As you may have noticed, I have played around with the old site design and I have to say: what an excellent way to spend your time that is. I hope it improves the overall experience, the sidebar to the left should makes things more straightforward anyway. Enough about that, to matters at hand…
My biggest tip for this weekend’s Premier League action is to keep an eye out for Arsenal. They were brilliant against Everton in midweek – the character and efficiency showed will seep out in the form of confidence now they’ve earned respect.
The Gunners’ opponents Aston Villa may be well-rested and coming off the back of a victory, but form is temporary and well, Villa are hopeless so I expect a hammering.
Aside from that game, well Tevez obviously. City’s late kick-off with Stoke will be a real test of the side in general, as well as the Argentinian’s own potential value to the team.
It’s hardly sticking my neck on the line I know, but you wouldn’t be surprised if he nicked the winner, would you?
Liverpool (I’m still laughing) will hope to get the hilarious QPR defeat out of their system and should view Wigan as ideal fodder for a pummeling of their own. Remember: one point for a correct result, two for a correct score.
Last week’s score: 5 (Must do better)
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Saturday March 24, 2012
Chelsea 2- 2 Tottenham (12:45)
In spite of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Benfica, Chelsea ought to have restored enough pride by now to compete in this London derby. Spurs were unlucky against Stoke, and against Everton, against everyone they don’t beat basically, but you cannot deny a clear lack of killer instinct in recent weeks.
Gareth Bale has however played a lot more like his best during Wednesday’s draw and he should carry that on in this game. So too should Luka Modric who could so foolishly have left for Stamford Bridge last summer. Chelsea’s big performers should be up for another hard shift but I think they will be fortunate to escape with a point.
Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa (15:00)
Arsenal’s defence stood impressively firm against Everton on Wednesday night and the whole side played with the sort of solidity and togetherness that is a natural by-product of winning games.
The possibility of robbing Spurs of third place could have had an all-too predictably detrimental effect on confidence. Take it from me as an Evertonian, it had a visibly positive effect on them – they were outstanding.
Updating that comment slightly, if Chelsea beat Spurs in Saturday’s early kick-off, Wenger’s men will prepare themselves for the trip of a poor completely rubbish Aston Villa side knowing victory will open up a four-point gap over their rivals. No contest.
Villa are lucky they have the points on the board. Wasn’t it only last season people were saying about an Alex McLeish side ‘yeah they’re bad but surely they won’t get sucked into a relegation battle’? I expect them to get battered and Arsenal to be back to their fluent best.
Bolton 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (15:00)
Obviously attention will be drawn to the Fabrice Muamba situation but that could really go one of two ways so it’s best not to speculate – I’ll just stick with form. Blackburn have been excellent in the last two games and have steered clear of relegation as far as I’m concerned.
If I’m right, expect to see Rovers play with even greater freedom and confidence which can only mean good things for a team that boasts one of the best strikeforces in the league at the minute. Saturday’s game with Bolton could mark a real change in momentum and fortunes at Ewood Park.
December’s home defeat to Wanderers left Blackburn bottom of the league with 10 points from 17 games. Victory at the Reebok would mean Rovers have accumulated 21 points from the next 13 leaving them as close to Swansea in eighth as relegation would be to them in 16th. Regained confidence will allow superior quality to prevail – Blackburn for me.
Liverpool 3-0 Wigan (15:00)
Liverpool were really complacent in midweek, missing far too many ch – oh I can’t do it! That was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in ages! How they lost that game I’ll never know.
But seriously, the defeat ought to jolt a pretty average but capable Liverpool side into life and Wigan make perfect opponents for that task. On a side note regarding Sebastian Coates’ contribution – goal of the season so far.
The Latics failure to win either of the last two against Norwich and West Brom sends out the worst possible message. If effectively says ‘look, we’re not going to beat you so you may as well have a go’.
Liverpool are way off top four standard but have been incredibly unlucky on many occasions – naturally that luck, particularly their home form has to change some time.
Luis Suarez has done everything but score recently including staying on his feet once or twice, and he is only ever one goal away from top form. My tip: Suarez to score two.
Norwich 2-1 Wolves (15:00)
Wolves’ performance against Manchester United was the sort of woeful, clueless display that only makes you sympathise with supporters. Everyone has been there at one time or another and unfortunately for Terry Connor’s men, now, at the most crucial time, all the positive factors of their play have been drained in place of rapidly-transmittable fear.
