Premier League preview 30-01-12

After a weekend of pulsating FA Cup action there's a full set of midweek Premier League fixtures to look forward to.

Due to the FA Cup fourth round at the weekend there is, unusually, a full round of midweek Premier League fixtures, evenly split between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Before looking ahead to the Premier league games its worth talking about how the FA Cup fourth round panned out, the big game at Anfield being the obvious talking point. A fantastic match, in which Liverpool emulated their superb performance last week against Man City in knocking out the other Manchester team from a cup competition.

The deserved victory was overshadowed however, by the Reds fans' sustained abuse of Patrice Evra, the Utd player who reported Luis Suarez for his racial abuse, and Kenny Dalglish's failure to see that as an issue. Quite rightly the question of why any black player would report abuse in the knowledge of the further abuse he would receive has been voiced. Liverpool as a club need to examine their wider responsibility, that beyond winning football matches.

The game itself was a classic with both teams enjoying periods of dominance but Liverpool's tactics won them the victory and a fifth round tie at home to Brighton, a replay of their Carling Cup from September.

The other supposed grudge match of the weekend, QPR v Chelsea, was nothing of the sort with Chelsea winning 1-0, courtesy of a disputed penalty, in a game that lacked bite and passion, surprising in the circumstances.

The big upset of the weekend was Brighton's victory over Newcastle, a game the Magpies should have won, but lost thanks to an own goal. It would seem that the club's Tenerife break after the thrashing to Fulham didn't help after all.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup Stevenage made it through to the last 16 for the first time in their history and were rewarded with a home tie against Spurs who beat Watford. League Two Crawley, who had a fine win away at Hull, face another tough task in the fifth round with a trip to Stoke who beat Derby 2-0.

Arsenal also made it through to the last 16 with a controversial 3-2 win at home to Aston Villa. The Gunners were 2-0 down and the Emirates was restless for the second time in a week when Robin van Persie came to the rescue with a brace of penalties and a Walcott goal. Van Persie could be in trouble though, after an alleged elbowing incident.

Looking at this week's Premier League games a couple stand out as potential crackers - Swansea v Chelsea and man Utd v Stoke.

Table toppers Man City will travel to Goodison Park and will hope for a better result than last week's trip to Merseyside where Liverpool knocked them out of the Carling Cup. They lead the league by three points from neighbours Utd who are holding on to their coat tails doggedly.

Utd will face a real test against Stoke who retain their physicality although they are capable of playing some good football as well. Third placed Spurs, still under somewhat of a cloud thanks to manager Harry Redknapp's court case for tax avoidance, will expect to keep up the pressure on the Manchester duo with a win at home to Wigan.

Chelsea will be tested when they visit the Liberty Stadium where Swansea have embarrassed several teams this season with the quality of their play, not least Arsenal who were beaten 3-2 a couple of weeks ago. Liverpool, conquerors of both man City and Man Utd in the last week come down to earth with a visit to Wolves who have slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Arsenal visit a re-invigorated Bolton who are now out of the relegation places for the first time this season and who enjoyed a good FA Cup win against Swansea on Saturday. Arsenal have dropped off the Premier League pace with three consecutive league defeats so a win is a must at Bolton.

In fact should the Gunners lose and one or both of Liverpool and Newcastle, who take on Blackburn at Ewood Park, win Arsenal will drop even further down the table and the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger will intensify. The bad news of a further delay to the return of Jack Wilshere will not ease worries at the Emirates either.

With the January transfer window set to close this week look for a flurry of last minute activity. It seems unlikely that they'll be any major moves as most of the big business is done in the summer, but there are sure to be some surprises as those teams in danger of relegation look to strengthen their squads.

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Swansea v Chelsea - 7.45pm ko at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea have an excellent record at home this season and they'll be hoping to add another big scalp with the visit of Chelsea. Blues manager, Andre Villas Boas, claims his team can no longer win the Premier League and he must be looking ahead to next season already with the probable acquisition of Belgian youngster Kevin de Bruyne, although he will almost certainly be loaned back to Genk for the remainder of the season should he sign. Chelsea will miss midfielder Ramires for several weeks after he injured his knee at the weekend - his energy in the middle of the park will be missed, although Michael Essien is now back healthy. I fancy a score draw.

