Premier League preview 20-01-12

There are a couple of fantastic games in prospect this weekend featuring four of the top five teams in the Premier League and revenge is very much on the menu.

The Premier League title race hots up this weekend with two clashes involving four of the table's top five teams.

After being beaten 8-2 by Man Utd and 3-1 by Man City respectively earlier in the season it is perhaps a surprise to some that Arsenal and Spurs are still in the title race. Sunday's games offers an opportunity for the London duo to gain revenge and ensure they retain their interest in winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League.

Although the two Manchester clubs won last weekend to maintain their grip on the first two places both of Arsenal and Spurs lost momentum and they'll be doubly desperate to get three points and keep up the pressure on Utd and City.

Man Utd made light of their apparent 'crisis' by easily dismissing Bolton 3-0 at Old Trafford, the newly un-retired Paul Scholes adding to his personal legend by scoring Utd's first just before half-time, Scholes' first goal for 18 months. Many have scoffed at his return claiming that Utd must be desperate if they are forced to resort to reliance upon a 36 year old.

The truth of the matter is that Scholes is one of the Premier League's best ever players and one of the finest attacking midfield players England has ever produced. Even at his advanced (for a footballer) age Scholes played with efficiency and style, reminding many why he has been missed this season.

City also won last weekend, beating a resolute Wigan side 1-0. The narrow victory keeps them at the summit of the table on goal difference, in which category they lead rivals Utd by eight goals. Utd though, are chipping away at that superiority, having reduced it from 15 several weeks ago.

Arsenal didn't enjoy their day trip to Wales as they returned to London without the gift of any points, having lost 3-2 at Swansea. The Swans were deserved winners as they played what is often referred to as 'proper football', that is they retained possession and out-passed the Gunners. Its not often a Premier League team can claim that accolade but Brendan Rogers' team are a real joy to watch.

Its true Arsenal were under par defensively and their concession of the third goal, immediately after equalising, will be of particular annoyance to Arsene Wenger. Once more the old football clich of 'you're never more vulnerable as when you've just scored' came true once again. If Arsenal are genuine contenders they need something from this weekend's game against Utd at the Emirates.

Spurs also faltered last week, only managing a 1-1 draw at home against a plucky Wolves team. Spurs had the majority of possession and chances but Wolves has opportunities themselves. Its games like that one that often determine the outcome of the championship. The likes of Utd and City beat teams like Wolves at home. Spurs lost meekly the last time they played man City and that game was at White Hart Lane. The form lines suggest the gap between the teams is narrower now and there appears no better time to be playing City.

Chelsea, the final team in the title/Champions League mix, did well to beat the resurgent Sunderland and they'll be relishing the spectacle of the other big clubs knocking lumps out of each other whilst they take on Norwich. Fernando Torres' spectacular overhead kick against Sunderland that led to Frank Lampard's winner is evidence that the Spaniard should not be written off as a force just yet. There's no doubt a few goals would help his confidence but he remains a class player.

Elsewhere around the league there has been a lot of debate with regard to tackling and the inconsistency of referees with their decisions. Considering how many intelligent people there are in and around football topics such as this never cease to amaze me in terms of how stupid people can be.

The rules around what constitutes a dangerous tackle are quite clear cut. However, rules are one thing but human error and the interpretation of such rules are far from simple matters. I really do wish pundits, players and managers would just shut up and allow referees to do their job. Referees are human and are required to make decisions very quickly based on a single view of an incident from a specific angle. They do not enjoy the privilege of multiple replays from every angle under the sun (Sky really do have a lot of cameras).

I'd love to see managers and players have a bash at refereeing a top flight game just so they could see how difficult it is. It would also help if they fostered a culture where players stopped trying to con the referees. As I see it some of our top managers are massive hypocrites - happy if their players get an unjust penalty but screeching banshees should a referee make a mistake that costs them points. Then again I suppose integrity is not part of the job description.

Let's look ahead to this weekend's games and take an educated guess about which games are likely to attract the most controversy as well as the best football: -

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Norwich v Chelsea - 12.45pm ko at Carrow Road. Norwich will push Chelsea all the way as they've tested everyone who has visited Carrow Road this season. Andre Villas-Boas will be more reassured about his defensive capabilities now that Gary Cahill is finally on board and he's sure to form a resolute pairing with England colleague John Terry, although there are suggestions that Cahill will start his Chelsea career on the bench. The Blues have Michael Essien and Branislav Ivanovic fit again and they should have too much class for the Canaries who will be missing Ritchie De Laet who has been recalled from his loan by Man Utd. Chelsea to win, but only by the odd goal.

Everton v Blackburn - 3pm ko at Goodison Park. Blackburn, now out of the bottom three visit Goodison Park with Chris Samba probably restored to the team although he remains the subject of transfer speculation. Everton are still missing Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell and Tony Hibbert so it would seem the teams are evenly matched. The loss of Yakubu could be the deciding factor as he's scored most of Rovers' goals and without him Blackburn will probably fail to score and therefore lose to the Toffees, perhaps resulting in a quick return to the relegation places.

