Premier League Preview – Sunday 4th December

Everton v Stoke – 15.00 Everton could really do with some money to spend in January but unless new owners come in very quickly, David Moyes will have to continue to look to promote youngsters and find bargains in the lower leagues. Stoke manager Tony Pulis has been given considerably greater funds to build his side but still hasn’t found the right formula to win away from home, they’ve only managed to win one of their last 16 Premier League away matches so the stats are not in their favour for this one. Moyes should be able to welcome Royston Drenthe and Jack Rodwell back into his side for this match, there is also an outisde chance of Phil Neville Sylvain Distin make a return. Stoke don’t have many injury worries but will probably make a few changes to the team that appeared midweek in the Europa league, Peter Crouch could return up-front and his presence will be crucial as Stoke look to take advantage of every set piece they get. I can’t see this game being a classic and I certainly won’t be betting on it but I can see it ending in a draw which has reasonable odds of 3.6 with Stan James. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland A.F.C – 16.00 Sunderland may have already found their new boss in Martin O’Neill but it’s thought he won’t be in charge of this game, instead Eric Black will be standing in before the ex-Villa boss officially starts on Monday. When O’Neill does take over, he will find he has a real job on his hands, lifting a demoralised side, O’Neill has shown he can be an excellent man manager in the past though and I’m sure he will be itching to work with a player like Nicklas Bendtner who has undoubted quality. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy must surely be feeling the breath of the execution on the back of his neck right now, his purchases over the summer haven’t really improved his sides fortunes and after a good, yet brief, start to the season, they have slowly sunk lower and lower and now find themselves just outside the relegation zone. Both of these sides need a win and I’m not sure either will get it, I can see another draw here as both sides concentrate too heavily on not losing and not enough on actually trying to win the game.]]>