You’ll find the latest Premier League Transfers (January 2012) listed here. Archives for older transfer seasons are at the end of this page. For the latest transfer rumours and confirmed transfers for other leagues, see our football transfer lists page.

If you find a transfer not listed here let us know and we’ll add it.

Last Updated: 1 February 2012

Arsenal

In: Thierry Henry (loan, New York Red Bulls); Thomas Eisfeld (£600,000, Borussia Dortmund)

Out: Luke Freeman (undisclosed, Stevenage); Vito Mannone (loan, Hull City); Daniel Boateng (loan, Swindon Town); Gavin Hoyte (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Paulo Botelho (loan, Levante); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Sanchez Watt (loan, Crawley Town); Wellington (loan, CD Alcoyano); Sead Hajrovic (loan, Barnet); Rhys Murphy (loan, Preston North End); Ryo Miyachi (loan, Bolton Wanderers)

Aston Villa

In: Enda Stevens (undisclosed, Shamrock Rovers); Robbie Keane (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy)

Out: Nathan Delfouneso (loan, Leicester City); Shane Lowry (undisclosed, Millwall); Fabian Delph (loan, Leeds United); Elliot Parish (undisclosed, Cardiff City)

Blackburn Rovers

In: Anthony Modeste (Bordeaux, loan), Bruno Ribeiro (Grêmio Barueri, free); Marcus Olsson (free, Halmstads BK); Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Queens Park Rangers)

Out: Jason Roberts (undisclosed, Reading); Keith Andrews (free, West Bromwich Albion); Ryan Nelsen (free, Tottenham)

Bolton Wanderers

In: Tim Ream (£2.5m, New York Red Bulls); Ryo Miyachi (Arsenal, loan); Marvin Sordell (£3m, Watford)

Out: Gary Cahill (£7m, Chelsea); Jack Sampson (loan, Southend United)

Chelsea

In: Gary Cahill (£7m, Bolton Wanderers); Kevin de Bruyne (£6.7m, Genk), Patrick Bamford (£1.5m, Nottingham Forest)

Out: Nicolas Anelka (undisclosed, Shanghai Shenhua); Alex (£4.5m, Paris Saint-Germain); Rhys Taylor (loan, Rotherham); Sam Walker (loan, Yeovil); Ben Gordon (loan, Kilmarnock); Patrick van Aanholt (loan, Vitesse Arnhem); Josh McEachran (loan, Swansea City); Gaël Kakuta (loan, Dijon)

Everton

In: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Manchester United); Landon Donovan (loan, Los Angeles Galaxy); Nikica Jelavic (£6m, Rangers); Steven Pienaar (loan, Tottenham)

Out: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (£5m, Spartak Moscow); Aristote Nsiala (loan, Accrington Stanley); James Wallace (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Tottenham)

Fulham

In: Jack Grimmer (£200,000, Aberdeen); Pavel Pogrebnyak (£3m, VfB Stuttgart); Ryan Williams (undisclosed, Portsmouth)

Out: Alex Kacaniklic (loan, Watford); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Queens Park Rangers)

Liverpool

In: Jordan Ibe (£500,000, Wycombe Wanderers); Danny Ward (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Danny Wilson (loan, Blackpool); Martin Hansen (undisclosed, Viborg FF)

Manchester City

In: David Pizarro (loan, AS Roma)

Out: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Queens Park Rangers); Ben Mee (undisclosed, Burnley); Kieran Trippier (undisclosed, Burnley); Harry Bunn (loan, Preston North End); Alex Nimely (loan, Coventry City); Chris Chantler (loan, Carlisle United); Wayne Bridge (loan, Sunderland), Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester United)

Manchester United

In: Frederic Veseli (undisclosed, Manchester City)

Out: Darron Gibson (£500,000, Everton); Daniel Drinkwater (undisclosed, Leicester City); Mame Biram Diouf (£1.5m, Hannover 96); Joshua King (loan, Hull City); Féderico Macheda (loan, Queens Park Rangers); Ravel Morrison (£650,000, West Ham United); Oliver Norwood (loan, Coventry City); Scott Wootton (loan, Nottingham Forest)

Newcastle United

In: Papiss Demba Cissé (£10m, SC Freiburg)

Out: Alan Smith (loan, MK Dons); Philip Airey (loan, Gateshead); James Tavernier (loan, MK Dons)

Norwich City

In: Jonny Howson (£2m, Leeds United); Ryan Bennett (undisclosed, Peterborough United)

Out: George Francomb (loan, Hibernian); Oli Johnson (loan, Oxford); Korey Smith (loan, Barnsley); Chris Martin (loan, Crystal Palace)

Queens Park Rangers

In: Nedum Onuoha (£3m, Manchester City); Taye Taiwo (loan, AC Milan); Féderico Macheda (loan, Manchester United); Samba Diakité (loan, AS Nancy Lorraine); Djibril Cisse (£4m, Lazio); Bobby Zamora (£6m, Fulham)

Out: Matt Connolly (loan, Reading), Bradley Orr (undisclosed, Blackburn Rovers)

Stoke City

In:

Out: Danny Pugh (undisclosed, Leeds United); Florent Cuvelier (loan, Walsall); Ben Marshall (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Soares (loan, Hibernian); Ryan Brunt (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Matthew Lund (loan, Bristol Rovers); Michael Tonge (loan, Barnsley); Danny Higginbotham (loan, Nottingham Forest); Ben Marshall (undisclosed, Leicester City)

Sunderland

In: Wayne Bridge (loan, Manchester City); Sotiris Kyrgiakos (loan, VfL Wolfsburg)

Out: Trevor Carson (loan, Hull City); Louis Laing (loan, Wycombe Wanderers); Blair Adams (loan, Northampton Town); John Egan (loan, Crystal Palace); Billy Knott (loan, AFC Wimbledon); Jordan Cook (loan, Carlisle United); Ryan Noble (loan, Derby County); Nyron Nosworthy (loan, Watford)

Swansea City

In: Darnel Situ (£250,000, Lens); Josh McEachran (loan, Chelsea); Gylfi Sigurdsson (loan, Hoffenheim); Curtis Obeng (undisclosed, Wrexham)

Out: Vangelis Moras (loan, Cesena); Lee Lucas (loan, Burton Albion)

Tottenham

In: Iago Falqué (undisclosed, Juventus); Ryan Nelsen (free, Blackburn Rovers); Louis Saha (free, Everton)

