English Premier League: Week 21 Previews and Predictions

Thierry Henry made his return to England one for the ages as he propelled Arsenal into the next round of the FA Cup over Leeds United in front of a packed Emirates Stadium.

Once again the striker will be in the hunt to help his beloved Arsenal push back towards a chance at glory as his time on loan from Major League Soccer's New York Red Bull could see the Gunners make a push for a solidified spot in the top four for at least the first part of 2012.

This week the EPL, English Premier League, clubs including Arsenal return to regular season action after an FA Cup break as well as a make up match and the semi-finals of the Carling Cup that has seen both Crystal Palace and Liverpool take the first steps towards booking a place for the trophy.

Tottenham secured victory over Everton in their midweek match that saw all 20 teams come level on games played and now see Harry Redknapp's men tied on points for second in the league with Manchester United.

Manchester United will need to bounce back after two straight losses in the league, while Manchester City likewise need to get their act together after what should have been a far worse defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night.

Mark Hughes takes the reigns for Queens Park Rangers as he hopes to ensure their survival after taking the place of sacked Neil Warnock.

Chelsea need to keep pushing forward to try and get back in the top four, while Liverpool are only a victory away from being tied with fourth.

With all of the top five teams facing clubs that they should be able to defeat, it is highly certain that is could be another weekend of upsets for at least a few of them.

Aston Villa will hope to keep pushing forward in the new year as the hopes of regaining a place in at least the top ten after a disappointing loss to Swansea City.

Landon Donovan marked his return to the Toffees in their FA Cup victory over Tamworth. He is a welcomed sight to see for Blues fans as he was hugely influential his last time at Goodison Park.

Predicted Score: Aston Villa 1 - 2 Everton

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Brad Guzan, Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Stiliyan Petrov, Marc Albrighton, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville, Apostolos Vellios, Royston Drenthe, Landon Donovan, Louis Saha

Players to Watch: Gabriel Agbonlahor and Landon Donovan

Blackburn's Chris Samba, David Dunn and David Hoillet are all doubtful but are desperately needed against an improving Fulham side.

American wide player Clint Dempsey continues to have a banner season coming off a hat trick in the FA Cup and looks to continue to be the Cottagers danger man.

Predicted Score: Blackburn 1 - 2 Fulham

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Jason Lowe, Chris Samba, Adam Henley, Grant Hanley, Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, David Hoillet, Morten Gamst Pederson, Mauro Formica, Yakubu

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: David Stockdale, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise, Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Moussa Dembele, Bobby Zamora

Players to Watch: Yakubu and Clint Dempsey

Sunderland have managed two victories in a row with a controversial goal to beat Manchester City in extra time to a resounding victory over Wigan Athletic.

Chelsea rebounded after a loss to Aston Villa with a tough win over Wolverhampton and their FA Cup victory over Portsmouth in midweek should continue to boost their confidence.

Predicted Score: Chelsea 2 - 1 Sunderland

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, David Luiz, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Oriel Romeu, Juan Mata, Ramires, Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Kieren Westwood, John O'Shea, Phillip Bardsley, Matthew Kilgallon, Kieran Richardson, Sebastian Larsson, David Vaughn, Jack Colback, Lee Cattermole, Stephane Sessegnon, Nicklas Bendtner

Players to Watch: Fernando Torres and Stephane Sessegnon

Liverpool recorded a great victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-finals but honestly should have taken even more of a lead back to Anfield.

This weekend they face off against Stoke City in what is sure to be a tough fight.

Peter Crouch is likely to make another Anfield return, and the once Red striker will be the Potters biggest threat.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2 - 0 Stoke City

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique, Maxi Rodriguez, Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Thomas Sorenson, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Shotton, Dean Whitehead, Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters

Players to Watch: Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch

Manchester United knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup this past weekend and proved that they could beat the best and that they were still deserving of being at the top.

Now they have to keep from dropping another game to a club at the bottom of the table.

Bolton Wanderers will likely have a hard time against the defending champs as their veteran keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is out injured and their attack has been rather toothless this season.

Predicted Score: Manchester United 3 - 0 Bolton

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Patrice Evra, Nani, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Adam Bogdan, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill , Zat Knight, Dedryck Boyata, Fabrice Muamba, Martin Petrov, Mark Davies, Nigel Reo-Coker, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic

Players to Watch: Wayne Rooney and Ivan Klasnic

Tottenham earned another great victory over Everton during midweek and drew level on 45 points in second place of the league. Spurs could be sitting at the top of the table come Sunday afternoon and that has to be music to Harry Redknapp's ears.

Wolverhampton Wanderers on the other hand will be hoping to upset the high flying hopes of Spurs and their in demand forward Steven Fletcher will be their best spark.

Predicted Score: Tottenham 2 - 1 Wolves

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Yonus Kaboul, Michael Dawson, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Niko Kranjcar, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Christophe Berra, Roger Johnson, Richard Stearman, David Edwards, Stephen Hunt, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Players to Watch: Gareth Bale and Steven Fletcher

West Bromwich Albion have been struck with the injury bug as almost their entire midfield have been knocked out of action while forward Shane Long is likely a game time decision. The Baggies could use three points from this but are not the favorite.

Norwich are the highest placed promoted side as they sit in ninth on 25 points when most people believed they would be relegated back down.

The Canaries need this victory and they will be three points closer to almost a guaranteed spot in the top flight next season.

Predicted Score: West Brom 1 - 2 Norwich

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Nicky Shorey, Jonas Olsson, Gareth McAuley, Billy Jones, Sam Mantom, Graham Dorrans, Somen Tchoyi, Scott Allan, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Marc Tierney, Zak Whitbread, Russell Martin, Kyle Naughton, Andrew Crofts, David Fox, Wesley Hoolahan, Andrew Surman, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Players to Watch: Peter Odemwingie and Grant Holt

Mark Hughes has returned to the hot seat in the EPL, this time at Queens Park Rangers. His last post was in London with Fulham, but now he is in the position to start building a club if he can manage to keep them from being relegated at the end of the season.

Newcastle will be without their second highest goal scorer in the league, but are still believed to be the favorites to take the match.

It is uncertain what kind of reception Joey Barton will receive when he walks out at St. James Park.

Predicted Score: Newcastle United 2 - 2

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Davide Santos, Michael Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Radek Cerny, Luke Young, Clint Hill, Daniel Gabbidon, Bradley Orr, Jaime Mackie, Joey Barton, Alejandro Damian Faurlin, Tommy Smith, Jay Bothroyd, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Players to Watch: Yohan Cabaye and Joey Barton

Thierry Henry is back with a bang and despite not be a major Gunner's supporter I really cannot wait to see him in action along with Robin Van Persie.

Swansea will hope to manage another great home stand as they have only lost to Manchester United at the Liberty Stadium and will look to continue their great home form.

Predicted Score: Swansea 1 - 2 Arsenal

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Angel Ranger, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Ashley Richards, Mark Gower, Leon Britton, Luke More, Leroy Lita, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Ignasi Miquel, Johan Djourou, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Andrei Arshavin

Players to Watch: Scott Sinclair and Thierry Henry

Manchester City are on the verge of two Cup exits after their last two games have seen them get knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and they are now an away goal down to Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

Yaya Toure and Kolou Toure are both gone to Africa and James Milner will likely return to the Citizens first 11.

Wigan are on just as poor of a run as their were beaten by Sunderland in their last league fixture and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Swindon Town.

Predicted Score: Wigan 1 - 3 Manchester City

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez,  Ronnie Stam, David Jones, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Ben Watson, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Eden Dzeko, Sergio Aguero

Players to Watch: Hugo Rodallega and Sergio Aguero

The EPL is starting to get back to the normal weekly schedule after all of the packed holiday and Cup tie fixtures of the last several weeks.

With all clubs now on the same number of matches the table will also be more interesting to watch as many what ifs have been eliminated.

It is looking to be another great weekend of action as the run in continues with only 18 more games to play and a host of possibilities to play out.

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