Liverpool vs Manchester United :
The week starts off at Anfield with the two titans squaring off for bragging rights. Coming from a less than impressive display at home against Norwich, Ferguson’s men will be looking to put on a better performance if they are to take three points out of the game.Ashley Young, having got a week off will be fresh and ready for the clash, along with De Gea who will also make a comeback into the starting eleven. Danny Welback may just get the nod infront Chicharito, with his goal that secured the three points last week, where as the Mexican has failed to impress.
Liverpool will be pumped up for the encounter having won the Mersyside derby last week. Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will be leading the lines, with the Uruguayan assumed to be the primary threat for the Red Devils’s defence. Steven Gerrard may just make it to the eleven which will see Charlie Adams making way. The likes of Kelly and Enrique will have to be at the top of their game, facing the in-form United wingers.
Man to watch:
Wayne Rooney - Having missed out of action two weeks ago due to a slight niggle, the Untied frontman failed to get on the scoring charts last week. He thrives on such big matches and will look to make an impact by getting in on the scorecard.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd
ManchesterCity vs Aston Villa:
The Citizens will be looking to secure maximum points from the clash and keep a firm grip at the top of the table alongside their city rivals from Manchester. Having won comprehensively against Blackburn last week, City’s main headache will be to get Sergio Aguero fit ahead of the match. The Argentine limped off early in the first half and his inclusion next week is still hanging on the balance. However, Mancini may not risk his frontman and deicide to go with Balotelli who looked sharper and more agile, and got on the scorecard against Blackburn. Samir Nasri and David Silva will bear the responsibilities of setting up the goals as they have done till now.
Villa will be upbeat after their 2-0 home win against Wigan, however Alex McLeish will be happy even with a point against the inform City. Villa’s defence led by Richard Dunne, the former City man, will have a tough time stopping Silva, Dzeko and co and must be at the top of their game. Agbonlahor grabbed his fourth goal of the season last week and will look to carry on with his goal scoring streak, partnering Darren Bent upfront.
Man to watch :
David Silva - With already 5 assists in the league so far, the Spaniard has been at the heart of City’s build-up play and will look to provide the inch-perfect passes, that will cut open the Villa defence.Having scored in the first two matches of the season, he has failed to put the ball at the back of the net in the previous 5 games and will look to end the drought,hopefully,against Villa.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Aston Villa.
Norwich vs Swansea
Norwich will take a lot of positives from their last encounter against United, where they will feel they could have come out with at least a point.The defence showed resilience and were compact, while Steve Morrison had a good game upfront, creating doubts in the United defence.Facing Swansea at home, they will go for the win and try and rise from the 9th position in the table, they are currently holding.
Swansea on the other hand are 10th on the table,equal in points with Norwich and having won at home against Stoke, Brendan Rodgers will be urging his team to secure the three points once again. Scott Sinclair has looker the most lively of the Swansea players with his pace and skill, and will look to add to his two goal tally for the season.
Man to watch:
Michel Vorm - With already four clean sheets in the league, Vorm has been outstanding at goal and has been the team’s top performer. He has had 27 saves so far, and has been a barrier in between the posts. He will be looking to pick up yet another clean sheet and ensure his team has a good chance of coming out with all three points.Prediction: Norwich 1-1 Swansea.
QPR vs Blacburn
After a devastating 6-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham, QPR would look for a much improved display as they entertain Blackburn at home. Neil Warnock will rely on Joey Barton and Adel Taabart to come up with the goods and also hope that Luke Young and Anton Ferdinand tie things up at the back.
Blackburn on the other hand are ranked 19th in the table with just 4 points off 7 games.Steve Kean will want to take maximum points of this game and push his side up from the relegation zone. He will rely on Yakubu to score upfront while Samba will try to lead the defence into earning a clean sheet.
Man to watch:
Joey Barton - The Englishman will be at the heart of the QPR midfiled and will take on the set piece duties. He will look to provide the final ball to the strikers and set up goals for his side.Prediction: QPR 2-0 Blackburn
Stoke City vs Fulham
Stoke City is a different proposition at home as compared to away, though they lost to Swansea last week, they will be looking to bounce back at home against the 6-star Fulham side. Ryan Shawcross and Jonathan Woodgate will look to tidy things up at the back while Crouch and Walters entertain the Fulham defenders up front. Set piece and dead balls situations shall be vital and may just lead to the goal that decided the outcome of the match.
Fulham were 19th int eh table before their 6-0 win over QPR and now occupy the 12th position.The win came as a surprise to many and Martin Jol’s side will look to carry on from where they left off and ensure three points from the game. Bobby Zamora is a constant threat alongside Johnson upfront while Murphy will look to control the midfield as he most often does.
Man to watch:
Peter Crouch - The tall forward is a constant threat inside the box and will look to win anything and everything that is floated in. He will look to team up with Rory Delap from the long throw ins and will also win his major share of headers from the corners. He may jus tbe the man to come up with the goods for Tony Pulis.Prediction: Stoke 1-1 Fulham
Wigan vs Bolton
The battle of the bottom.Wigan placed at 18th in the table are coming off a 0-2 loss at the hands of Villa.Facing a depleted Bolton side at home, Martinez will be hoping his boys can lift themselves off the relegation zone. Franco Di Santo will lead the lines at Rodellaga’s absence and will look to give his side an early advantage.
