Premier League Weekend Preview: Round 14
Steve McClaren is this week’s major casualty in football, as the FA sacked the former Middlesbrough boss after he was unable to lead England into Euro 2008. Perhaps Jose Mourinho will now lead us to glory? Could McClaren return to Boro?
Back to the Premiership, there are some good fixtures this weekend, which promise to give us many goals. The traditional top three will face the current bottom three sides in the league, so we could be in for some heavy scorelines! Mushtaq Quraishi looks ahead to this week’s action…
Saturday 24 November
Newcastle v Liverpool
Newcastle escaped with a solitary point from their last Premiership game against local rivals Sunderland. Prior to that, the Magpies were humiliated on their own turf as they sunk to a 4-1 defeat against in-form Portsmouth.
That game was all but over in the first 11 minutes, by which time Portsmouth had already scored three goals. Though the defensive performance was somewhat improved last time out, the quality of the back line remains a massive problem for Newcastle.
Further to that is the crisis of golden boy Michael Owen, who was ruled out for a month after yet another injury picked up on international duty. There are some major problems with the team at the moment, so Big Sam will almost certainly have to strengthen come January.
Who would’ve guessed it? Liverpool are back on fire after scoring an astonishing ten goals in just two games. Such an outstanding strike rate as well as a phenomenal amount of clean-sheets will surely give the Reds some much needed confidence and help them get their Premiership title bid back on track.
Liverpool are still unbeaten this term but extraordinarily they also boast the best away record this season, having won four of six games on their travels. Peter Crouch is slowly coming back into the picture on Merseyside and deserves to start this game, especially after his impressive displays and goals for England this week.
The main difference between these two sides will be the quality and organisation of the defence. Newcastle have conceded three times as many goals as Liverpool this campaign and have only kept two clean sheets, compared to Liverpool’s seven.
Newcastle will have to keep it tight at the back if they stand any chance of taking even a point from Liverpool. More encouragingly, both sides have scored a similar amount of goals in the league this year, with Liverpool having scored only one more than their hosts. The game will be decided on mistakes at the back, therefore I expect a Liverpool win.
Prediction: Narrow Away Win!
Bolton v Manchester United
Bolton will feel that they are doing well under new boss Gary Megson, as their performances have certainly improved a lot recently. They now have a fighting chance of staying in this league, with more players ready to give their all for the club. The Trotters are still in the bottom three, however, they will climb out of the relegation zone if they keep up their current spirit.
United are playing some fine football and are pushing Arsenal all the way in terms of the title race. A good win over hard-to-beat Blackburn shows that the Red Devils are capable of coming through seemingly tough games. Wayne Rooney is obviously a major loss to the side, but he should be back soon.
The team are more together than they were at the start of the season, so unless there are any more major injuries, United will wither win the league or be close up there come May.
Two teams at opposite ends of the table come to meet in a local derby. Bolton aren’t really expected to get anything from this game, so as long as they avoid a very heavy defeat, they should be Ok. This could be a potential banana skin for Manchester United, especially with Bolton on the rise again. Nonetheless, they have enough firepower to see this game through.
Prediction: Sorry For Bolton
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
The alarm bells must be ringing at the Riverside, with Boro having been unable to win in eight games now. Gareth Southgate is clearly not competent enough to manage a Premiership club and his days are almost certainly numbered in a league where managers are under intense pressure to get results and find success.
After guiding England to misery, perhaps it is time for Steve McClaren to take his old job back! Middlesbrough players do not seem to have any commitment or passion this season, so a complete change in personnel during the transfer window is the only way I see Boro staying up.
Villa have experienced it all this campaign; wins, losses, bad discipline and shock results. The side are playing a more organised type of game, thanks to the arrival of Martin O’Neill, who is hotly tipped to take the England vacancy. Not only has O’Neill sorted out his sides defensive woes, but he has built a team around some extremely gifted, young strikers, who will deliver success to the Midlands club.
One sour note will undoubtedly be the confidence of 'keeper Scott Carson, who was heavily criticized for his performance for England midweek, which effectively sent the national side crashing out of the Euro’s. Carson must bounce back from a disappointing week and start playing to the kind of level which landed him praise only a couple of weeks ago.
