Match previews - Sat 16th Apr

A look ahead to Saturday's fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

This Saturday sees five matches in the Barclays Premier League with key fixtures at both ends of the table.
Champions Chelsea go to West Bromwich Albion who are unbeaten in six matches under Roy Hodgson.
There are three six-pointers at the foot of the table as Blackpool host neighbours Wigan Athletic, Sunderland travel to Birmingham City and Aston Villa go to West Ham United.
Everton are at home to Blackburn Rovers in the day's only other fixture due to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Birmingham v Sunderland

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce returns to his old club with both sides still battling to secure their place in the Barclays Premier League.
Victory for the Blues could lift them above the Black Cats on goal difference and drag their opponents into the thick of the survival struggle.
Sunderland have never won at St Andrew's in the Premier League, their last success there came in Division 1 in September 1997.
Bruce's men are bottom of the current form table having taken just one point from their last eight matches.

Blackpool v Wigan

Bottom club Wigan will be keen to avenge their 4-0 home defeat by Blackpool on the opening day of the season.
The Seasiders made a flying start to life in the Barclays Premier League in a fixture and they need to recapture that early-season sparkle in a match crucial to both sides at the foot of the table.
The Latics were originally due to be at home in this match but the fixtures were reversed because of close-season ground improvements at Bloomfield Road.
Ian Holloway's men have taken just one point from a possible 15 to slip into deep relegation trouble while Wigan have not won in six road trips.

Everton v Blackburn

Blackburn kicked off the campaign with a 1-0 win at home to Everton but Rovers now find themselves caught in the survival struggle.
Steve Kean's men have not won in their last nine matches in all competitions while the Toffees are unbeaten in their last six Barclays Premier League fixtures.
The Merseysiders have not lost in their last eight fixtures in front of their own fans dating back to the 4-1 reverse against West Brom on 27th November.

West Brom v Chelsea

Both sides are in the top three of the current form table with Chelsea unbeaten in six and taking 11 points from a possible 15 on the road.
The Baggies remain undefeated under new manager Roy Hodgson who has overseen a six-match unbeaten run.
Albion lost 6-0 at Stamford Bridge in their first match since winning promotion but they have recovered strongly to move to within touching distance of safety.
Chelsea have won all nine Premier League meetings with West Brom, scoring 26 and conceding just two.

West Ham v Aston Villa

West Ham  have suffered a mini-slump in recent weeks. After taking seven points from a possible nine, they have since managed just one from their next three matches to halt their climb away from trouble.
Villa meanwhile have eased their worries with four points from their last two outings since suffering two consecutive defeats but they have have gone four without a win on the road.
The Midlands men won 3-0 when the sides met in August but will fear their former midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger coming back to haunt them.

Barclays Premier League fixtures

Birmingham City v Sunderland (Referee: Phil Dowd)
Blackpool v Wigan Athletic (Peter Walton)
Everton v Blackburn Rovers (Kevin Friend)
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea (Lee Probert)
West Ham United v Aston Villa (Mark Halsey)