Man City to go further ahead
By David Blood
Manchester City get a repeat of their mid-week Carling Cup clash with Wolves on Saturday and if their 5-2 victory was anything to go by then they should do even better at home with a first-team line-up. Expect another five or “six in the city”
The weekend kicks off at Goodison Park where Everton host Manchester United who will go all out to restore the confidence of their fans, while David Moyes will want to kick Sir Alex while he is down. I expect a tough match for the Red Devils who will be lucky to come away with three points as a draw is more likely.
The big clash of the weekend is the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at The Bridge. John Terry has an FA enquiry regarding his alleged racial comment to Anton Ferdinand hanging over his head, but I doubt that it will have any effect on his determination to send the Gunners back to North London with their tails between their legs, but if history is anything to go by the Arsenal are the most successful visitors to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea should win but it all depends on which side of bed Villas-Boas gets out of, because that seems to determine his starting eleven. Chelsea by one.
Blackburn Rovers travel to Norwich still cock ‘o hoop over their Carling Cup win over Newcsatle in mid-week and will want to prove that they have turned the tide in their effort to climb off the bottom of the premier league table. The Canaries are no pushover and it may be tough-going for the Rovers but I would expect them to chalk up their second league win of the season
Alex McLeish takes his Villa squad to the Stadium of Light on Saturday to face Steve Bruce’s Black Cats in what should be another enthralling encounter. Only two points separate the two teams in mid-table so points are of the essence. I expect Sunderland to take all three of them.
Another spectacle should result from the clash between Swansea and Bolton Wanderers. The Swans have shown in recent weeks that they are no pushovers at this level, while the Trotters have had a torrid few weeks landing themselves in the relegation zone, so expect an epic battle for points here. On current form expect Swansea to bag the points.
Another desperate battle for points will take place in the North West when Wigan Athletic host Fulham. The ‘Latics are in the drop zone while the Cottagers are perched perilously close on seven points from nine games. This could be a dour fight for a point as each team packs its defence trying to deny the other a goal, so don’t expect fireworks here.
Saturday action rounds off with Liverpool heading for the Hawthorns and a clash with West Brom who have clawed their way up to mid-table. The Reds seemed to be on the road to revival until last weekend, so will be keen to prove that it was just a glitch but The Baggies will have seen the chink in their armour and will want to prove a point. I expect Liverpool to take all three points.
On Sunday there is only one match as Spurs host QPR at White Hart Lane, who have their tails up after last weekend’s debacle at Loftus Road, where it was 12 against nine. They should be in for a much tougher time against Harry Redknapp’s Spurs who have turned around their season starting misfortune and seem to be back on track in fifth place while QPR are five places adrift. I expect Spurs to win by a couple.
Final match of the weekend sees Stoke City host Newcastle United on Monday night. Alan Pardew will want to avenge his team’s first defeat of the season by Rovers in mid-week with an impressive showing at Stoke but Tony Purlis’s side are a tough nut to crack at home and you can expect the Potters to put up one hell of a fight. This one could go either way, but some Magpie in the Pot might just be the dish best served up on Monday night.