PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: 28-29 AUGUST 2010
The weekends are coming thick and fast. It seems that we were waiting expectantly for the pre-season to finish just a few hours ago but here we are in week three already. Rumour has it that there was a World Cup last month… The global spectacle is long forgotten for many – bar the Spanish – and the Premier League consumes the thoughts of football fans. This weekend throws up some interesting matches. There are no big, classic, Top 4 clashes. No City v Liverpools or United v Chelseas or anything like that. In fact bar our featured Aston Villa v Everton match, most games have a clear stronger and weaker team. Bolton v Birmingham is the only other game that looks like a real contest. Owen Cole has been impressive at the helm since leaving Burnley for the Reebok. Bolton began with a draw against Fulham and followed that with a good 3-1 win over West Ham. Birmingham’s trip to Bolton on Sunday will be an interesting one. City are almost unbeatable at home but are less convincing away. Ben Foster has been immense for the Blues and will hope for another fine showing this weekend. He will also be hoping for another England call-up for the upcoming Euro qualifiers. The weekend begins when Arsenal travel to Blackburn Rovers. The last time these two met, the Gunners were bullied out of the game and will most likely face a similarly physical battle this weekend. Blackpool started with a fine win against Wigan before receiving a 6-0 hammering from Chelsea. They now host Fulham and will be hoping for their opening day home form to return. Fulham battled well and looked good in their draw with Manchester United last weekend. Chelsea should have a tougher job scoring 6 when they host Stoke. Tony Pulis’ side are not known as flogging horses and will look to end the champions’ current goal fest. Tottenham Hotspur were brilliant midweek as they disposed of Young Boys to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time ever. Harry’s boys will want to keep their momentum going when they host Wigan. Roberto Martinez’ men have shown why many expect them to be relegated this season. The Latics are in desperate need of some form. Newcastle looked like they were going to struggle in the Premier League after their opening day defeat at Old Trafford but an exhilarating display at home against Aston Villa brought their ability to everyone’s attention. They will want to carry their home form to the road and Wolves will be their next hurdle. Mick McCarthy has built a solid side at the Molineux and Wolves are beginning to look like a real Premier League side. Manchester United were disappointed to lose 2 points last Sunday. The Reds looked to have the game in the bag against Fulham but a missed penalty proved costly as the Cottagers came from behind to earn a draw. Sir Alex won’t accept any slip-ups this week when West Ham visit the Theater of Dreams. With Chelsea and Arsenal both winning by big margins over the past 2 weekends, United will see this as an opportunity to play a bit of catch-up with their goal difference.
On Sunday Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion. The Reds would have rued their missed chances on Monday. Their trip to Manchester City ended with a 3-0 loss but the Reds looked more value than the score line suggests. West Brom provide Roy Hodgson with an opportunity to regain some momentum and confidence. Manchester City are slowly becoming a real force. It was the simple games that tripped them up much of last season and their visit to Sunderland is one such game. City would expect to win fairly comfortably. Steve Bruce is a wily old fox however and could make the trip very uncomfortable for his visitors.
Featured Match: Aston Villa v Everton
Kevin MacDonald was thrust into the Villa hot seat when Martin O’Neil quit just days before the Premier League kicked off. The Scot has had mixed fortunes in his three games in charge. Villa looked aggressive and poised in their 3-0 win over West Ham on opening day. Their trip to Newcastle last week was very different however as they went down with a humiliating 6-0 drubbing before being knocked out of the Europa League by Rapid Vienna. MacDonald himself stressed that he wasn’t the first choice to take Villa forward and Sundays’ clash with Everton could be his last in charge. Everton haven’t had a bright start to their campaign either. A loss to Blackburn was followed by a draw at home against Wolves. David Moyes will be looking for his team to hit their straps and find the form they finished with last season. Aston Villa v Everton wouldn’t normally be seen as a classic but with both teams struggling for form and in desperate need of a win to really kick-start their season, we expect a cracking game on Sunday.
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal
Blackpool v Fulham
Chelsea v Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United
Manchester United v West Ham United
Sunday
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
Sunderland v Manchester City
Aston Villa v Everton
TOPS
Top of the log:
The log is already taking shape. Many predict that this will be the Top 4 come seasons end. Will Liverpool, Spurs or even Aston Villa or Everton crash this party?
Top Scoring boots
It seems that Adidas have carried their World Cup form into the new season. The AdiZero dominated the competition here in South Africa and is looking good again.
Top Goal scorers:
Chelsea’ front men dominate the top scorers log after their blitzing start to the season. One noticeable absentee is last season’s runner-up Wayne Rooney. The England start is yet to find the back off the net – or any form for that matter.
In-form team:
Chelsea are going about retaining the trophy in the right way. They are without a doubt the current team to beat.
