This weekend's second Premier League preview sees another three matches, all 3pm kick offs involving clashes at opposite ends of the table.

The first match sees Middlesbrough take on West Ham, with the man pictured Dimitri Payet still in the midst of a transfer dispute with the Hammers. Middlesbrough will be looking to take full advantage of that uncertainty as home.

Middlesbrough vs West Ham – Saturday 21st January 2017 – 15:00

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough welcome West Ham to the Riverside in another round of Premier League fixtures, in another Saturday 3pm kick off.

Boro come into this match in mixed form, despite winning against Sheffield Wednesday by a comfortable 3-0 margin in the FA Cup.

They have had an inconsistent run of form in the Premier League, epitomised by their 0-0 draw against Watford.

In what was ultimately a drab affair, the main headline was the tributes to Graham Taylor, who passed away during the week.

It was an emotional day for the Hornets, with former manager Graham Taylor largely responsible for the excellent state the club finds itself in today.

More Wins Needed

Despite that result this fixture against West Ham takes on extra importance, with Karanka's side hovering above the relegation zone.

Aitor Karanka's side come into this match in 16th place, having registered 20 points from their opening 21 matches.

Boro will be looking to take advantage of their home matches, they just haven't been clinical enough in front of goal this season.

Boro Favourites

Middlesbrough come into this match as favourites, with home advantage and their solid defence informing those odds.

Boro have conceded just three goals in their last six matches, they will have to discover the art of scoring more goals if they are to win matches.

Middlesbrough will be looking to continue their overall record against West Ham, they have won 20, drawn 11 and lost 19 of their 50 meetings.

Middlesbrough are 13/10 with Alvaro Negredo at 5/1 to score first.

Middlesbrough

Dimitri Who?

Slaven Bilic's side come into this match on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win against London rivals Crystal Palace.

Sofiane Feghouli broke the deadlock in the second half (68), with his first Premier League goal, he has also been the subject of interest from Roma.

Andy Carroll (79) scored a stunner to ensure that West Ham doubled their advantage, with Manuel Lanzini (86) completing the win late on.

The main headline coming out of West Ham this week has been the continued absence of Dimitri Payet, who refuses to play for the club.

Hammers Need Solidity

West Ham have had a poor season so far, so the win against Palace will have delighted Bilic and his side.

Along with the distraction of Dimitri Payet, the three humbling defeats prior to that will have considered the Croatian.

West Ham also managed to keep a clean sheet, with their defence being one of their biggest problems this season.

Hammers Underdogs

The Hammers head into this fixture as the underdogs, despite that excellent result against Palace.

West Ham will be looking to make it two successive wins, and improve on the draw earlier in the season.

Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to continue their recent form against Middlesbrough, they are unbeaten in their last four meetings.

West Ham are 11/5 with Andy Carroll at 11/2 to open the scoring.

 

The second fixture sees Stoke take on United at the Bet365, with the Potters confident of denting United's recent progress. Mourinho's side are on a run of ten matches unbeaten and will be looking to avenge the Old Trafford draw earlier in the season.

Stoke vs Manchester United – Saturday 21st January 2017 – 15:00

Stoke

Stoke welcome Manchester United to the Bet365 Stadium in another round of Premier League fixtures, in another 3pm kick-off this Saturday.

The Potters come into this fixture on the back of a 3-1 win against Sunderland, a much-needed result for Stoke.

Marko Arnautovic (15) gave the visitors the lead in the first half, with Sunderland's defensive frailties exposed.

The Austrian returned just seven minutes later to double Stokes advantage, this ultimately ending any chance of the Black Cats winning.

Peter Crouch completed the first half route, with the striker scoring in the 34th minute to give Stoke all three points.

Jermain Defoe (40) gave Sunderland some respectability, with his 12th goal of the season.

Potters Mixed Form

Stoke have been in mixed recent form, with three defeats in their last six matches, two tough away games.

Their last win came against Watford at the Bet365, they will be looking for back to back wins in this fixture though.

Draws against Leicester and Southampton will have given them hope, they will need to raise their game though.

They go into this match 13 points and 3 places below the visitors United, this will be another tough fixture for Hughes and his side.

Potters Underdogs

Stoke come into this match as the underdogs, with Stoke's mixed recent form informing those odds.

This will be a tough fixture for Mark Hughes's side, with United suffering just three defeats all season.

