Premier League preview – Week 25

Manchester United v Liverpool

Key Battle: Liverpool have been in good form recently and key to that has been Craig Bellamy, whose battle with Rafael could be intriguing

Player to Watch: Luis Suarez takes on United for the first time since he was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra

Talking Point: United are keeping themselves on the heels of Man City at the top of the table but this will be a tight match

Prediction: 0-0

Blackburn v QPR

Key Battle: Junior Hoilett will be the creative spark for Blackburn and he goes up against Taye Taiwo and who wins this battle may be key

Player to Watch: Yakubu has fired in goal after goal this season and he will be the main danger for Blackburn

Talking Point: Two teams battling relegation – who will come out on top as Mark Hughes returns to his former team?

Prediction: 2-0

Bolton v Wigan

Key Battle: Another relegation tussle, and Wigan’s Mo Diame will be hoping to win the midfield against Fabrice Muamba

Player to Watch: Hugo Rodallega has long been a useful target man with the skill and power to cause trouble to opposing defences

Talking Point: Improving Bolton are hoping to claw their way to safety but Wigan are looking for the points too

Prediction: 0-1

Everton v Chelsea

Key Battle: Steven Pienaar has returned to Everton to be their creative hub and whether he or Raul Mereiles can win the battle of the playmakers could determine which way this one goes

Player to Watch: Landon Donovan has been good since moving on loan and has set up a number of goals

Talking Point: Chelsea are in poor form and have struggled for goals apart from in their last game against Man Utd. Everton have a good defence and poor attack though

Prediction: 0-0

Fulham v Stoke

Key Battle: Bryan Ruiz will be a creative hub as usual for Fulham and he goes up against the destroyers of Stoke and Ryan Shawcross

Player to Watch: Pavel Pogrebnyak has just signed for Fulham and his impact could be interesting to see

Talking Point: One of those games – a team who like playing good, attacking passing football against a dour, defensive long ball side. Which will win?

Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Arsenal

Key Battle: Sebastien Sessegnon has been the best player for Sunderland this year, scoring and creating numerous goals, and Alex Song will have to keep a watchful eye on him

Player to Watch: Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has been impressive since coming into the Arsenal team but he will have a new challenge against the defensive minded Sunderland

Talking Point: Sunderland’s FA Cup replay went to extra time in the week – will it take its toll?

Prediction: 1-1

Swansea v Norwich

Key Battle: Leon Britton against Anthony Pilkington will be a clash of the creators at the Liberty Stadium

Player to Watch: Swansea’s defence has been superb but it will have to keep a watchful eye on the threat of Grant Holt

Talking Point: Norwich have been almost as impressive away from home as Swansea have been at home.

Prediction: 2-2

Tottenham v Newcastle

Key Battle: Fabricio Collocini will need to keep the threat of Emmanuel Adebayor at bay at the weekend

Player to Watch: Gareth Bale is always the big threat for Tottenham and he will hope to pierce the Newcastle back line

Talking Point: Harry Redknapp is being linked with England – how will it affect him and his team?

Prediction: 1-1

Wolves v West Brom

Key Battle: The Midlands derby is a battle of two teams who will be disappointed with their seasons so far – Peter Odemwingie will hope to punish Wolves, whose Roger Johnson will try to keep their defence organised

Player to Watch: Wolves improved last week against QPR and Matt Jarvis is their key talent going forward

Talking Point: Can Wolves continue their revival, or will West Brom’s away fortunes continue?

Prediction: 1-2

Aston Villa v Man City

Key Battle: Villa and Richard Dunne will hope to keep out his former team and in particular Sergio Aguero

Player to Watch: Gareth Barry returns to Villa to marshall a City midfield shorn of the talents of Yaya Toure

Talking Point: City have lacked an edge of late without David Silva at his best and with Toure away.

Prediction: 0-0