Out: David Button (loan, Doncaster Rovers); Dean Parrett (loan, Yeovil Town); Andros Townsend (loan, Leeds United); Iago Falqué (loan, Southampton); Harry Kane (loan, Millwall); John Bostock (loan, Sheffield Wednesday); Tom Carroll (loan, Derby County): Sebastien Bassong (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers); Vedran Corluka (loan, Bayer Leverkusen); Roman Pavlyuchenko (£8m, Lokomotiv Moscow); Steven Pienaar (loan, Everton); Adam Smith (loan, Leeds United)

West Bromwich Albion

In: Scott Allan (£300,000, Dundee United); Keith Andrews (free, Blackburn Rovers); Liam Ridgewell (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Roman Bednar (free, Blackpool); James Hurst (loan, Chesterfield); Romaine Sawyers (loan, Shrewsbury Town); Lateef Elford-Alliyu (loan, Tranmere Rovers); Chris Wood (loan, Bristol City); Gonzalo Jara (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Joe Mattock (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion)

Wigan Athletic

In: Jean Beausejour (undisclosed, Birmingham City)

Out: Daniel Redmond (loan, Hamilton Academical); Nouha Dicko (loan, Blackpool); Jordan Mustoe (loan, Barnet)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In: Eggert Jonsson (£250,000, Hearts); Emmanuel Frimpong (loan, Arsenal); Sebastien Bassong (loan, Tottenham)

Out: David Davis (loan, Chesterfield); Sam Winnall (loan, Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Jamie Reckord (loan, Scunthorpe United); Sam Vokes (loan, Brighton & Hove Albion); Adlène Guedioura (loan, Nottingham Forest); Matt Doherty (loan, Hibernian); Andy Keogh (undisclosed, Millwall)

Premier League Transfer Archives:

Summer 2006
January 2007
Summer 2007
January 2008
Summer 2008
January 2009
Summer 2009
January 2010
Summer 2010
January 2011
Summer 2011

For the latest transfer rumours and transfer lists for other leagues, see our transfer news section.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The New Year weekend will most likely see Manchester United end 2011 at the top of the table (albeit having played a game more than City), although City will be away to Sunderland on Sunday and it should be business as usual at the top of the table for them come Monday morning.

Here’s a look at the top games this weekend and the best football bets on offer:

Manchester United v Blackburn

Manchester United are 1.14 shots to round of their fantastic festive period by beating Blackburn at Old Trafford, and it’s hard to envisage anything but a wide margin win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The Red Devils come into this having registered back-to-back 5-0 wins over Fulham and Wigan and the Premiership whipping boys should be easy fodder for them.

The stats are also good as United are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against Blackburn (winning seven) and have won all of their last seven games against Steve Kean’s men in all competitions.

The visitors have also kept just one clean sheet in their last 28 Premier League away games and currently sit bottom of the table after some truly shocking performances.

United registered a 7-1 victory over them in this fixture last season and it really should be a case of how far they win by.

Dimitar Berbatov, who scored five goals in that emphatic victory, will surely be relishing the chance to shine again following his hat-trick against Wigan and makes plenty of appeal in the first goalscorer market at 4.5 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power.

He is also 1.91 chance to score anytime with Paddy Power and that also looks solid value for a striker in form.

It will also be a major surprise if they do not win both halves in this game, and at 1.44 with Paddy Power in the double result market that looks an extremely attractive punt compared to the 1.14 on offer in the outright market.

I fancy United to win 4-0 or 5-0, and those scores can be backed at 9 with Boylesports and 13 generally.

Arsenal v QPR

Arsenal are 1.29 shots to end the year with a bang and win their derby game against QPR at the Emirates and they really should prove too strong for the Hoops.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolves but they have still picked up 26 points from their last 12 games and that ratio, over the course of an entire campaign, would have been enough to win them the title last season.

By stark contrast their opponents have mustered just 10 points from a possible 39, and that’s clear relegation form given that they have also taken just two pints from their last six games.

It really should be a comfortable win for Arsenal on paper, but Arsene Wenger must decide whether to rest Robin van Persie, who is two shy of equalling the Premier League record for goals, as his fitness is the key to them keeping up their challenge for a top four place,

However it will be a surprise to me if Wenger does not give van Persie a start and a chance to equal or beat Alan Shearer’s record, and at 3.25 with bet365 and Betfred to net the opener he looks a terrific price.

I fancy Arsenal to win this 2-1, and that’s a 9 shot with Betfred. Both teams to score also looks value at 2.1 with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power.

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Chelsea are a top priced 1.3 with Paddy Power to round off the year with a win over Aston villa at Stamford Bridge, and anything but three points will be utter disaster for the Blues.

AVB’s boys looked to be back to their best when beating Man City 2-1, but since then they have failed to go and have registered three 1-1 draws on the bounce.

However Villa have won none of their last nine visits to The Bridge in the Premier League and have also failed to score in five of their last 7 games.

They are a negative side who seem to find bagging three points as hard as opening a letter, and it will be a major surprise if Chelsea do not take advantage and register a comfortable success.

So that brings us to the matter of who is going  to score the first goal and fire them to the expected victory.

Step forward Frank Lampard who has scored five goals in the last two home Premier League games against the Villans, and can be backed at a very tasty looking  6 with bet365,Betfred and Paddy Power.

For those who like to play in the correct score market I am going to suggest that Chelsea will win this either 2-0 or 3-0, and those scorelines can be backed at 6.5 with Paddy Power and 8 with Betfred.

Split stakes on both should hopefully net us a nice bit of profit.

Stoke v Wigan

Stoke have rediscovered their form of late and look cracking value at 1.67 to beat Wigan at the Britannia.

Tony Pulis’s men spent most of November in the bottom half of the table but they have put together a good run of results which have seen them climb back up the table to a very respectable 8th.

They have beaten Spurs, Blackburn, Wolves and Everton in recent weeks, and a repeat performance of any of those wins would see them easily dispose of a woeful Wigan outfit.

The Latics are already odds-on for the drop, and it’s hard to see how a side that lacks any fight is going to be able to cope with a Potters side who like to get stuck in.

I can see Peter Crouch causing the Wigan defence all sorts of problems, and the frontman makes plenty of appeal at 6 with Paddy Power to score the opener.