Stoke's recent record against United is mixed, they are unbeaten in the three of the last four matches.

Stoke are 19/4 with Peter Crouch and Marko Arnautovic at 17/2 to score first.

Stoke

Winning Run Ended

Mourinho's men come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw at home against Liverpool on Sunday.

James Milner (27), got his side off to the perfect start, with the left back converting his sixth penalty this season.

The former Manchester City man has never lost a game when he has scored, he was able to continue this miraculous feat.

Liverpool continued to frustrate United, with Paul Pogba having a poor match, especially after giving the penalty away.

United left it late to equalise, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (84) scoring after some excellent work from Antonio Valencia to cut it back.

United Of Old

Recent results will have delighted both United and Mourinho, with United finally showing the cutting edge required to close out matches.

Manchester United come into this match on the back of ten matches unbeaten, a run that will have delighted Jose.

Jose Mourinho's side will be looking for another response, with Stoke away one of the tougher away fixtures.

United Favourites

Manchester United come into this tie as heavy favourites, with their pedigree and form this season informing those odds.

They will be looking to capitalise on their dominance, they will also be wanting to put the draw at home to the back of their minds.

Jose Mourinho's side will be looking to continue their overall record against Stoke, with United winning 36, drawing 23 and losing 17 of their 76 meetings.

Manchester United are 8/13 with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 100/30 to open the scoring.

 

The final fixture sees West Brom take on Sunderland at the Hawthorns, with both sides in poor recent form and desperate for the three points.

West Brom vs Sunderland – Saturday 21st January 2017 – 15:00

West Brom

West Brom welcome Sunderland to the Hawthorns in another round of Premier League fixtures, this the last of the 3pm kick-offs.

Tony Pulis' side come into this match in mixed form, after suffering a 4-0 hammering against Tottenham last weekend.

Harry Kane scored a hat-trick to give Tottenham a rampant victory, against a side that they generally struggle to beat.

The England striker scored in the 12th minute to open the scoring and then returned for a second half brace (77, 82) to complete his treble.

Gareth McAuley completed a miserable afternoon for the Baggies, scoring an own goal (26) that doubled Spurs advantage.

It's a disappointing result for Tony Pulis' side, making it back to back defeats after the cup exit to Derby County.

West Brom Looking Forward

West Brom had been in excellent recent form, but they have now suffered four defeats in their last six matches.

Wins against Southampton and Hull City have been the only positive results for the Baggies, who are still in 8th place.

They will be looking to build on their excellent standing, the Premier League is all they have to play for now.

Baggies Favourites

West Brom do come into this match as the favourites despite their form, with home advantage proving decisive.

This will be another tough fixture for Tony Pulis's side, despite Sunderland struggling for form themselves.

West Brom will be looking to continue their excellent recent record against the Black Cats, they are unbeaten in the last five meetings.

West Brom are 7/10 with Salomon Rondon at 7/2 to score first.

West Brom

Sunderland In Poor Form

The Black Cats come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat away against Burnley, with Moyes men now out of the FA Cup.

Goals in either half from Sam Vokes (44) and Andre Gray (83), mean that Sunderland can now fully concentrate on survival.

It was a result that saw David Moyes bemoan the lack of squad depth, with the Black Cats in desperate need of recruitment.

Sunderland Winless

David Moyes will be targeting a much-needed win in this fixture, with Sunderland without a win in their last six matches.

They lost their last Premier League fixture against Stoke, with Moyes men suffering a 3-1 humiliation at home.

Marko Arnautovic (15 & 22) scored a double to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead, with Peter Crouch adding a third in the 34th.

Jermain Defoe (40) gave Sunderland some respectability, with his 12th goal of the season.

Black Cats Underdogs

Sunderland come into this match as underdogs, with Sunderland's poor form informing those odds.

This will be a tough fixture for the Black Cats, with West Brom enduring a tough run of results themselves, they will want to return to winning ways.

David Moyes' side will be looking to better their overall record against West Brom, with 41 wins, 33 draws and 43 defeats in 117 matches.

Sunderland are 4/1 with Jermain Defoe at 6/1 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Gestede to score first @ 11/2 and West Ham to win 2-1 @ 10/1

Tip 2 – Ibrahimovic to score first @ 100/30 and United to win 2-1 @ 7/1

Tip 3 - Defoe to score first @ 6/1 and West Brom to win 2-1 @ 7/1

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