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: 21-23 AUGUST 2010
So week 2 is already upon us. The Premier League started off with a bang last weekend with some great matches – which rewarded us with some extraordinary football. (I’m looking at you David Jones!) This week has just as many intriguing match-ups which crescendo to a peak on Monday night when Manchester City host Liverpool. The weekend begins when 9th placed Arsenal host 2nd placed Blackpool. Yes, OK. We know it has only been one game and Arsenal wont be 9th for long and Blackpool certainly wont be anywhere near 2nd when the season ends… But for now that is how the table looks and we are going to give the Blackpool fans an opportunity to gloat while they can. Let’s face it, they will be whipping boys against the bigger clubs. Like Arsenal… Birmingham City – who drew with Sunderland on opening day – will host Blackburn Rovers who were impressive in their 1-0 win over Everton. David Moyes’ men return home this weekend as they welcome Wolves to Goodison Park. Wolves looked good value for their 2-1 win over Stoke last week. Stoke will be without record signing Kenwyne Jones when they host Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs come off a good, yet frustrating draw with Manchester City where they looked better than the 0-0 draw suggested, as well as a midweek loss to Young Boys in the Champions League qualifier. The shock loss in Switzerland should motivate them going into their trip to the Britannia. West Bromwich Albion return home after their harsh ‘welcome back to the Premier League’ from Chelsea. The Champions put 6 past the hapless Baggies. Hopefully the Hawthorns can provide a bit of comfort and Roberto di Matteo can inspire his side to a result against Sunderland. West Ham United host Bolton Wanderers before Wigan Athletic host Chelsea. The two met on the last day of the season, last season when Chelsea needed a win to lift the trophy. It ended 8-0 to the Blues and Roberto Martinez will be hoping for a better performance from his charges so as to avoid such embarrassment again.
Newcastle were welcomed back to the Premier League by Manchester United on Monday night. There have been many classic matches between the two clubs but Monday showed the difference between the top of the Championship and the top of the Premier League. The job doesn’t get much easier for Newcastle as they welcome Aston Villa in their first home match. Kevin MacDonald looked a natural last week against West Ham and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gets the gaffer job permanently. Mark Hughes had a cautious start to his Fulham managerial career against Bolton last week and will have to up his game when his old club visit on Sunday. Manchester United looked in fine form against Newcastle on Monday. Well, everyone but Wayne Rooney that is…
Featured Match: Manchester City v Liverpool
Both Manchester City and Liverpool will be pushing for a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. They both have a lot to prove this season but for slightly different reasons. Manchester City have been the big spenders for the last two seasons and with their acquisitions this term, anything less than Champions League football will be a failure. A go at the title will even be on the cards but that may be slightly over ambitious this season. Liverpool are one of the Premier Leagues’ most respected, famed and romantic clubs. The Merseyside club had a poor season last term and will be looking to restore themselves, under new Manager Roy Hodgson, to the top of English football. Missing out on a UEFA Champions League spot for the second year running will most certainly be seen as a disaster. It is on the back of many fans hopes and expectations that the two meet on Monday night. Both got off to a slow start with a draw – albeit to some very tough opponents. Liverpool looked good against Arsenal and were actually unlucky to draw even though they played the whole of the second half with 10 men. Manchester City looked disjointed against Spurs. They were lucky to gain a draw in the end after Spurs dominated possession and spent most of the game camped around City’s box. Liverpool’s new signings – especially Joe Cole, have fitted right in to the side and in fact look like they have been there for years. City on the other hand looked like a team who had never played together. There were enough signs to give City fans and Mancini hope but for now Liverpool will think they are in with a shout.
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Arsenal v Blackpool
Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Sunday
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Fulham v Manchester United
Monday
Manchester City v Liverpool
TOPS
Top of the log:
Top Goal scorers:
Didier Drogba may well be left out from Chelsea’s trip to Wigan due to a slight niggle. His hat-trick on opening day sees him leading the way for the Golden Boot. (Yes, we know it has only been one weekend…)
In-form team:
With the Community Shield already in the cabinet and a commanding display against Newcastle in their opening Premier League fixture, one must say that Manchester United are currently the team to beat.
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: 14-16 AUGUST 2010
After what seems like an age, the FA Premier League returns to us. Fans have bought their new jerseys, clubs have bought their new players, broadcasters have bought their new rights and now, it is time for action. The wheel of fortune has thrown up three cracking matches on opening weekend. Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City – who they beat to 4th spot last season, Liverpool host Arsenal on Sunday which promises to be a ripper and then there’s the proverbial hotpot between Manchester United and Newcastle. But let’s not forget all the other teams! This season promises to be the closest ever and with Chelsea winning by just a single point last term, we wonder how many points it will take to lift the trophy this time around. For some the question may be; ‘how many points will it take to guarantee survival?’ however. The Premier League lost Portsmouth, Hull City and Burnley last season and now we welcome West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Blackpool. Many expect Blackpool to go right back down but West Brom and certainly Newcastle will be looking to keep their top flight status.
