Midweek Premier League Preview and Predictions

It’s an all-important double game week for fantasy football players, with big points to be won. The big match in round 12 is the Manchester derby, but what do you think of the midweek fixtures? Leave your predictions in the comments section below.

Stoke City vs. Birmingham City (Tuesday, 19:45)
With Man City and Chelsea coming up in their next two games, Birmingham know that tonight will be the prefect time to register their first away win of the season. Tony Pulis will be hoping that Stoke can end a run of five consecutive defeats and that he will be able to talk about his team after the game rather than the performance of the referee. Stoke will be looking to add to their tally of clean sheets which so far reads only one.
Key man: Nikola Zigic
After a slow start to Birmingham’s campaign, Zigic has played 90 minutes in the Blues’ last four games and in that time has weighed in with two goals and two assists. The Serbian striker is 6ft 7in tall and Stoke could struggle to contain him with Ryan Shawcross missing.
Last two league meetings: Birmingham 0-0 Stoke, Stoke 0-1 Birmingham
Prediction: 0-1. History suggests few goals and I don’t see why that should change this time around, Birmingham to nick it.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland (Tuesday, 20:00)
Spurs and Sunderland are teams with contrasting fortunes of late. Spurs went from an all-time high against Inter Milan to a reality check against Bolton, and Sunderland went from an all-time low against Newcastle to salvaging some pride against Stoke. Both teams have injury concerns, Darren Bent will be missing for the Black Cats while Tottenham’s sick list continues to grow by the day.
Key Man: Asamoah Gyan
While Bent’s absence is bad news for Sunderland, Gyan’s two goals at the weekend will provide some hope and he could give Tottenham’s well documented make-shift defence a lot of problems.
Last two league meetings: Tottenham 2-0 Sunderland, Sunderland 3-1 Tottenham
Prediction: 1-1. Tottenham will be desperate to impress, but could struggle to break Sunderland down and if there’s one thing that is certain this season it’s that Spurs will concede.

Aston Villa vs. Blackpool (Wednesday, 19:45)
Villa were denied a morale boosting win after Fulham’s equaliser at the death on Saturday. Villa fans are generally behind Houllier, but their league position of 14th isn’t doing him any favours. Blackpool’s season continues to astound and entertain and there’s little reason to suggest that this game shouldn’t be the same. The Tangerines keep finding goals from all over the pitch and Matt Phillips looks like he could become a good player at this level
Key Man: Ashley Young
Young’s recent form has been some way off his best, but he could provide Villa with a huge boost if he finds a good performance on Wednesday.
Last two league meetings: Aston Villa 1-0 Blackpool, Blackpool 0-3 Aston Villa
Prediction: 3-2. Blackpool have won three times away from home this season so this will be a stern test for Villa, but I fancy the Midlanders to just have too much.

Continue to PAGE TWO for more Premier League predictions…