HUIXIAN

texts in red are slight summary(important points) of whole report.
which takes up to 25%

READING v ASTON VILLA
(Reading 2 Aston Villa 1)
VILLA'S season is in danger of fizzling out after such a bright start.



But the arrival of John Carew and Ashley Young up front could give them some much needed impetus.

Both have got off the mark in the last two games, the pair combining well for Carew's winner over West Ham.

Martin O'Neill's men could be considered a little fortunate to get all three points though as they survived a number of late scares with both Thomas Sorensen and the woodwork coming to their rescue.

Royals boss Steve Coppell continues to play down their achievements this season, but four straight wins in all competitions has confidence flooding through the veins at the Madejski, and Europe is a realistic target for them.

Striker Leroy Lita typifies the buoyant mood.

Five goals in his last three - plus one for England Under-21s in midweek - suggests he is going to be a handful for the visiting defence.

The home side are pretty much odds-on across the board to get revenge for a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park early in the season but bet365 have stuck their head above the parapet and go 11/10 ($2.10).

That is still a bit on the tight side but they could just edge it - and by the same scoreline would not be a shock.

CHELSEA v MIDDLESBROUH
Chelsea 3 Middlesbrough 1
JOSE Mourinho's hopes that London rivals Tottenham would do them a favour against Manchester United were sunk without trace and they remain six points off the pace.

Every point is vital now but the return to regular action of both Petr Cech and John Terry is certainly a welcome tonic - and some firms have been releasing odds about Chelsea going unbeaten until the end of the season.

They host a much improved Boro outfit who have lost just once in 11 games in all competitions, climbing to mid-table security and taking the heat off rookie boss Gareth Southgate.

They were caught late on by a swift counter-attack from Arsenal last weekend - so had to settle for a point - but boast a good recent record against the big guns and will be optimistic of a decent display.

They can end a goal-drought at Stamford Bridge stretching back to September 2001, but anything else would be a big surprise.

EVERTON v BLACKBURN
(Everton 1 Blackburn 1)
JUST two points separate this pair in the Premiership.

So, an understrength Blackburn's 4-1 drubbing of the Toffees in the FA Cup recently at Goodison Road must have left form students scratching their heads.

That result makes it three wins from their last four visits to the blue half of Merseyside but Mark Hughes' men are rather in-and-out and if continuing the trend of recent results, they are a banker bet to suffer a defeat.

They needed an added-time winner to see off Sheffield United, and Hughes admitted his side were fortunate to get all three points when not at their best.

Everton will go into this one with a little added incentive, following the 0-0 draw at Anfield and Rafa Benitez's 'small club' sideswipe.

That was a resilient effort and the prospect of striker Andrew Johnson being that little bit sharper after an ankle problem is more good news for David Moyes.

MANCHESTER UNITED v CHARLTON
(Manchester United 3 Charlton 0)
THERE are signs that Charlton could yet go close to staying in the Premiership and they certainly got to grips with champions Chelsea in the second half last week.

But they got nothing from the game, so an end came to their little revival of late - and things hardly get any easier with a trip to the leaders.

United spanked Spurs 4-0 at White Hart Lane to maintain their six-point advantage at the top over Chelsea and an absolutely rampant run of form shows no sign of abating.

The last four encounters between these two at Old Trafford has seen the home side notch a 12-1 goal advantage, and the weekend's biggest mismatch - United are as short as 1/8 ($1.13) - seems highly likely to produce only one outcome.

Not even the possible return of Darren Bent up front gives the Addicks little more than a prayer.

SHEFFIELD UNITED v TOTTENHAM
(Sheffield United 2 Tottenham 1)
SPURS will not be the last side to get a pasting from Manchester United, but the way they folded in the second half will have been irritating for Martin Jol.

Bar two wins against Championship sides in the FA Cup, there has not been a lot to cheer about down at the Lane of late, and they now have to pull themselves together for a tricky trip to south Yorkshire for the first time since 1993.

The Blades' survival in the top flight could well be reliant on their form at home between now and the end of the season.

They seem more than capable of holding their own at Bramall Lane and Neil Warnock's abrasive style in front of some vociferous support has seen them recently take the scalps of slicker outfits like Fulham and Arsenal.

Expect them to serve it up again and edge out the visitors at 6/4 ($2.50).

WEST HAM v WATFORD
(West Ham 2 Watford 0)
AS fast as Eggert Magnusson keeps writing out cheques for new players to bolster West Ham's relegation battle, they keep falling by the wayside.

Lucas Neill remains sidelined due to an ankle injury while Matthew Upson has to be a big doubt after his awkward fall at Villa Park left him with a damaged knee.

Like so many teams in their precarious position, Alan Curbishley's side just can't get the rub of the green and how the ball stayed out of the net late on in the 1-0 defeat at Villa was quite amazing.

This is a repeat of the recent dire FA Cup encounter in which the Hornets came out on top by a goal to nil and far more significance rests on this renewal.

There seems to be little doubt that West Ham possess the greater quality, but some early encouragement in the game will be essential unless they want to be battling both Watford and a hostile home crowd.

It will be tense and the Irons are favoured but don't be tempted into taking odds-on quotes.

PORTSMOUTH v MANCHESTER CITY
(Portsmouth 1 Manchester City 0)
THIS has traditionally produced goals, so August's 0-0 encounter at Eastlands came as a bit of a surprise.

Most teams hit a bit of a blip at some stage and Harry Redknapp's Pompey are certainly in one, having not won a game of any description since Boxing Day.

Their excellent early-season form means they still sit seventh in the Premiership with Europe in their sights but a quick turnaround in fortune is required.

Stuart Pearce returns to his day job after a midweek break in charge of the England Under-21s.

His side are not looking over their shoulders just yet but they have also suffered a worrying dip in form with the goals drying up.

Pearce could look to teenage striker Daniel Sturridge from the start in a bid to get things going but 'keeper Nicky Weaver is a big doubt for the trip to the south coast.

I would certainly be more in favour of Portsmouth arresting their current woes than the visitors but even money ($2) does not make much appeal.