Manchester United gave their rivals a strong warning when they lifted the Community Shield last weekend. Chelsea never really seemed a match for the Red Devils and that will be worrying for them and everyone else. The season however hasn’t even begun and everyone is on level footing. There is no ‘in-form’ team. There is no top scoring player, highest scoring boot or anything of the sort. The FA Premier League 2010/11 is a blank page and to borrow Nike’s World Cup campaign theme – is still to be written. Many people believe this will be the season an ‘underdog’ goes all the way and lifts the trophy. Could it be? Will we see Tottenham Hotspur go a step further and become champions? Will Everton, Aston Villa or big spending Manchester City be able to burst through the door they have been knocking on for a couple of years? Time will tell… but for now we break open the chips, pour ourselves a cold one and sit in the armchair waiting for our favourite ‘boy’ to ‘have a crack’….
Featured Match: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Liverpool v Arsenal and Manchester United v Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur broke into the Top 4 last season with some brilliant displays under Harry Redknapp. The English gaffer would still love to coach the national side but Spurs’ fans will be thanking their lucky stars that he is still at the helm at White Heart Lane. Spurs haven’t spent nearly as much in the close-season as Manchester City and it will be an interesting test to see tomorrow how this game ends. The last time these two met was in the final week of the previous season with Spurs coming out on top and ending City’s chances of finishing 4th. City will want revenge and we can expect them to arrive in the capital with their star studded squad fully focused on getting a result. Liverpool have much to prove this season. As does new manager Roy Hodgson. The ex-Fulham boss gets a shot at the big time after impressing at the London-based club. The departure of Rafa Benitez looked to spark a mass exodus of stars but Hodgson has proved a wise head and father-like figure in convincing Gerrard and Torres to stay as well as landing the ‘coup of the century’ in Joe Cole on a free. Arsenal have held onto prized asset Cesc Fabregas and with the addition of striker Marouane Chamakh look stronger upfront then last season. They do have one or two defensive problems however after losing Gallas, Silvestre and Campbell. It is great to see Newcastle back in the Premier League. Newcastle are one of English football’s most iconic clubs and they couldn’t have had a harder opening match when they travel to the most successful English team over the last 10 years – lead by the most successful manager. Manchester United will want to gain the ascendancy over their fellow title rivals with a commanding performance on Monday night. Newcastle want to show they mean business – and what better way to do it than securing three points at Old Trafford?
It’s a weekend of tantalizing intrigue and we at TRW are buzzing with anticipation!
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Blackburn Rovers v Everton
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
Sunderland v Birmingham City
Wigan Athletic v Blackpool
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
Sunday
Liverpool v Arsenal
Monday
Manchester United v Newcastle United
TOPS
Top of the log:
This is how it ended last season. Who will be enjoying life in the UEFA Champions League next season?
Top Goal scorers:
Didier Drogba went home with the Golden Boot last season. Chelsea will rely on the big Ivorian’s goals again this term.
Top goal scoring boots:
We have new contenders this season, one of which is the Adidas AdiZero. The superlight boot really made a name for itself during the World Cup. Can they have the same impact on the Premier League?
In-form team:
We mentioned that there is no ‘in-form’ team but there have been a couple who have really impressed in pre-season. Manchester United’s Community Shield victory would have given them a morale boost.
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 9 MAY
The end is near. The Premier League reaches it’s most dramatic climax this weekend with the title race going down to the wire. Chelsea are still the safe bet to win. But this is the Premier League…
The weekend begins and ends at the same time, on the day everyone wishes they had multiview TVs. Arsenal have had a poor run of late. The Gunners were in with a shout of winning the title just a few weeks ago but a string of poor performances – which saw them win just once in their last 6 – has caused them to slip off the pace. They are now at risk of losing 3rd spot to Spurs. A loss for the Gunners against Fulham will open the door for Spurs, who will need to beat Burnley at Turf Moor. Fulham have also had a dip in form and may well be more focused on their Europa League final than getting one over Arsenal. Aston Villa are another team who have seen their chances slip away. Martin O’Neil’s men had a shout at 4th but their loss to Manchester City saw them fall out of the race. They will now look to keep hold of 6th – and maybe hope to sneak into 5th. Blackburn have been impressive at home but their away form has been less eye-catching. They could finish 10th if they secure a win and Stoke fail against Manchester United. Everton will host Portsmouth as the South Coast club begins to prepare for the Championship. Pompey have an FA Cup final to play before going down and will be hoping for some momentum to carry into the match with Chelsea. Liverpool will look to spare their blushes when they travel to Hull City. The Tigers failed to survive another year and will want to bow out gracefully. West Ham host Manchester City who are fresh from their midweek disappointment. No Champions League for City next season. That won’t stop them spending in the summer however. Bolton play Birmingham City and Wolves will want to finish strong when they host Sunderland.