Stoke to win 2-0 is my idea of the outcome and is an 8 shot with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Premier League clubs are all set for Boxing Day showdown as 14 teams take to the field on Monday, with the remaining 6 playing on Tuesday. Here’s a look at the choicest fixtures from the next two days and the best betting odds for them.

Stoke City v Aston Villa

Stoke play host to Aston Villa in Sky’s televised match on Boxing Day (7.45pm KO) and the Potters look a terrific punt at 1.91 to maintain their terrific record against the Villans.

The Britannia has not been a happy hunting ground for Villa who have won only four times their in 26 attempts since World war II! Tony Pulis’ men have also won two of the three home meetings between the two sides since they got promoted back to the top flight in 2008, and really should prove too strong for a Villa side who have registered just one win on the road this season.

That victory came against lowly Bolton and shows just how hard they find life away from their own patch.

So given that Stoke have drawn with Chelsea and Man United and beaten Liverpool and Spurs at home this season this encounter should hold no fears for them whatsoever.

I think they are worthy favourites and at the 1.91 on offer with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power they rate the best bet of the day.

Peter crouch is the type of player who could cause the Villa defence all sorts of problems, and at 6.5 with Paddy Power who looks the value bet to score first and fire Stoke to victory.

Manchester United v Wigan

Manchester United are beginning to bang in the goals again, and I can’t envisage anything other than a goal fest in their match against Wigan at old Trafford.

Bookmakers are not surprisingly offering a best price of just 1.17 about them after impressive victories over QPR and Fulham in their last two games and they simply cannot be opposed.

Victory at Craven Cottage meant that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have now won all 8 games against bottom-half opposition this season, and they look certainties to make it nine in his one.

With Wayne Rooney back to his very best the Latics are likely to be in for a thrashing, and United’s talisman makes plenty of appeal at 3.75 with bet365 to open the scoring – and the floodgates.

I fancy United to put three or four past Wigan without reply, and you can get decent odds on both outcomes with Boylesports. The Irish firm go a standout 7.5 on 3-0 and are also top priced 10 about a 4-0 mauling.

Liverpool v Blackburn

Liverpool are 1.29 shots to take care of Blackburn in their clash at Anfield, and they really should stroll to victory against the Premiership whipping boys.

Rovers have actually scored more goals than the Reds, but they have also been leaking at an alarming rate and have let in 38 so far this season. Their defending has become horrific, and Kenny Dalglish’s men will surely take advantage and hammer home a comfortable wide margin win.

Luis Suarez has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the Uruguayan striker will surely be keen to put that right by getting on the score sheet. He is a 4 chance with Paddy Power to let his feet do the talking and score the opener, and that looks a cracking punt.

You can also get 1.67 with Betfred and Boylesports about him netting anytime during the 90 minutes, and that could be better value than backing Liverpool in the outright market at 1.29 if you like to play at odds-on.

Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea are 1.3 shots to get back on the winning trail and beat Fulham, and if the stats are anything to go by then a comfortable home win looks on the cards.

After looking back to their best, AVB’s men have failed to maintain the momentum in their last two games – drawing  1-1 away at Wigan and Spurs.

However they haven’t lost any of their last 11 matches against the Cottagers, who have managed just four goals on their travels this season and come into this on the back of a 5-0 thrashing at home by Manchester united.

Martin Jol’s side have also failed to score in 11 away games, and simply don’t have enough backbone or fight to pose a threat to Chelsea.

It really should be a case of how many Chelsea win by, and I fancy them to keep a clean sheet in the process. They are even money (2) to do so with bet365 and Paddy Power and that looks a fair price given Fulham’s goal scoring record.

In the first goal scorer Frank Lampard looks worth a punt at a standout 7 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Even after suffering their first defeat of the Premier League season, Manchester City still sit atop the Premier League table, but archrivals and reigning league champions Manchester United are only two points behind and ready to pounce, and Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal can‘t be dismissed at this juncture.

Right now, it’d appear that the title is destined for Manchester, but a couple of key matches over the final few weeks of 2011 will determine which side looks like the favorite heading into the new year, and which of the London sides enters 2012 best positioned to seriously threaten Manchester‘s monopoly on the top two spots in the table.

Manchester City v Arsenal

Arsenal take on table toppers Man City in the big game of the weekend at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and bookmakers look to have underestimated their chances by offering a tasty 5.5 about them causing an upset.

That really does look a massive price with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power for the Gunners as they have been in terrific form in recent weeks and currently sit in fifth place – just nine points behind the league leaders.

Chelsea proved on Monday when coming from one down to beat City 2-1 that Roberto Mancini’s men are far from invincible, and Arsene Wenger will have taken plenty of encouragement from that result.

The stats certainly give Arsenal a better chance than what the bookies think, as City have lost at home to the Gunners 10 times in the Premier League and 20 times in all competitions.

The home side also really struggled in last month’s Carling Cup clash between the two sides, winning 1-0 with their only shot on target.

I really do think Arsenal are capable of serving it up to City especially given the goal scoring exploits of Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman has simply proved just too hot to handle this season and has now netted 33 goals in 32 Premier League games in 2011.

He has also scored an incredible 18 goals in his last 16 PL away appearances, so at 3 with Boylesports to score anytime during the 90 minutes he look incredible value.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Liverpool look outstanding value at even money (2) to notch an away victory over Aston Villa.

The home side have won just one of the last 13 Premier League games at home against Liverpool and quite frankly are a negative side who find goal scoring a chore.

Since Kenny Dalglish returned to take over at Anfield the progress has been there for all to see and they are seven points better off than at this stage last season having developed into a sidet hat opponents once gain fear playing.

What is frustrating though is that they could be closer to the leaders as they have been creating plenty of chances which they have failed to convert.

They have also hit the woodwork on 15 occasions and would be sitting in third place in the table if those shots had all gone in.

With the likes of Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy, Adam and Kuyt at their disposal the Reds should really be scoring with far more fluency, but it’s surely only a matter of time before things change. If they do then the charge for the top four will certainly be on as they have the the best defensive record in the league.

What is good, as far as this match is concerned, is that Liverpool have a terrific record against the Villans.

They have taken more Premier League points off Villa than any other club so why they can be backed at 2 with Betfred is totally beyond me.

It looks like an early Christmas present and should be snapped up.

Wigan v Chelsea

Chelsea are a top priced 1.4 to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium , and given their current form another three points looks a formality.

