Everton and Arsenal Showcase an Exciting Week in the EPL

This weeks EPL action is headlined by Arsenal taking on an impressive Everton at Goodison park.

Everton are hoping to make Arsenal their fifth successive victim at Goodison Park, after an impressive run that has landed them in vaunted UEFA qualification territory. There will be some doubt over the fitness of the Toffee's captain Phil Neville who has been struggling midweek with a stomach bug. On-loan defensive midfielder Thomas Graveson is unlikely to make his debut performance after a knee injury interrupted his preparation for this match. Defensive trio Leon Osman, Alan Stubbs and Leighton Baines have already been ruled out before kickoff, leaving David Moyes men lacking in defense. Everton will rely heavily on the sparkling form of centre forward Yakubu, who has energised the Goodison Park faithful with nine premiership goals in the Toffee's campaign. Everton will be looking to continue the good form they hold over Arsenal after having three successive unbeaten matches against the Gunners, including two victories at Goodison Park.

Previously high-flying league leaders Arsenal have stalled as of late, with only two victories in the last five weeks. They have relinquished the Premiership League lead to Manchester United. Inspirational captain William Gallas will make his return after overcoming a foot injury, but pacy wingman Emmanuel Eboue will be rested. After overcoming a knee injury Robin van Persie has been sidelined by a muscle injury while teenage sensation Theo Walcott will be unavailable with a bout of the flu. They will be hoping for an improved performance after being held to their first scoreless game this season against Portsmouth, and they will know by kick-off if they have any chance of recapturing the Premiership lead. Having his breakout season, Emanuel Adebayor has been the centre point for attacking thrusts by the Gunners this season, and has rewarded them handsomely with ten goals from the frontline.

Arsenal has not been the awe-inspiring excitement machine that they were early on in the season, but they are still grinding out results and they should be too strong all over the field for the Toffee's. This match definitely has the potential for fireworks and I would take the $2.20 available at Partybets for Arsenal.

In yet another mid-table thriller, the majestic Aston Villa take on Wigan at JJB stadium in an attempt to eke out a victory that has eluded them in their past three matches.

Aston Villa and Chelsea fought out one of the games of the season in last weeks Premier League, but after leading by two goals early on the Villains will be feeling luckless after yet another soul-destroying draw. They have been extremely impressive, recording victories many feel above them, yet are stuck in eighth place after earning the tag of the Premier League draw specialists with a series of dead-locked results. Central defender Curtis Davies could make his season debut after Zat Knight was red-carded last time out, while Stiliyan Petrov and Wilfred Bouma appear doubtful, both struggling with injury and health. Gabriel Agbonlahor is his side's premier marksmen with six goals in EPL action, while Shaun Maloney has contributed six goals for the Villains in all competitions.

Wigan has been a rejuvenated side under the leadership of expert relegation battler Steve Bruce, who has taken them out of the relegation zone with two wins and two draws in their last four matches. Wigan will take heart in the fact that Aston Villa has never defeated them in the history of the Premier League, but history counts for nothing when the referee's whistle blows. Steve Bruce has signalled that key forward Emile Heskey will be "touch and go" after struggling with a strained ankle midweek, while Jason Koumas is again in major doubt with a troublesome groin. Last week's hero Ryan Taylor should shrug off a minor complaint to take his place in the starting lineup. Wigan rely heavily on the forward play of Marcus Bent who has scored more than double that of anyone else on the scorers sheet of the Latics, with seven goals in Premiership action.

Wigan Athletic have surprised many with their form swing of late, but Aston Villa has been consistently competitive home and away. The odds of $2.25 for the Villains at Partybets seem far too enticing for punters to ignore.

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