Saturday, January 1, 2011

| by

0

01-01-2011 18:30 Birmingham City - Arsenal

Strong At Home, Birmingham Hope To Poop Arsenal's Party Again

Only goal difference separates Birmingham from the relegation zone, and yet the Blues have lost only once at home this season, and include Chelsea among their victims at St Andrew's, while Manchester United and Tottenham both had to settle for draws in Birmingham's two most recent home games.

Indeed, although Arsenal sit third in the table, they have lost as many games (five) as Alex McLeish's side. The reason for Birmingham's precarious position is too few goals: they've only mustered 18 in 18 matches, nine at home and nine away, but have proved difficult to beat, as 10 draws confirms.

And draws have proved costly to Arsenal's title ambitions on their last two trips to St Andrew's. In February 2008, the Gunners were on course to extend a healthy lead at the top of the table until Birmingham equalised with virtually the last kick of the match from James McFadden's controversially awarded penalty, prompting then-Arsenal captain William Gallas's infamous one-man sit-in on the pitch. That was the match in which Eduardo suffered his horrific leg-break.

And the Londoners' bad memories of St Andrew's were scarcely banished when, in March of this year, they were again denied victory by another late goal - this time scored by substitute Kevin Phillips as Bacary Sagna's clearance deflected off him into the net in the second minute of stoppage-time.

So although Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Birmingham, who have beaten the Gunners just once in 13 Premier League meetings (at St Andrew's in May 2005), McLeish will be confident his troops can again thwart Wenger's plans. Indeed, the Scot, while acknowledging his team's lack of potency in front of goal, is upbeat about the prospect of making life difficult for the Gunners.

Recalling the 2-1 away defeat earlier this season, McLeish told the Blues' website: "We've already gone toe-to-toe with Arsenal at the Emirates this season. We played a good game and particularly a good first half. We should have been going in at half time with a lead but the [penalty] decision went against us and we lost a sloppy goal just after half time.

"Arsenal had a good spell after that, but we were always in the game at 2-1. At St. Andrew's we obviously have a spring in our step and feel a bit more confident. Although we're playing another potential Barclays Premier League champion it won't stop our players having a go.

"We've always made ourselves very difficult to beat and St. Andrew's has been a bit of a fortress. These are the advantages you get at home, when you have your home crowd behind you. We have a good record here and have got a reputation of making it tough for people. Arsene Wenger said that himself last time he was here and that is music to our ears. Sir Alex [Ferguson] has also said it and we've got to maintain that reputation at our place."

Time For Arsenal To Demonstrate Defensive Solidity

Having swept aside Chelsea earlier in the week, Arsenal blew the chance to go joint top of the table by dropping points at Wigan. Wenger made eight changes to his starting XI in an attempt to freshen things up, but it backfired as the rejigged team put in a disjointed, below-par performance and had to settle for a draw.

Many Arsenal fans will have wondered if the manager grasped the irony of calling for consistency to build on the Chelsea win, then making wholesale changes in his own team selection and paying a price. Wenger defended his decisiopn, insisting his squad had to be rotated with the games coming thick and fast. That is debatable; despite the modern mantra that football is a squad game, the adage that you don't change a winning team still resonates with many.

He will certainly be looking for a winning New Year's Day performance at St Andrew's, latterly something of a bogey ground for Arsenal, who entertain joint-leaders Manchester City three days later.

Worryingly for Wenger, the game at Wigan underlined ongoing issues that could yet conspire to rob the Gunners of the title once again. They have too often seemed susceptible to throwing away leads, usually because of sloppy goals conceded - often from set-pieces - which have begged questions about leadership, or the lack of it, in their defence. Neither Squillaci nor Laurent Koscielny have yet convinced in central defence, highlighting the void that Vermaelen's absence since August has created.

These are issues that the Gunners need to address urgently, particularly as the Blues' giant Serbian striker, Zigic, will relish the chance to exploit their vulnerability in the air.

TEAM NEWS

Birmingham City

Blues manager Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns to deal with following his team's dramatic encounter against league leaders Manchester United, when they salvaged a vital point with a hotly-debated last-gasp equaliser.

However, the Scot suggested on his club's official website that he could make "one or two tactical changes" for the visit of Arsenal.