Featured Match: Chelsea v Wigan, Manchester United v Stoke City
With Spurs’ victory over Manchester City on Wednesday night, the battle for 4th spot is now over. Spurs could hop above Arsenal if the Gunners fail to win at home against Fulham. That battle will be worth noting but the real action will be the games involving the two title contenders. Manchester United have to focus on their own game. Stoke City have proven a tough team to beat but the Reds should be able to get a full three points as they are at home. Old Trafford will have an eye on the pitch and an eye in London as Chelsea host Wigan. The Latics have taken points off Chelsea before and, more recently, came back from 2-0 down to beat Arsenal. Martinez has promoted attacking football all season and they have promised to make life uncomfortable. For football’s sake we hope they give Chelsea a run for their money and not just roll over – the same is said of Stoke. Chelsea will have to win as there is no ‘waiting to see what the opposition is doing’ - all the games are played at the same time. A loss for either side will hand the title to the other. Chelsea, who are a point ahead have more to lose. It’s the final day of the Premier League and someone will be crowned champion on Sunday. We can’t wait to find out who that is!
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Sunday
Arsenal v Fulham
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Wigan Athletic
Everton v Portsmouth
Hull City v Liverpool
Manchester United v Stoke City
West Ham United v Manchester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland
TOPS
Top of the log:
Spurs have 4th. Can they get 3rd? Will Chelsea get a result at home against Wigan or will they open the door for United to pounce?
Top Goal scorers:
Rooney and Drogba are tied on 26 a piece. Both will be more worried about getting their teams to victory and the title than winning the Golden Boot.
Top goal scoring boots:
It looks like it will finish with the Predator X as the Premier League’s top scoring boot. The CTR360 has come on strong since their arrival.
In-form team:
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 1-5 MAY
Two more weekends lie between us and the final standings. The bottom is sown up with Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth going down but life at the top of the table is still very much an open race. Arsenal are not guaranteed 3rd spot but they would have to lose both of their remaining matches and Spurs would have to win all three of their remaining ones for the Gunners to finish lower than 3rd. They won’t catch Manchester United either. The real battles are for 1st and 4th. Both of those could go a long way to being decided before next weekend. Anything less than a win for Manchester United will spell the end of their title chances. They have already dropped points against Sunderland and a trip to the Stadium of Light on Sunday poses a tricky challenge.
Already relegated Burnley will play their last away game when they travel to Birmingham. The Blues have had a superb season and look likely to finish in the top 10. Wolves have survived their first ‘come back’ season in the Premier League and it could be said that it is at the cost of Portsmouth. The two clubs meet in what will be Fratton Park’s last Premier League game (for awhile at least). Everton travel to Stoke on the back of a good run. The Toffees are unbeaten in their last 6. If they secure 6 points from their last 2 matches and Liverpool don’t get any points, the Blue side of Merseyside will leap frog their cross city neighbors. Spurs will face Manchester City on Wednesday night in what could be the 4th place decider. Attention will be focused solely on Bolton first however. The Trotters pose a threat to their campaign and Harry Redknapp will want there to be no slip ups. Fulham, fresh from a European victory will face West Ham. The Hammers’ management must be breathing a sigh of relief that they will be experiencing Premier League football next season. A win over Fulham will be a sweet treat for the London club.
On Monday, Wigan Athletic play host to Hull who have to win by 20 goals and hope West Ham lose if they want to stay in the Premier league next season. Blackburn have one of the best home records and that will be put to the test again when they host Arsenal. Chelsea and Manchester United have both walked away with just a single point and Big Sam will hope his side can go one step further and secure a valuable win. Stoke pays Fulham a visit on Wednesday night before everyone’s attention turns to Manchester City v Spurs.
Featured Match: Liverpool v Chelsea, Manchester City v Aston Villa/Spurs
The battle for the title could be won or lost this weekend. Liverpool pose the last real threat to Chelsea’s title chances. On no other day would a Manchester United fan shout for the Merseyside club. A win for Liverpool would put Manchester United in the driving seat for the title. (That is, if they can secure all three points against Sunderland later in the day.) With two games to go, Chelsea have an opportunity to put one hand on the title. A win almost certainly guarantees them the trophy. If Chelsea win both their remaining matches, they will be champions because of a superior goal difference. Liverpool no longer have anything but pride to play for. The Reds have been dumped out of every competition and are now just wishing for the season to end. A win over the Blues will restore a sense of pride at Anfield however. Manchester City face a make or break two game run this weekend and next week. The Citizens will host both of their 4th challengers in Aston Villa and Spurs. Saturday will see Martin O’Neil’s men travel to the City Stadium. A win for Aston Villa will put them out ahead of City while a loss will almost certainly end their chances. City have to win both matches if they want to grab the lucrative 4th spot. Spurs currently hold all the aces. They are one point ahead of both City and Villa but have played a game less than Villa. By Thursday morning 4th spot may well be decided. We recommend you sit back and watch the action unfold. Wednesday night’s trip to The City of Manchester Stadium will be the end or possibly the guarantee of Spurs 4th spot chances. Will City still have something to play for by that stage or will Villa have crushed the dreams of the wealthiest club?
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Birmingham City v Burnely
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City v Everton
Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers
Sunday
Liverpool v Chelsea
Fulham v West Ham United
Sunderland v Manchester United
Monday
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal
Wednesday
Fulham v Stoke City
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
TOPS
Top of the log:
This weekend could seal the fate of the Top 4.
