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VS (The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough)
North East rivals Newcastle are in a similar position ahead of their meeting with improving West Ham, who should not be fooled into thinking they are safe despite having jumped into the top half of the table.
History suggests that goals can be expected at St James' Park, with four scored in each of the last four meetings between the two, and a total of 24 recorded in their last six showdowns. 
Magpies striker Michael Owen has a particular fondness for fixtures against the Hammers, having found the net 11 times in 13 games against the Upton Park club, although he has not scored in his last four Newcastle outings.
VS (Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool)
Hull City managed to keep the England international quiet in their FA Cup third round meeting last Saturday, with the Tigers' next test taking them to Goodison Park to tackle Everton.
David Moyes' men have been in superb form defensively in recent weeks and have not conceded a goal in five games since Ashley Young breached their rearguard to snatch a last-gasp winner for Villa over a month ago.
Phil Brown's visitors have seen some of their early season euphoria dissipate after a trio of Premier League defeats, although even the most excitable of Tigers fans could not have expected them to maintain their lofty early status.
VS (Craven Cottage Stadium, London)
Blackburn Rovers remain unbeaten in four matches under new boss Sam Allardyce ahead of their tough trip to Craven Cottage to tackle Fulham.
Only Manchester United and Liverpool have claimed more points on their own turf than Roy Hodgson's improving side, who have conceded just eight goals in their 10 home Premier League fixtures to date.
Roque Santa Cruz, who has now been confirmed as Manchester City's leading transfer target, is yet to feature under Allardyce, although Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts have performed well in his recent absence.
VS (Britannia Stadium, Stoke) :victory: The title rivals know that they could kick off their clash on Sunday even further adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have striker Fernando Torres fit again and can extend their three-point cushion over the Blues to six if they defeat Stoke City on Saturday evening.
Rafa Benitez's hoped-for success at the Britannia Stadium would see the Reds move 10 points clear of United, although Ferguson's men can point to three games in hand. However, in these times of financial uncertainty, money in the bank is always preferred to a cheque in the post.
Stoke have suffered an alarming slide into the relegation places in recent weeks, but can still refer back to their home triumphs over Aston Villa and Arsenal earlier in the season as proof of the threat they can pose. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** seperti yg dijanjikan semlm.....preview EPL ari sabtu....:victory: ** aku nak fokus game ari ahad plak....
[ Last edited by Sh@rk_iR at 10-1-2009 02:32 AM ] |