EPL 2012-13: Premier League Game Week 24 Preview

London, Jan 29: The battle for survival between Aston Villa and Newcastle, Manchester City aim to close gap on top, Wigan eye three points but face lethal Stoke and finally Sunderland look to continue winning streak when they take on Swansea City.

EPL 2012-13: Premier League results report - Game Week 24

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United - Villa Park

Two teams currently hovering above the relegation zone take on each other in this midweek fixture as the battle to survive hots up.

Newcastle have been hit with injuries and suffered 10 defeats in 13 league games. However, Alan Pardew has brought in some replacements to strenghten his squad and will hope his side can come back to winning ways.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, are going through a disastrous run in the league. Paul Lambert will be questioned on playing an inexperienced team. The Villans are a point above the drop and desperately need three points.

* This is Aston Villa worst league position since 1955-1956 season when they had 20 points in 23 games.

* Newcastle have not won away from home in 17 attempts.

Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester City - Loftus Road.

Harry Redknapp blasted his fringe players after the loss to Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Premier League strugglers now take on the defending champions Manchester City.

City will know a win can take them close to rivals Manchester United by a single point, atleast for 24 hours while for QPR, three points is crucial to have any chance of survivig in the league.

Roberto Mancini's side are in great form while QPR have not lost in their last three league games which includes two draws.

*Manchester City have won their last four games against QPR.

*Rangers last beat City 1-0 back in 1995.

Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic - Britannia Stadium

Wigan often show flashes of brilliance and are quite unpredictable every season. This time out Roberto Martinez's side are 19th in the league and face a lethal test away at Stoke.

Both teams are going through a patchy form in the league but Stoke are sitting pretty at 10th place and 10 points above their midweek opponents.

The Potters are favourites to comeback and win after losing out to Manchester City in the FA Cup while Wigan will be confident after beating Macclesfield on Saturday.

*Wigan have won only one game in the 10 league matches while Stoke have conceded 13 goals in four games.

Sunderland vs Swansea City - Stadium of Light

Sunderland are enjoying their best league form in the season with five wins in eight games and could move to the top half of the table if they manage to win against Swansea City.

The Swans have not scored in their last four away games while the visitors to the Stadium of Light failed to score i nthe last four league matches.

However, Swansea are two places above Sunderland in the league standings.

*Swansea have never beaten Sunderland in the Premier League.

Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur - Carrow Road

Both teams are coming off a terrible cup result at the weekend. Spurs were beaten by Championship side Leeds United while Norwich became the first Premier League team to lose to a non-league side Luton Town.

However, a dip in league form means Norwich could easily go down face relegation. Spurs need a win after back-to-back draws to keep the fourth spot.

*Tottenham lost against Norwich for the first since 1991 in this season's League Cup.

*The two sides meet for the 61st time in all competitions. Tottenham have won 26 to Norwich's 19.

Fulham vs West Ham United - Craven Cottage.

The two London clubs are going through the worst form in the season. Fulham have won twice in their last 15 league matches while West Ham have registered three wins.

A win for either side will be welcomed but a draw is more likely in this London derby. Both clubs are struggling to win and if this continues they may find themselves hanging above the relegation zone.

*West Ham have won six of their eight Premier League games away to Fulham.

Everton vs West Brom Albion - Goodison Park

Everton usually find success in te second-half of the season but their current position already guarantees a place in Europe and they could go further and challenge for a place in the Champions League.

Back-to-back draws denied David Moyes' side a top-four finish but they drawn 11 so far this season. West Brom have been in the top-half of table for the entire season and to finish here would be an incredible achievement for Steve Clarke's side. But the Bagies last registered a win more than a month ago.

*West Brom's last win at Goodison Park was a 4-1 victory in 2010.

Reading vs Chelsea - Madejski Stadium

Chelsea have gone through a lot this season. Crashed out of the Champions League as holders, a dip in league form, suffered League Cup exit and were held 2-2 by Brentford in the FA Cup.

Currently third in the league standings, Chelsea now have to save their Champions League spots. With back-to-back draws in Cup ties, the Blues face tricky trip to Reading.

Reading have four in a row, two in the Premier League and have grown in confidence that they will stay on top and survive in the league.

*Reading's last League win over Chelsea was 3-1 at home back in 1930.

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