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Villa face crucial derby clash

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 20/03/2010
Football betting

Aston Villa and Tottenham could stake an early claim for fourth place when they take on Wolves and Stoke City on the first day of a potentially pivotal Premier League weekend.

Main Champions League qualifying rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are not in action until Sunday, so Villa and Spurs can certainly steal a march on the two clubs sandwiched between them in fifth and sixth places in the table.

Villa boosted their European hopes following a 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic on Monday, but a local derby against a side fighting for their lives could prove to be a much tougher encounter.

Meanwhile, Wolves have everything to fight for in their battle to avoid making an immediate return to the Championship and did their hopes a power of good last weekend with a crucial 2-1 victory at relegation rivals Burnley.

Spurs, who are the favourites in the online betting markets to finish fourth, travel to Stoke where they are guaranteed a thorough examination in front of a boisterous Britannia Stadium crowd.

Will Spurs finish fourth in the Premier League this season? - Latest Football Betting

Harry Redknapp's men hold a single-point advantage over fifth-placed Liverpool and the north London side also have a telling game in hand. Just one defeat in seven has eased them into contention and three wins on the bounce have instilled further confidence.

Local rivals Arsenal have the chance to move back to the top of the table should they overcome an inconsistent West Ham United team at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have lost just twice in their own backyard this term - to fellow high-flyers Chelsea and Manchester United - and Gianfranco Zola's men may be in for a long shift.

To make matters that little bit more ominous, Arsene Wenger's classy outfit have secured five successive wins in all competitions.

They sit just two points adrift of the Red Devils, who top the table, and are third behind Chelsea, virtue of goal difference as they continue to surprise many with their efforts this term.

Elsewhere, new Hull City boss Iain Dowie must hit the ground running with a win at beleaguered Portsmouth on Saturday if he is to save the Tigers from the drop.

Hull sit just one place above Pompey following a poor run that has brought defeats in their previous four league fixtures and just one win in their last 15.

Dowie replaced Phil Brown in the KC Stadium hot-seat on Wednesday and cannot afford to leave Fratton Park with anything other than three points.

In the day's other games, Burnley travel to Wigan in a meeting of two struggling sides, Everton entertain Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park and Steve Bruce comes up against former club Birmingham City at the helm of a rejuvenated Sunderland.

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