Aston Villa v Arsenal

Saturday November 27 - 7:45pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-2

Key players:  Gabriel Agbonlahor & Samir Nasri

Aston Villa entertain an Arsenal side seeking to lay last week’s ghosts to rest.

Gerard Houllier knows his side are playing much better than the league table suggests. However, unless strikers like Gabriel Agbonlahor can become more potent in front of goal, they’re going to continue to struggle.

Arsenal fans must still be smarting after their derby collapse and they’ll be expecting a big response from their team. The Gunners should have too much class for Villa, and as long as Samir Nasri continues to produce, they should leave Villa Park with all three points.

Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 3-1

Key players:  Johan Elmander  & Charlie Adam

Blackpool head to the Reebok Stadium to take on high flying Bolton Wanderers.

Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side throw caution to the wind every week and inevitably end up playing in thrilling encounters. Charlie Adam is the Tangerines’ playmaker and if they are to pull off another shock, he’ll need to continue his fine form.

The Wanderers are scoring for fun and they’re probably the most entertaining team to watch at present in the Premiership. This game has goals written all over it, and I expect Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander to hit the back of the net in another resounding Bolton win.

Stoke City v Manchester City

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-1

Key players:  Kenwyne Jones & Joe Hart

Stoke City welcome a rejuvenated Manchester City to the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke have won their last three matches and their boisterous home fans will expect another scalp tomorrow. Stoke’s service to the menacing Kenwyne Jones will be their key weapon. Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant will need to expose City’s narrow midfield.

A week is a long time in football. City went from being unable to score a goal in two home matches to smashing four passed a shell-shocked Fulham. They’ll be up against it at Stoke and will require another dominating performance from the likes of keeper Joe Hart if they don’t want to leave empty handed.

Fulham v Birmingham City

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-0

Key players:  Danny Murphy & Ben Foster

Birmingham travel to London to play Fulham.

Blues keeper Ben Foster stole the show against Chelsea last week in a game that Birmingham should have lost. The England stopper will have to be in top form again if they are to dig out another scrappy win. Fulham were torn apart by Man City last Sunday and Mark Hughes will demand an improvement from his players. Captain Danny Murphy will need to monopolise possession and orchestrate Fulham’s neat passing game to bypass a resolute Birmingham. This game should be close but home advantage should tip the tie in Fulham’s favour.

West Ham United v Wigan

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-1

Key players:  Scott Parker & Charles N’Zogbia

Relegation candidates West Ham and Wigan go head-to-head at Upton Park.

Wigan haven’t had things made easy for them in this fixture as they’re missing their captain and star striker Hugo Rodallega through suspension. However, they know the Hammers confidence is flaky and will hope Charles N’Zogbia can inflict even more misery on the hapless West Ham back four.

West Ham know this fixture is winnable but they’ll need a bit of luck if they are to kick start their season. Scott Parker and Mark Noble must boss the midfield from the off and, if the home fans can get behind their side, Avram Grant could get the vital win that he craves.

Everton v West Brom

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 2-1

Key players:  Tim Cahill & Gabriel Tamas

West Brom visit Everton looking to rediscover their early season form.

The Baggies are starting to slide towards the relegation zone and they are leaking too many goals. They’ll need the likes of Romanian centre-half Gabriel Tamas to stand up tall and prove that they have enough fight in them to stay in the division.  

Everton are firm favourites in this match, but David Moyes still needs to find a genuine striker who can consistently find the back of the net. Until then, he’ll rely on Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill to drive them on from midfield and steer them past a brittle West Brom.

Man United v Blackburn

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 3-0

Key players:  Wayne Rooney  & Morten Gamst Perdersen

Manchester United host Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

Blackburn have climbed up to mid-table and they’ll have nothing to lose in a game everyone expects them to get thumped in. If Rovers are to pull off a surprise, then the red hot Morten Gamst Pedersen will have to deliver from set plays.

Manchester United still haven’t hit top form just yet, and this could be the match when things finally click into gear. With Wayne Rooney fit again and ready to prove he deserves a place on the field, United should breeze past Blackburn.

Wolves v Sunderland

Saturday November 27 - 10pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-2

Key players:  Kevin Doyle & Darren Bent

Relegation threatened Wolves entertain a Sunderland side on the up.

Wolves have played well in many matches this season, but their ability to concede cheap goals and spurn countless chances is starting to take its toll. Kevin Doyle finally ended his goal drought last week, and if Mick McCarthy’s troops are to manufacture a win, he’ll need to repeat the feat.

Sunderland’s confidence is sky high and as long as they can keep their discipline, they should edge this fixture. Darren Bent’s return from injury is a welcome boost and he’s certainly the likeliest match winner on the pitch.  

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Sunday November 28 - 8:30pm

Dring’s prediction: 1-2

Key players:  Andy Carroll & Didier Drogba

Champions Chelsea travel to Newcastle desperate to get back on track.

Newcastle were torn apart last week at Bolton and with Fabricio Coloccini and Joey Barton suspended, they’ll be up against it. Their best hope is to nick a goal through star striker Andy Carroll.

Chelsea’s defeat against Birmingham last Saturday was daylight robbery, and if the Londoners can mirror that performance against the Toon Army, then they should remain top of the table. With Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in tandem up top for Chelsea, they should overwhelm Newcastle’s defence.  

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

Sunday November 28 - 11pm

Dring’s prediction: 3-2

Key players:  Gareth Bale & Fernando Torres

This weekend’s stand out fixture sees Tottenham play Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool have turned around their home form but they still seem a little bit wobbly on the road. Fernando Torres has finally regained his sharpness and he’s certainly Roy Hodgson’s jewel in the crown.

Spurs should be favourites for this match but they need to avoid their customary Champions League hangover. Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart sank Arsenal last week and the deadly duo should wreak havoc against Liverpool’s defence. Both sides are desperate to finish in the lucrative fourth spot and with home advantage, Tottenham appear the most likely.