Andre Villas-Boas has turned things round in recent weeks and the Blues come into this in red-hot form having come from 1-0 down and put in a superb performance to to beat table toppers Man City 2-1 earlier in the week.

They have scored 15 goals without reply in the last three matches against the Latics, who have won just one and lost 10 of the 12 Premier League meetings between the two sides.

The home side are really struggling and have taken just one point from the last 15 on their own patch. OK they have managed to win two out of their last three games, but those wins came against Sunderland and West Brom and sandwiched in between was a 4-0 tonking at the hands of Arsenal.

It really does look a case of how many Chelsea will put past them as they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 PL games.

I think Chelsea will triumph with east, and fancy them to win 4-0 or 5-0. The former is a standout 21 with Betfred, while the latter is a 41 shot with the same firm and Boylesports.

QPR v Manchester United

Manchester United haven’t lost at Loftus Road for 22 years and look bankers at 1.5 with Betfred and Paddy Power to beat QPR and maintain their title challenge on neighbours City.

They have won eight and lost none of the last 11 meetings with the Hoops in all competitions and come into the game on the back of thrashing Wolves 4-1 to extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight (won 5, Drawn 3).

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns have also won five of their last six games and conceded just two goals in the process despite having their squad stretched.

This game really should hold no fears for them, and with Rooney and Nani back among the goals a comfortable victory looks on the cards.

Rooney ended his barren spell with two against Wolves and those goals will have  have given his confidence a tremendous boost.

He is a top priced 4.33 with bet365 to open the scoring on Sunday, and that looks terrific value given that many firms go just 3.75.

Given that QPR have now lost four of their last six and are best with injuries it really is difficult to see them being able to trouble United, and the 2.37 with Paddy Power about us winning to nil looks a huge price and definitely worth a wager.

See the Soccerlens football betting page for all the latest betting odds.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Man United is in danger of slipping to third as Spurs step up their game as Newcastle and Chelsea face-off for the UEFA Champions League spot. The Gunners are expected to cruise to victory in their visit to 19th place Wigan.

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Premiership surprise package Newcastle United take on Chelsea in the big game of the weekend (12.45pm KO Sat, Live on Sky Sports 2) and the draw looks he most likely outcome at odds of 3.4.

Alan Pardew’s side have suffered just one defeat in their last 16 English Premier League games to give them the best start to a season since 1996-97.

They were fortunate to get a share of the spoils at Old Trafford last week after they were awarded a controversial penalty, but they are proving tough nuts to crack and it won’t be easy for Andre Villas-Boas’ side to come away with all three points in the cauldron that is St James’.

I find it surprising that the bookies make Chelsea clear favourites at around 2.1 to bag all three points, as Andre Villas-Boas’ side have been really struggling of late and didn’t have to be at their best to register a much needed 3-0 success over Wolves last weekend.

The stats do however slightly favour Chelsea and that’s probably why the bookies have come down on their side.

The Magpies have won none of the last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D4, L4) and have managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 9 PL matches.

However do have a red-hot striker in the shape of Demba Ba who has netted 16 goals so far this season and snuffing him out will not be easy given the frailties of the Chelsea defence which have been exposed so many times so far this season.

I think Newcastle are good enough to get a share of the spoils here, and at 3.4 with bet365, Boylesports and Paddy Power the draw looks a fair bet.

1-1 is my idea of the outcome of what promises to be a fiercely fought battle, and you can get 7 about that scoreline with Boylesports.

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Manchester United may not have had the best of weeks but they are still odds-on at a top price of 1.73 to bounce back and notch an away victory over Aston Villa.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns were frustrated in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle last weekend, as Javier Hernandez’s opener was cancelled out by Demba Ba following a controversial penalty decision that the gaffer described as “shocking”.

They then slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday to bow out of the Carling Cup at the quarter-final stage, after which Ferguson apologised to supporters for the performance having rested several senior players and relied on inexperienced young blood to deliver the goods.

It will be back to the first-choice starting XI for the trip to Villa, and that should be enough for United to land odds of 1.73 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power and bag all three points.

The stats are certainly in United’s favour as far as this clash is concerned.

Villa have won none of their last 15 Premiership home games against United, drawing six and losing nine, and overall they have won just one of 31 meetings between the two sides.

United have also won 11 times at Villa Park in the PL, and with Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Nani and Nemanja Vidic all expected to start it would take a brave man to back against them not notching another win over Alex McLeish’s men.

I certainly expect them to prove too strong for the Villans, who have made their worst start to the season since 2005/06 and were very poor in their 0-0 draw at Swansea last weekend.

With Villa struggling to score I fancy United to win this to nil, and the 2.8 on offer with Paddy Power about that outcome looks huge.

Wigan v Arsenal

Arsenal are a top priced 1.57 to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium, and at those odds I rate them the banker bet of the whole weekend.

Wigan have won only one of their 12 Premier League meetings with the Gunners and have the worst conversion rate in the top flight having scored with just 9% of their shots.

Prior to their 2-1 away win against struggling Sunderland last weekend they had looked in dire straits, and it will be a major surprise if Arsene Wenger’s boys do not put them to the sword.

What is a surprise however is that Arsenal are 1.57 for victory given that they were 1.5 in the same fixture last season and come into the game on a terrific unbeaten league run which has seen them climb into seventh and put themselves in contention for a top four finish.

They are going for their third successive away win on the bounce, and goal scoring exploits of Robin van Persie have been nothing short of phenomenal.

I can see the Dutchman, who has done us bags of favours in the goal scorer markets this season, wreaking havoc and at 3.75 to net the opener with bet365 he looks worth another investment.

In the last four meetings between the Latics and the Gunners where both sides have scored, so the 1.67 with Betfred and Paddy Power about both teams netting also looks worth a wager for those that like to play at odds-on.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Halloween may have come and gone, but Wigan Athletic’s form remains scary. After the Latics’ 3-1 away loss to fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, the losing streak has stretched to eight Premier League games. With a potentially brutal Christmas period (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United), Wigan will certainly be hoping for early gifts against Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland this November.

