Tuesday, December 28, 2010

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29-12-2010 21:00 Liverpool - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Strong At Home

If the Premier League was to be decided by home form alone, we would be looking at Liverpool having a serious shot at the title. But of course, things don’t work that way.

The Reds have been very strong at home, losing only one of their eight games to date at Anfield. This should give manager Roy Hodgson a lot of confidence ahead of this encounter, as he is currently under pressure. This is because the Merseysiders are threatening to remain in a consistently inconsistent state to finish in an anonymous mid-table position.

But it could be argued that with little football in recent times - their last two league games were postponed – the idle mind of the rumour mill could have turned into a devil’s workshop with speculation mounting over the former Fulham manager's future.

Still, after ‘missing’ two games, the players will likely be rearing to get out there and get down to business.

The return of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard should prove to be the catalyst that is necessary to help the club embark on a positive run of form, having secured contrasting results in an alternating win-loss-win pattern in recent weeks.

Howling At Rock Bottom

Wolves are in a sorry state of affairs since their recent defeat in a six-pointer with Wigan Athletic saw the Molineux outfit plunge to the very bottom of the table.

With only a mere 15 points on board after 18 games, it is little wonder that Mick McCarthy’s men are embroiled in a serious fight for survival.

The Yorkshireman’s worries are compounded by the fact that his side have a six-pointer against West Ham after the encounter against the Reds, and would want to go into that game with some semblance of confidence.

And what’s worse, Wolves have Chelsea, Manchester City and the reverse fixture against Hodgson’s men that follow after the clash against Avram Grant’s side.

With all this in mind, the travellers will want to take away something from this game to boost their chances of survival before things get out of hand.

But their form curve - on away days - has shot straight down to the basement, as McCarthy’s charges have drawn one and lost seven of their last eight trips away from Molineux.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The Reds will be glad to get back onto the pitch after their last two Premier League games were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Skipper Steven Gerrard has returned from a hamstring injury sustained whilst on international duty, and should start the game playing just behind striker Fernando Torres. This would see David Ngog drop to the bench.

Jamie Carragher (shoulder) and Jay Spearing (ankle) remain sidelined.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi; Gerrard; Torres.

Wolves

Despite having no new concerns ahead of this game, Wolves still have a long list of injuries.

Jody Craddock and Kevin Doyle (both thigh), Michael Mancienne and Karl Henry (both knee), and Adlene Guedioura (broken leg) are all sidelined.

Possible starting line-up: Hennessey; Zubar, Berra, Stearman, Elokobi; Foley, Edwards, Milijas, Hunt; Ward; Ebanks-Blake.

Prediction
Liverpool are traditionally strong at Anfield, and the return of skipper Steven Gerrard should provide the side with the impetus necessary to register a good victory and heap more pressure on the visitors.

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

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29-12-2010 20:45 Chelsea - Bolton Wanderers

Slump days

Is it too early to rule Chelsea out of the Premier League title race? Possibly, given the nature of division, but with the Blues six points off the top having played a game more than league leaders Manchester United and showing no signs of exiting their mid-season slump things do not look rosey for the current title holders.

Monday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal exposed more flaws in Carlo Ancelotti's side, mainly a seeming lack of belief that they can challenge for honours this term, even with stars Frank Lampard and John Terry back in the team. Anything other than a win against Bolton on Wednesday and it's curtains for the Blues', and probably Ancelotti's, Chelsea career.

At the trot

In contrast, confidence could not be higher at the Reebok Stadium where a bullish Bolton side sit sixth in the Premier League table and have the chance to leapfrog their hosts on Wednesday with a win at Stamford Bridge.

Owen Coyle's men have been impressing with an approach that has blended style and effort with a host of relative unknowns leading the way for the Trotters. Players like Stuart Holden received little coverage at the start of the season but the American has been a revelation under the wily Scot this term.

If belief was measured in points, Bolton would be above Chelsea in the table and come Thursday morning they could well be.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

After missing out against Arsenal through injury, Nicolas Anelka could be reinstated to the Chelsea starting line-up, with Salomon Kalou failing to take his opportunity at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, the Blues are still missing Alex, Yury Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun, who all still have long term concerns, but Jose Bosingwa is expected to start after a substitute's appearance against Arsenal.

Possible starting XI: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Bolton

The Trotters will have to make do without Chung-Yong Lee who is now unavailable for a few weeks while representing South Korea in the Asian Cup.

Joey O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel continue to be long term injury victims.

Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Petrov, Muamba, Holden, Taylor; K Davies, Elmander.

Prediction
Last seaon this would have been a straightforward home win, but on current form that almost seems like the least likely option. Bolton's away form leaves a lot to be desired but Chelsea's form anywhere is remarkably poor. Expect a draw.

Chelsea 0-0 Bolton

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29-12-2010 20:45 Wigan Athletic - Arsenal

Gunners have the edge despite last season’s DW upset

Arsenal have dominated the clashes between the two sides, with 11 wins from the 14 meetings in all competitions.

However, Wigan did win the last meeting at the DW Stadium, 3-2 in April, which ended Arsenal’s title hopes last season. The Gunners were 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go but goals from Ben Watson, Titus Bramble and a last minute winner from Charles N’Zogbia sealed a famous victory for Martinez’s men.

This game will be the first meeting in the league between the two sides this season but they did meet in the League Cup in October when Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

North-west a happy hunting ground for Gunners

The north-west has often been thought of as Arsenal’s weak point but this season they have shown that this is no longer the case after three wins and a draw in the region.

They have beaten Blackburn, Everton and Manchester City, and earned themselves a draw against Liverpool on the opening day, but they were beaten by Manchester United on their last visit to the region.

Wigan have struggled against London sides this season and have only taken three points from a potential 12 against sides from the capital. Despite beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane they have slumped to defeats against Chelsea, Fulham and West Ham, conceding 11 goals and only scoring two.

TEAM NEWS

Wigan

The Latics come into this game on a high after their crucial victory over relegation rivals Wolves on Boxing Day lifted them out of the bottom three. Roberto Martinez’s men are currently five games unbeaten at home and will be hoping to build on that against the in-form Gunners.

Honduran duo Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa both return to the squad following their one-game suspensions for the Wolves match.

Emmerson Boyce and Franco Di Santo are both near to a first team return but remain doubtful for this match, but James McCarthy and Victor Moses are both definitely ruled out with injury.

Possible starting XI: Al Habsi; Gohouri, G Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Diame, Thomas; Cleverley, McArthur, N’Zogbia; Rodallega.

Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Chelsea, so Tomas Rosicky may start.

Manuel Almunia will not be able to feature due to his ankle injury, and defender Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are not due to return until the New Year.

Robin van Persie's return to fitness is a huge boost to Arsene Wenger, and he could start again alongside Marouane Chamakh.

Possible starting XI: Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy; Rosicky, Song, Wilshere; Nasri, Van Persie, Chamakh.

Prediction
Despite their poor start to the season, Wigan’s home form has been very good in recent matches, but Arsenal should be too strong for Roberto Martinez’s men. The Gunners have one of the best away records in the league and they should record their sixth victory on the road at the DW Stadium.

Wigan Athletic 1-3 Arsenal