A Villa win at home should be a banker against a Sunderland side that has stuttered so far this year, but the form book is a funny thing and recent results show this contest is far from a foregone conclusion

After an impressive start to the season and some big wins against the Premiership’s hot shots, Sunderland couldn’t buy a win in 2010 until March. Now a mid-table finish is the best they can hope for.

But the team does not lack determination. They punished Birmingham 3-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and held the billionaires of Manchester City to a one-one draw in the previous game week.

Villa have had a fairly standard season position-wise, but a two-all draw at home to Wolves on Saturday could be one of the low points. And while they haven’t lost in eight consecutive games, that figure includes five fairly uninspiring draws.

Meanwhile, unlike their top-of-the-table rivals, the Claret and Blues’ home form has been patchy. Villa Park has been witness to only seven victories in Premier League 15 games. Despite being lower down the table, the Black Cats have earned one more point than their opponents at home this season.

Add to the mix injuries to Villa front man Gabriel Agbonlahor and rock-like centre back Richard Dunne; Sunerland’s woeful away record and likely goals from Villa favourite John Carew, plus Sunderland striker Darren Bent’s impressive record in front of goal and it all makes for a very uncertain outcome.

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Portsmouth vs Chelsea preview and tips

Chelsea are fresh from their one-all wobble at Blackburn, a game in which the Blues handed the initiative in the title race back to Manchester United. But a win at home to Portsmouth would edge them back on track.

Pompey are not letting the reality of relegation get them down. They are in the best form of the season and have managed to string together some impressive results which belie their position anchored to the bottom of the Premier League.

The seaside team have lost none of their spirit, proven in the 3-2 comeback against fellow strugglers Hull on Saturday, and while Chelski are bolt-on favourites for the win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday they may find the tie harder going than if it had taken place earlier in the season.

Despite the fire power of Drogba, Anelka and Lampard they were held to a low scoring draw at Blackburn – a fact that will encourage the likes of David James – and were out-played at times. They have taken only four points from the last three matches and having been dumped out of the Champions’ League last week morale is at a season-low.

“I don’t know how many points we need to win the title but I know we have to win on Wednesday and then prepare game by game,” said Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti on Sunday. “It will be more difficult now to win the title, but it’s not impossible.”

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