Roberto Martinez’s men didn’t fail to perform against Wolves. As a matter of fact, they produced some gilt-edged opportunities. However, the inability to convert them was nothing short of embarrassing. Enter Mr. Hugo Rodallega. Continuously, and somewhat inexplicably, linked with a move to Arsenal, the Colombian fluffed two great chances. The first chance resulted in a rather languid strike straight at Wolves ‘keeper Wayne Hennessey. However, it was Rodallega’s second miss that had Wigan fans resembling The Scream. After perfecting ball control, Rodallega only had the goalkeeper to beat. Nevertheless, he also succeeded in beating the post. Quite rightly, Roberto Martinez was left to rue his side’s missed chances.

It is widely perceived, when a team is withering in the dark depths of the Premier League standings, fortune is not in favour. Having said that, it took Wolves little time to punish Rodallega’s inaccuracy. A combination of Hennessey’s big boot and Kevin Doyle’s dexterous wing-play concluded in an emphatic finish from Jamie O’Hara. Most certainly, a what-could-have-been story if only Rodallega had scored 30-40 seconds before Wigan conceded.

Credit must be given where credit is due. Wigan Athletic earned it, rallying after going a goal behind. Stephen Hunt illegally halted a buccaneering run from Emmerson Boyce, which, consequently, resulted in a penalty being awarded to the Latics. Nevertheless, Ben Watson wasn’t one to ease the Wigan fans’ blood pressure. It was rather more to relief than joy that the midfielder was able to dispatch an easy rebound after his initial poor penalty was saved. Half-time and the teams could not be separated.

By full-time, Wolves were the victors. Wigan produced as many chances as their relegation-battling counterparts, but too many efforts were spurned. David Edwards and Stephen Ward took the plaudits and, more importantly, gave Wolves an unassailable 3-1 lead. A fantastic win for Wolves and Mick McCarthy, especially after some recent public unrest.

Clearly, Wigan’s problems don’t all lie in attack. So far this season, the Latics’ defence has looked susceptible to any threat posed. Arguably, Wigan succumbed to three soft goals. Yet, without the brilliance of Ali Al-Habsi, Wolves may have scored more. Shockingly, it may have been a scoreline, which Wigan Warriors fans are more familiar with.

Unfortunately, another defeat comes with a question mark over Roberto Martinez’s head. The manager has shown loyalty to Wigan, but, obviously, there is no room for sentiment. A string of successive losses has left some Wigan fans joking about relegation already. Nervous laughter ensues.

You can follow the author on Twitter: OliverRhodes1

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

After three months of feigning interest in golf, cycling and cricket the Premier League football season finally returned and here are my “Five Things We Learnt This weekend.”

1. Liverpool Used to be Home to the Fab Four.

The greatest quartet ever, was born in Liverpool: Lennon, McCartney, Harrsion and Starr, passionate, imaginative, good looking and trend setting, unfortunately Kenny Dalglish’s attempt to recreate a magical foursome looks more bootleg than the real deal.

A first 45 minutes dominated by an energetic Luis Suarez hid the fact that Liverpool’s midfield lacked flair and even more worrying, an idea. Charlie Adam was as dangerous as ever from dead ball situations and Stuart Downing made one driving run and shot, but that was the sum total of their afternoons work.

Jordan Henderson, making his debut against his former club, Sunderland, was completely anonymous, if he had not of been substituted we would never have known he was playing. At only 20 years of age he needs time, but with a price tag of £20 Million he is unlikely to be given such a commodity. Liverpool, who were the form team during the second half of last season have moved away from their winning formula.

Dalglish gave Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt mere cameo roles while Maxi Rodriguez Liverpool’s most improved player of 2010/2011 and Alberto Aquliani, the man who put World Champions Spain to the sword midweek were not even in the match day squad.

Dalgish’s refusal to acknowledge Aquliani is worrying for the Anfield club, out of all Liverpool’s current midfield options he alone possess’ the technique, the passing and the shooting to unlock resolute teams. With only one game gone it is too early to question Dalglish, but Liverpool fans take note, since Kenny became the official manager, they have not won a competitive game.

2. Positivity Doesn’t Guarantee Three Points.

Despite a “Summer Horribilus” Wenger has kept a positive outlook. With his two most creative players set to depart, we could excuse Wenger a press conference tantrum, but he has remained resolutely positive, but as we saw at St James Park on Saturday, this will not win him many games.

Lack of creativity is one tag rarely thrust upon Arsenal, but Saturday night they were dire. A clearly unfit Robin Van Persie, without the support of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri was isolated and his last minute speculative strike from distance summed up the Gunners, way off the pace. Arsenal’s faint title hopes will be extinguished within weeks if Wenger doesn’t spend his newly acquired millions wisely.

Another team in serious need of a quality injection is QPR, who were thrashed 4-0 by a mediocre Bolton at home. Manager Neil Warnock may have signed a decent strike pairing in DJ Campbell and Jay Boothroyd, but no amount of optimism can add defensive ability to players like Danny Gabbidon, Clint Hill and Fitz Hall.

3. Victor Moses: A Ready Replacement for N’zogbia.

Wigan has established themselves as a Premier League club by buying cheap and selling big. Emile Heskey, Lee Cattermole, Wilson Palacios, Antiono Valencia and Charles N’zogbia have all been sold in recent seasons yet Wigan remain a Premier League team. The secret behind Wigan’s success is a good scouting technique and a manager/chairman combination that gives players time to blossom.

Obviously, there have been some failures, but the ethos remains the same and Wigan boast a status that West Ham, Middlesbrough and Leeds all covet. Moses, a former Crystal Palace man enjoyed a great opening day to the season and was a constant problem for new boys Norwich. The outcome of Wigan’s season will surely rest on his young shoulders and those of Colombian Hugo Rodallega.

4. Fernando May Be Back, but Chelsea’s Issues Are The Same.

Last season Fernando Torres’ lack of touch and pace had us questioning whether he could still be classified a top class striker. At the Britannia Stadium, Torres finally showed that he is edging back towards his best. Collecting the ball with his back to goal, he brought his teammates in to the game and when he was facing the goal his movement and directness troubled Stoke’s defence.

Torres, however was all alone in the opposition third, the supporting cast of Florent Malouda, Saloman Kalou and Frank Lampard offered the Spaniard no help from wide our through the middle. The introduction of Nicolas Anelka and Dider Drogba only served to remind us that a few years ago, even an extremely physical side like Stoke would have been overpowered by the blues, but that is no longer the case.

Andre Villas Boas, the fourth youngest manager in Premier League History, faces a difficult season especially if he doesn’t use the final two weeks of August wisely. Chelsea have become predictable and easily marshaled.

