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After a fantastic weekend of football action from the best league in the world, we are left with complete uncertainty of whose hands the title is going to end up in.
As things stand Manchester United are still favorites with one point ahead of Liverpool and a game in hand, but the form Liverpool are in is undeniably breathtaking, their 5-0 win against Aston Villa looked like a day out in the sun, nothing taken away from Villa who just were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Man Utd carried on with their low confidence dropping three crucial points at Fulham, who have shown to be a tough team to break down for the big four this season. Though Sir Alex’s men still have a cushion from the brilliant run earlier this season, Liverpool are creeping up and the pressure is now on.
Chelsea on the other hand look good and buried with their defeat to Spurs, a superb goal from Modric was enough to seal the win for the North Londoners, but Chelsea performed well and deserved a point from the game, if not more. Chelsea do have the easiest run to the finish however, apart from Arsenal all their tough games have been done with, so they will need to win for the rest of the season and hope the other two slip up to have a chance.
Arsenal are out of the race, mathematically still possible but now they are just looking to secure fourth spot and focus their attentions to the FA cup and Champions League, the game against Newcastle was a classic end to end game we’ve have come to miss from both teams, great football from both sides but a managerial decision (or indecision) cost Newcastle the game, when Steven Taylor was off the pitch receiving treatment the manager didn’t fill the hole, why? It was an odd decision for no one to think quickly which of course Arsenal took advantage for a splendid goal from Abu Diaby to get the gunners ahead. With the luck Newcastle are running on, relegation fears are looking likely to continue right till the end of the season.
So that’s the review of how the top four are looking as we go into the international break, it will require a whole new post to discuss the relegation battle this season, lets just say the way its ended up positions 10 and 11 (Manchester City and Tottenham respectively) are not safe from the drop, a few bad results and they may face the axe.
Well another exciting weekend for the two big guns, the first time they will meet after their Champions League clash and it is certain to entertain!
Man U have had a lot of tough games recently, in fact their first 10 games are against the top 10 teams in the league, they have had the hardest start to deal with compared to the other 3, and after a disappointing week they really need a result here.
Chelsea are going in the game with extreme confidence, they haven’t really been challenged yet, unless you call Man City a challenge, but they have managed to mop up the little teams with ease, a thing they haven’t been able to do in the past. Confidence wise, Chelsea will definitely be on a high, however they could face a United backlash.
The Teams
Well Chelsea’s team may be a bit of a surprise on this occasion, I don’t think Scolari will go for his two wing forwards and play a 4-3-3, I think it will be Anelka with Cole playing just off him on the right, and Lampard left centre, and a midfield of Deco, Mikel, and Ballack. If he does play this team it is one scary line up! (the usual defence)
However, a great line-up it may be, United have its full force bar Vidic, a Berbatov Tevez strike force, Rooney on the left, Ronaldo on the right, Scholes and Carrick in the centre. Look at United’s bench, Giggs, Anderson, Nani, Hargreaves, all players that can impact a game, Chelsea’s bench just as frightening, Drogba, Malouda, and their impactful Brazilian defender Alex.
The game is questionable, will it be a stalemate like we have seen in the past years, a boring 1-1 draw, thank God the Champions League final was really good to watch, otherwise the whole world would complain how boring English football would be, but on that day Chelsea were slightly better, and when they click they look good, the only team in the world I can think that clicks as well as Chelsea is United, so I predict an exciting game with lots of hot air and tension, with United going for the win, and Chelsea going for a thrashing!!
Please leave your thoughts on the game!
This weekend we have some interesting ties. This is the first week after the transfer deadline’s closure so teams get to try and test their new signings and might try something new using these players. There was also the international break period so all players got minutes under their belt meaning they will be sharper than they were before. All these factors will add to some mouth-watering ties on show tomorrow and Sunday.
Here’s a preview/prediction of what I believe to be the best three games of the coming weekend:
Liverpool Vs Man Utd (12.45)
This is the most anticipated match so far this season. Two clubs with great history containing many encounters. Both teams have strong players to choose from and the rivalry adds to the spice. Man Utd get to see Berbatov in make his debut. Speculation that he may start on the bench and Tevez was actually their best player in the last few games.
Liverpool also look pretty good and are home so will be raring to win the game. They’ve also got huge boosts that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are back, fit and ready to play in the match. Without them, you couldn’t really see the Scoucers winning this one. Also this tie looks good, many “Big Four” matches are dull, snooze-fests and you would find more cheer in a graveyard. But I’m looking forward to tomorrow.. and if it is rubbish, then come on Hamilton!!!
My prediction: 1 – 1
Man City Vs Chelsea (17.30)
None of you would be surprised by this one. The new Chelsea (Man City) against Chelsea. This is the ultimate battle of the billionaires. That will be great to watch throughout the season but mainly the transfer windows. Maybe we’ll see good old bidding wars. Tomorrows match will be interesting because of Robinho’s move to City instead of Chelsea. Clearly the greedy buggar went their to earn more money.
As for Chelsea, well they weren’t given a lot of time to recover from not getting Robinho, and the Essien gets injured. This weakens the team (although not a great deal) but could shake player morale/confidence. I think this game will get more views because of the off-field antics but still will be a good game as City also have an awesome manager.
My prediction: 1 – 2
West Brom Vs West Ham
Another game to keep an eye on. Mainly because of Zola’s recent appointment as Hammers manager but still both teams have decent players and play good football at times. It will be interesting to see Zola’s first game in charge and we may be able to spot early on if he’ll be a good manager.
West Brom could cause an upset in this but i think West Ham will get the victory. How hard it will be for them is another question but spirits must be high at Upton Park which, like seen with England, increase confidence therefore performance on the pitch.
My prediction: 0 – 2
