Fabregas - in fine goalscoring form.

By Dave Tickner and Diane Alexander

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BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
	2pts Cesc Fabregas to score anytime v Aston Villa at 13/5 (Victor Chandler, Paddy Power).	In-form Spaniard on target in all of his last four Premier League outings - including against Villa last month.
	1pt Chelsea and Birmingham to draw at 5/1 (general).	Chelsea have drawn three of last six league games, Birmingham three of last four.
	2pts second half of Blackburn v Wigan to have most goals at 11/10 (general).	Blackburn prone to conceding late, while Wigan capable of strong finish.

Aston Villa v Arsenal (1945 GMT)

Arsenal have hauled themselves into the Premier League title race with a sensational run of seven wins (including a 3-0 defeat of Villa at the Emirates) and two draws in nine games since the 3-0 home humbling against Chelsea that many felt had put paid to their chances. We'll know a lot more about Arsenal's title aspirations in two weeks' time - after Villa, Arsene Wenger's men take on Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in a critical fortnight. Wenger made his priorities clear with his selection for the FA Cup defeat at Stoke, with Cesc Fabregas and Denilson the only first-team regulars on display, but it should be a more familiar side in action at Villa Park. The home side's bid for Champions League football has hit a rocky patch. That defeat at Arsenal ended a run of four straight wins and they've failed to hit the target in two home games since, against Liverpool and West Ham. Arsenal, then, look worthy favourites but Villa were well in the game at the Emirates until Fabregas' masterclass from the bench, and with victories over the other three members of the 'big four' this season cannot be discounted. It looks a tough game to call, but Arsenal's leading scorer Fabregas - who has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances, including two strikes against Wednesday's opponents last month - looks a spot of value at 13/5 with Victor Chandler and Paddy Power to net anytime.

Verdict: Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 2 (DT)

Blackburn v Wigan (2000)

Wigan have a busy schedule ahead of them as they get ready to play five games in the next 14 days. The FA Cup clash against Notts County saw them concede two goals in the first half, but in true Wigan style they came back all fired up pulling themselves back into the competition with goals from Ben Watson and Jason Scotland earning a replay. Blackburn were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Aston Villa despite going 2-0 ahead in a thriller, though they did try a last-gasp comeback with another two goals in the second half. But it came too late as Villa took the aggregate score to 7-4. The last time these two met in the league it ended in a draw, with Rovers taking the lead in the first half only for Wigan's Hugo Rodallega to equalise in the second period. There are only two points separating the clubs, and with both not too far off the relegation zone they will both be fighting for the three points. Either could move up two places towards mid-table safety if they win this game, depending on other results, so expect an aggressive fight at Ewood Park. Blackburn have a tendency to concede during the last 10 minutes of play and so far this season they have conceded five of their goals during the 90th minute. This, combined with Wigan's consistency of scoring late on in their games, could see more goals being scored in the second half, widely available at 11/10.

Verdict: Blackburn 2 Wigan 2 (DA)

Chelsea v Birmingham (1945)

This would've been an absolute home banker at the start of the season. So it's to Birmingham's huge credit that - even with Chelsea's near-perfect home record in the league - this is no longer the case. The surprise success story of the season, Alex McLeish's side are now unbeaten in 15 league and cup games - a run that includes fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea themselves and Manchester United. And Birmingham will be full of confidence for this game after a 2-1 FA Cup victory at Everton at the weekend. Chelsea, of course, thrashed Sunderland 7-2 in their last Premier League engagement but had to come from a goal behind to beat Fulham before that. Chelsea have drawn three of their last six league games; Birmingham three of their last four. The widely available 5/1 on a stalemate looks worth a small play.

Verdict: Chelsea 1 Birmingham 1 (DT)

Everton v Sunderland (2000)

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet at Goodison. Everton have recovered well from a poor start, hauling themselves into the top half of the table with a creditable 2-2 draw at Arsenal and a hugely-impressive defeat of Manchester City; Sunderland have faded badly with no win in eight league games since defeating Arsenal at the Stadium of Light back in November. These two will have fancied their chances in an open FA Cup this season but both suffered disappointing exits on Saturday - Everton at home to Birmingham and Sunderland at crisis club Portsmouth. For Everton, the fear must be that the cup setback will stall the progress made in a seven-match unbeaten run, while for Sunderland it's worrying evidence of a continued downward spiral for a side utterly outclassed at Chelsea in their last Premier League outing. Everton should have too much for a side without an away win since the opening day of the season, but the odds-on quotes available make little appeal.

Verdict: Everton 2 Sunderland 1 (DT)