5. Beware!! New Look United Is Exactly The Same.

It looked as if Manchester United’s English heavy starting 11 were heading for a typical England performance, a lot of hype amounting to very little, but the new look Red Devils showed us that they are still cut from the same cloth.

An inspiring first 15 minutes had as all thinking the Premier League was over but West Brom, with a little help from keeper David De Gea levelled the game. The Spaniard once again failed to fill Edwin Van Der Sar’s gloves, but with a team that refuses to give up, he has been given another reprieve.

Ashley Young was United stand out player and the wingers 81st minute deflected goal was deserved, the former Villa winger was the debutant of the weekend by a country mile.

TOP PERFORMERS: Wes Brown, Jonathan Woodgate, Victor Moses and Ashley Young,
BEST GOAL: Seb Larsson for Sunderland v Liverpool.
MUST DO BETTER: David De Gea, Yohan Cabaye, Ali Al Habsi, Andy Carroll and Chelsea.

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Anthony Lombardi regularly contributes to Soccerlens. You can follow him on Twitter @arlombardi and Soccerlens as well.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It’s been a strange summer. Given that last season saw the Premier League’s top teams treat first place like a hot potato, and given that Manchester United’s relatively turgid trudge over the finishing line ahead of a resurgent but technically limited Chelsea, a cautious-bordering-on-paranoid Manchester City and Arsenal’s theatre de l’absurd, one might have expected the world’s richest league to have buzzed with transfer activity.

Alas, the great yawn that is Barcelona’s yearly pursuit of Cesc Fabregas began in earnest way back in May and is still far from over. Like a besotted celebrity mistress, the Catalan club’s desperate overtures – to a player who would certainly count amongst their best subsitutes were he to finally nod a cheeky Hispanic acquiescience – have been systematic, repetitive and very, very public. It has made for excrutiatingly dull reading for neutrals but there simply hasn’t been much else to supplant it.

We could discuss the finer points of FIFA’s new financial fair play regulations and their effect on the spending habits of England’s richest clubs but that’d all be a bit boring for a Premier League season preview, so, in an effort to cut straight to the chase, here is my prediction for the Premier League table with a special focus on The Top Six:

1. Chelsea – No new playmaker to light up last year’s dull-as-dishwater midfield, but a return to the grinding, mechanical victories under Mourinho allied to the subtle and full integration of stars like David Luiz and Ramires.

2. Manchester United – A very close second, but David de Gea cannot be expected to replace Edwin van der Sar, nor can Tom Cleverley replace the vision of Paul Scholes. Ashley Young doesn’t seem to add much to an already strong front line.

3. Manchester City – The squad could compete for the title were Mancini to allow them just a little more freedom going forward. As it stands, they are now consistent enough to displace Arsenal, as they proved last season.

4. Liverpool – I’m basing this on the assumption that Kenny Dalglish is smart enough to know that Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing are great options for Fulham at home, less so for Chelsea away, where they’ll need their Lucases and Meireleses.

5. Arsenal – Didn’t sign any of the players they needed. Even if they keep Cesc, it’s hard to see them mounting a serious title challenge once those frosty December nights in Stoke kick in. A good bet to win one of the cups, though.

6. Tottenham - Fantastic team, not such a great squad. Little was done in the transfer window to boost the depth of the squad. Expect them either to fall away late on or have an inconsistent start.

7. Fulham - Martin Jol has a solid record of turning OK sides into decent ones. Expect the same this time around, though it’ll be a bumpy ride.

8. Stoke - Their consistency, physicality and inhospitable home ground are unchanged under Tony Pulis. They have the right ingredients to finish near the top of the mediocrity once again.

9. Everton – Expect the usual ‘David Moyes has taken them as far as he can’ comments around December, before the usual resurgence before the end of the season hoists them within touching distance of Europe before one or two other teams get their act together and they have to settle for top-half respect.

10. West Brom – Peter Odemwingie not leaving the club is already fantastic news and should ensure a full season (mostly) free of the stress which accompanied Roberto di Matteo’s reign.

11. Bolton – The usual dourness. Fabrice Muamba finally breaking into the England squad and the occasional superman performance from Kevin Davies will be about the most exciting things to happen here.

12. Sunderland – Expect the freebies from United to blend inconspicuously into an infuriatingly inconsistent side. Never a worry for relegation, but will never quite mount a challenge for Europe either.

13. QPR – The three promoted sides all play open, attractive football. QPR look the most likely to adapt to a more robust attitude when the situation requires it and should do quite well.

14. Newcastle – The usual ups and downs. The Alan Pardew era should be one of relative financial restraint, meaning less broken dreams, but perhaps less fun along the way too.

15. Blackburn – Just about strong enough to avoid a last-day battle like last season, but they will teeter.

16. Aston Villa - The loss of their star player, Young, and their star performer, Downing, has not ben offset by investment in a mediocre squad. They could really struggle, with the quality of youngsters like Marc Albrighton being enough to keep them up.

17. Wigan – They’ve lost Charles N’Zogbia and Tom Cleverly, but with Ali Al-Habsi and Hugo Rodallega remaining at either end of the field, they should have just enough to carry on in the Premiership for another year.

18. Wolves – Lucky to have stayed up last year, this time around they will probably be just edged out.

19. Swansea - It’s a fantastic achievement for them to even be here – there will be some great highs but ultimately we can expect another Blackpool here.

20. Norwich – As above, although relegation for a club which has the taste of Premier League football still relatively fresh on its lips might hurt more than for their Welsh companions from the Championship.

Analyzing The Top Six

• 1. Can Arsenal Survive In The Top Four?
• 2. Can Chelsea Topple Manchester United?
• 3. Liverpool Plot Return To Champions League
• 4. Manchester City can’t stop Manchester United or Chelsea
• 5. Are Manchester United Good Enough For The 20th League Title?
• 6. Another Disappointing Season For Tottenham?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Last week we analysed the first half the 2011/2012 Premier League fixtures list, looking at the key clashes through August to December.

Here we look at the second half of the season and try to pick where the best action is likely to be.

Remember, you can watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season with Sky Sports HD. Click here to find out more.

January 2012

Monday, 2nd January sees the final act of the holiday season fixtures, 10 matches scheduled a mere two days after the 10 for Saturday 31st. Villa’s pain lets up with a home game to Swansea but there’s no respite for Liverpool or Manchester United, who visit Manchester City and Newcastle United respectively. Arsenal and Chelsea are away from home as well.