Those changes could see ex-Gunner Aliaksandr Hleb, a 70th minute substitute against United, given a starting role if he has fully recovered from his hamstring problem. Nikola Zigic, another late substitute against United, who was heavily and controversially involved in the build-up to Lee Bowyer's stoppage-time goal, could also be restored to the starting XI. Zigic scored his first goal for the club against Arsenal, opening the scoring at the Emirates in October before Marouane Chamakh netted twice, once from the spot, to secure a narrow home win.

James McFadden (knee) and Enric Valles (fractured foot) are both still sidelined with through injury.

Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Dann; Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Gardner; Zigic, Jerome.

Arsenal

Having made a raft of changes for Wednesday's game at Wigan, in which the Gunners surrendered the lead late on through a Sebastien Squillaci own goal, manager Arsene Wenger will probably make several more for the visit to St Andrew's in an attempt to secure all three points.

Captain Cesc Fabregas missed the draw at Wigan through suspension but will be available again to face the Blues, while the likes of Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou, Alex Song, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie - who all started in the impreessive 3-1 victory over defending champions Chelsea - should all be back in contention.

However, injury-plagued midfielder Abou Diaby is ruled out after suffering a calf strain against Wigan. The Frenchman had only just recovered from an ankle injury but could be sidelined for a further three weeks. Also out are long-term injury victims Thomas Vermaelen, Manuel Almunia, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Possible starting XI: Fabianski; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Fabregas, Wilshere; Walcott, Van Persie, Nasri.

Prediction
Christmas produced a mixed bag of results for Arsenal, with a memorable victory over champions Chelsea followed by a disappointing draw against 10-man Wigan. That draw meant Arsenal wasted the chance to join the two Manchester clubs at the top of the table, while Birmingham were delighted with their draw 24 hours earlier - against Manchester United.

The Blues are now looking to add the Gunners to their list of impressive results at St Andrew's, where they've proved hard to beat and where the Londoners have been frustrated on their last two visits.

The two teams are at opposite ends of the table but a close contest is in prospect, one that could go either way given Arsenal's impressive away record but unimpressive defending.

They've conceded in each of their last seven Premier League matches, representing their longest run without a clean sheet for more than six years. If Birmingham score against them on Saturday, it will be their longest such sequence since an 11-match run from December 2001 to February 2002 - though they did finish that season as Double winners. On the other hand, Birmingham are unlikely to enjoy a goal glut against them - they've managed only nine goals at home this season.

However, only Everton have beaten the Blues at St Andrew's this term, so the fixture is finely balanced. If Wenger picks his strongest XI, Arsenal could just nick the win they need to ensure the good work against Chelsea is not promptly undone.

Birmingham 1-2 Arsenal

| by

0

01-01-2011 16:00 West Ham United - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Pressure Still In The Air

The pressure will be on at Upton Park on Saturday as West Ham and Wolves contest a relegation six-pointer and the chance to move off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Both sides have struggled this season and find themselves well and truly stuck in a relegation dogfight, but both have breathed new life into their campaigns with good Christmas form.

West Ham have picked up five points in their last three games and briefly moved off the bottom of the table after their 1-1 draw with Everton.

The Hammers have produced some good performances of late and will be hoping the home crowd can inspire them to victory just as they did in another relegation scrap against Wigan last month.

Avram Grant's side triumphed 3-1 in what was dubbed a 'save our season match' and they will be hoping for much of the same against another relegation rival.

No Pushovers

Wolves have a renewed confidence after their 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield hauled them back off the bottom of the league.

With both sides picking up points in the past few weeks, Saturday's encounter has a real importance and a win for either side could see them escape the bottom three, providing other results go the right way.

TEAM NEWS

West Ham

West Ham boss Avram Grant has no new injury worries ahead of the visit of Wolves.

Jack Collison is progressing well following his knee injury but may just fall short in his race for fitness.

The Hammers are still without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Manuel Da Costa (ankle), and Anthony Edgar and Peter Kurucz (both knee).

Possible starting XI: Green; Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon; Sears, Kovac, Parker, Stanislas; Piquionne, Cole.

Wolves

With West Ham having an extra day's rest, Mick McCarthy might look to freshen his team up with a few changes.

Midfielder David Jones and striker Steven Fletcher are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.

