Английская Премьер Лига match previews - 20-21 February, 2010

So, guys, here we are, looking ahead to the final third of the Premier League campaign. And what a season it's been so far.

Birmingham City, much derided as potential divisional whipping boys, have been the surprise package, currently sitting eighth after Alex McLeish's strictly regimented men have continued to secure results.

Liverpool were tipped by many as title favourites in August. By October question marks were put against their ability to secure a top four finish. Rafa Benitez's "promise" of Champions League football has the potential to back-fire worse than his "facts" rant last term, and his side are locked in an intriguing battle for fourth with Man City, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

At the bottom of the table Portsmouth were declared relegated even earlier than Liverpool were written out of the title race. Above them seven teams are separated by just three points, in what could be the tightest relegation fight for some time.

This weekend remains as unpredictable as every other and promises to be equally as entertaining. Read our previews here...

Game of the Week: West Ham vs Hull

This isn't a conventional opening to a match preview, but bloody hell - how tight is at the bottom of the Premier League?!

Discount rock-bottom Portsmouth, who are eight points adrift of safety and have been considered relegated since their win-less start to the campaign, and just four points separate 19th placed Bolton from 13th placed Sunderland. And they thought it was tight at the top!

West Ham and Hull find themselves in the midst of this relegation battle, each on 24 points - along with Wolves and Wigan - just outside the relegation zone, though just by a single point.

Gianfranco Zola may have a striker for each day of the week following his transfer deadline day splurge, but Carlton Cole will remain pivotal to the Hammers' survival. You won't need me to tell you that it was the former Chelsea front-man who netted the winner in an impressive victory over Birmingham last time out.

It's little wonder that the inhabitants of the relegation zone, Pompey aside again, change on a weekly basis. So here's the line you've all been waiting for - and secretly hoping for, too, come on and admit it - this game is a relegation six-pointer.

But hold onto your horses, Hammers fans, that result was preceded by defeat to Burnley. That result aside, though, and Zola's men have put on a decent run of form - losing just once in their last five games.

A statistic that is slightly reduced in significance when you consider that three of those games were drawn, meaning that only one victory has been garnered from their 'hot' streak.

Maybe 'mild streak' is more accurate, but Zola will know that victories are the key to survival and this weekend's visit of Hull presents an excellent opportunity to get some points on the board - particularly before a journey to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Phil Brown's Tigers are something of an enigma. Don't believe me? Just look at their last two results; after deservedly defeating Man City (on the back of a draw with Chelsea I should add) the side resembled pussy cats as they rolled over and allowed Blackburn to tickle their bellies.

The defeat at Ewood Park was a below-par showing, but the fighting spirit evidenced in the side's other results must give Brown some confidence heading into Saturday's blockbuster of a tie.

Of course, the result here will not decide the relegation battle. Let's not get carried away here, we're not on Sky television or writing for a red-top newspaper (because if we were this site wouldn't exist!), but the tie can produce momentum for the season's run in.

Of the teams in the mix, these two look to be two of the most likely to survive, but Claret fans will know all too well the dangers of under-estimating your rivals and over-estimating your squad.

So you want a prediction. My tip? Leave this game off your accumulator. If pushed for a result, which I'm contractually obliged to provide, I would plump for a score draw. Hull are ruthless from set-pieces and West Ham are an increasingly confident force going forward.

Game of the weekend? It has to be. Enjoy.

Verdict: Hammers and Hull play out entertaining draw, but could both still find themselves in the relegation zone come Monday morning.

The rest of the fixtures:

Saturday, 20th February 2010

Arsenal vs Sunderland: Verdict: Black Cats continue to rue their luck as another result goes awry
Everton vs Man United: Verdict: United over the Roon as Wayne's world continues to carry the Reds to success
Portsmouth vs Stoke: Verdict: Pompey 'Play Up' and snatch three vital points
Wolves vs Chelsea: Verdict: Wolves battle hard, and trouble their visitors, but Drogba to lead Chelsea to a scrappy three points.

Sunday, 21st February 2010

Aston Villa vs Burnley: Verdict: Battle of Clarets provides Villa with Carling Cup momentum.
Blackburn vs Bolton: Verdict: Bolton may produce the better football, but Blackburn will come away with the better result as the Trotters' plight continues
Fulham vs Birmingham: Verdict: European venture takes it toll on hosts, as Brum grab late equaliser.
Man City vs Liverpool: Verdict: Crucial tie for fourth goes Mancini's way as panic alarms around Anfield re-sound.
Wigan vs Tottenham: Verdict: It won't be an eight-goal margin again, but Spurs should make easy work of Wigan.

For the full previews, please visit www.football-previews.co.uk