Premier League Fixtures/News 20th November 2010

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
A win could take Arsenal up to where they should be – the top of the table – but perhaps only until the end of Chelsea’s match against Birmingham City. Right back Bacary Sagna has the task of keeping Gareth Bale quiet. All his team-mates say he’s quiet but the opposition tends not to agree.
Gareth will be up against former Southampton room-mate Theo Walcott but not Wales team-mate Aaron Ramsey, who recently played for Arsenal’s reserves. If Gareth wants to score a hat-trick against Arsenal that’s fine but you know the rules, Gareth. Wait until you’re 4-0 down.

Blackpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
It will be a dangerous night for the town of Blackpool, who will be visited firstly by some Wolves and then by Ann Widdecombe. The only thing you can be sure of is that Blackpool will have a good go. And Wolves will have a good go. And Ann Widdecombe will have a good go too. Whatever the result, I’m sure the people of Blackpool will be laughing tonight. And that’s just those who hear what the managers have to say.
Blackpool have only won once at home this season – but that’s still one more than Wolves have won away.
Neal Eardley and David Vaughan will hope to keep their places in Blackpool’s starting line-up but Blackpool have competition in every position, as players including Rob Edwards showed when the first-choice players were rested against Aston Villa. Neal says he is making no predictions on where Blackpool will finish their first Premier League season.
Wolves' Dave Edwards is doubtful due to an ankle injury so David Jones will hope to keep his place in the squad although he’s most likely to be on the bench with Wayne Hennessey. Wayne really wants to go out on loan but Mick McCarthy says no. The meanie.

Bolton Wanderers v Newcastle United
Bolton striker Kevin Davies wasn’t in the England squad this week and it’s all Newcastle striker Andy Carroll’s fault. Which big tough striker will win this battle? I wonder if Kevin Davies is as Welsh as his surname. Imagine him and Craig Bellamy playing up front for Wales. Provided they don’t kill each other, it would be a great partnership.
Sam Ricketts will hope to keep his place in Bolton’s defence but the guy he replaced is back from suspension and about to make his 100th appearance so I bet Owen Coyle will do the soppy thing and put Sam back on the bench.

Liverpool v West Ham United
The chairmen of Liverpool and West Ham have said this week that they have confidence in managers Roy Hodgson and Avram Grant. But they didn’t say how much confidence and I’m guessing this confidence is something that could disappear quite suddenly following this match. West Ham are still looking for their first away win of the season.
Danny Gabbidon will play in defence for West Ham but Jack Collison is still a way away from his return from a knee injury.

Manchester United v Wigan Athletic
Wigan have never won away at a Big Four club although they probably have really considering Liverpool aren’t really one of those anymore. Manchester United are the only team in the country to be unbeaten in all competitions (though that’s probably not completely true).
If you play for Manchester United and you have a Welsh connection I don’t know about, watch out for your hamstrings. Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen didn’t although Ryan could return for this match.

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City
West Brom have loads of injuries but Stoke aren’t known for their away wins and have only managed one this season.
Roberto di Matteo has said he might change his starting line-up so he can play ‘big’ players against Stoke. First-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson is six feet tall. Boaz Myhill is six feet three. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Probably not.
Danny Collins and Ryan Shawcross will play in defence for Stoke.
Ryan wants Stoke to be more consistent. I bet he wouldn’t have said that if they hadn’t beat Liverpool, they were perfectly consistent up until then. Then they went and spoiled it. Poor Ryan.