Previews

Chelsea bid to stretch lead

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 27/02/2010
Football betting

Premier League action is upon us once again and, with Manchester United playing in the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa on Sunday, Chelsea can extend their lead at the top of the table.

They feature in the big clash of the weekend when Manchester City make the trip south to Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea at the top of the table and Roberto Mancini's Citizens sitting in fifth place, it is a shame the focus will not be on the football on Saturday afternoon.

It will be the first time John Terry and Wayne Bridge go face-to-face following the recent unsavoury media circus surrounding the pair.

The match is also a contest between English football's biggest spenders.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be flexing their financial muscles in the capital and only a win for their respective teams will satisfy their needs.

City's top-four dream is still alive but their challenge will be put to the test as Carlo Ancelotti's men look for another victory to aid their own title aspirations.

Chelsea, who remain the online sportsbook favourites to win the Premier League this term, have won 12 of their 13 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge so far this term, with a 3-3 draw against Everton spoiling their perfect record.

Birmingham City will be keen to return to winning ways after recent wobbles when they entertain relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic at St Andrew's on Saturday.

The Blues have lost three of their previous five matches after going on an impressive 12-match unbeaten run.

A return of just four points from five matches appears to have ended their outside chance of Europa League qualification at the end of the season with a top-half placing more likely.

Will Chelsea canter to victory against Manchester City on Saturday and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table? - Latest Football Betting

The Blues remain hard to beat at St Andrew's though where they are unbeaten in nine matches, a sequence stretching back to a 2-1 defeat against Bolton Wanderers in September.

Wigan Athletic's plight continues to worsen and they are just two points outside the relegation places.

Struggling Wanderers pair Bolton and Wolverhampton meet at the Reebok Stadium in what is a genuine relegation six-pointer.

Owen Coyle's side occupy a place in the drop-zone but are just one point behind Mick McCarthy's outfit.

In their previous five games Bolton have failed to score a single goal and have accrued just two points in this time.

Chelsea beat Wolves last weekend 2-0 with Didier Drogba's brace proving the difference.

Burnley face beleaguered Portsmouth at Turf Moor and a win is a must if they are to improve their chances of avoiding making an immediate return to the Championship.

With two defeats on home soil this term, Brian Laws' team will be striving to grab a further success over hapless Pompey, who are certain to be relegated this season after moving into administration on Friday, so incurring a nine-point penalty.

Pompey beat Burnley 2-0 in December at Fratton Park - one of just four wins in the league - although a further victory seems highly unlikely with the club in dire straits.

Arsenal travel to Stoke City and will want a win to further consolidate their position in the top-four. Arsene Wenger's men will also be gunning to settle the scores after the Potteries side knocked them out of the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage at the Britannia Stadium last month.

However, Tony Pulis' boys are made of stern stuff these days. They have not lost any of their last seven Premier League games and will be hoping their industriousness can once again overcome the flair and panache the youthful Gunners side possess.

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