Premier League Weekend Preview

Given the media furore surrounding the hand of Henry, it would be pretty easy to overlook the fact that domestic action returns this weekend with a full Premier League fixture list to look forward to.

Following the international break, the heat will once again be on Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard confident that his Liverpool side can kick start their season this Saturday against sixth place side Manchester City.

Liverpool have lost five Premier League matches this season and as it stands, Mark Hughes’ side has a one point lead over them. The vultures are circling at Anfield and City will no doubt be eager to take advantage of the Reds inconsistent form, although they seem to be stuck in a rut themselves, having drawn their last five league games.

Benitez believes that a win against City will be ‘a big boost’ for the team’s morale and for the fans, especially after their well publicised disappointing start to the season. Benitez said, ‘I am one hundred percent sure everything will be totally different if we can win the game against City. The season can be good if we do well’.

Despite Benitez’s optimism, his side will have to do without Fernando Torres, who will be out for at least another three weeks with a recurring hernia problem, although captain Steven Gerrard is likely to feature following injury, as are Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger. Will it make a difference without Torres to spearhead the attack?

Liverpool are not the only ones with injury problems. Chelsea will be missing talismanic midfielder Frank Lampard this weeken, after he suffered a muscle tear whilst training for the England friendly against Brazil. Ancelotti’s side could be without Lampard for at least three weeks, which means he will miss the game against Wolves on Saturday and possibly the Blues’ summit encounter with Arsenal next weekend.

Wigan travel to London to take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The home side will hope Robbie Keane’s heroics in Paris on Wednesday night for Ireland won’t have taken too much out of him, either physically or emotionally, especially given the fact that Luka Modric looks set to miss a further three weeks of action.

Elsewhere, Everton will need to improve on early season form to get anything out of their visit to Old Trafford to play Manchester United, a Robin Van Persie-less Arsenal face a tricky trip to Sunderland, whilst Aston Villa will be looking to improve on their mediocre away form when they travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.

Enjoy the weekend’s games and as ever, let us know your thoughts.

Rachel Thompson

November 20, 2009