Wolves could also be boosted by the returns of Kevin Doyle, Jody Craddock and Michael Mancienne from injury.

Adlene Guedioura (leg) and Karl Henry (knee) are still unavailable due to injury.

Possible starting XI: Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Foley, Jones, Hunt; Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher.

Prediction
With both sides having an upturn in fortunes lately, I can't see either of them stealing all three points. Expect a scrappy affair with defences coming out on top.

West Ham 1-1 Wolves

| by

0

01-01-2011 16:00 Tottenham Hotspur - Fulham

Top Four Test

Tottenham are having their top four credentials tested to the limit over a busy festive period, but as the games come thick and fast, Harry Redknapp’s side have thus far passed with flying colours, having won two physical games in three days, against Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Spurs have hit top form at the right time – it is now 10 games in all competitions since Redknapp’s men tasted defeat – and it is now vital for the club to carry such a run of results into the New Year if they are to maintain their Champions League charge.

Annual Festive Meeting

It just wouldn’t be the winter months without a meeting between Spurs and Fulham – two of their last six meetings have taken place on Boxing Day, while this fixture last season saw Tottenham run out 2-1 winners in January.

Fulham have fared more disappointingly heading towards the New Year, with their 3-1 defeat at home against fellow strugglers West Ham a low point that saw them condemned to the bottom three of the Premier League.

There were signs of a revival for Mark Hughes on Tuesday though, as his side managed a rare win away from home against Stoke City, courtesy of two extremely rare Chris Baird goals.

The chances of Baird repeating such feats against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday are slim, but Hughes will be hopeful of getting a result, even if his side has seldom managed to win on the short trip to north London.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Younes Kaboul’s red card against Newcastle United on Tuesday means he joins Jermain Defoe among Tottenham’s suspended players, so Harry Redknapp will either call on Sebastien Bassong or hope William Gallas has overcome an injury in time to play.

Jermaine Jenas may be preferred to Wilson Palacios, while Tom Huddlestone, Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O’Hara are still short of fitness.

Possible Starting XI: Gomes; Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Jenas, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.

Fulham

Chris Baird’s double against Stoke could see him retain his place in the side after surprisingly replacing Carlos Salcido on Tuesday.

Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele are still out of contention meanwhile, though the Belgian could return against West Brom, meaning Andrew Johnson is likely to continue in attack, with Clint Dempsey playing a supporting role.

Possible Staring XI: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird; Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Dempsey; Andrew Johnson.

Prediction
It’s a London derby, so you never know, but Tottenham should overcome Fulham quite comfortably, given their recent form and the contrasting fortunes of these two sides.

Tottenham 2-0 Fulham

| by

0

01-01-2011 16:00 Sunderland - Blackburn Rovers

Festive Period Blues

Sunderland have hit a slightly rough patch as they were steamrolled by Manchester United, but came back strongly against Blackpool. And despite doing everything they could against the Seasiders, the inability to put the ball in the back of the net saw the Black Cats falling to a second consecutive defeat.

But what will worry manager Steve Bruce is that his side have scored only one goal in their last four games, with that goal being a Danny Welbeck header against Bolton.

Just as worrying would be the form shown by Darren Bent, as the prolific goal scorer has not added to his tally of seven goals in the last five games for the club. This means that the former Tottenham forward has not scored even once throughout December, and he may need to pick things up against Blackburn if the supporters of the Wearside club are to return happily.

Not Particularly Bright At Stadium Of Light

Blackburn Rovers have a disheartening record on Wearside, as they have won only 14 times in 68 trips to Sunderland - who have won on 42 occasions with the remainder being draws. Even as early as last season, Steve Bruce’s men managed to carve out a decent 2-1 victory over their opponents as a Kenwyne Jones double was enough to sink Rovers.

Now with the change in management, there is significant pressure on Steve Kean and his men to deliver the right kind of results – as he is filling in following the widely unpopular dismissal of Sam Allardyce.

But three wins and a draw away from home makes for a not too shabby record on their travels, while their attack has been doing the damage during time away from Ewood Park. Fourteen goals to date means that Rovers have been very good at putting the ball where it belongs, but their defence has been a little shaky as they have conceded 19 in the process.

But all said and done, they are currently in a very respectable mid-table position and a victory would not only reinforce their status as a proper Premier League side, but would also serve to take some of the pressure off the club’s much-maligned owners.