Middlesbrough don’t have any hopes, aims or goals this season, so will struggle for the remainder of the season. Basically, the appointment of Southgate as manager was insane and Boro will have to start from scratch if they are to turn their season around. Villa on the other hand, are impressing everyone and will be one of the favourite’s to finish in at least a UEFA Cup spot come the end of the season. Due to the stark contrasts in both managerial quality and team organisation, I feel Villa have enough strength to win this game.
Prediction: Home Win
Arsenal v Wigan
Premiership leaders Arsenal have shown some metal recently, now having played some of the better sides and still remaining unbeaten. The young guns had been tipped to run out of steam when coming to play the likes of United and Liverpool, but are now proving to be genuine title contenders.
Each player is performing well, ensuring we witness breathtaking, fluent football week in week out. Arsenal do have some tough clashes coming up during December, and they may struggle during a heavy schedule which sees them play 10 games during the festive month. But they should easily beat Wigan this weekend.
New boss Steve Bruce has the pleasure of heading to the Emirates for his first game in charge of Wigan. Of course his mission is clear, he must keep Wigan in the Premiership. Injuries have meant Wigan are searching for their first win in eleven league games.
Bruce’s job will by no means be easy, but if he instills the sort of courageous and battling spirit into the squad, like done with Birmingham, the Latics will once again become a hard force to break down. But that will all come in time, with January set to be very important in terms of transfers.
This isn’t really a test for Arsenal, a team who are playing some mesmerizing, heavenly football in all competitions. In fact, Wenger may have a chance to rest some key players after the international break. I cannot see Bruce making too much of an impact after only a week in charge, therefore Arsenal will be favourite’s to win.
Prediction: Confortable For The Gunners
Everton v Sunderland
The Toffees go into the game in pretty good shape, after holding Chelsea to a draw last time out. They are a more consistent team and are now expected to be in the top ten every season. Though the strikers are not playing to the top of their game, midfield experience is helping Everton sustain a good run of form in all competitions.
In fact, they are unbeaten in six games in all tournaments, their last defeat coming against local rivals Liverpool. Due to European involvement, Everton may be slightly sharper than Sunderland, but the fitness of the squad could go against them.
Sunderland are scrapping points here and there, which has been good enough to keep them out of the relegation zone at this moment in time. The Black Cats held local rivals Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, in a performance that showed tremendous effort and enthusiasm.
If Sunderland keep up this sort of level of play, they should stay up. However, they must win a couple of games before January if they are to stay out of trouble. Sunderland have a much fitter squad than Everton, so manager Keane may find a way to use this to his advantage.
Both sides are good battlers, and both should also be reasonably happy with their respective positions in the league. Everton have had a busier schedule recently, which could have a negative or positive effect on their performance. Sunderland have a fit squad of hungry players. This should prove to be a good game of football, so long as Sunderland do not crack under the pressure.
Prediction: Everton Too Solid
Birmingham v Portsmouth
Managerless Birmingham have been quite organised and spirited throughout this season, but have often failed to convert performances into points. City will have to sustain their courageousness with or without a recognized manager if they wish to stay up.
Strikers Jerome and Forssell seem to fit together and midfielder Kapo is really turning out to be a lifeline for the Midlands club. The only problem I see with Birmingham is how they perform on the field without a manager.
Portsmouth have scored more goals away from home than any other team this season. Harry Redknapp has bough exactly the kind of attacking players needed to win games in the Premiership. Not only this, but he has moulded the team to play a very attacking game as well as staying tight at the back.
Pompey will finish in a good position at the end of the season, but another defender or a holding midfielder could help their cause, just in case of injuries or loss of form.
Every team with a vulnerable defence will fear Portsmouth this campaign, therefore Birmingham can be forgiven if they are unexpected to win this game. However, despite superb form from Pompey, I think Birmingham have the spirit to cause an upset and hold their opponents for a draw. Birmingham are able to frustrate teams at times and a laid back and crowded midfield style of play could get them a much needed point.
Prediction: Away Win
Manchester City v Reading
It is no accident that Man City are currently flying high in third place of the league. In fact, I have been extremely impressed with their outstanding response since being thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea. How so many England fans wish Sven was still England manager now!