With a weekend break devoted to FA Cup action, Premier League football returns mid-month with the headline fixture being Aston Villa v Everton and Chelsea v Sunderland (odds on a repeat from last season are astronomical, to say the least).

The third week sees Arsenal host Manchester United – it was a similar game two years ago that more or less decided (ended) Arsenal’s title challenge, and it could be a similarly decisive match this time around as well. Manchester City and Tottenham square off at the Etihad stadium as well.

FA Cup (and rescheduled fixtures) will decidedly take precedence this month, with the final set of fixtures on the 31st, the highlight being Chelsea’s trip to Swansea and United hosting Stoke.

Six To Watch: Manchester City v Liverpool (2nd), Newcastle United v Manchester United (2nd), Aston Villa v Everton (14th), Chelsea v Sunderland (14th), Arsenal v Manchester United (21st), Manchester City v Tottenham (21st).

February 2012

1st February sees Everton and Manchester City square off but all eyes will be firmly on Saturday, 4th February, when the two teams who have shared the last seven Premier League titles square off at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and United are joined by Liverpool hosting Tottenham in making this a entertaining weekend, which is the second is a series of crucial games for Liverpool. After playing away to Wolves on 31st January, Liverpool host Tottenham on the 4th, play away to Manchester United on the 11th before playing hosts in the Merseyside derby on the 25th. Incidentally, that match is then followed by Arsenal’s visit to Anfield on 3rd March, before Liverpool are on the road to Sunderland the week after.

But while Liverpool at Old Trafford on the 11th of February, Chelsea are away to Everton, Manchester City away to Aston Villa and Arsenal away to Sunderland, while Tottenham host Newcastle. And on the same weekend as the Merseyside derby, we also see the North London derby as Arsenal host Tottenham.

Eight To Watch: Everton v Manchester City (1st), Chelsea v Manchester United (4th), Liverpool v Tottenham (4th), Manchester United v Liverpool (11th), Everton v Chelsea (11th), Aston Villa v Manchester City (11th), Liverpool v Everton (25th), Arsenal v Tottenham (25th).

March 2012

European commitments will start to take their toll on the top sides by March and April. With Liverpool hosting Arsenal on the 3rd, we also have Tottenham hosting Manchester United on the same date. The next weekend sees Everton v Tottenham and Norwich v Wigan as standout matches, while Everton host Arsenal and Manchester City host Chelsea on the 17th. The next two weeks have no ‘massive’ games but several tricky fixtures, with Arsenal v Aston Villa, Chelsea v Tottenham and Aston Villa v Chelsea the standouts.

Eight To Watch: Liverpool v Arsenal (3rd), Tottenham v Manchester United (3rd), Everton v Tottenham (10th), Everton v Arsenal (17th), Manchester City v Chelsea (17th), Arsenal v Aston Villa (24th), Chelsea v Tottenham (24th), Aston Villa v Chelsea (31st).

April 2012

As the jostling for league positions cranks up several gears, April kicks off with a few crackers. Arsenal host Manchester City, there’s a potential relegation 6-pointer between QPR and Swansea, United have an away trip to traditional whipping boys Wigan, Fulham host Chelsea, Chelsea and Manchester United host Newcastle and Aston Villa respectively.

The second half of April sees some crucial title-deciding matches – Arsenal v Chelsea and Manchester City v Manchester United, while Liverpool enjoy a relatively easy month with matches against Aston Villa (home), Blackburn (away), Fulham (home), West Brom (home) and Norwich (away). If Liverpool are going to serious contenders this season, for the champions league or for the title, these are 15 points they should be getting.

Five To Watch: Arsenal v Manchester City (7th), Liverpool v Aston Villa (7th), Manchester United v Aston Villa (14th), Arsenal v Chelsea (21st), Manchester City v Manchester United (28th).

May 2012

The last two gameweeks of the season (plus any rescheduled games thanks to domestic and continental cup commitments) could see the title decided if the contenders keep dropping points as they did last season. Aston Villa host Tottenham on the first weekend but that’s only a precursor to the big one, Liverpool v Chelsea at Anfield. On the same weekend Manchester City are also away to Newcastle United, while Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy home games against Norwich and Swansea respectively.

The final week sees some tough games, with Norwich hosting Aston Villa, Manchester United Reserves Sunderland hosting Manchester United and Swansea hosting Liverpool, while QPR are away to Manchester City and West Brom host the Arsenal.

Five To Watch: Aston Villa v Tottenham (5th), Liverpool v Chelsea (5th), Newcastle United v Manchester City (5th), Everton v Newcastle United (12th), Sunderland v Manchester United (12th).

Disclaimer: Please note that the fixtures are subject to change and Soccerlens is not responsible for any changes that may be made.

Watch Live Premier League Matches On Sky

This season Sky Sports will show 115 live Premier League fixtures with every match available in HD and selected matches in 3D. The confirmed TV listings are till end of November, with a guaranteed 39 live games.

ALL THE CLUBS: Every Barclays Premier League team will be shown live in the first set of Sky Sports HD fixtures with all three newly-promoted clubs shown live at least three times by the end of November.

BIG HEAD-TO-HEADS: Sky Sports will show 11 matches between last year’s top six teams, including Manchester United v Arsenal on August 28 and Manchester United v Chelsea on September 18.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL: Sky Sports will offer more than 129 live matches from the UEFA Champions League on Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports HD4 and via the red button, including live coverage of the final qualifying round in August. Throughout the tournament Sky Sports will show up to 15 live matches per week across the Group Stage including every match on Tuesday nights.

SKY GO: Sky Sports is also available to view via Sky Go, a service that allows Sky TV customers with Sky Sports access across a range of devices at no extra cost. Sky customers will be able to watch live streaming of every Sky Sports channel on laptops, computers, tablet and mobile devices with Sky Go (watch the Sky Go ad).

Get started with Sky Sports Football and watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season in HD.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season with Sky Sports HD.

The 2011/2012 Premier League season kicks off with a bang – a Manchester derby in the FA Community Shield as the curtain raiser for a fast start to the season that sees Arsenal host Liverpool and United host Tottenham and Arsenal – and all of this just in August.

