Barclays Premier League Gameweek 23 Preview
It’s been a very active week with lots of things happening, but the biggest shocker was Kevin Keegan’s return to Newcastle United. His return will definitely be a big boost to the Tyneside who are currently 11th in the table. The fight for Europe is getting even more interesting with no less than four clubs tied on points on 39. Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Man City are all level on points and all of them look good for Europe. A few of the teams played midweek in their FA Cup replays, with Man City and West Ham meeting again in 3 days after their FA Cup match.
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Birmingham v Chelsea, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Chelsea’s £15million signing, Nicolas Anelka should start in this game. Its an away game for Chelsea and Birmingham would be strong at home, despite that I see no reason as to why Chelsea shouldn’t win it. Chelsea still has a solid defense and recent signing Ivanovic should he play would certainly help. It might be still to early for McFadden to start or even be on bench for this one for Birmingham.
Prediction: 1-2
Vivek - Despite losing key players due to the African Cup of Nations, Chelsea put in a solid performance to beat an out-of-sorts Tottenham last weekend. Birmingham have been in decent form and they drew with Arsenal at the Emirates so I think they will put up a fight. Chelsea should get the win, however.
Prediction: 1-2
Blackburn v Middlesbrough, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Blackburn has won their last 3 games, 2 of which were away. They had a slump recently but they still have quality players and match-winners and should return to the form starting with this game. Boro away from home isn’t going to trouble much. A regular win for Blackburn.
Prediction: 2-0
Vivek - Blackburn’s form has been up and down all season. They were given a run for their money last week by Bolton but I don’t think Boro will trouble them too much at home.
Prediction: 2-1
Fulham v Arsenal, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Its the London derby again, and Arsenal travel to Fulham with the new setback of Robin van Persie’s injury. Fulham still hasn’t done well enough despite their new manager. Won just one in the last 6 home games, and Arsenal still has enough quality to win this one.
Prediction: 0-2
Vivek - After their draw at home against Birmingham, Arsenal are under pressure to win to stay in touch with United at the top of the table. I’m sure Wenger would’ve given his charges a stern talking-to after last weekend and they’ll be eager to put it across Fulham, who are really struggling to win games right now.
Prediction: 1-3
Portsmouth v Derby, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Pompey suffered a rare away defeat last time against Sunderland, but now that Redknapp is certain to stay, the team should settle down and start winning at home. They have signed a few players, and Diarra should be a important addition to the squad. Derby should be a relatively easy one for Pompey. Pompey hasn’t won any of their last 6 games at home, and that should change this week. Derby away from home against a Pompey side is simple enough for me. A regular Pompey win.
Prediction: 2-0
Vivek - Pompey were shockingly off-color last week against a rejuvenated Sunderland side. The loss sullied their fine away record this season and they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways at home against bottom-of-the-table side Derby. Even with their woeful scoring record at home, Pompey should breeze past Derby. What better opponents to reverse fortunes?
Prediction: 2-0
Reading v Man Utd, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Steve Coppell is already fearing his old side’s recent form and especially from that boy Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in inspiring form this season, and with a hat-trick in his last game, and United in top form after that 6 goal demolation of Newcastle, I think this is going to be a United giving a thrashing. Reading managed to draw the opening game of the season at Old Trafford but United is much more stable and fluent in their game. Reading’s defense has been leaking goals like anything and that should continue against United’s attack where goals come from anywhere.
Prediction: 0-3
Vivek - Reading are dangerously close to the drop-zone right now and could very well slip to 18th place if they don’t get some wins under their belt. Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Reading eke out a draw and then they did it again at Old Trafford this season. However, they’ve conceded far too many goals since then and United have scored freely in recent times so this one should be a comfortable win for United.
Prediction: 0-2
Tottenham v Sunderland, 15:00 UK (20:30 IST)
Rohit - Sunderland have started winning games and they look like they might eventually survive in the premiership. But they have to improve a lot on their away form, which says they haven’t won any of their last 6 away games. And I don’t see that changing here. Spurs are good at home and should win it comfortably.
Prediction: 2-1
Vivek - This one could turn out to be one of the matches of the weekend. Spurs were well and truly beaten at Stamford Bridge last weekend and they scraped through to the 4th round of the FA Cup by beating Reading 1-0. Berbatov and Keane will be anxious to get back to their scoring ways while Sunderland, fresh from their victory over Pompey, will be raring to go. Tottenham have the home advantage however, and should get past Sunderland.
Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle v Bolton, 17:15 UK (22:45 IST)
Rohit - This is going to be all about Keegan. Newcastle will be a spirited side, the team will play physical and would try to entertain the already charged up fans, who would be vocal during the game. Bolton will sorely miss Nicolas Anelka, and with him gone the goals will be hard to come by until a replacement arrives. Its just one result coming out here, a Newcastle win. Bolton isn’t that inspiring away from home and that should eventually go into Newcastle’s favor.
Prediction: 2-0
Vivek - Another potential mouth-watering contest. Bolton looked good against Blackburn last weekend and the Magpies have a new manager. After their humiliation last weekend at Old Trafford, Newcastle came back to win their 3rd round FA Cup replay in style. I fancy a Newcastle win.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Wigan v Everton, 13:30 UK (19:00 IST)
Rohit - Wigan has improved slightly and would fancy this one, but Everton has been in good form. Its going to be a closely fought affair and Everton should just about do it in the end to come back with all the 3 points.
Prediction: 0-2
Vivek - Everton have been in fine form and in spite of players away to the African Cup of Nations, they beat Man City at home last weekend. Wigan have the ability to raise their game every now and then and might provide Everton with a bit of a challenge. However, I expect Everton’s quality to get them the three points.
Prediction: 1-2
Man City v West Ham, 16:00 UK (21:30 IST)
Rohit - More like another replay of their midweek clash in the FA Cup, West Ham would want to avenge their cup defeat, but away from home at City of Manchester Stadium isn’t really the ideal place to do that. It would be a well contested game, but I think City should have the game in their hands for most parts of the game and eventually win it.
Prediction: 2-0
Vivek - City have been in terrific form at home and I don’t think West Ham will beat them. The win in the FA Cup won’t mean much, but I see City taking this one.
Prediction: 2-1
Monday, 21 January 2008
Liverpool v Aston Villa, 20:00 UK (01:30 IST on January 22)
Rohit - A late game this one and the only one on Monday, promises to be a good contest. Liverpool is under immense pressure to perform and Villa would be looking forward to further dent Liverpool’s hopes. Liverpool have drawn their last 3 games and Villa on the other hand has won their last 3 and been good even while down the road. Its another classic in the making for me, and I believe it will be just another frustrating draw for Liverpool.
Prediction: 1-1
Vivek - I tend to hate games that spill over to Monday and Tuesday. But this is one game that’s shaping up to be a close encounter. Both teams are tied on points in the League and they will be going all out for the win. After the 5-0 thrashing of Luton in the FA Cup, Liverpool will be in a confident mood. But Laursen and company will be looking a win just as bad as Liverpool, who need to arrest a bad run where they’ve drawn three games on the trot in the Premier League.
Prediction: 2-2
Well it shud be interestng to watch Anelka aganst Birmingham….esp aftr he played so well last week…and Anelka’s move probably means that Chelsea dont want Drogba for da nxt season….i xpect to see him move to any major european club nxt season…!!