Captain's Blog Premiership Preview 2
With these Premiership fixtures lodged between the Champions League midweek, and the Carling Cup next week, it could be a weekend to get points off of the big boys.
Early Game
The first match of the weekend is at the Britannia Stadium in the 12.45 game where Stoke host an under pressure Blackburn side. Stoke come into this game having lost their last 4, and should be looking to put that record straight against a Blackburn side who have been leaking goals all season. Stoke’s route one football on their home turf should be too much for a weak Blackburn side who are without a win in 7.
3 o’Clock
In the next of the 3 o’clock kickoffs, Everton are the visitors to The Reebok to face Bolton. After Bolton’s demolition of Stoke just two weeks ago, I thought they may have been back on track but have since lost another against an average West Brom side. On the other hand, Everton are coming off a group of tough fixtures against Newcastle away, Man United home, Fulham away and Chelsea home. I’m sure this will be a tight game with Everton and a fully fit Louis Saha edging it.
In the next 3 o’clock kickoff, Chelsea are up against Wolves at the Bridge. Wolves haven’t gotten any points away from home since the third game of the season. I don’t see that changing today either, but you never know with Chelsea nowadays, after a couple of shaky performances against Liverpool, Genk and Arsenal. They’d want to get a win here if they’re to have any hope of winning the league.
Newcastle travel to Manchester today for a massive game at the top of the table. Man United are coming off three consecutive 1-0 wins and are facing a Newcastle team who, although have been over performing, recently got outclassed by United’s noisy neighbors, City. While you can’t ignore Newcastle’s great start, I think they will be outclassed for the second week running. United should come away smiling from this one and keep up the pressure on City.
Norwich play host to fellow new boys, QPR, in what will surely be a well-fought battle. With QPR coming off a deserved 3-2 win against Stoke, they will be relishing the chance to play another below par Premiership team. Norwich will surely be thinking the same after playing well in recent weeks, but not getting the results. Both teams will be looking to get the points here to move them firmly into the top half, and I really think it’s a toss up, 50-50.
Another of today’s games sees Wigan come down to the Stadium of Light for a bottom of the league scrap. An out of sorts Sunderland side will be looking to capitalize against bottom placed Wigan, who can’t seem to buy a win. This game should be boosting Steve Bruce and his squad into mid table. Unfortunately for Wigan, everything is looking towards relegation, and I can’t see it any other way.
The last of the 3 o’clock kick offs is West Brom against Spurs. Spurs are on a great run of form at the moment, which has them near the top of the table. The Albion have been very hot and cold this season and with Adebayor, Bale and Van der Vaart playing out of their skin at the moment, I don’t think they’re capable of stopping Spurs.
Late Kickoff
In the late kickoff, Arsenal face Fulham in the London derby. Arsenal and Van Persie have been tearing teams apart with his 13 goals in 11 league games. A bottom-tabled Fulham side don’t look to have enough to challenge at all. Arsenal should overcome Fulham easy enough and keep their 5 win streak going. With Arsenal playing so well now, I’m sure they’re now ruing their horrendous start to the season. If they’d have had a decent start, I’m sure they’d be up there with the Machster clubs and Spurs by now.
Sunday
The Liberty stadium is playing host to Aston Villa in the first of the two Sunday games. With Swansea’s home form being so solid, I can’t see them being beaten. I fancy the home side to get one over on Villa, the so called ‘draw specialists’! Even though Villa are mid table and ahead of Swansea, their football has been very poor. They really are missing the extra dimension Ashley Young gave them.
The final game of the weekend is sure to be an entertaining one. Liverpool face Man City. After Liverpool got one over on Chelsea last week, I can see them doing something similar again this week. Man City have been hammering everyone this season but stumbled in midweek in Europe and didn’t look like themselves. I reckon it’ll be a very tight game, but my money’s on Liverpool.