With Manchester United spending upwards of 50m to replace retiring players and to strengthen the squad for a 20th league title, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are also strengthening their squads to catch up with the Premier League champions. And then you have Arsenal and Tottenham, both teams that are one or two signings (and some luck with injuries) away from a proper title challenge.

Here’s a look at the big league fixtures for the first half of the season and the matches that should be on your must-watch list. Part Two, looking at the second half of the season, can be found here.

August 2011

As teams wrap up their pre-season commitments (as much for commercial reasons as for preparing the players for consistently peak performance across 10 months), the season kicks off with the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners in the Community Shield clash on 8th August. City have a sedate start to the season after that, with their toughest fixture coming at the end of the month away to Tottenham. City rivals United on the other hand start off with a tricky away trip to West Brom before back to back home games against Tottenham and Arsenal.

Chelsea have a relatively easy start to the season but the same can’t be said for Tottenham, who host Everton and Man City either side of the aforementioned trip to Old Trafford. Arsenal will be cursing the luck of the draw as they kick off with a trip to Newcastle (the scene of THAT 4-4 draw), host Liverpool and then go back up north to play Manchester United.

Six To Watch: Manchester City v Manchester United (8th), Stoke v Chelsea (14th), West Brom v Manchester United (14th), Arsenal v Liverpool (20th), Manchester United v Tottenham (22nd), Manchester United v Arsenal (28th).

September 2011

After a 10 day international break the Premier League is back with Swansea playing away at the Emirates and Chelsea against United’s Sunderland’s defence, but the pick of the first week’s matches is Everton v Aston Villa. The second week sees Manchester United host Chelsea and Tottenham host Liverpool, giving United 3 home games against top-6 opposition in the first 5 matches (the other two are away games).

Five To Watch: QPR v Newcastle (12th), Blackburn v Arsenal (17th), Tottenham v Liverpool (18th), Manchester United v Chelsea (18th), Manchester City v Liverpool (24th)

October 2011

October sees another international break but not before derby fever hits the league, with Everton v Liverpool and Tottenham v Arsenal the headliners of the first weekend.

Arsenal and United continue with their tough starts, United away to Liverpool right after the international break and hosting City the next weekend, while Arsenal, after hosting Sunderland and Stoke are at Stamford Bridge at the end of the month to play Chelsea. United are also away to Everton on the 29th, while QPR play city rivals Fulham, Tottenham and Chelsea all in October.

Seven To Watch: Everton v Liverpool (1st), Tottenham v Arsenal (2nd), Liverpool v Manchester United (15th), Manchester City v Aston Villa (16th), Newcastle v Tottenham (16th), Manchester United v Manchester City (23rd), Chelsea v Arsenal (29th).

November 2011

At this stage of the season, international breaks, early season blues, injuries and European football has started to show its’ effects and you can generally see which teams are NOT going to win the title. Given the number of heavyweight clashes at the start of the season it’s likely that one or more of the top six will be out of the running as early as November, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t recover in time.

Another international break can’t hide the tricky fixtures at the start of November, the highlights being Newcastle v Everton and Fulham v Tottenham, as well a homecoming party for Sunderland’s ex-United players as they visit Old Trafford.

Once the players are back though, club football takes all the focus for the next four months as teams navigate through domestic cup competitions, European competitions and tricky winter ties. Mid November sees Arsenal away to Norwich and United away to Swansea, before Chelsea host Liverpool on the 20th and Tottenham host Aston Villa the day after. The next weekend sees United host Newcastle and Liverpool host Man City.

Five To Watch: Newcastle v Everton (5th), Fulham v Tottenham (6th), Chelsea v Liverpool (20th), Tottenham v Aston Villa (21st), Liverpool v Manchester City (27th).

December 2011

December is heavy on fixtures (a potential 6 per team) and in separating the pretenders from the real title contenders. It’s around this time that Chelsea fell away last year.

The first matchweek sees United, Chelsea and Liverpool away to Villa, Newcastle and Fulham respectively, tough matches that the home teams will go in believing that they can win. It’s London v North again the next weekend as Arsenal host Everton and Chelsea host Man City, alongside QPR’s first trip of the season to Anfield and Stoke v Tottenham.

The second half of December sees Villa v Liverpool, City v Arsenal, Tottenham v Chelsea, Villa v Arsenal (not a good month for Villa) and for the final day of the year, Liverpool v Newcastle, Arsenal v QPR and Chelsea v Aston Villa (amongst others).

Aston Villa, in December, are scheduled to play: Man Utd (home), Bolton (away), Liverpool (home), Arsenal (home), Stoke (away) and Chelsea (away). Two tough away games plus four games against the old top 4. Their season may be decided by the transfer window and the replacements (or lack thereof) for Young and Downing), but if they are to succeed in their targets this season, December will be their sternest test.

Ten To Watch: Aston Villa v Manchester United (3rd), Newcastle v Chelsea (3rd), Arsenal v Everton (10th), Chelsea v Manchester City (10th), Aston Villa v Liverpool (17th), Manchester City v Arsenal (17th), Tottenham v Chelsea (20th), Aston Villa v Arsenal (21st), Liverpool v Newcastle (31st), Chelsea v Aston Villa (31st).

Disclaimer: Please note that the fixtures are subject to change based on domestic and continental cup commitments.

Watch Live Premier League Matches On Sky

This season Sky Sports will show 115 live Premier League fixtures with every match available in HD and selected matches in 3D. The confirmed TV listings are till end of November, with a guaranteed 39 live games.

ALL THE CLUBS: Every Barclays Premier League team will be shown live in the first set of Sky Sports HD fixtures with all three newly-promoted clubs shown live at least three times by the end of November.

BIG HEAD-TO-HEADS: Sky Sports will show 11 matches between last year’s top six teams, including Manchester United v Arsenal on August 28 and Manchester United v Chelsea on September 18.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL: Sky Sports will offer more than 129 live matches from the UEFA Champions League on Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports HD4 and via the red button, including live coverage of the final qualifying round in August. Throughout the tournament Sky Sports will show up to 15 live matches per week across the Group Stage including every match on Tuesday nights.

SKY GO: Sky Sports is also available to view via Sky Go, a service that allows Sky TV customers with Sky Sports access across a range of devices at no extra cost. Sky customers will be able to watch live streaming of every Sky Sports channel on laptops, computers, tablet and mobile devices with Sky Go (watch the Sky Go ad).

Get started with Sky Sports Football and watch the best of the 2011/2012 Premier League season in HD.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News