Bolton would like to forget about their clash with Chelsea for their own good, having lsot the encounter 1-5. With Jussi Jaaskelainen injured, Bogan will continue at goal while captain Kevin Davies will lead the lines along with David Ngog. However Owen Coyle may try and switch things a little bit, intoroducing the more dynamic Tuncay Sanli. Even with all three points, it will be tough for Bolton to get out of the relegation zone as for now.
Man to watch:
Martin Petrov - The Bulgarian has been the lone glimmer of hope for Bolton causing troubles at the opposition half. His pace and delivery from the left flank, if supported my better striker positioning and anticipation may result in a lot more goals. He must have a good game if Bolton are to get anything out of this clash.Prediction: Wigan 1-1 Bolton
Chelsea vs Everton
The Blues are coming off an outstanding result from the Reebok stadium having netted five times in the game, four of which came inside the first half an hour. Frank Lampard made an startling comeback into the side with a hat-trick while Sturridge grabbed a brace. The duo is likely to hold their starting places as Fernando Torres remain out, serving a three match ban. Chelsea are favorites to come out of the clash with a victory, and if either of the teams from Manchester fail too win, the Blues will be in the top two in the table.
Everton will be happy even with a point, having lost to their rivals Liverpool. They will be without the services of Jack Rodwell who was sent off last week.Leon Osman will be fit despite the minor knock while Tim Cahill will partner Luis Saha in the attacking sector. Leighton Baines will do his fair share of attacking work, sending in crosses into the box and attending set pieces. Anything except a defeat will be a happy result for the Toffes.
Man to watch:Juan Mata - The Chelsea new boy has settled in well into the club and the Spaniard has looked lively in all his five outings so far. However, he will be looking to add to his goals and assists tally and terrorize the Everton defense with his brisk runs and accurate shooting.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Everton
West Brom vs Wolves
West Brom failed to come out with a win against Sunderland last time out as they let go off a two goal advantage. Roy Hodgson will be that his side can bounce back and get all three points from the home game. Shane Long scored again taking his goal tally to three and will be looking to get on the scoring chart once again. Nickey Shorey and Olsson will however have to tidy thigns up at the back if they are to keep the likes of Fletcher and Jarvis at bay.
Tim Krul single handedly denied Wolves a point last week, as they went down 1-2.Mick McCarthy will be hoping that his key players hit gold soon, if they are not to slide into the bottom of the table. Jarvis has been ineffective for the past few weeks and must lift his game,while Hunt and O’Hara will look to set up goal scoring opportunities for Fletcher.
Man to Watch:
Stephen Ward - The Wolves left back enjoys getting up on the left hand side and supporting the build up play. He has a good delivery and can pick up the right ball. He will also try and ensure a clean sheet by doing his fair share of defensive duties.
Prediction: WBA 1-1Wolves
Arsenal vs Sunderland
Arsene Wenger will try and lift his young side by the grief of a defeat, once against they try to give their season some momentum. They never looked in a position to win the match against Spurs and will be hoping that they put on a better defensive show and provide greater support to
Szczesny.With Sagna out with a twisted ankle, Jenkinson may get the nod at right back. Arshavin may get a start if Wenger wants to change things around a little bit.
Sunderland will look to take advantage of the Gunners poor start to the season and will surely aim to get all three points from the encounter. Steve Bruce will gather hope from his side’s comaback performance against West Brom and hope that the boys show the same determination this time around. Sebestian Larsson will be the key man in the attacking half with his balls into the box while the likes of Brown and O’shea must be at the top of the game at the back.
Man to watch:
Sebestian Larsson – With 3 assists and 2 goals already, he is at the heart of Sunderland’s attacking play. He is brilliant at dead ball situations and will look to put in crosses at every opportunity given Arsenal’s vulnerability in dealing with high balls.Prediction: Arsenal 1-1Sunderland
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Newcastle has the stingiest defense in the top flight conceding just four times in the seven matches. The Taylor brothers along with Colocini have teamed up well as Tim Krul,too has been brilliant at goal.Ba has been a revolution scoring 4 goals in the last two matches and will be in the forefront of his team’s attacking play along with Leon Best. Jonas Gutierrez is a ever lively figure at the left flank and provides the versatility to the attack. Alan Perdew will be hoping for more of the same as they entertain an inform Spurs side.
Tottenham are fresh from the win against city rivals Arsenal and will look to carry on the winning streak. Rafael Van der Vart scored in his last two appearances and will be looking to make it three in a row while Bale and Modric provide ample support. Adebayor has enjoyed a decent start toi his Spurs career and will himelf look to get on the scoring list. It will be a tough encounter and despite being the visinting team, Harry Redkapp’s men will be the favourites to come out as victorious.
Man to Watch:
Emanuel Adebayor - With two goals and three assits in just for games, he ahs been a vital addition the side and will look to put the field on fire once again and break into the compact Newcastle defense.Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Tottenham
Shortlink: (click to copy)
Comments »