Top Goal scorers:
Rooney could return in the last game of the season. He will have to pump a few in to secure himself the golden boot.
Top goal scoring boots:
In-form team:
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 24-25 APRIL
At this stage of the season every game has significance for the clubs – especially those who are pushing for something specific; be it Europe or relegation (well, avoidance thereof).
Portsmouth are already relegated as we know but they could play a major role in determining who else goes down with them. They travel to Bolton this weekend before meeting up with Wolves. Bolton are 7 points ahead of Hull City but that isn’t a reason to rest easy yet. A win will guarantee Bolton their top flight status next season. Pompey’s focus will surely be on the FA Cup final but that doesn’t mean they will be pushovers in the League. Hull host Sunderland in what is a must win game for the Tigers. Sunderland’s away form is far from sparkling so Iain Dowie will be hoping to get one over Steve Bruce. A loss for the Tigers will be disastrous, especially if West Ham take three points off Wigan. Wigan come off a brilliant ‘come from behind’ win over Arsenal. The Gunners gave up a 2 goal lead as Wigan romped to a 3-2 win. A valuable win for Martinez’ men who now sit 7 points clear of the drop. Zola will most likely not be in charge of West Ham next season. Their new owners would like their club to still be in the Premier League next season however and will hope for a good result to ensure that. Wolves are 6 points ahead of Hull and another point against Blackburn will surely seal their place in next seasons line up. Rovers have been in great form recently. It has mostly been at home however. They have won just once on the road in their last 6 matches. Manchester City will travel to Arsenal after their disappointing loss, with seconds to go, in the Manchester derby. Arsenal have to come back from double disappointments after losing to both Spurs and Wigan. Spurs will be hoping that their cross city neighbors can help them out by beating City at the Emirates.
There is another derby this weekend as Aston Villa and Birmingham lock horns. Villa’s home form has been poor with 5 draws out of 6. Birmingham are not doing much better. They are currently the most out of form team after taking just 3 points from their last 6 games. Liverpool currently sit 7th but could still find themselves in Europe after Portsmouth were denied a license. Speculation is rife as to who will be leaving Anfield come the end of the season. That is still a few weeks away and for now the focus is on their trip to Burnley. It isn’t as far as Madrid thankfully. Everton are finishing strong and they will look to make it 6 wins out of 7 home games when Fulham arrive. Roy Hodgson’s small squad are still challenging in Europe but seem to be running out of Premier League steam. Chelsea wrap up the weekend when they face Stoke. Any slip ups will leave the door wide open for Manchester United to come sneaking through into top spot.
Featured Match: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
We start the weekend like we did last weekend, with Manchester United. Once again the Red half of Manchester staged another Houdini in a Manchester derby as they pulled off an injury time ‘great escape’. Paul Scholes’ last minute header has given this weekend’s game more significance. A win for Manchester United will put more pressure on log leaders Chelsea, who have just a single point’s breathing space. Spurs have wreaked havoc at the top of the table. Arsenal were once the ‘in-form’ team before they met Spurs in the London derby. That allowed Chelsea to take over as the ‘in-form’ team. That didn’t last long however as Spurs quickly disposed of them as well to allow Manchester United back into the title race. Now the two meet each other at Old Trafford. It’s not only United who have something to play for however. The two victories have restored Spurs into poll position in the race for 4th. They sit 2 points ahead of Manchester City who have to face Arsenal. United expect to have Rooney back and closer to full fitness while Ferdinand looks on track to return to the starting 11 after sitting out last weekend. Aaron Lennon may make his much anticipated return to action but most likely from the bench. Peter Crouch is also expected to start after suffering from a virus. Fabio Cappelo will have a lot to keep his eye on. Many rate Dawson as a World Cup squad contender and Lennon will have to prove he can regain full fitness. Wes Brown could also be back for United which will please the England boss.
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Bolton Wanderers v Portsmouth
Hull City v Sunderland
West Ham v Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal v Manchester City
Sunday
Aston Villa v Birmingham City
Burnley v Liverpool
Everton v Fulham
Chelsea v Stoke City
TOPS
Top of the log:
This is how it currently stands. Is this how it will finish?
Top Goal scorers:
Wayne Rooney is slowly returning to full fitness while Drogba claims to be fatigued. Bent and Tevez can’t stop scoring and Jermain Defoe is hoping to convince Capello of his England credentials.
Top goal scoring boots:
In-form team:
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 17-21 APRIL
This weekend could be decisive in the race for the Premier League title as the top two contenders both face tough opposition. Current log leaders face an inform Spurs side while Manchester United face derby rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Saturday is the busiest day as there are 7 Premier League matches taking place. Birmingham City host Hull City who are desperate for some points. The Tigers sit second from bottom and will need three points to keep their hopes of survival alive. They have played a game less than Burnley – who are level on points. Birmingham sit comfortably in 9th on the log. Blackburn Rovers have been in very good form and points against champions Manchester United last weekend proved just how good a job Big Sam has done at Ewood Park. Everton now travel there looking to break a run of three successive draws. Fulham face Wolves who are currently 6 points clear of the relegation zone while Stoke host Bolton who are a point behind. Sunderland were disappointing against West Ham after a dominant display against Spurs. They will want to ward off a Burnley side who are full of fight. Just don’t give away a penalty – Graham Alexander will undoubtedly punish you.
