Premier League preview 10-02-2012

There's an exciting weekend of Premier League action ahead with another instalment of the bitter, ongoing Man Utd v Liverpool saga and the prospect of a real cracker at White Hart Lane where Spurs take on Newcastle.

Its been a busy week in football with the sacking of John Terry as England captain, the subsequent resignation of England manager Fabio Capello and the avalanche of calls from the media and public for Harry Redknapp to be appointed as national manager after his acquittal on tax evasion charges.

The FA are now in the process of drawing up a shortlist of potential candidates although Redknapp is the clear and obvious favourite. The issue of how his release from Spurs may be negotiated could be tricky but ultimately Harry wants the job and will probably get it. Sorry Spurs fans.

You might be forgiven, in such a week, for forgetting about the on-field action but there was also plenty happening on the pitch with a controversial 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Man Utd, a return to winning ways for Arsenal with a 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn and a cagey 0-0 draw between Spurs and Liverpool, as well as the settling of FA Cup fourth round replays.

Man City were the main beneficiaries of Utd and Spurs' failures to win their games as their own 3-0 win over Fulham enabled them to re-open the gap between themselves and Utd. Its been a rocky road for Roberto Mancini's men lately but they're still there at the top of the table and remain the team to beat. Added to which they'll soon have the influential Yaya Toure back to provide the drive and box to box energy they've been missing.

Man Utd were extremely fortunate to claw their way back to draw at Chelsea on Sunday although Blues manager Andre Villas Boas must be gutted that his team could not keep a hold on the game from 3-0 up. Its clear that there's lots more work to do at Stamford Bridge and that the squad needs further overhaul if they are to once more challenge the likes of City and Utd.

Spurs missed their opportunity to close on the top two after failing to break down Liverpool at Anfield, a result from which Kenny Dalglish's men will take more. However, with manager Harry Redknapp now free from legal worry after his acquittal, the club can concentrate on winning football games and pushing the Manchester duo all the way in the title race. They're seven points ahead of fourth placed Chelsea and are well placed to guarantee a return of Champions League football, although it may well be another manager reaping that benefit next season.

Arsenal rediscovered the winning habit with a real demolition of Blackburn, a result that means Rovers return to the relegation zone and the Gunners are, once more, a threatening presence. The title may be out of the question but they are a definite contender for the last Champions League spot. In fact the race for fourth is an emerging drama with Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool all vying for that invaluable place and the riches that potentially follow.

Speaking of the Champions League, that competition returns next week and the fact that Chelsea and Arsenal are still in Europe's premier competition will add extra spice to their particular mini battle between them Liverpool and Newcastle. Given the form of Arsenal and Chelsea its unlikely they will survive past the quarter finals of the Champions League so the other two should take advantage whilst the London duo are otherwise engaged.

Further down the table Norwich continue to accumulate points and are ever nearer the magic 40 point mark, although the table seems to suggest that the number of points required to survive this season will be considerably less than that. After a couple of weeks of a little change with both Blackburn and Bolton enjoying a respite from 'bottomthreeitis' they're now back in the relegation places whilst Wolves managed to pull themselves up by winning at QPR, who haven't yet seen a great improvement after changing manager and spending a fair bit of money in the transfer window.

Its perhaps too early to say that the likes of Fulham and West Brom are out of trouble but its increasingly looking like that it will be a case of three from five with Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Wolves and QPR the unfortunate five who can't seem to climb out of danger. Four of those teams play each other in real six pointers so there's potential for a lot of change at the bottom of the table this weekend.

Here's Britevents review of all of this weekend's Premier League games: -

Saturday 11 February

Man Utd v Liverpool - 12.45pm ko at Old Trafford. This is the third meeting of these two great rivals and the extra spice for this game comes courtesy of Luis Suarez's presence against the man it was claimed that he racially abused, Patrice Evra. The game will no doubt be an opportunity for football to display its ugly side with the likelihood of the Old Trafford fans roundly abusing Suarez, much in the same manner the Liverpool faithful did with Evra during the recent FA Cup match at Anfield. For England's two greatest clubs this, quite frankly, is a disgrace and does not reflect well on either of them. In terms of the match itself Utd are at home and their fighting spirit remains intact, as shown by last week, so I'm going for Utd.

