Saturday's Premier League

Hull v Sunderland
Hull City's situation regarding relegation does not appear to be getting any better. They lost on Wednesday against Aston Villa at home and even more dissapointing they lost to Burnley in thier previous home game. They managed a good point away against Birmingham but that point is going to count for very little unless they can string a couple of wins together in the next couple of games. The change of manager to Iain Dowie doesn't appear to have got anything extra out of the Hull players and the look to be really struggling now.

Sunderland had quite a big mid-season blip which lasted for the best part of three months. However recentley they've been playing some decent enough football, they beat a Spurs side which has since gone on to beat both Chelsea and Man Utd. Yes that game was at home and Sunderland have got a very good home record but it's their away form that as been poor all season. However recentley they've shown signs of improvement away from home, they put in a respectable performance against West Ham and were unlucky to come away from that game with nothing. They also picked up a well earnt point at Villa park at the back end of March.

Hull City really need to win this game so you think they will have to come out attacking, although you would have thought that against Aston Villa but they choose to set-up 4-5-1 in that game. Sunderland's away record reads (1-4-12) which is dire by any standards. But I feel they've got a big chance to win this game against Hull, I'd give each team around he same chance of winning this game, the odds don't reflect this. Hull have the home factor as well as the extra incentive to win here but Sunderland have a better team with greater quality going forward and they are under no pressure whatsoever and that may just bring the best out of them. I'm going for Sunderland here, Hull will have to over-commit if this game is level towards the end and I think Sunderland's attacking threat from the likes of Bent and Campbell will cause Hull's defense problems especially on the counter-attack.

Tip:
Sunderland @ 3.25 (Various)

West Ham v Wigan
Two teams who like to get the ball down and play, but also two teams who are still in the relegation mix-up, especially West Ham who still remain only three points above the relegation zone.

I said both teams like to get it down and play but often both teams have been founded wanting at times infront of goal this season. Wigan however completed a truely amazing comeback by smashing three past Arsenal, to win the game 3-2 after being 2-0 behind. Wigan did show a spirited comeback but I can't help but think that Arsenal got complacent, but fair play to Wigan they took full advatange.

I suspect this should be a very close game, Wigan would probably be more than happy to take a point from this game which would more than likely secure their Premiership status, However for West Ham this is very much a big game, a win here would go a long way to securing their own Premiership safety. I've decided to look at the goals market for this game and I think unders is a good bet here, both sides like to maintain possession of the ball and you can be pretty much certain if one team takes the lead they are likely to play a little more conservative to try and maintain thier lead.

Tip:
Under 2.5 goals @ 1.91 (William Hill)

Arsenal v Man City
Arsenal were shell-shocked by that defeat at Wigan last week and it willl be interesting to see how they repsond here. They are surely out of the title race now but credit to them for staying in the hunt for so long. They've been without key players for large parts of the season but have but up a decent enough challenge for the title.

Man City are still chasing that much talked about 4th place, they themselves suffered a painful defeat last weekend with yet another injury-time defeat to their Manchester rivals. However before that game City were on top form and scoring for fun, I personally found it odd the way Mancini lined City up in that game. They had plenty of attacking players on the pitch but appeared to be more defensive and happy to settle for the draw. I wonder if they'll set up in a similiar fashion against Arsenal.

Arsenal's home record is as you'd expect very good (14-1-2), their only two defeats came at the hands of follow title-challengers Man Utd and Chelsea. They also had an unbeaten home record in the Champions League this season. Man City are an improving team but they aren't yet in the same bracket as thoose two teams that defeated Arsenal at the Emirates. Once Arsenal get in their flow at the Emirates they are very difficult team to play against. Yes Arsenal still have numerous injuries but a few cameo apperances from Van Persie in recent games suggests he should be fit and ready to start this one. That would give them a major boost, but they've coped reasonably well at home without all season and they can against City in my opinion.

City have a win at Stamford Bridge to their name, although they did have a lot of fortune in that game. But overall their away form is still very patch. Arsenal are still very strong in the fullback postions and if they can stop Bellamy and Johnson they stop a lot of City's attacking threats. I'm taking Arsenal here I fancy them to bounce back from the dissapointment last week and think they are over-priced at Evens for a team with such a good home record.

Tip:
Arsenal @ 2.00 (Various)