On Sunday Arsenal will look to bounce back from their loss to Spurs. The Gunners’ title charge now seems to be over and they will have to settle for a second place battle. They visit Wigan who are 5 points clear of the bottom three. Relegated club, Portsmouth will host Aston Villa who have scored just 9 points out of their last possible 18. The extra points would have put them happily in 4th spot. Aston Villa also face Hull City on Wednesday night. A loss for the Tigers midweek may be enough to send them down. Before that, Liverpool would have faced West Ham on Monday night. The Hammers still teeter on the edge of relegation.
Featured Match: Manchester United v Manchester City & Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
The Manchester derby is one of the greatest matches in the Premier League. It follows on closely after another famous derby – Arsenal v Spurs. Spurs face Chelsea and the outcome of both matches could greatly affect the outcome of all four team’s season. Spurs and Manchester City are battling for 4th while United and Chelsea gun for the title. Chelsea will certainly be rooting for City while United will no doubt be shouting for Spurs – and vice versa. United come off a tough few days as they were knocked out of the Champions League, then dropped points at Blackburn. City, on the other hand have been rampant. United will welcome back Rooney and Ferdinand, which will be a major boost. They don’t have Owen to steal a late winner this time around however. The players and staff will have to be on their best behavior as Manchester derbies have a history of getting ‘nasty’. Chelsea are in command but Spurs are a difficult proposition. They would have been buoyed by their 2-1 win over Arsenal (their first in 11 years) and confidence at White Heart Lane is sky high. A win for Spurs will give them a good shot at 4th spot. They face Manchester United next weekend and will hope that the Red outfit would have done them a favour before that.
Fixtures taking place this weekend/next week:
Saturday
Manchester United v Manchester City
Birmingham City v Hull City
Blackburn Rovers v Everton
Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland v Burnley
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Sunday
Wigan Athletic v Arsenal
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
Monday
Liverpool v West Ham
Wednesday
Hull City v Aston Villa
TOPS
Top of the log:
Chelsea face Spurs, who look to jump ahead of Manchester City, who face United.
Top Goal scorers:
The big battle this weekend will be Rooney v Tevez. The Argentinian striker has been in terrific form of late. Rooney has to be at his best after suffering an injury setback.
Top goal scoring boots:
In-form team:
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 10-14 APRIL
The FA Cup takes some of the attention away from the Premier League again this weekend as Chelsea, Aston Villa, Spurs and Portsmouth face off for a chance to play in the Wembley final.
Saturday throws up two matches, one of which is an enthralling bottom of the table clash between Hull and Burnley. The Tigers have only taken 3 points from their last 6 matches and currently sit third from bottom – just 3 points ahead of Burnley. The Clarets (along with West Ham) are the most out of form side in the League with just a single point from a possible 18 in their last 6. West Ham – who play Sunderland – are 1 point ahead of Hull on 28. They have played a game more though. A win for Hull will move them above West Ham, (if the Hammers fail to win). A win for Burnley will see things stay pretty much as they are. Sunderland were very impressive against Spurs last time out and they will be hoping to keep on the winning road as they are not mathematically safe yet.
On Sunday Wolves, who have made a swift dash away from the relegation zone, host Stoke City. Tony Pulis’ side have been one of the surprise teams of the 2009/10 season. Their form has seen them, at some stages, look like possible Europe candidates. Not so much anymore… Blackburn Rovers are another side that are enjoying a purple patch at the moment. They may be brought crashing back to earth by a Manchester United side who are seeing red after their Champions League exit. (I am sorry for that pun. I couldn’t help it!) The Champions can go top with a win at Ewood Park. Blackburn have only lost twice at home so one can’t take that for granted. The battle for 4th will rage on without Spurs and Villa as Liverpool and Manchester City look to gain three points off Fulham and Birmingham City respectively. Neither will rollover easily as they push for a spot in Europe next year.
Tuesday will see Chelsea back in action (possibly in 2nd in the league but heading to the FA Cup final) after their semi-final against Aston Villa. A win over Manchester United last weekend has put the Blues in the driving seat. Bolton are a tricky customer however so Ancelotti’s men will have to be on their toes.
The action continues on Wednesday when Aston Villa (after the semi-final with Chelsea) face another tough match against the blue half of Merseyside. Everton are pushing hard to secure a place in Europe next season and the return to fitness of some key players has seen their form rise drastically. Wigan face Portsmouth while Fulham host Stoke.
