EPL Previews and Weekend Fixtures

31 October 2009

Arsenal v Tottenham

Bolton v Chelsea

Burnley v Hull

Everton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Liverpool

Man Utd v Blackburn

Portsmouth v Wigan

Stoke v Wolverhampton

Sunderland v West Ham

 

01 November 2009

Birmingham v Man City

 

 

The London derby is the one that everyone's been talking about. Third and Fourth Place clash this weekend. Arsenal have been in superb form. They play exciting football, and having just knocked Liverpool out of the League Cup, their confidence is growing. After lasts weeks fiasco against the Hammers of having let a 2 goal lead slip to a draw, Arsenal will not want to drop furthur points. Tottenham don't have the best record against their London rivals, they haven't beaten Arsenal in the League in 10 years! Given that this match is at the Emirates, I'd have to go with Arsenal for the win. Arsenal: Almunia is set to return after in favour keeper Fabianski sustained an injury midweek. Rosicky, Walcott and Denilson are all still recovering.  Tottenaham: Lennon is out injured and so is Giovani dos Santos, so Bently is likely to be given a start. Woodgate is still doubtful for the match, but if fit will surely be started. Defoe is out still serving his 3 match ban for his red against Portsmouth.

 

Chelsea and Bolton met midweek in the Carling Cup, Bolton were swept aside 4-0. Chelsea's good form have been supplemented by good fortune, Joe Cole is off the recovery table and John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole; who were all rested midweek, will be recalled.

 

Manchester United host Blackburn Rovers. News is that Ferdinand, Giggs and Vidic are all injured. While Fletcher and Park are still sidelined. With Gary Neville suspended for three games, the Rovers will do well to exploit a weakend United defence.

 

Liverpool's battle with injuries continue. Captain Steven Gerrard will not feature against Fulham as he has still not recovered from groin injury. Glen Johnson may have to also sit this one out as he has had a minor calf injury. Mascherano is back after serving his one game ban against Arsenal (for the double yelllow he picked up against United). While Aquilani is likely to be a sub, hopefully he'll get game. He looked pretty promising in his 15 minutes against Arsenal. Torres is also doubtful for the match and is likely to be benched. Liverpool will look to build on their win over United last weekend, after what one can only describe as an abysmal start to the season. They are 6 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, Rafa's Reds cannot afford anymore slip ups.YNWA