Premier League Weekend Preview
After this week’s intriguing Carling Cup action, Manchester United face West Ham this weekend while Spurs, beaten 2-0 by in the mid week Carling cup game, take on Everton. Arsenal meet Stoke City, a game Arsene Wenger will be desperate for his team to win, and top of the table Chelsea travel to Manchester City.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
All eyes will be on Mark Hughes this Saturday given speculation earlier this week that the City manager’s job could be on the line if his side fail to gain three points from Chelsea, who are currently on excellent form.
Manchester City have played out seven consecutive league draws and have thrown away winning positions in four of the seven games drawn. It is now believed that the clubs owners are becoming increasingly frustrated that draws have turned into wins, especially after Hughes spent over £120 million in the summer transfer window.
Hughes will have been boosted by his side’s win over Arsenal in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, and doesn’t appear to be fazed by the criticism. The Welshman has said he is pleased with Man City’s position in the Premier League table, commetning, ‘It only takes one positive result to turn things around’.
City have still only been beaten once this season and Hughes is confident that his side can keep it that way despite facing Chelsea in an evening kick off at Eastlands. While City are in relatively good shape it is debatable whether their quality and strength in depth will be enough to defeat the Blues.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team continue to occupy top spot with thirty six points, which gives them a healthy lead over the chasing pack. There is no doubt that Chelsea will be eager to continue their great start to the season and gain another three points from City in a bid to continue their campaign for the league title.
In spite of City’s midweek victory over Arsenal and the fact that they have only lost one game this season, the match against Chelsea will still prove difficult with Ancelotti believing his team can stay ahead for the rest of the season.
With Chelsea’s Frank Lampard praising the form of his team mates Ashley Cole, Nicolad Anelka and Didier Drogba for looking strong and playing well, the pressure will undoubtedly be building on Mark Hughes and his team’s efforts to do well in this weekend’s clash.
West Ham vs Manchester United
Manchester United will travel to Upton Park on Saturday where they will face West Ham. United are second in the league and will want to beat the Hammers to ensure that they can close down the gap on top place Chelsea.
Gianfranco Zola’s side now have fourteen points after a reassuring 5-3 win over Burnley last weekend. However, beating Burnley is one thing, getting the better of Manchester United is quite another.
Zola will face selection difficulties again this week as Matthew Upson, who was forced to miss the game against Burnley with a hamstring injury, will also miss the game against United. It has been revealed that Upson may not return to action until the 12th December when West Ham take on his old team Birmingham.
Carlton Cole is also suffering from a knee injury which it has been revealed will rule him out until the new year. It looks likely that Zola will select Cole’s understudy Zavon Hines to play against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. 20 year-old Hines has played fourteen games for West Ham and has said that he would love to score against Man United.
While United continue to look strong, if not as convincingly so as last season, Zola believes that West Ham can win despite struggling with some defensive issues and has said that they must ‘defend better at the back in certain circumstances’. West Ham may also want to pay close attention to Wayne Rooney, following the striker’s second hat trick for his club last weekend.
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Third place Tottenham Hotspur will face Everton away on Sunday. The Toffees have been struggling to pick up points in the league but finally managed to get back to winning ways and clinch a place in the Europa league final 32.
Spurs on the other hand lost to United in the Carling cup for the second year in a row. Redknapp is said to be disappointed with the tame manner in which his side bowed out. He will hope his side can take advantage of an Everton short on confidence by taking all three pounts in a bid to maintain their place in the top four.
Best of the rest
Fifth place Liverpool are another side desperate to make their way back into the top four. Rafa Benitez’s side are now two points behind Arsenal and believe a win against Blackburn, following their victory in the Merseyside derby last weekend, could help them turn their season around.
Elsewhere on Saturday, bottom of the league Portsmouth will meet with Burnley in a desperate attempt to turn their seven points into ten. Avram Grant will have to hope that his players aren’t more worried about when they will be getting paid.
Enjoy the weekend’s action and as ever, let us know your thoughts.
Rachel Thompson
