They don’t like it up ’em

Longshot – £5 on 7/2 at Stan James

Stoke City V Arsenal (Saturday 15.00) – Stoke to win 

According to the Bible, Hell is a place designed for Satan and his demons to dwell and also a place to punish the sin of those who reject Christ.

To Arsene Wenger, hell is Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke City are an inferior football team to Arsenal, as clearly reflected by both the Premier League table and the form table.

However, Wenger, who branded tomorrow’s opponents a ‘rugby team’ in August 2010, has struggled to find the formula to combat Stoke on Staffordshire soil.

The Potters’ physical approach, defensive rigidity and willingness to attack via aerial blitz do not sit well with the Frenchman.

The Gunners have only won away at Stoke once in the last 22 years and have lost three of their last four visits to the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke undo Arsenal’s defence from a trademark line-out… I mean throw-in.

Terrific Tevez

Banker – £50 on 8/13 at Stan James

Norwich City v Manchester City (Saturday 12.45) – Man City to win

After last week’s 1-0 loss at Arsenal, I had ruled Manchester City out of the title race. However after a miracle in Wigan on Wednesday night, they are right back in it.

The fact that the Citizens play 24 hours before Manchester United is hugely significant. Roberto Mancini’s men will be fully aware and focused by the fact that a win at Carrow Road will close the gap on their fellow championship-chasing neighbours to just two points.

Although Man City have failed to win in their last three away league games, they beat the Canaries 5-1 in the reverse fixture in December.

More importantly, after almost seven months of severe posturing, Carlos Tevez has finally been welcomed back into the first-team setup at the Etihad Stadium, marking his first start since September with a goal in the 4-0 rout of West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

The Argentine forward is likely to make the starting XI again in this game and his presence could prove vital. In his last 11 starts City have won 10 times.

While Norwich have only lost four of 16 at home this year and surprised a lot of people by winning at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, I expect a full-strength and fully fired-up Man City to overpower them.

He is back - the missing piece in Mancini's jigsaw.

Been there… done that

Big Game – £10 on 4/5 at Stan James

Liverpool V Everton (Saturday 12.30 at Wembley) – Liverpool to qualify for final

Everton are in superb form – winning four of their last five games – and currently sit one point better off than their City rivals in the Premier League table.

However, despite suffering their worst run of form in 60 years prior to Tuesday’s battling 3-2 win at Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool are a team that excels on the big stage.

Kenny Dalglish’s men proved this in January when they became the first team to win at Manchester City this season, on their way to the Carling Cup final.

Their experience then saw them sneak past Cardiff City to lift the trophy at Wembley in February – the Reds’ third consecutive domestic game on neutral ground in which they have prevailed.

Liverpool also have a big psychological edge over their Merseyside rivals when it come to recent results between the teams. In the past six meetings, the Anfield side have won four, drawn one and lost one.

Pepe Reina’s absence through suspension is a big blow for Liverpool, but it will be somewhat compensated for by the return of captain Steven Gerrard, who netted a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over the Toffees last month.

Andy Carroll’s late winner at Ewood Park could also prove very significant. Although much criticised since his £35m move from Newcastle United, he can be almost unplayable when high on confidence and that superb header will have done wonders for his self-belief.

Carroll's first goal in 10 games could be key for the big striker's confidence.

Game of two halves

Longshot – £5 on 14/1 at Stan James

Blackburn Rovers V Liverpool (Tuesday 20.00) – Blackburn to win both halves

This is a proper longshot, but it might just happen. Liverpool have lost six of their seven away league games this year. Their solitary success came against Wolves, who are the only team below them in the form table.

Meanwhile, after losing their last three matches which included two tricky away trips plus a visit of champions Manchester United, Steve Kean’s Blackburn will be aiming to continue the strong form which had seen them claim seven points from the previous three games at Ewood Park.

Motivation should play a huge role in the outcome of this game. Liverpool are 15 points clear of relegation and 16 points shy of the Champions League places. Therefore, the Reds have nothing to aim for or fear.

Also, with a much bigger game in the FA Cup on Saturday, I expect the under-fire Kenny Dalglish to protect his stars’ by naming a shadow of his best team.

At the other end of the scale, Rovers are fighting for their Premier League lives and know that a win tonight will take them three points clear of the drop-zone.

Rovers fans have, albeit reluctantly, got behind Kean in recent months and, with a vocal home support behind them, I think the home side will dominate this one.

I would be very surprised if Liverpool record their first win at Ewood Park since 2008.

Tight as ticks

Anorak’s bet – £10 on 7/10 at Stan James

Italy V USA (Wednesday 19.45) – Both teams to score: NO

Seven of the last eight games involving the USA have ended 1-0. Jurgen Klinsmann’s side have won three, and lost four, during this unique sequence. Similarly, in the last six matches involving Italy, both teams have scored on only one occasion.  The Azzurri have won four of these games, all by a solitary goal.

Italy boast the reputation of having one of the most talented and disciplined backlines in world football.  They also have an explosive attack featuring the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini and Sebastian Giovinco. I expect the Americans to spend most of this game trying to make sure they remain tight and responsible at the back. Goals should be rare and it may be a ‘quiet one’ for both goalkeepers.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon should consider bringing a book.