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland

John Mensah (ankle), Michael Turner, Titus Bramble and Fraiser Campbell (all knee) are all sidelined through their respective injuries.

But now Nedum Onuoha, Lee Cattermole and Asamoah Gyan have all become big doubts after manager Steve Bruce confirmed the same.

Possible starting XI: Gordon; Elmohamady, Bramble, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Riveros, Henderson, Meyler, Richardson; Welbeck, Bent.

Blackburn

Paul Robinson has been ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain so Mark Bunn will take his place in goal.

Keith Andrews, Vince Grella and Steven NZonzi (all groin), Phil Jones (knee) and Jason Roberts (hamstring) are all sidelined for this game.

Nikola Kalinic and Michel Salgado will also be unavailable for this encounter, as both players are serving a suspension.

Possible starting XI: Bunn; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson; E Diouf, Dunn, Pedersen, Hoilett; M Diouf, Benjani.

Prediction

Sunderland 2-0 Blackburn

| by

0

01-01-2011 16:00 Stoke City - Everton

Getting Back To Basics

Pulis will be hoping for a swift about turn in his side's home form, with the Potters losing their last two games at the Britannia in fairly convincing fashion.

First a masterclass in attacking play from Blackpool and then a dogged Fulham drew groans from the stands, and Stoke need to avoid defeat to stay in the top half of the table and not fall into the trap of a relegation scrap.

The Potters will be hoping for a much better display than the reverse fixture at Goodison, where they failed to muster a chance of note and were well beaten.

Rising Up The Ladder

A win for Everton will send them above the Potters and into the top half of the table at the start of 2011, and Moyes will be hopeful after seeing his side pick up three points against the Potters at Goodison earlier in the campaign and unbeaten against Stoke last season.

And the Toffees have managed to pick up their away form in recent weeks, with a brilliant victory at Manchester City perhaps providing the launchpad for the Merseyside team's European hopes.

TEAM NEWS

Stoke City

After the disastrous display against Fulham on Tuesday, expect Tony Pulis to make at least one change to the side, with forward Jonathan Walters almost certain to be dropped to the bench.

But don't expect summer signing Eidur Gudjohnsen to figure at all. The Icelander, a Champions League winner with Barcelona, arrived with high hopes, but a bulging waistline and a fixed tactical set-up have meant that the 32-year-old hasn't been able to squeeze into the starting line-up since signing late in August from Monaco, and local press are reporting that the club will listen to offers in January for the player's services.

Matthew Etherington will have been nursed through training after picking up a knock at Blackburn on Boxing Day before putting in a subdued display against Fulham, that eventually led to a rare early substitution for the left winger. However, he is likely to start if he can prove his fitness given the paucity of options available while Robert Huth misses out after amassing five bookings and earning a suspension.

Possible starting XI: Begovic; Wilkinson, Faye, Shawcross, Collins; Pennant, Wilson, Whitehead, Etherington; Fuller, Jones.

Everton

David Moyes is definitely without Dutch defender John Heitinga, and midfielder Leon Osman is also likely to be absent with a foot injury.

Phil Jagielka is poised to return to the starting XI after missing out on the trip to West Ham, while the Toffees are expected to name at least one nominal striker after Louis Saha, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu all started on the bench at Upton Park.

Possible starting XI: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Neville, Fellaini, Arteta; Cahill; Yakubu.

Prediction
Stoke surely can't lose three in a row at home, and will likely go at it from the off rather than hand their opponents the initiative as they have been prone to doing recently. But the resolve, grit and touch of class within the Everton midfield should make this a steely encounter. Expect Everton to go, once again, back to the drawing board and pick up a solitary point from their travels - one that will be well received by Potters boss Pulis.

Stoke 2-2 Everton

| by

0

01-01-2011 16:00 Manchester City - Blackpool

Top Spot Remains Within Sight

Manchester City will want to grab a victory at home to further their ambitions in the Premier League title race. Their arch-rivals, Manchester United - who are currently at the top of the table - have been average on their travels, winning only one of their eight games away from home.

And with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men having to navigate a tricky trip to West Bromwich Albion, the Eastlands outfit may feel that top spot could be within touching distance.

