QPR v Man United

As all Aussies know, droughts are always followed by floods, which is usually the same as what happens with Rooneys goalscoring.... and the drought is over. With upcoming games against QPR (a), Fulham (a), Wigan and Blackburn it would take a brave man to bet against a flood of goals for the formerly folically challenged half boy/half genius.

Nanis back to form with two goals and one assist last week, while Valencia - Youngs replacement - assisted three. Jones played midfield again and with the sad news that Darren Fletchers season is most likely over, there is every chance hell get more game-time there.

Evans looks like he could be Vidics replacement while Smalling - who was given the runaround by Jarvis last week - played right back. United will be on a high after Citys loss coincided with their own thumping victory over Wolves.

QPRs Kenny is apparently over injury but with some excellent games from Cerny he might find that hell not walk straight back in.<!--more-->

Man City v Arsenal

The unbeaten run comes to an end after 15 matches. City looked in cruise control and there were signs that were going to give Chelsea a good going over and possibly would have if they werent denied a Stonewall penalty right in front of the referee. But thats football and theres no time to feel sorry for yourself, especially with RVP and co rolling into town.

Clichy is suspended after his red card, which leaves Mancini with a bit of a dilemma as Kolarov is currently injured. Richards is reportedly ready to come back in, which means Zabaleta - who seems to have lost the faith of Mancini a little - might shift to left back. With Walcott tearing down the right wing towards him, it will make for interesting viewing (if indeed it happens). With RVP still finding the back of the net it will be hard for City to achieve their 1st clean sheet in ten Premier League matches.

Attack would certainly seem the best form of defence for Arsenal especially since they have their own defensive problems. They currently have four recognised full backs out. The back four last week was Koscielny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker and Djourou. Arsenal have won seven and drawn one of their last eight games.

Wigan v Chelsea

Three excellent points for Wigan last week where Moses was instrumental, scoring then earning a penalty for Gomez to convert. Its going to be a tougher ask this week though, against a Chelsea team that have just had three excellent results.

Mata and Sturridge in particular are flying at the moment and theyve played a major part in Chelseas resurgence. Sturridge had two assists against City. Lampard started on the bench but came on in the 73rd minute and scored the penalty winner 10 minutes later. Whether thats enough to earn him a starting spot I think only AVB knows at the moment. Luiz is now free from suspension and is most likely to come back in to replace Bosingwa.

Everton v Norwich

Saha was back earlier than expected and started last week, however it made no difference as he saw little of the ball and in fact seems to be a shadow of the player of recent years. How Everton must wonder where they can find someone who can, say, score four goals in a game?! Rodwell and Drenthe remain doubtful for this week.

Norwich have done well so far this season and will fancy their chances as they remain a goal threat. They put four past Newcastle last week with the ever-familiar names of Hoolahan, Holt and Morison on the scoresheet and after decent performances at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, then Goodison wont hold any fears.

Villa v Liverpool

Villas most effective player this year, Agbonlahor, will miss out after picking up his fifth yellow of the season. Bent is little more than a penalty box poacher, and their link-up play may suffer even more. With a tough Christmas schedule coming up, it was a huge three points at Bolton last week thanks to goals from Albrighton  and Petrov.

With Liverpools lowly goals scored column (theyve scored the same as Villa) due to some wayward finishing, anything other than a low scoring  game could be classed as a surprise. However, Suarez did get back on the scoresheet last week and will be hoping to get back into the scoring groove at Villa Park.

Guzan will play his third game as Given is still injured.

Spurs v Sunderland

VDV came back in last week while Defoe sat on the bench until half-time when he came on for Lennon. It was always going to be difficult at the Brittania and Spurs lost their first game in a long time. Adebayor got on the scoresheet with a penalty which suggests VDV has moved down the pecking order in that respect. Kaboul will miss out after getting sent off.

Sunderland got out of jail last week with two late goals from the recalled Vaughan and also Larsson who scored his fifth of the season. After another week under ONeills guidance this game might not seem so straight forward for Spurs as it wouldve done a couple of weeks ago.

Blackburn v WBA

Blackburn somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Sunderland last week despite Sambas excellence. Theyll be hoping to get another home victory against WBA who are also struggling. They might have to do it without Givet, Olsson, Salgado and Lowe who all went off injured last week. The Yak failed to hit the net last week but hell fancy his chances this week again.

West Brom had a disappointing game last time out letting their lead slip to lose at home to Wigan. Odenwingie and Long both started but it was a peach of a free kick from Reid, his first goal for six years, that got them their goal. Whether they both start this week is up for debate but one things for sure, if they lose this one theyre going to end up in the mire.

Fulham v Bolton

Zamora was left out of Fulhams squad last week after rumours of a falling out with manager Martin Jol. If out again we can expect Dempsey to be the focal point of Fulhams attack. Despite Fulhams up mostly down season, Dempsey remains their main threat and theyll be happy to be back at the Cottage against a Bolton team that have forgotten how to win.

Klasnics goal against Villa wasnt enough to earn any points last week and its a huge blow that he was taken off with a knee injury in that game. With Lee and Holden still on the long term injury list and Davies apparently unable to score, goals and points are going to be difficult to come by.

Newcastle v Swansea

Ba is still firing which is just as well with the injury problems they have at the back. Its been a tough run of fixtures but 11 goals conceded in four games doesnt make pretty reading. Gosling is out for three games after his straight red. S Taylor, Guthrie and Marveaux remain out long term but Pardew is hopeful that Tiote and Coloccini will be back for the Swansea game, which is huge news for them. With Ba on form, they should be looking for three points against a Swansea team that doesnt travel well.

Caulker came back into the Swansea defence after his injury lay-off and helped his team to a clean sheet and three points. Vorm was the real hero though with another penalty save. Graham and Lita got the goals last week.

Wolves v Stoke

Stoke are on a bit of a roll now and put in an excellent shift to bring Spurs long unbeaten run to a halt. They might be feeling the effects of the long midweek trip to Turkey, but with their long throws and big Crouch up there theyll fancy themselves against a shaky Wolves defence. It was good to see Etherington get back amongst the goals again last week with his brace earning the 2-1 win.

Steven Fletcher kept up his excellent scoring record with a goal at OT, he was taken off after 60 minutes with a calf complaint but it was apparently more of a precautionary measure and should be fit to cause some havoc in the Stoke defence. Jarvis had an excellent game last week and caused Uniteds Smalling no end of problems.