurate to help out his goal shy strikers.

Bolton Wanderers v Newcastle

Saturday November 20 – 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-1

Key players:  Kevin Davies & Kevin Nolan

Newcastle travel to a rapidly rising Bolton with both sides dreaming of Europe.

Newcastle’s away form is better than their home form and they’ll need to produce another performance like they did against Arsenal. With Joey Barton suspended, former Bolton hero Kevin Nolan will look to boss the midfield and time his runs perfectly so he can get the knock downs off the giant Andy Carroll.

Bolton are probably playing the best football since they’ve been in the Premiership at the moment, and they’ll be favourites in this game. Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander are a real menace up front for the Wanderers, and as long as they get the right service they should just edge this fixture.

Manchester United v Wigan

Saturday November 20 – 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-0

Key players:  Dimitar Berbatov & Ali Al Habsi

Wigan make the short trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

Wigan grinded out a vital win last week against West Brom, but they’ll have to have the game of their lives just to pick up a point in this fixture. Latics keeper Ali Al Habsi has been impressive of late and I expect him to be Wigan’s busiest player.

United have still not slipped into top gear yet and despite some stuttering performances, they’re surprisingly unbeaten. Dimitar Berbatov has been struggling to find the back of the net, but I expect him to regain his form as the Red Devils steam-roll Wigan comfortably.

West Brom v Stoke City

Saturday November 20 – 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-1

Key players:  Peter Odemwingie & Matthew Etherington

West Brom host Stoke City with the hope of getting out of a mini slump.

Stoke proved against Liverpool that on their day they can compete with anyone. Attacking wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant look especially dangerous and if they can provide decent service, Stoke will fancy their chances.

Roberto Di Matteo needs to lift the Baggies and restore the momentum that carried them up to fourth spot a few weeks back. Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt are the likeliest candidates to lift the home crowd and spark their team back into life in a tough game too close to call.

Liverpool v West Ham United

Sunday November 21 - 12:30am

Dring’s prediction: 2-0

Key players:  Fernando Torres & Frederic Piquionne

Tomorrow night’s late kick off sees Liverpool take on West Ham.

Hammers boss Avram Grant has had the dreaded vote of confidence from the board and he knows time is not on his side. Nothing is impossible in football and with a bit of luck at the back and a Frederic Piquionne goal on the break, West Ham could upset the odds.

Liverpool’s recovery hit a blip at Stoke last Saturday and Roy Hodgson realises his team must push on if they want to play European football again. With Stephen Gerrard and Joe Cole doubtful, Fernando Torres will have to take centre stage to lead the Reds to three vital points.

Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa

Sunday November 21 - 8:30pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-2

Key players:  Morten Gamst Pedersen & Marc Albrighton

Blackburn take on an injury ravaged Aston Villa at Ewood Park.

Blackburn’s defending against Spurs last week was appalling and they’ll need to improve if they want to beat Villa. Big Sam loves his wide men and Morten Gamst Pedersen could be the key from out on the flanks or from his deliveries in set plays.

Gerard Houllier’s jam packed treatment room has given him the opportunity to blood his youngsters. If they can play like they did against Manchester United on Sunday, they should be able to come away with a point. Marc Albrighton looks like the cream of the crop from Villa’s young guns.

Fulham  v Manchester City

Sunday November 21 – 11pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-1

Key players:  Andy Johnson & Carlos Tevez

Fulham entertain a Manchester City side who are starting to feel the heat.

City are still in fourth spot but with hundreds of millions of dollars spent, they carry heavy expectations. They look defensively sound but will require the likes of David Silva and James Milner to support the isolated Carlos Tevez if they want to end their goal drought.

Fulham are also struggling to find the back of the net and a fit again Andy Johnson could be the man to propel them up the league. This game will be cagey, and with two decent defences on show, a low score draw could be on the cards.

Sunderland v Everton

Tuesday November 23 – 3am

Dring’s prediction: 1-1

Key players:  Asamoah Gyan & Tim Cahill

The late game on Monday night sees in form Sunderland take on Everton.

Everton are always a tricky side to play against and David Moyes won’t want his side slipping back down the table. The Toffees will look to keep things tight and hope Tim Cahill can snatch a goal on the counter attack.

Sunderland must keep their feet on the ground after they decimated Chelsea last Sunday. With Darren Bent still injured, all eyes will be on star players Jordan Henderson and Asamoah Gyan. Sunderland are on a high, but with little to choose between the sides it might be best to sit on the fence in this fixture.