Hodgson - his side can beat Liverpool.
BACK FULHAM TO SHOCK REDS
By David John and Ben Linfoot
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Arsenal v Manchester City
The Gunners are 4/7 to collect all three points as they begin a run of seven games in 22 days. The focus first is the push for a top four berth, a quest that is looking much brighter than six weeks ago as Arsene Wenger's men have found some scoring form allied with Aston Villa's late stumble. Nine goals in the last three games is much more like it and it seems their dramtic win over Roma in the Champions League after penalties has suddenly instilled some tangible belief in themselves just at the right time. The visitors are on the brink of a host of players returning from injury like Michael Johnson, Martin Petrov and Benjani and they are just doing enough to ensure they are outside the relegation battle. Just one win away from Eastlands all season is a woeful return and past history suggests things are not going to improve in north London. Seven visits to Arsenal since 2000/2001 have yielded just one draw and even the most optimistic City punter would have to think twice about the 13/2 available for an away win at a side that has not conceded on their own patch since December 21.
Verdict: Arsenal 3 Manchester City 0 (DJ)
Blackburn v Tottenham
Harry Redknapp has made a habit of getting strong finihses out of his teams and he has done the same with Spurs as they are now unbeaten in six Premier League games and hunting down a possible place in the next season's Europa League. A 1-0 win over Chelsea was a lovely boost for them before the international break and they mentally seem to be in the right place currently. Games are running out for Sam Allardyce at Blackburn and although they showed plenty of grit to get back into things against West Ham have gone a goal down, they are well aware that draws need to be turned into three points. They could be sweating though come Saturday evening as the upbeat visitors with pace all around the pack can keep up their strong recent efforts and leave the hosts in real trouble.
Verdict: Blackburn 1 Tottenham 2 (DJ)
Bolton v Middlesbrough
This has 'twitchy afternoon' written all over it and Trotters boss Gary Megson has already admitted to the magnitude of this clash in terms of Premier League survival. If it had not been for their slip-up against Fulham at the Reebok, Bolton would have looked really good value considering they had won their previous three games at home to give them some breathing space from those battling around them. Megson also has another interesting option up front to bolster their chances after Polish striker Ebbi Smolarek smashed in four in midweek against San Marino. They look worth a bet at odds against and are much the most likely to deliver from these two considering Boro's woeful form which has seen them win just once in 18 league matches. Rumours from the camp are that they are going to employ a more attacking policy with Afonso Alves among the players restored to the line-up in a bid to get some goals. Boro have recently held their own in this fixture to be fair but remain in such a rut that the home side will not have a better chance to take full advantage.
Bolton 2 Middlesbrough 0 (DJ)
Fulham v Liverpool
The hand that feedeth can also taketh away and the home side look a big price for three points at 5/1. Having done Liverpool a huge favour last time with their 2-0 win over Manchester United to blow the title race wide open, Roy Hodgson's side can now derail the Reds chance to go top at least until Sunday. Nine wins at Craven Cottage this season is a record bettered only by the two Manchester clubs and Fulham will be hoping to add to the excellent return this season against the big four having secured wins against United and Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea. Rafa Benitez's side recorded a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage last April but suffered defeats on the two previous trips to this part of west London. Fulham might not be in a battle for their lives this time around but they still have a sniff of a chance of Europe with eight games of the season remaining. Goalkeeper Mark Schwartzer says they are "as confident as anthing at home at the moment" - take the hint and get on at an inflated price.
Verdict: Fulham 2 Liverpool 1 (DJ)
Hull City v Portsmouth
Portsmouth seem to have recovered to a certain extent from a potentially damgaing run in mid-season and one defeat in five matches has kept them right in the hunt to remain in the top flight. They can be backed to get the better of a floundering Hull side at 9/5 and they should have plenty of reasons to believe they can achieve that with key players Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson in a good frame of a mind after England's win over Ukraine in midweek. The hosts are have just one league win in 14 attempts but boss Phil Brown is trying to put a positive spin on things saying he would have taken being 13th at the start of April when the season commenced. Whether they are just trying to put a positive spin on their worrying loss of form is up for debate and Brown admits some of his players are suffering from the 'fear factor' at the moment. Pompey should come away in the better mood but the price does look a little on the short side.
Verdict: Hull 0 Portsmouth 1 (DJ)
Newcastle v Chelsea
It is all about one man this week so can Alan Shearer inspire Newcastle to a 5/1 success over Chelsea and coax enough out of them for the rest of the season to remain in the top flight? We will certainly get a very good idea of their overall plight after this first 90 minutes when Shearer will hope to exploit the fervour and euphoria while at its greatest. He admits his side are low on confidence and despite the 3-1 home reverse against Arsenal, Arsene Wenger admitted to being impressed with Toon in the first half and the result could have been a lot different if they had put away their chances. The visitors rather fluffed their chance with defeat to Tottenham as Manchester United slipped up at the top and they will want to get back in the groove in a hurry. This has suddenly become a potential banana skin and a real test of their mettle - if Shearer can whip his new side into shape. Guus Hiddink's side never do things in a flashy style but should also rise to the occasion as well - this is clearly the day's feature match and a share of the spoils may well be the outcome.
Verdict: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1 (DJ)
West Brom v Stoke City
How long have we been saying West Brom have a must-win game coming up? Well Stoke at home on Saturday really is must-win for the Baggies, as anything but three points and it's pretty much goodbye to the Premier League. With five home wins in the bank, it will be their form at the Hawthorns that keeps them up should they escape this relegation dogfight, and in Stoke they play a team with a terrible away record. Tony Pulis' side haven't won on the road in the Premier League but if there is one away game they will want something from in the closing weeks then it's this one. Stoke have handled the pressures of the top-flight better than West Brom, there is no doubt about it, and while a first away win might be asking a bit much, they can gain a point that edges them nearer to safety. That won't do for the Baggies, but they might not be good enough to do anything about it.
Verdict: West Brom 0 Stoke 0 (BL)
West Ham v Sunderland
Both Gianfranco Zola and Ricky Sbragia will be cursing the international break. Sunderland might be missing Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards, who played for Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifier against the USA in Nashville on Wednesday night, while West Ham will definitely be missing Carlton Cole who picked up an injury while on England duty and is now out for six weeks. This hardly had the recipe for a thriller before these withdrawals, but now it looks like a cast-iron bore draw. Sunderland are well capable of earning a point away from home by getting men behind the ball and defending their goal. It's not pretty but it worked at Arsenal and it can work at West Ham. The Hammers aren't as effective Carlton Cole-less and there has been just one goal at Upton Park in their last two league games. No goalscorer is 17/2 at William Hill and that is a price worth taking.
Verdict: West Ham 0 Sunderland 0 (BL)
Preview posted at 2055GMT on 02/04/2009.