Fulham v Newcastle - 3pm ko at Craven Cottage. Alan Pardew will be more than happy that his team managed a win without their two most influential players, Tiote and Demba Ba, and that they are still in contention for a European place. Fulham, much stronger at home, could put a spanner in Newcastle's push for a European place as the Magpies, despite their 1-0 win over QPR, are still weaker without Demba Ba and Tiote. However, Newcastle continue to exceed expectations and I think they'll scrape a draw.

QPR v Wigan - 3pm ko at Loftus Road. A clash of two bottom three sides that represents a good chance for Mark Hughes to open his winning account as new QPR boss. Rangers showed in their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle that they are in need of a few fresh faces to strengthen the squad. Despite their best efforts however, Rangers have only managed to bring in defender Nedum Onuoha from Man City although they're reportedly close to signing Nigerian fullback Taye Taiwo from AC Milan. Wigan played well and displayed remarkable spirit in the 1-0 defeat to Man City so manager Roberto Martinez will still be optimistic that his team can pull themselves out of the relegation zone. QPR to enjoy a rare win.

Stoke v West Brom - 3pm ko at the Britannia Stadium. After a couple of good wins West Brom are again hovering just above the relegation dogfight and a visit to the Britannia Stadium will keep matters difficult for them. Stoke, sitting in eighth place, are very strong at home and, if Rory Delap recovers from a calf problem, they'll have one of their most potent attacking weapons available. West Brom have a decent away record this season but I feel Stoke will be just too physically strong for the Baggies and they'll nab all three points, to make up for the disappointing 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns earlier in the season.

Sunderland v Swansea - 3pm ko at the Stadium of Light. This will be an interesting match-up featuring Swansea's pass-happy, keep possession style versus the pragmatic, but successful, approach of a Martin O'Neill inspired Sunderland. The Black Cats pushed Chelsea all the way last week and they'll be confident of toppling Swansea at home as Brendan Rogers' team have only won one game away from the Liberty Stadium all season. Should Martin O'Neill's men win they'll leapfrog Swansea and perhaps return to the top half of the table. Sunderland to win, perhaps 2-1.

Wolves v Aston Villa - 3pm ko at Molineux. A Midlands derby that will hopefully feature more positive football than the boring draw the two sides offered up in their first fixture in August. Wolves have had some good results lately against top sides, drawing away with Arsenal and Spurs whilst only narrowly losing at home to Chelsea, thanks to a dodgy refereeing decision. However, the Molineux men need to start winning some of these drawn games if they are to remain out of the relegation zone. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was criticised in some quarters for his changed team that lost to Birmingham in the FA Cup in midweek, but he'll point out that his priority is Premier League survival and he can recall Roger Johnson, Kevin Foley and Matt Jarvis for this game. Score draw here I think.

Bolton v Liverpool - 5.30pm ko at the Reebok Stadium. Neither of these teams impressed in their last outing, Bolton succumbing meekly at Old Trafford and Liverpool drawing 0-0 with Stoke at Anfield. Hopefully this game will see some better, more positive football although a Luis Suarez less Liverpool are a far less daunting proposition even with Steve Gerrard restored to full fitness. Although Liverpool are in with a real shout of making the Carling Cup final (they lead Man City 1-0 with the away tie to come) they really want and need Champions League football back at Anfield and their recent form is endangering that ambition. The Reds will win here and condemn Bolton to further bottom three misery.

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Man City v Spurs - 1.30pm ko at the Etihad Stadium. One of the two games of the weekend, both of which take place today. City won the first game between the two clubs but since then Spurs have grown in stature and confidence whilst City have been pegged back although they still lead the league from Man Utd and Spurs. City are sorely missing the midfield drive of 'on international duty' Yaya Toure, particularly as David Silva's from has dropped off in then last month. City will be buoyed by the return of Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards whilst Spurs will be weakened as they cannot play Emmanuel Adebayor due to the terms of his loan agreement. In my book that means advantage City although it's sure to be a tight, tense affair.

Arsenal v Man Utd - 4pm ko at the Emirates Stadium. The second game in the Super Sunday double-bill as it will no doubt be referred to by a certain broadcaster (they're right though). Another game that sees one team desperate to gain revenge for a beating earlier in the season, 8-2 in the case of Arsenal who, after that humiliating defeat, looked a team in crisis. The Gunners however, have picked up form and, despite the disappointing loss at Swansea, they'll probably fancy their chances at home against a less than dominant Utd. That said Arsene Wenger will require better defending if his team are to win as Utd's strength remains its attacking players. Luckily for him outstanding defender Thomas Vermaelen is due to return although Mikel Arteta is apparently still suffering from a calf problem, as is on-loan Thierry Henry. Utd and Alex Ferguson will be similarly boosted by the return of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. This will be a terrific affair, probably settled by the odd goal. I'm plumping for the Gunners, providing they tighten up at the back.

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