Spurs v Wigan - 7.45pm ko at White Hart Lane. Wigan are firmly rooted to the bottom of the league and, despite some improved performances, they look unlikely here to get the win they need to move up the table. Spurs have gone off the boil a little but they remain a formidable attacking side with the ability to beat anyone, although both Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe are doubts with hamstring niggles. Two years ago Wigan had nine goals put past them at White Hart Lane - I don't think Spurs will beat them that convincingly in this game but they'll still win by a couple.

Wolves v Liverpool - 7.45pm ko at Molineux. Wolves fans will hope they can catch Liverpool on an emotional down after the highs of beating both Manchester clubs in the last week. After playing well in their last few games but having very little to show for it Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is steeled for another relegation dogfight, something which he experienced last season. Wolves are light in midfield and Liverpool look likely to recall Craig Bellamy and Charlie Adam so in terms of quality the Reds have a massive edge. Wolves have done quite well against the top sides this season and I can see them getting a point in this game.

Everton v Man City - 8pm ko at Goodison Park. With elimination from the Carling Cup last week City can now concentrate on winning the league title so its bad news for Everton, particularly as City captain Vincent Kompany is set to return. Everton are in the middle of an injury crisis with all of Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman still out. Although City will also be missing Mario Balotelli (suspended) and the Toure brothers (Africa Cup of Nations) they'll be too strong for the Toffees.

Man Utd v Stoke - 8pm ko at Old Trafford. Man Utd, like City, now have only the Premier League to occupy their attention (and the Europa League of course) and this will make them an even more dangerous opponent than usual. Stoke managed a draw at Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and they can test any team that isn't battle ready. Utd are still waiting for the return of Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Ashley Young so Paul Scholes will continue to defy the years alongside the ageless Ryan Giggs. Despite Stoke's deserved reputation for being tough to beat I fancy Utd to grind out a win.

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Aston Villa v QPR - 7.45pm ko at Villa Park. Fresh from having their FA Cup win snatched away from them at Arsenal Villa host an improving QPR team. Villa must wish that they could Robbie Keane until the end of the season given the impact he's had but as they can't they must maximise his contribution. QPR have signed two new defenders, Onuoha from Man City and Taiwo from AC Milan and manager Mark Hughes is still trying to strengthen his squad before the transfer window ends on Tuesday. Villa played well in defeat at Arsenal and I can see them beating Rangers.

Blackburn v Newcastle - 8pm ko at Ewood Park. There have been promising signs recently for Blackburn, despite them slipping back into the relegation places. A draw and a win in their last three games has seen a new air of optimism around Ewood Park and the visit of a Newcastle team who have lost their last two games could give cause for more happiness. Blackburn will be rested after not having to play in the FA Cup whilst Newcastle will have to pick themselves up from a thrashing at Fulham and a disappointing loss to Championship side Brighton. Rovers to win, narrowly.

Bolton v Arsenal - 8pm ko at the Reebok Stadium. Like with Blackburn a largely depressing season has taken a recent upturn at Bolton with them finally climbing out of the relegation zone and progressing through to the fifth round of the FA Cup. Despite making it through to the last 16 of the FA Cup and it being their best chance of silverware Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated his priority remains the Premier league where a failure to qualify for the Champions League could be a catastrophe. Bolton will push the Gunners all the way in this game but I think Arsenal have hidden steel and will win by the odd goal.

Fulham v West Brom - 8pm ko at Craven Cottage. Albion have made a habit of winning away at places they perhaps were not expected to - Newcastle and Stoke for example. Fulham, as I've said many, many times are a much better team at the Cottage, as they showed in putting five past Newcastle recently, so this game could be surprisingly close. However, I'm giving the edge to Fulham who I expect to win by a single goal.

Sunderland v Norwich - 8pm ko at the Stadium of Light. Thanks to the marvellous rejuvenative powers of Martin O'Neill Sunderland are now only two points behind Norwich who must qualify for the 'Blackpool' award, ie the prize for the most surprising over-achievers. At some point I do expect for reality to set in at Norwich and that process could start in this game which I expect the Black Cats to win - it is a long trip from East Anglia after all.

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