Top-four pretenders get a chance to prove their credentials
With the Premier League’s international players having returned to their clubs after this week’s World Cup qualifiers, some in better spirits than others, domestic action resumes this weekend. The most eye catching fixtures are at Eastlands and White Hart Lane, where Manchester City and Tottenham have an opportunity to show they can compete with the top four.
Spurs, of course, have already beaten Liverpool this season but now get the chance to take on the champions. The North London side have hit the ground running this season with four wins out of four, whilst Manchester United have looked less than convincing to date. They are expected to be boosted by the return of Rio Ferdinand though and will be well organised as ever.
Few believe that Spurs can maintain their scintilating form and the expectation is that they will fade as the season progresses. Whilst it is difficult to envisage them claiming a place in the top four come May, they have a well balanced squad which also has some depth to it. They also have players in form and should be looking for at least a point against United.
Manchester City also have a 100% record in the league, having won all three of their opening games. Unlike Spurs, they have yet to beat any of the big sides, with wins against Blackburn, Wolves and Portsmouth. However, they get a chance to claim a top four scalp when Arsenal pay their second consecutive trip to Manchester tomorrow.
They will be smarting from the defeat against United a fortnight ago, a match they should have won. Whilst they will be without the influential Andrey Arshavin following an injury with Russia mid-week, Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky are both fit to play and will represent a threat to a City defence which has yet to concede a goal.
Two of City’s players in particular, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, will be out to prove a point and the Eastlands side could arguably be favourites for this one. Their well publicised spending has meant that anything other than a top four finish will be considered a failure, and a victory this weekend will be a signal of intent. Their revolution is at an early stage however, and Arsenal should do enough to get something from the game.
Elsewhere, the other notable match of the weekend is the Midlands derby between bitter rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa derby. Villa have overcome their opening day defeat against Wigan with two good wins, whilst Birmingham have so far demonstrated that they have the stomach for a fight in this league. This one is bound to be a fiercely contested affair.
So some exciting games to take in this weekend and it should make for an interesting week in Fantasy Football as well. If you haven’t joined The Football Blog’s fantasy league yet, you can still do so by using the following league code: 479-218461. Good luck with your transfers and enjoy the weekend’s action.
