21.12. (Wed) 21:00 Fulham - Man Utd.

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

FULHAM Stockdale Baird, Senderos, Hangeland, JA Riise Ruiz, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey Johnson, Dembele

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Smalling, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Nani Rooney, Hernandez

Fulham boss Martin Jol could be set to name an unchanged lineup following his team's impressive 2-0 home win against Bolton at the weekend. Bobby Zamora could well have to settle for a place on the bench once more, even if he recovers from a knee knock.

David Stockdale will again deputise for regular first-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who is still five weeks away from a return, while long-term injury victim Zdenek Grygera misses out.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will again have to do without the services of long-term absentees Anderson, Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher as well Tom Cleverley, Michael Owen and Fabio. Right-back Rafael could well feature after an injury lay-off.

The visitors are likely to keep the number of changes to a minimum but could well opt to recall Javier Hernandez in place of Danny Welbeck. Phil Jones is again likely to partner Michael Carrick in the heart of midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Fulham have only won four of their last 16 Premier League matches so far this season, drawing six and losing the other six.

• They have managed to find the back of the net in each of their last seven Premier League matches.

• The Cottagers last home win against Sir Alex's side was back in the 2009/10 season, when they beat them 3-0.

• Smalling (pictured right) only made 19 appearances for Fulham before he completed his £10 million to Manchester United in 2010.

• Manchester United have won their last four Premier League away matches, all without conceding a goal.

• United have won seven of their last 22 Premier League games in London.

• The Red Devils have only conceded three goals so far this season in their eight away league matches.

• United’s top league goalscorer is Rooney, who took his tally to 11 Premier League goals with his goal against QPR at the weekend.

Prediction

Fulham are usually tough to beat at home and go into the game full of confidence after winning their last two league matches at Craven Cottage. However, players such as Nani, Antonio Valencia and Rooney look to be hitting form, and United should have too much going forward.

Editor's Prediction

Fulham 1-3 Man Utd.

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21.12. (Wed) 21:00 Wigan Athletic - Liverpool

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

WIGAN Al HabsiStam, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Jones Diame, McCarthy, Gomez  Moses, Rodallega

LIVERPOOL Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Adam Kuyt, Shelvey, Bellamy Suarez

Buoyed by their performance against Chelsea, Wigan have a full squad to choose from for the visit of Liverpool, with only out of favour goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on the sidelines. Hugo Rodallega played 18 minutes of the draw against Chelsea and his impact may convince Roberto Martinez to reward him with a starting berth.

Liverpool are without three of their central midfielders, so Jonjo Shelvey is expected to continue for the Reds after impressing against Aston Villa. Steven Gerrard and Lucas are both sidelined with injury and youngster Jay Spearing is serving the final game of his ban after being sent off against Fulham.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The two sides have met 14 times in their history and Liverpool have dominated with a win percentage of 64 per cent from those encounters, with nine wins and only one defeat.

• However, Liverpool haven’t won any of their last three matches against the Latics and both games last season ended 1-1.

• Before their promotion to the Premier League, Wigan had never faced Liverpool, and their only ever win over the Reds came in March 2010 when Hugo Rodallega scored in the 35th minute at the DW Stadium.

• Wigan have turned their form around in recent weeks. They are unbeaten in their last two games and have only last once in the last five games. However, the Latics have not won at home since August – a run of six games without success at the DW Stadium.

• Liverpool are one of the in-form teams in the Premier League; they have lost just once in their last 11 matches and have won their last two games.

• It took Wigan six attempts to score against Liverpool in the league. They conceded 12 goals without worrying Liverpool until Titus Bramble scored in the 80th minute of their Premier League clash in January 2008.

• Jordi Gomez is currently Wigan’s lucky charm. He has only scored four goals this season but in each of those games the Latics have earned themselves at least a draw.

• Luis Suarez (pictured) averages 4.6 shots per game, which is the second highest in the league and works out at 73 shots this season, but has only registered five goals, making his conversion rate the worst in the Premier League.

• Liverpool average 53% possession away from home, the fifth best in the division, whereas Wigan’s possession percentage of 48% at home is the lowest in the league

• Liverpool have scored 20 goals versus Wigan in their 12 Premier League matches, which is 1.6 per game. Wigan have scored just eight goals against the Reds.

Prediction

History says that this game should be easy for the visitors but Wigan’s recent upturn in form and battling draw against Chelsea last time out will make this a lot closer than the stats suggest. But Liverpool are playing well and despite Wigan only losing once in their last five games, Dalglish’s side will emerge victorious with a narrow victory.

Editor's Prediction

Wigan Athletic 1-2 Liverpool

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21.12. (Wed) 20:45 Aston Villa - Arsenal

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ASTON VILLA Guzan Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock Albrighton, Petrov, Delph, N'Zogbia Bent, Agbonlahor

ARSENAL Szczesny Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Miquel  Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

Aston Villa were well beaten in their last game against Liverpool but should be able to welcome back Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent as they look to end a poor in spell in front of goal that has yielded just two strikes in their last five Premier League games.
Injury-hit Arsenal are short of defenders with Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Bacary Sagna and Andre Santos all sidelined, so youngster Ignasi Miquel will be expected to play after featuring against Manchester City. Alex Song is unavailable as he is serving a suspension for picking up five bookings.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 2-1 win for the away side at Emirates Stadium.

• Aston Villa have had 71 shots on target in the league this season, the fewest of all Premier League teams.

• Before Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City in their last game, they had gone eight matches unbeaten, with seven of them being victories.

• Robin van Persie has scored 33 goals in his last 33 games in the Premier League in 2011.