I had accused Norwich of being a bit off the boil over the past few games, and though defeat to Newcastle bore several of the same traits, there was a lot in that performance for Lambert’s men to be proud of. Finishing was to blame for not claiming at least a point – expect that to be put right against a Wolves’ side gifting plenty of chances.
One of my favourite parts of Match of the Day each week is the anticipation that accompanies Grant Holt rising to meet a header in the box. Surely he can outwit such a fragile defence to set up a victory for his side.
Sunderland 3-1 QPR (15:00)
Both sides were fairly poor in midweek, each conceding two goals (though only one side won 3-2 – sorry lads, had to) but that’s about the only thing that puts this Sunderland side in a bracket with Mark Hughes’ QPR.
Defensively, they are solid and they boast the natural attacking enthusiasm that defines Martin O’Neill’s teams.
Sunderland looked out on their feet in parts against Blackburn but the return of Stephane Sessegnon from suspension will be a huge boost. He is the Mackem’s best player by a long stretch, though Fraizer Campbell, James McClean and John O’Shea have all played their part of late. Sunderland to win comfortably.
Swansea 1-2 Everton (15:00)
This is a really interesting game. Everton were just beaten by the most Swansea-esque side in the league, Arsenal, and so you would expect more of the same. Truth is Everton really competed with Arsenal who strike me as the best team in the league at the moment, and the only thing that stood between Nikica Jelavic and one or two goals was a brilliant defensive performance from start to finish.
Swansea’s midfield operates almost exactly like the Gunners’ though they are inferior both up front and at the back. They will create less chances and give more away than Arsenal did on Wednesday, and after two shambolic referee performances in a row, Everton are overdue a turn of luck.
I expect David Moyes to once again shuffle his team in preparation for the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Sunderland on Tuesday but those who come in can be just as adequate on their day. Close game, but a spirit-raising victory for Everton in the end.
Stoke City 1-2 Manchester City (17:30)
I was all set to go for a draw here knowing how much of a performance the Stoke crowd can get out of their side during a night match at home, but then I was put in mind of that headline-grabbing fallen hero Tevez. Without meaning to come across too Ray Winstone here, you’d have to say it’s worth a punt.
Victory over Chelsea was essential and the manner of it potentially crucial. Strikers are fickle folk and the formula really is very simple: player + goals = everything’s alright. Though Tevez did not score, he did the next best thing and will reap the benefit in confidence.
I respect Stoke enough to think that they will be able to rouse themselves for a second tough fixture in a matter of days.
However, the potential combination between Tevez who will be desperate to score, and such unselfish, genius footballers as David Silva and Sergio Aguero must mean a goal is not too far away. City to nick it. Just.
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Sunday March 25, 2012
West Brom 2-2 Newcastle (16:00)
Roy Hodgson’s men have been poor of late and were fortunate not to be beaten by Wigan. They are the sort of outfit who buck up their ideas pretty quickly however so this has all the makings of a great game.
Historically, Newcastle fans have a thing for strikers. They mustn’t be able to believe their luck because now they have two of the best in the league. Both players are near faultless performers and back up clinical technical skills with hard work for the team.
If Pardew’s men defend in the same manner as their victory over Norwich, then a competent West Brom side can always take advantage. Long, Odemwingie, Ba, Cisse, Ben Arfa – there’s got to be goals. 2-2.
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Monday March 26, 2012
Manchester United 2-0 Fulham (20:00)
The key to Manchester United’s recent league success has been quite simply Wayne Rooney – he has played with the sort of ruthlessness that defines not only elite players but champions.
Last May’s Champions League final against Barcelona highlighted his evident superiority over the rest of his teammates, and his wonder goal during United’s latest Spanish humiliation at the hands of Bilbao showed that not much has changed.
The Red Devils have so much talent that all they need is a playmaker and Rooney, despite his impressive goal scoring return this year, has taken up the responsibility of that role.
Without him, the leaders would be snookered but with him, I’ll back them all the way. If City return from a tough trip to the Britannia with anything less than three points, United would be handed the perfect chance to crank up the pressure at the top. Surely Fulham despite their abundant talent will not be able to stop them.
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By Chris Smith
chrissmithfootballblog 