Its a heavy Easter schedule of EPL action coming up with the first game tonight (Friday) and a  second round of matches concluding by Wednesday. Ill look ahead to the 1st round of games here so join me over the break...  <!--more-->

Man Utd v QPR

QPR’s delight at beating Arsenal last week was compounded by this weekend’s opponents United beating relegation rivals Blackburn. This in turn has taken QPR out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

They’ve had a massive couple of weeks with their comeback win against Liverpool as well as their impressive and deserved win against the previously rampant Gunners. Beating a relentless United team hell-bent on keeping their noisy neighbours in their place is an entirely different proposition altogether.

It might not be a vintage United side but the result and the manner it was achieved with two late goals was classic United. They’ve now won 12 from 13 and have a 5pt lead over City.

Jones is fit again and last week played midfield. Nani has a small chance of some game time.

Arsenal v Man City

I tipped City to win the league this year but this was before their near capitulation in the glare of the media. This game really is the last chance saloon for them and even if City can somehow lift themselves for an away game it is hard to imagine Wenger’s team not busting a gut against the likes of Nasri and co.

Lescott could be back as could Aguero after the medical team put him out of action with a foot spray.

Swansea v Newcastle

Two of the seasons success stories face off at The Liberty. Swansea’s home/away win ratio has seen quite a turn-around in recent times. March Player of the Month  Sigurdsson – whose six goals have all come away from home – has been a huge part of this. Despite losing two of their last three home games, they’ll be strong opponents.

Caulker will be available again, while Dyer will be champing at the bit to reclaim his spot back in the team. Newcastle who are 3pts closer to 4th place after Arsenal’s defeat are absolutely flying at the moment. Following on from an excellent performance at WBA they absolutely wiped the floor with Liverpool. Impressive stuff from the Geordies with Cisse (7 goals from 7 games), Ben Arfa and Ba continuing to excel.

Liverpool v Villa

These two are the antithesis of Swansea and Newcastle this year. It’s been a truly wretched 2012 for the Reds and they’ve now lost six of their last seven. They’ll be missing Reina after his red-card, who I felt, contrary to media reports, was unlucky to be sent off. It was a cowardly trip on Reina from James Perch followed by a blatant dive from an alleged head-butt. This gamesmanship was matched only by Carroll’s embarrassment of a dive after he’d rounded Krul and was in a goalscoring position.

Adam remains out while question marks remain over the likes of Agger and Johnson. Dalglish rarely takes risks with injured players. Villa managed to fight back to 2-2 before Chelsea ruthlessly scored two late goals of their own to keep more pressure on Villa.

Until now, Villa have been aided by the ineptitude of others below them, but with the likes of Blackburn, Bolton and QPR now picking up points they’ll rightfully be feeling nervous. Hutton should be fit but Cuellar and NZogbia will most likely miss.

Chelsea v Wigan

Wigan have started picking up the points that some of their play has deserved, it’s a big ask for them to pick up points at Stamford Bridge though. Rodallega should still be missing. They might be feeling a bit shafted that despite that win against Stoke, other results conspired to keep them second bottom.

Torres showed some real finishing quality last week as Chelsea put Villa to the sword. Terry who’s never been shy to play through injury says he should play despite two cracked ribs.

Bolton v Fulham

Bolton grabbed a stupendous 3pts at Wolves last week and can build on that as they take on a Fulham side who are traditionally poor away from home. Miyiachi’s fitness is a concern to Owen Coyle but will most likely start this game.

Fulham could be missing Pogrebynak and with Andy Johnson out one solution could see Dempsey moved further forward.

Stoke v Wolves

Stoke disappointed at Wigan last week where they weren’t really at the races. Crouch, who scored that wonder goal the previous week against City, did nothing – no doubt to the sheer disgust of Fez. The good news is Crouch and his teammates have a chance to make amends against a Wolves team that are on their knees. Etherington and Pennant are both doubts.

Wolves lost at home to fellow relegation candidates Bolton last week. To have any chance of survival one would think that Terry Connors team talks will need to be more inspiring then his post-match interviews. Jamie O’Hara has finally succumbed to his injury and will miss the rest of the season. Wolves are isolated and now sit a catastrophic 6pts from 2nd bottom.

WBA v Blackburn

West Brom were one of three teams who were afflicted by team-mates nearly boxing each other on the park at the weekend. Goalkeeper Foster and Odemwingie the likely candidates. It shows they care, the fact is though they have a poor home record and Blackburn need the points more for their relegation battle. Morrison remains out while Blackburn – who were close to gaining a point against Man United – have no injury worries.

Norwich v Everton

Holt will be back after suspension to tenderise another centre-half pairing. Not that the Everton defence is a soft touch. They’ve got a few clean sheets to their name in recent times and a nice run of results has seen them move up to 7th place. Coleman and Rodwell will most likely miss out again for the Toffeemen.

Sunderland v Spurs

Martin O’Neill has hinted at rotating his squad. Not sure I’m falling for that old chestnut. I’ll believe it when I see it. Youth development, like squad rotation, simply isn’t in O’Neill’s vocabulary. He’s a results man, plain and simple, and he happens to be very, very good at it. He’ll need to be as Champions League chasing Spurs roll into town. Spurs will be buoyed by their win and Arsenal’s defeat last week. They have a few players who might see some rotation time with the heavy upcoming schedule.

The following games will be played on Monday to Wednesday:

Everton v Sunderland

Newcastle v Bolton

Spurs v Norwich

Villa v Stoke

Fulham v Chelsea

Blackburn v Liverpool

Man City v WBA

Wigan v Man United

Wolves v Arsenal

QPR v Swansea