But first and foremost, Roberto Mancini’s charges will have to continue their recent form and beat Blackpool to claim three points on the day.

City only recently travelled away to Newcastle and brought back three points, while the game that followed - against Aston Villa - looked like it would have a much higher scoreline than the 4-0 that it resulted in.

But all said and done, both games resulted in victories and six points were gained starting from Boxing Day. Now City will be looking to start the New Year with renewed energy and push forward to keep up with their more illustrious neighbours.

Admirable Away Days

On the pitch, Blackpool reflect their manager Ian Holloway’s persona off it, as they manage to play some good entertaining and attacking football.

This policy has resulted in the side having secured excellent results on their travels. The 4-0 against Wigan Athletic, conquering St James’ Park with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, and sending shockwaves at Anfield through a 2-1 victory over Liverpool were all fantastic results.

In total, the Seasiders have barely shown even a hint of travel sickness as they have registered five victories away from Bloomfield Road. Add two more draws to the 15 points and we have 17 of their 25 points having been gained away from home.

And to rise up to eighth place in the league in their first season in the top-flight is a commendable achievement, and the gaffer will likely want to hold on to a spot in the upper half of the table for the remainder of the season.

Even a draw on the day will be a very positive result for a side that few would fancy against high flying City.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City

Michael Johnson (knee) is a long term absentee, while Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) is still a doubt for this game. City boss Roberto Mancini would likely tinker with his line-up again, particularly due to the upcoming fixture against Arsenal.

Carlos Tevez could come back into line-up, having been rested during the victory over Aston Villa. Mario Balotelli, despite scoring a hat-trick against Gerard Houllier’s men, could be headed benchwards to be saved for the game against the Gunners.

Possible starting XI: Hart; Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; Milner, De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Jo, Tevez.

Blackpool

Elliot Grandin (hamstring) is a doubt for this game, but it may not bother manager Ian Holloway too much as he has his skipper Charlie Adam returning from suspension.

Malaury Martin (knee), Marlon Harewood (hamstring), Matt Gilks (knee) are all sidelined with respective injuries, while Chris Basham (broken leg) and Billy Clarke (knee) are not expected to return for a few more months.

Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Phillips, Adam, Vaughan; Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney.

Prediction
Manchester City are in roaring form but the visitors are also doing pretty well, and this could end as an entertaining draw.

Man City 1-1 Blackpool

| by

0

01-01-2011 - 16:00 Liverpool - Bolton Wanderers

Festive Joy?

This season continues to get worse for Liverpool. The Reds find themselves three points from relegation, and with the turn of the year imminent, how long before they are touted as serious contenders for the drop? If such an illustrious name were to go down it would make the plight of Leeds United and Newcastle United's relative relegations pale in comparison.

Liverpool need to start winning - and fast. They are capable of producing at home with a win over Chelsea and a draw against Arsenal, but with defeats against Blackpool and Wolves, you never know what you'll find at Anfield.

Coyle Comfortable

Bolton's fortunes this year are significantly better. With 29 points they are on the threshold of European football and they have proved a tough team to beat. They held table-topping Manchester United to a draw in September, and have only been narrowly beaten by a single goal by Chelsea and Manchester City.

Bolton lost the reverse fixture on Halloween and will be looking to return that favour when the two meet.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will play against Bolton and have to be on form for Liverpool to reverse their dramatic slide. The Reds have only played twice since December 15 and have failed to score in both games. With this the Anfield faithful will be longing for the return of Jamie Carragher, but his comeback is a while off yet.

Fans at Anfield were calling the name of Kenny Dalglish during the defeat against Wolves, and Roy Hodgson will need the win badly as his team are just three points from the relegation places.

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

Bolton

Johan Elmander could be the key in this game, as Bolton's front man will be aiming to pile on the pressure on Merseyside and continue the misery for Liverpool over the festive period.

Lee Chung-Yong is away playing in the Asian Cup and Paul Robinson will miss the game through suspension.

Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Marcos Alonso; Rodrigo, Holden, Muamba, Taylor; K Davies, Elmander.

Prediction
Chaos reigns on Merseyside and Owen Coyle and his team will no doubt capitalise on this and should take all three points. It won't be a pretty game, but one which will end in victory for the Trotters.

Liverpool 0-1 Bolton