Premier League Weekend Preview

The fixtures are coming thick and fast at the start of the new season, with the focus returning to the league this weekend following a week of Champions League, Europa League and Carling Cup matches. All the Premier League teams are in action on either Saturday or Sunday and will be looking to seize the initiative ahead of the international break. Here is The Football Blog’s look at some of the more intriguing match ups of the weekend.

Blackburn Rovers vs Arsenal

Blackburn won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season and may well fancy their chances of repeating the trick. Arsene Wenger’s disparaging comments about the ‘rugby’ style of play employed by some teams, Rovers among them, only serves to highlight the fact that his side can often struggle to cope with such tactics. Whilst the Gunners will go into this one as favourites, Sam Allardyce’s side will be looking to expose some of Arsenal’s more lightweight contingent.

Much of the focus will be on the potential return of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie to starting roles. There was little need for the two World Cup finalists in last weekend’s demolition of Blackpool, although they should be required for more meaningful duty this weekend. Providing he retains his place in midfield, it will also be interesting to see whether Theo Walcott can repeat his form of last weekend against opposition who should provide a stiffer test.

Chelsea vs Stoke City

The question of everybody’s lips is: can Chelsea win 6-0 for the third time in a row? With odds of around 18-1, there will be many tempted to take a punt on that particular eventuality, especially with Stoke yet to pick up a point this season. They were also on the end of a 7-0 drubbing at Stamford Bridge last season of course, and have had the unwanted distraction this week of the publicity surrounding Asmir Begovic’s refusal to play in their midweek Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury.

Chelsea have started the season in emphatic fashion, making light of concerns over their limited summer recruitment and the form and fitness of key men such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. With fixtures against West Ham and Blackpool following this, they have the opportunity to build up some considerable momentum before they receive their first real test against Manchester City on 25^th September. Anything other than a home win this weekend would be a shock.

Sunderland vs Manchester City

Following a shaky start against Tottenham on the opening day of the season, the media lavished praise on Roberto Mancini’s side following their 3-0 defeat of Liverpool on Monday. They now need to follow this up with a victory at the Stadium of Light to start to add some substance to the hype. Having thrown away a two goal lead against Birmingham and after defeat against West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland too will have a point to prove.

Steve Bruce needs to start to show that he is able to elevate the Black Cats above mid-table mediocrity given the financial backing he has been given. He is entitled to therefore be somewhat concerned that following the visit of Manchester City, three of his side’s next four opponents are Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. As such, taking at least a point from this game appears imperative, although City may well be too strong for them.   

Aston Villa vs Everton

Following the jubilation of their 3-0 opening day victory over West Ham, Aston Villa have come crashing back down to earth in a big way after their 6-0 defeat at Newcastle and Europa League exit at the hands of Rapid Vienna last night. Kevin MacDonald will be looking to rekindle the slim hopes he still has of getting the managerial position on a full time basis with a win over an Everton side who have also spluttered somewhat in their opening fixtures of the campaign.  

A loss against Blackburn and home draw against Wolves is hardly the start to the season David Moyes would have had in mind, although the 5-1 Carling Cup win over Huddersfield will have brought some light relief. A victory here would help to kick start their league campaign, and Villa look like they could be willing opponents. Ties between these two sides have been close run affairs in recent seasons, although Everton should edge this one and help accelerate Villa’s search for a new manager.

As ever, let us know your thoughts on the above games and the remaining Premier League fixtures this weekend. Can Blackpool pick up some points in their first Premier League game at Bloomfield Road? Are Wigan heading for another heavy defeat at White Hart Lane? Can United return to winning ways and Rooney finally get on the scoresheet again against West Ham? And will Roy Hodgson get his first league win as Liverpool manager when his side play West Brom at Anfield? Enjoy the action this weekend.