Featured Match: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
The title race is as close as ever and Chelsea and Manchester United’s games will be worth keeping an eye on. It is the London derby between Spurs and Arsenal however that promises to be the most exciting. A loss for the Gunners will most likely end their title charge while a loss for Spurs could ruin their push for 4th. All to play for then… The Spurs/Arsenal games are always full of passion and excitement and we expect more of the same. Fabregas, van Persie, Woodgate, King, Gallas and Huddlestone are all names that we won’t see in the 11 (or on the bench for that matter). Aaron Lennon on the other hand is a name we may just see. The tricky winger has been out since December with a groin problem. He will look to come back with a bang and prove to Fabio Cappello that England’s right wing World Cup duties should fall to him and not Theo Walcott. The Arsenal flyer has been in pretty good form of late and Wednesday night could turn out to be a ‘battle royal’ between the two speedsters. Arsenal are the inform team at the moment. They have taken 16 points from their last 6 games while Spurs (in second) have taken 15. When these two last met, many predicted that Spurs would secure a dramatic away win. It wasn’t to be… White Heart Lane will feel they are in with a great chance this time however.
Fixtures taking place this weekend/next week:
Saturday
Hull City v Burnley
West Ham v Sunderland
Sunday
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City
Blackburn Rover v Manchester United
Liverpool v Fulham
Manchester City v Birmingham City
Tuesday
Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers
Wednesday
Aston Villa v Everton
Wigan Athletic v Portsmouth
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
TOPS
Top of the log:
Manchester United will look to keep the pressure on Chelsea as they play 2 days before the log leaders and will go top if they win.
Top Goal scorers:
Sir Alex risked Rooney in the Champions League. Hopefully that won’t come back to bite him. Drogba and Torres are both returning to full fitness while Bent and Tevez continue in their fine vein of form.
Top goal scoring boots:
The Adidas Predator X is still the Premier League’s top scoring boot while their F50i has overtaken Nike’s Superfly. The CTR360 is also creeping up slowly thanks mainly to the likes of Fabregas and Milner.
In-form team:
The Gunners are still the team to beat. They travel to Spurs who are just behind them on the form table.
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 3-4 APRIL
This weekend starts with Manchester United v Chelsea. What a dumb game to start with! Who is going to watch football after having watched the two of them bite chunks out of each other. They certainly didn’t save the best for last. Having said that there is actually plenty of action to keep your eye on after the two ‘top dogs’ have wrestled each other into submission.
We start with Arsenal who face Wolves. The Gunners want to stay in the title hunt as a victory for United will leave Chelsea within striking distance of the Gunners. A Chelsea win will bring the reigning champions into their line of sight. Wolves on the other hand just want to survive. Now 5 points away from the drop, McCarthy’s men would celebrate a point. Aston Villa have disappointed in the last few weeks. Booing won’t help but the players and managers know that something must be done. With just 9 points from their last 6 matches, Villa have seen their hopes of Champions League football slowly fade into the distance. Not so for Spurs however. The London club have a firm hold on 4th spot. Their run-in is one of the toughest however. They need to keep on the winning road if they want to end up in destination: Europe. They face a resurgent Sunderland side. All Darren Bent can mumble is ‘revenge’. The ex-Spurs striker has been in fine form since his move to the Stadium of Light. Spurs should be boosted by the return of Jermian Defoe. Spurs’ biggest challenger for 4th is still Manchester City. 2 points separate the two clubs and Mancini will hope for maximum points against Burnley. City will stalk Spurs, waiting to pounce on any slip-ups. An in-form Rovers side travel South as they face injury ravaged, finance ravaged and just generally ravaged, Portsmouth. Stoke face Hull in a ‘must win’ game for the Tigers. They won’t find it easy as Tony Pulis’ side are very stingy in the Britannia Stadium.
On Sunday, Liverpool will look to keep their hopes of nicking 4th alive when they travel to Birmingham City. The Blues have proven to be a very strong side this season. They haven’t won in their last 4 games however. Fulham entertain the difficult a predict Wigan side, before West Ham face a tough trip to Everton. Zola could just be jobless come Monday morning, despite the owners claiming to have faith in the ex-Chelsea star.
Featured Match: Manchester United v Chelsea
There was only ever going to be one match to feature this weekend… The top of the table clash! Shall we all it the ‘Clash of the Titans’ or has that name already been taken. Manchester United v Chelsea has become a game of increasing significance over the years. Now with just a handful of matches left in the season, these two meet again with trophies on the line. Remember Terry’s famous slip in the UEFA Champions League final? Remember Rooney’s toe before the 2006 World Cup? A lot rides on matches between the Reds and the Blues and none more than this weekend. The Premier League table is tighter than a rockstar’s skinny jeans and any slip-up could see title aspirations go up in smoke. Chelsea looked to have thrown it away but have come back strong with massive wins over Pompey and Aston Villa. United on the other hand have come off a loss to Bayern Munich – a match which cost them Wayne Rooney. Terry, Lampard and fellow English players would have been grinning from ear to ear when the news of Rooney’s injury broke. ‘He can’t face us this weekend… but he can win us the World Cup later.’ United have proved they are more than just Roo. Chelsea have proven they are more than just moneymen. This could be the best and biggest ‘goal fest’ Red v Blue derby we have ever seen. It could also end in a massive brawl. It could also be boring and one team wins thanks to a lucky deflection. I doubt the last one. A mix of the first two will be perfect!
