Premier League Big Guns Battle for Top Spot

All six teams at the top of the Premier League table are in action this Saturday looking to gather momentum ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Chelsea are now without a win in their last three league games and have picked up just four points from their last five outings. They will be hoping that a return to Stamford Bridge will bring a return to winning ways against Everton this Saturday afternoon.

There is plenty of potential good news on the injury front for manager Carlo Ancelotti. John Terry could return from a leg injury and Frank Lamaprd has an outside chance of playing, but most important is the return from suspension of Michael Essien. Chelsea have sorely missed the Ghanaian in the middle of the park since his red card against Fulham almost a month ago.

Everton, on the other hand, are missing their influential midfielder as Mikel Arteta begins a three-game ban for his red card against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday. That could be the difference between the two teams in west London this weekend.

The bookmakers are quoting 4/11 that Chelsea arrest their slide whilst it is 7/2 that the game ends all-square and 7/1 that The Toffees take maximum points.

Fourth plays sixth as Manchester City host Bolton at Eastlands in another of the day’s 3 o’clock kick offs. With a top four spot on the line it promises to be a keenly contested affair.

Mario Balotelli scored twice in midweek against Red Bull Salzburg before being substituted with a hamstring injury, he is a doubt for this Saturday. Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) and Wayne Bridge (hamstring) are also in a race against time to be fit for this one.

Home advantage means that City are the 4/7 favourites with the bookmakers but there is likely to be plenty of interest in the 6/1 that is available on a Bolton win that could see them leapfrog their opponents.

In the day’s other big games Arsenal host Fulham and Manchester United go to Blackpool. Any one of three teams could top the Premier League at the close of play this Saturday on an important day of football in England’s top flight.