City’s only downfall is perhaps a tactic which has worked well for them so far but will soon wear out-a 4-5-1 formation. Surprisingly, Sven only plays one striker up front instead of the traditional two, but perhaps if he tried playing a 4-4-2 he may get a bit more out of his team. Also, players like Bianchi and Geovanni will be feeling unhappy, so it is vital that Sven plays them more often.
Reading are extremely inconsistent this year, but they still find themselves in a comfortable twelfth position. However, they are appalling away from home, having only one point on their travels and having conceded 19 goals in 5 games. Away form clearly has to improve if Reading are to finish in the top ten. Then again, it hasn’t been recognized that Kevin Doyle has recently upped his performances and is finally getting some well deserved goals.
Hity should win this game going by performances this year, but on paper, Reading do have enough to stop them. Both sides have good attacking quality, but Reading have a more adaptive squad, which could gain them a huge advantage over City. I think that a point will be a fir result from this game.
Prediction: Home Win
Derby v Chelsea
Derby aren’t completely doomed just yet, but a shambolic defence is letting their hopes slip away. The transfer window could see Derby strengthen at the back, a move which would leave them in with a good chance of staying up.
However, games over the festive period will ultimately seal their fate, so they must try and win at least a game to have any realistic hopes of staying up. Another problem is goals, as they have only scored five this season. Luckily, all these have come at home, so Chelsea better beware!
Chelsea will not be disappointed with a tough draw against Everton, but will be looking to get some more wins to keep up the pressure on Arsenal and United. It has been quite amazing how the Blues have coped under Avram Grant, and we can no longer rule them out of the title race. Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are forming a seemingly telepathic communication, which can only be good. Chelsea are yet to blip under Grant, but they will surely blow Derby away.
Chelsea will easily win this game due to the difference in player quality and talent. Derby will be looking to concede less than three just to keep hope and confidence, but realistically, games against Birmingham and Wigan will be more important to them.
Prediction: Blues To Run Riot
Sunday 25 November
Fulham v Blackburn
Fulham were slightly unlucky to lose to Liverpool during the last game, as they switched off during the last ten minutes of the game, as they have done many a time this season. Fulham are well organised for most of the game but lack of patience and tiredness often leads them to lose game in the second half. On their day, Fulham do score three goals, but this rarely happens. Fulham won’t be in relegation trouble this season, but I can’t see them finishing anywhere useful either.
Blackburn are a tough nut to crack, and that’s why they have only lost two games this season. Manager Mark Hughes has been linked with many managerial positions, due to his terrific job at Blackburn.
Chris Samba must be contender for most important player this year, with his outstanding performances helping Rovers keep solid at the back. Also, Santa Cruz and McCarthy are doing a fabulous job upfront, scoring a few goals and building a decent partnership. So long as Blackburn only lose games once every month or so, they should finish in a UEFA Cup spot.
Blackburn are more organised than Fulham and will win this game. They will tire Fulham out and goals in the second half can be expected. Fulham have to be able to cope with the opposition firepower, which I do not feel they will be able to do. Other than Healy, Fulham do not really offer anything special going forward eother.
Prediction: Away Win
West Ham v Tottenham
West Ham are suffering a costly dip in form at the moment, due to the absence of Bellamy and Ashton. Basically, without their main strikers, West Ham do not play half as good as they can. January should see the manager add a striker or two to the squad, but until then West Ham will suffer some poor results.
Robert Green is helping them stay put and it is surprising he is not in contention for a place in England squads. The Hammers 5-0 thrashing of Derby last time out cannot really be taken seriously, as both teams were terrible on the day, only Derby were much worse defensively than West Ham. West Ham desperately need their strikers back.
Spurs are unbeaten under Juande Ramos and look a more comfortable side now. Surprisingly, Robbie Keane is finding himself on the bench more, but Darren Bent and Defoe are making a good impression to the manager, so Spurs will have to rotate all four strikers more often.
With arguably the best bunch of strikers in the league, Spurs should have no more problems with goal-scoring. However, they will need to settle defensively but more importantly make sure the midfielders are creating enough to help the forward men. So long as the team form a good, creative combination, Spurs will quickly be back in the top ten.
Tottenham are a team on the up, West Ham are currently slipping down. I can only see these trends continuing, especially if West Ham perform as boringly as they did against Derby in the first half last time out. Tottenham are still short on confidence, but they should win this game.
Prediction: Narrow Away Win
Mushtaz Quraishi
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