Premier League Preview - Matchday 13
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
Spurs started the season in a flurry. But it all came to a bitter end last weekend. Manchester City humiliated Tottenham as they were hammered 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
They have a chance to reinstate their fallen pride when they face the champions Manchester United. But they will be without play-maker Christan Eriksen who remains side-lined with an ankle injury and could be out for another three weeks.
Manchester United will be coming into this game with a lot of high expectations. Beating Bayer Leverkusen in their own backyard is not an easy thing to do, but United’s ruthlessness made sure it was a cakewalk.
They have had a few injury problems too, but with Robin van Persie, Rafael and captain Nemanja Vidic returning, they clearly have the upper hand.
Will the White Hart Lane be painted red? Only the time will tell.
Cardiff City vs Arsenal
Premier League leaders Arsenal make the long trip to Wales to face Cardiff City on Saturday after winning in the Champions League against Marseille on Tuesday. Arsenal have only lost once in their last 10 Premier League games Though Podolski’s exclusion is a certainty, Theo Walcott could well be starting this one.
15th placed Cardiff City are unstoppable at home. Their victory against Swansea and a well deserved draw against United in the last two games could be followed by a thrashing for Arsenal are looking simply unstoppable.
Yes Cardiff are a force to reckon with at home, but Arsenal are in sublime for. Arsenal all the way here.
Aston Villa vs Sunderland
A win could potentially take Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa in the top half of the League. Gus Poyet’s Sunderland will still be trying to move off the bottom of the Premier League. They are at the bottom of the pile, three points adrift from safety.
Gus Poyet’s arrival at the Stadium of Light though has shaken things up in the right way. But then, Villa have been unbeaten in their last three. Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League but are only three points from safety, so a victory on Saturday could take them off the foot of the table.
Villa has only won this fixture twice in the last 10 meetings, so the pressure will be on Lambert’s men. But given their goal-scoring form, Villa could be a handful.
Everton vs Stoke City
Everton, like Arsenal, have only lost once in the Premier League this season. With the Toffees on a 5-match unbeaten run, Roberto Martinez is showing exactly how good a manager he is
Stoke on the other hand though are only three points above the relegation zone but a win could take them into the top half of the table. That’s what the margins are these days!
Everton are without Leighton Baines and Arouna Kone for this one which will certainly give Stoke a glimmer of hope. Kenwyne Jones and Robert Huth are Stoke’s absentees for this one.
With Everton in rich form, Stoke have to keep their spirits lifted. The ever-so-parsimonious defence will have to come back to life. A draw here looks likely.
Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle will be looking to record their fourth straight win against an under-performing West Brom side at the Sports Direct Arena.
A win on Saturday could lift the Magpies into the Champions League if other fixtures go their way. West Brom have only won once in their last six games. Steve Clarke must be desperate to taste victory.
Alan Pardew though has the phenomenal Loic Remy, who has scored 8 goals in 10 Premier League matches. The French international may have to prove his worth once again to see his side among the elites.
Newcastle finally seem to be gelling well whereas West Brom are in shambles.
Newcastle all the way.
Norwich City vs Crystal Palace
19th place Crystal Palace and 16th place Norwich City. It will be fair enough to call this a battle of relegation favourites.
Norwich have only won one of their last six games, having gained all of their points this season at home. Palace have only picked up three points away all season.
Despite of hiring the phenomenal Tony Pulis, Crystal Palace’s fortunes don’t seem to change. They are Premier League’s least scoring and it shows. Norwich are the favourites.
Hull City vs Liverpool
Liverpool have been in fine form this season. Only 3 points off league leaders Arsenal, their run took a slight tumble when they were matched toe-to-toe by their Merseyside rivals, Everton.
Hull City are 3 points off the relegation zone. Steve Bruce’s side have not been creative enough. The toothless tigers may well be in for an upset at home.
With the controversial Luiz Suarez in a rich bit of form, Liverpool have to take 3 points with a worry.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea can move to within a point off Arsenal at the top if the Gunners fail to beat Cardiff City on Saturday.
Maurico Pochettino’s Southampton have performed out of their skin this season and hence they lie in fifth position, level on points with Manchester City. Saints have only lost twice this season and could move into second place if fortunes work their magic.
Ricky Lambert though will be a menace at the front. With 4 goals and 3 assists, he really is proving to be one of England’s best.
With Chelsea looking a tad shaky, I give Southampton the vote.
Fulham vs West Ham United
A London Derby cum relegation battle, this one could be one of the games of the weekend.
West Ham have only won twice all season despite of all the heroics Ravel Morrison has been involved in. Fulham have lost four games on the trot too. A win is a must for both.
West Ham though have had their problems. Injuries to Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te and Winston Reid mean they’ll be again short of ammunition. Fulham are without Brede Hangeland, Damien Duff and joint top scorer Hugo Rodallega.
West Ham are paralyzed by injuries and hence will be struggling against a modest Fulham side.
Manchester City vs Swansea City
Manchester City have not been the most consistent team, but they make sure they have compensated all of that by scoring a ridiculous amount of goals lately.
10 goals in two games mean that they have kept the goalkeepers and statisticians busy.
Swansea won against Fulham last weekend and will be looking to replicate it against the Citizens. Michael Laudrup once again boasted about their passing game giving a slight hint of what’s to come.
With league’s top scorer Sergio Aguero as their star man, City look unstoppable. A win over Swansea won’t be a surprise, but I expect an upset. Swansea to take a point away.