Blackburn v QPR - 3pm ko at Ewood Park. One of the afternoon's six-pointers with Blackburn having the opportunity of overhauling their opponents. Mark Hughes would no doubt have wished for a better start to his QPR career but the addition of too many players at once can often be unsettling. Time is short however, so the likes of Cisse and Zamora better start repaying Hughes' faith soon if QPR are to enjoy a second Premier League season. Blackburn have lost nine of their twelve home games and with that record there is no home advantage - QPR to sneak a narrow win.

Bolton v Wigan - 3pm ko at the Reebok Stadium. A clash involving two of the bottom three and that in itself will ensure tension and excitement. To this observer Wigan appear doomed, despite playing some attractive football at times. They've won once in the last ten games although they've won twice away from home this season whilst Bolton have only managed two home wins. This is a close game to call but I think Bolton can drive a further nail in the Wigan coffin.

Everton v Chelsea - 3pm ko at Goodison Park. The Toffees did some astute business in the January window, bringing in Darren Gibson from Man Utd, Nikica Jelavic from Rangers as well as Steven Pienaar and Landon Donovan on loan seals. Gibson proved an immediate success with his winner against Man City and Everton will be looking to add another top scalp with the visit of Chelsea who may still be in shock after surrendering a 3-0 lead at home to Man Utd. Chelsea really need a win to hold on to the fourth spot but Everton are a notoriously hard team to break down at Goodison Park. Score draw I think.

Fulham v Stoke - 3pm ko at Craven Cottage. After such a fantastic season last year Stoke have come back down to earth a little, although it has to be acknowledged that the additional burden of a European campaign has proved tough on the club. Fulham may find it tough to score as freely without Bobby Zamora although they've signed Russian international Pavel Pogrebnyak as a replacement. Stoke have a fair away record and I have a sneaky feeling they'll do well at the Cottage this weekend. Stoke to take all three points.

Sunderland v Arsenal - 3pm ko at the Stadium of Light. This game is a preview of the FA Cup fifth round tie of next week although the Gunners will view this particular game as more of a priority as the Holy Grail remains Champions League qualification. Martin O'Neill's revival of Sunderland has been nothing short of incredible and Arsene Wenger will be wary of the threat posed by a rejuvenated Black Cats team, who now appear to be capable of scoring, something Steve Bruce couldn't achieve in his time. The games are now coming thick and fast for Arsenal with a midweek trip to Milan. Will they take their eye off the ball? I think so.

Swansea v Norwich - 3pm ko at the Liberty Stadium. Both of these teams have made hugely favourable impressions in the Premier league this season and both must be confident that they will survive for at least a second season. Swansea probably play the more attractive football for Norwich have marginally been more successful. On the basis that both of these teams enjoy more success at home I believe the Swans will take the three points and leapfrog the Canaries.

Spurs v Newcastle - 5.30pm ko at White Hart Lane. White hart Lane is a very interesting place at the moment. Spurs lie in third place and have been playing probably the most attractive football in the league whilst, more importantly, winning games. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is wanted as the next England manager by everyone bar Tottenham fans and this could prove to be a major distraction until the England situation is resolved. Newcastle meanwhile, have won four of their last five and are once more serious contenders for a Champions league spot now that Demba Ba is back scoring goals. I can see an attractive, flowing game with the points being shared.

Sunday 12 February

Wolves v West Brom - 1.30pm ko at Molineux. This promises to be a stirring Black Country derby with both teams too close to the relegation zone for comfort. The loss of the on-loan Emmanuel Frimpong will be a huge blow for Wolves as he had solidified their central midfield. Some pundits are suggesting that Baggies manager Roy Hodgson is a possible England manager candidate. Its unlikely but will still be a concern for Albion fans. As a diehard Wolves fans I've got to go for the home team.

Aston Villa v Man City - 4pm ko at Villa Park. By the time City take on Villa Man Utd could be back at the top of the table so there's some added incentive for City to win the game. Villa have only won one of their last five and their home record is unimpressive whilst City have a pretty good away record. I really can't see anything other than a Man City win in this game as they have too much class and, through a slightly tough patch, they've managed to maintain their league lead. City to win by a couple of goals.

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