Fixtures taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Manchester United v Chelsea
Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa
Portsmouth v Blackburn Rover
Stoke City v Hull city
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley v Manchester City
Sunday
Birmingham v Liverpool
Fulham v Wigan Athletic
Everton v West Ham
TOPS
Top of the log:
The two top teams face each other. Winner doesn’t take all… but they move one step closer.
Top Goal scorers:
Wayne Rooney looked a good bet to take the Golden Boot this season. His ankle injury is a major blow for Manchester United. Especially as they face second placed Chelsea and Didier Drogba.
Top goal scoring boots:
Manchester United will have to rely on Berbatov in Rooney’s absence. Both he and Valencia will wear Adidas Predator X boots while we can expect much creativity from the Nike Vapor VI wearing Nani. They will also rely heavily on the Puma PowerCats of Vidic to secure a cleansheet. Chelsea will hope to regain top spot through Drogba’s Superfly II boots with help from Lampard and Malouda in AdiPure III and Nike CTR360 boots.
In-form team:
Arsenal are still the team to beat while the surprise team is Spurs. The London club are just one point off the Gunners in the last 6 matches.
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 27-29 MARCH
Saturday has plenty of action for us to enjoy. The Gunners have a shot at going top when they travel to the City of Birmingham. Both Chelsea and Manchester United play later on Saturday but a win will send Arsenal top for a heart beat. Birmingham City have had a poor run of late. A draw and two losses mean they don’t face Arsenal in the same form as before. Arsenal on the other hand are on a hot streak. Wenger’s men haven’t dropped a point in their last 6 matches. Chelsea have the hardest game of the three teams chasing the title. Stamford Bridge will welcome 4th spot-chasing Aston Villa. Martin O’Neil’s men have disappointed in their last 2 games. With 4 draws in their last 6, Villa are seeing their chances of 4th slip away. Both the Blues and Villa will be looking for all three points to help their individual endeavors. Manchester United have a tricky away game as they travel to the Reebok to face a physical Bolton side. The Trotters have been impressive under Owen Coyle and will look to upset United’s title push and secure the three points for themselves as they push to stay clear of the relegation zone. Other clubs who will be hoping to ease the relegation zone pressure are Hull, West Ham and Wolves. They play Fulham, Stoke and Everton respectively. Both Fulham and Everton are pushing for a place in Europe next year so they will hope to take advantage of their opposition’s desperation. Stoke City have been solid the whole year. Tony Pulis’ side travel to face a down-and-out Hammers side. Zola’s job could be on the line if he fails to rally his troops and get a result at home.
On Sunday Liverpool will look to give their 4th place hope a boost when they welcome Sunderland. The Black Cats have begun to find the promising form they showed earlier in the year. Darren Bent will hope to find the back of the net again as he attempts to secure a plane ticket to South Africa. Burnley are in desperate need of some points when Rovers travel to Turf Moor. Big Sam’s side had an impressive 2-1 win over Birmingham midweek. They will look to David Dunn to provide some more magic. Manchester City suffered a disappointing loss to Everton midweek. It didn’t destroy their 4th spot challenge. It may have dented it however. They will want to stamp their authority and flex their million pound muscles on Wigan when they arrive at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Featured Match: Spurs v Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp led Pompey to a FA Cup Final (which they won) and brought in stars such as Diarra (now at Real Madrid), Johnson (Liverpool), Crouch and Defoe. After he left things went from bad to worse for the Southside club. Relegation looks certain and without an injection of cash, Portsmouth could cease to exist. Since arriving at Spurs, Harry has bought in Crouch, Defoe, Kranjcar and Kaboul while like likes of Boateng and O’Hara have gone the other way. In some strange way, Pompey and Spurs are like brothers, or cousins. With that said there will be no niceties when they meet on Saturday. A family feud can be expected. Portsmouth will be without, arguably their best player of the season, in Jamie O’Hara. He can’t play against his parent club. Spurs will be without Jermain Defoe who is still out with an injury. Spurs can cement their hold on the 4th spot with a win. A win for Portsmouth will have little bearing on a nightmare season. It will lift their spirits ahead of a semi-final FA Cup tie against Spurs however.
Fixtures taking place this weekend/next week:
Saturday
Birmingham City v Arsenal
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Hull City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth
West Ham United v Stoke City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United
Sunday
Burnley v Blackburn Rovers
Liverpool v Sunderland
Monday
Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
TOPS
Top of the log:
A loss for any one of the top 4 could see them lose their log position. Spurs could move out of the Top 4 altogether.
Top Goal scorers:
Jermain Defoe won’t be able to add to his tally this weekend due to injury while Carlos Tevez will have to wait until Monday. Darren Bent will look to heap misery on Liverpool. Drogba and Rooney could both be rested this weekend.
Top goal scoring boots:
In-form team:
