Trying to overcome Blues

Arsenal vs SouthamptonSouthampton get their best chance to capitalise on Arsenal8217;s off colour form and pick up only their fourth win of...

Arsenal vs Southampton

Southampton get their best chance to capitalise on Arsenal8217;s off colour form and pick up only their fourth win of this Premiership campaign in order to keep their top flight survival going. Harry Redknapp8217;s team has won only one of 11 League games since he arrived at St Mary8217;s. Saints have, in fact, chalked up more home draws than any other club in the highest League eight, and in Arsenal face a side that has finished level less often than any other club in top tier games on the road once. Arsenal have a handful of problems 8212; they will be without Edu, who is injured, and the suspended trio of Dennis Bergkemp, Jose Antonio Ryes and Cesc Fabregas. Injured Sol Campbell and Justin hoyte too will miss while the consoling part is Ashley Cole will be available.

Man United vs Portsmouth

When Manchester United take on Portsmouth on Saturday, the sole aim of the former would be to extend the longest current winning sequence in the Premiership to six matches, and closing the gap on Chelsea to six points. Playing their 47th game of the season 8212; they have lost just six games before Saturday 8212; Sir Alex Ferguson8217;s side will want to put behind the 0-1 loss to AC Milan on Wednesday in the Champions and keep their unbeaten home record intact. In Portsmouth, they face a team at the foot of that table. But they are also the last club to beat United in the League since when the Red Devils have claimed 42 points from a possible 48. With United chasing a fifth successive home League maximum over Portsmouth, the former will start with Ruud van Nistelrooy after his comeback from injury in the Champions League. Wayne Rooney could make way, while Roy Keane will also be rested, but Roy Carroll is expected to continue in goal despite his blunder against Milan.

Everton vs Aston Villa

Enjoying a five-point cushion ahead of Liverpool, Everton will want t increase their tally when they meet Aston Villa. The Merseysiders 8212; now out of the FA Cup 8212; can concentrate on recapturing the form showed in the first half of the season. But they haven8217;t won anything in over three months and should they leave Villa Park without a point, it would be the Toffees8217; 200th loss in Premiership history. A long range effort from Lee Hendrie and an equalising chip from Everton8217;s Marcus Bent ensured this season8217;s reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw. Though Everton lead by 68 wins in 67 in the League head-to-head count, the Toffees have won only one of 19 visits to Villa Park spanning 20 years.