This week’s midweek Premier League schedule boasts four games that could have tremendous significance in both the race for the title and Champions League football.
For the first time in five months, Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City side go into a league encounter knowing not even victory is good enough to wrestle away the lead from rivals Manchester United, as his side take on Chelsea at the Etihad.
Defeat or even a draw for Tottenham at home to Stoke will incredibly leave the door open for Arsenal to take third place if Arsene Wenger’s men beat Everton away – though that’s a big if as the Toffees look to bounce back from consecutive disappointments.
The final game sees QPR face the Premier League’s best mid-table side, Liverpool. Though the Reds still hope to finish in the top four, there is a point where wishful thinking becomes completely delusory. Come on Cisse!
Last week’s score: 5 (very minor improvement)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Barclays Premier League
Wednesday March 21, 2012
Manchester City 3-2 Chelsea (19:45)
Very interesting encounter this one, and not to mention the battle of two Robertos. Chelsea of course are rejuvenated though if you ask me, this is false. Their four consecutive victories (away at Birmingham and then home to Stoke, Napoli and Leicester) were all easily winnable games – and I suppose you would have to be honest and say Abramovic therefore changed manager at the right time.
We could very well see Carlos Tevez return to action for City and if he does, I expect a good showing from him.
All conjecture aside, he is a fantastic footballer and what’s more, a massive egotist. Offer any such player the chance to win his side the title, there’s no doubt he’ll give it a good shot.
Given a full squad for each side, this game would be decided by a simple difference: Man City are good and Chelsea are not. But with the absence of Joleon Lescott (confirmed) and Vincent Kompany (possible), Di Matteo’s side will be able to compete.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Tottenham 1-1 Stoke City (19:45)
Returning to the scene of Fabrice Muamba’s shocking collapse will be a new and probably horrible experience for Spurs players.
Not to mention that Spurs all-but confirmed third position in the Premier League is now seriously under attack from in-form Arsenal.
Stoke are one of the worst sides Tottenham could face at the moment because Pulis’ men will do everything they possibly can to prevent a free-flowing game – denying Redknapp’s men the ability to play with the sort of tempo that will both free up creative players and create space.
I expect quite a poor game really – a blunt attack against a steely defence. Hard-earned away point for Stoke for me.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Everton 2-1 Arsenal (20:00)
This is a huge game for both sides. Victory could give Arsenal third whilst defeat would be catastrophic for Everton leading up to the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Sunderland.
Bar the occasional absolute hammering, Everton vs Arsenal is often close. A case in point being that the sides could only be separated by a wonderful Robin van Persie volley earlier this season.
Everton’s Johnny Heitinga will come up against his Dutch international teammate. Last season, that would have caused me to shudder, but Heitinga is much-improved and I look forward to seeing him up his game in this one.
A draw seems likely but I just have a sneaking suspicion about Nikica Jelavic. His all-round play against Sunderland was really impressive.
All it lacked was a goal and even then, he was not far away. For Everton to win, he has give Arsenal’s defence a hard time from second one. I expect him to, and to be the Toffees’ match-winner.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
QPR 2-2 Liverpool (20:00)
I’d love to slag Liverpool off, and believe me I do, but to follow up consecutive Premier League defeats with a thrashing of your local rivals and victory in an FA Cup quarter-final is a fantastic response. Were Liverpool to add that trophy to this season’s Carling Cup success, that would constitute an excellent year regardless of league position.
QPR are looking desperate with such an horrific run-in, but if they can catch Liverpool cold, they may have a chance.
Dalglish’s men would be excused for being a bit off the pace, with QPR’s Premier League status massively at stake, and the Reds with only the pointlessness of Europa League football to aim for.
Djibril Cisse will start against his former side and we know what that often means in football, but QPR’s defence has been sub-standard all year and with Liverpool’s new-found attacking impetus, there will be chances for either side. QPR to nick a goal early and hold on for the point.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
By Chris Smith
chrissmithfootballblog 