• In the last 10 meetings between the sides, Aston Villa have only won once.

• In the history of meetings between the sides, Abou Diaby (pictured right) is the top scoring current player with four goals – though he is some way behind Thierry Henry who has scored 10.

Prediction

Arsenal were in fine form before their defeat to Manchester City and will be expected to secure all three points over an Aston Villa side short of goals.

Editor's Prediction

Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

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21.12. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City FC - Stoke

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Milner, Toure, De Jong, Silva Dzeko, Aguero

STOKE CITY Sorensen Shotton, Woodgate, Huth, Wilson Pennant, Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington Walters, Crouch

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will be without the services of Aleksandar Kolarov as the full-back is sidelined with a groin injury and is not expected to return until the new year.

Micah Richards appeared to have picked up a knock during the recent victory over Arsenal, and Pablo Zabaleta could play at right-back if the Englishman is unable to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, with games coming in quick succession, Edin Dzeko could be brought back into the starting line-up to keep things fresh.

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis will not be able to pick Ryan Shawcross as the defender is suspended for this game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the win over Wolves. Ryan Shotton should therefore slot in at right-back with Jermaine Pennant taking his place on the right flank. Jonathan Woodgate would then partner Robert Huth in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson are doubts with calf and knee injuries respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have not lost a single game at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this season. They remain undefeated in 18 consecutive home matches in the division.

• Mancini's men have also scored the most number of goals in the league this campaign, hitting the back of the net 50 times so far.

• That is 3.125 goals-per-game in the top flight. If they maintain that ratio, City will break Chelsea's record Premier League-era record of 103 goals in a season by getting to a total of 118.

• In contrast, Stoke City have scored only 18 goals through the course of their league campaign so far. No team has scored fewer than they have in the current top 10.

• The Potters have won their last four games in the league, and their last two away games. But prior to that, they had won only one league game in 16 matches away from the Britannia Stadium.

• Stoke have a poor record against Manchester City, winning only two of their last 11 matches in all competitions. This also includes last season's FA Cup final, which Pulis' men lost 1-0 at Wembley.

Prediction

Mancini's men have recovered from their defeat to Chelsea with a slender 1-0 victory over Arsenal, and will look to get back into the groove by registering a thumping win over the Potters.
Anything less than three points could raise questions as to whether they are running out of steam, but they have the quality to secure a strong win.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City

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21.12. (Wed) 20:45 Inter - Lecce

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, NagatomoStankovic, Motta, Cambiasso, Zanetti Pazzini, Milito

LECCE Gabriel Oddo, Tomovic, Ferrario, Brivio Strasser, Giacomazzi, Olivera Cuadrado, Muriel, Di Michele

Inter boss Claudio Ranieri will be without the services of playmaker Wesley Sneijder who is still sidelined with a thigh injury. Defenders Cristian Chivu and Jonathan will also miss the midweek clash due to their respective knocks.
Lecce coach Serse Cosmi has a rash of injuries to deal with as Julio Sergio, Manuel Giandonato, Djamel Mesbah, Andrea Esposito and Andrea Bertolacci will all be absent for Wednesday's encounter.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter have kept three clean sheets in their last three games and have only conceded one goal in their last five Serie A encounters.

• The Nerazzurri have the fewest draws in Serie A this season (2).

• The Coppa Italia holders have won five league matches by a one-goal margin.

• Lecce have conceded 13 goals in their last five contests.
  

• Serse Cosmi's men have picked up just one point in their last five games (W0 D1 L4).

• Lecce's only two wins of the season have come away from home.

Prediction

The Nerazzurri have won three league matches in a row and should continue their revival with a win against the struggling visitors at San Siro.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 2-0 Lecce

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21.12. (Wed) 18:00 Udinese - Juventus

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

UDINESE Handanovic Ferronetti, Danilo, Domizzi Basta, Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Armero Abdi Di Natale

JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Matri, Giaccherini

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin will be glad to have a virtually full-strength squad at his disposal, bar Mehdi Benatia, who is suspended for the encounter at the Friuli on Wednesday, and the peripheral trio of Paulo Barreto, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Andrea Coda, all of whom are doubtful.
However, the former Palermo boss is expected to make four changes to the XI that picked up a 2-2 draw at Lazio on Sunday, as Benatia, Giovanni Pasquale, Gabriel Torje and goalscorer Antonio Floro Flores are to be replaced by Maurizio Domizzi, Pablo Armero, Almen Abdi and Antonio Di Natale.
Meanwhile for Juventus, Antonio Conte is expected to revert back to his tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 that has been regularly deployed of late, and be forced to make do without forward Mirko Vucinic once more.
As a result, the personnel alterations should see Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Alessandro Matri come in for Paolo De Ceglie, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Quagliarella, who despite his goal against Novara, must settle for a place on the substitutes bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Udinese are unbeaten in four games, winning three times and drawing once.

• They are also the only Serie A team with a 100 per cent record on home soil this season.

• In the seven games played at the Friuli thus far, Francesco Guidolin's side have conceded just twice.

• Juventus are the only Serie A side still unbeaten this campaign, with nine wins and six draws.

• The Old Lady have drawn their last two away fixtures, while drawing four of the last six games away from Turin.

• Both Udinese and Juventus have kept the most clean sheets in Serie A this season, with tallies of seven and nine respectively.

Prediction

The two best defences in the league against arguably the two most potent attacks the top-flight has to offer will make for an extremely intriguing bout, but this one should be too close to call as a share of the spoils would be a fitting outcome.

Editor's Prediction

Udinese 1-1 Juventus

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