Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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05-01-2011 21:00 Everton - Tottenham Hotspur

Inconsistency, Thy Name Is Everton

The Toffees are usually challenging for a European spot round this time of year, but inconsistency has severely dented the Merseysiders’ hopes of achieving such an objective.

David Moyes’ side currently sit in 13th place, which on the surface appears to be an anonymous mid-table position. But the fact that there is only a three-point difference between 18th-placed Fulham and themselves is a worrying situation.

The morose results have largely been due to the inability of the strike force to put away their chances, which has seen many a game - which should have been a victory - being turned into a draw, or worse. And barring Wigan Athletic, every other team outside the relegation zone has scored more goals than the blue men from Merseyside.

If things could not get any worse, midfielder Tim Cahill – arguably the team’s best performer this season – has left to represent Australia in the Asian Cup and will therefore be unavailable. The hosts could miss him dearly, as he has scored nine goals and created three more this season. This accounts for the 31-year-old having been involved in over half the goals that the Goodison outfit have scored through the course of their league campaign.

But in the absence of their best performer, the Toffees still have a relatively good side and could threaten Spurs on their day.

Consolidating Fourth Place

Unlike their opponents, Tottenham have had a superb season to date. They have managed to navigate their way past a very difficult group in the Champions League to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament, and they will soon lock horns with continental powerhouses AC Milan in a bid to make it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Harry Redknapp’s positive style of football has seen his side being exposed at the back on several occasions, but to his credit they have managed to outscore their opponents during a majority of such occasions. Still, conceding as many goals as they have would only give their goal-shy opponents all the more confidence when it comes to finding the back of the net.

Now the visitors have the difficult task of hanging on to fourth place, as Chelsea - who are one point behind in fifth – visit Molineux to take on bottom placed Wolves.

All said and done, it will be a very confident Spurs side that will take to the pitch at Goodison Park, as Redknapp’s charges have now gone 11 games in all competitions without tasting a defeat.

TEAM NEWS

Everton

Everton are without Tim Cahill, as the Australian has departed to take part in the Asian Cup. The midfielder will be dearly missed by manager David Moyes, who only recently described the former Millwall man as his best ever signing.

John Heitinga (knee) remains a doubt for this encounter. Louis Saha played 80 minutes of the recent loss to Stoke City, and may not be able to recover quickly enough to make another start.

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

Tottenham

Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Ledley King (groin) and Jamie O’Hara (back) are all sidelined through respective injuries, while Alan Hutton is a doubt. Robbie Keane (hamstring) is also a doubt - but given his situation at the north London club he may not have featured even if he was fit.

Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul are both suspended, having seen red against Aston Villa and Newcastle United respectively.

Possible starting XI: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.

Prediction
Tottenham have conceded in every away game this season, which should see Everton breaking through their back line at some point. But on the other hand, Spurs would likely outscore their opponents and claim three points.

Everton 1-3 Tottenham

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05-01-2011 21:00 Blackburn Rovers - Liverpool

Rovers Out To Stop The Rot

Since the shock sacking of Sam Allardyce, Rovers have averaged one point per game. The previous regime had a healthy 1.5 points per game average; a tally that would safely stave off relegation.

This has seen owners Venky's discard an expected 57 points finish for the new - far less comfortable - target of just 43 points.

For Kean to stand a chance of stay in good grace, this 33.3 per cent drop must be corrected. Unluckily for him, Rovers have only tasted victory once in this fixture in the last decade.

Hodgson Hanging On

The executioner's sword may still be hanging over his head, but Joe Cole's last gasp winner has kept the wolves at bay for a few days at least.

Six points off the relegation zone, 11 points from the haloed Champions League places and a huge 16 points from Premier League leaders wasn't on the Anfield hierarchy's agenda when they gave Rafael Benitez the boot, though.

Much of the blame for this disappointing start can be placed on an away record that reads one win, two draws and six defeats. If the final category ticks to seven after Wednesday night, time could finally be up for Hodgson.

TEAM NEWS

Blackburn

The absence of defender Christopher Samba has cut the heart out of interim manager Steve Kean's team. Thankfully for the Scot, the centre-back could return from an ankle knock.

Ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson is still sidelined with a calf strain, while the match has come too soon for Jason Roberts' hamstring pull to heal. Keith Andrews remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, with Phil Jones likely to be out for the rest of the season with a similar ligament problem.

Striker Nikola Kalinic will begin his three-match suspension after he was dismissed in the 3-0 defeat to Sunderland, while Brett Emerton is away at the Asian Cup.

Possible starting XI: Bunn; Salgado, Nelsen, Givet, Olsson; E Diouf, Hanley, Dunn, Goulon, Pedersen; M Diouf.

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard's enforced 70-minute appearance in the 2-1 victory against Bolton means the captain should be ready to start. The man he replaced, Raul Meireles, is likely to be out with an ankle knock.

The Portuguese joins Jamie Carragher on the sidelines due to the veteran's dislocated shoulder. Manager Roy Hodgson will hope injury-prone pair Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger came through their weekend run-out unscathed.

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

Prediction
Liverpool travel to Ewood Park with the conviction they can end their away-day hoodoo. With Gerrard available from the start, they should just have too much for Kean's sinking squad.

Blackburn 0-1 Liverpool

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05-01-2011 21:00 Bolton Wanderers - Wigan Athletic

Wanderers Have Edge In Lancashire Derby

The two sides have met 32 times in their history, with 11 matches taking place in the Premier League. Of those Premier League matches, Wigan have won four, Bolton three and the other four have been drawn, including their meeting in October which ended 1-1 at the DW Stadium.

The Latics' record at the Reebok is not bad at all. They have won two of their four visits, but they lost their last visit 4-0 and with a poor away record they will have their work cut out to secure a victory.

Martinez Has Edge Over Counterpart Coyle

Roberto Martinez and Owen Coyle are both respected young managers in the Premier League and have impressed for their clubs. They both learned their trade in the lower leagues, with Swansea and Burnley respectively, and were rewarded for their work with promotions to jobs with established Premier League sides.

This match sees the two men go head to head for the fourth time as managers, with Martinez winning one game and the other three encounters being draws. Owen Coyle will be hoping to register his first victory against the Spaniard on Wednesday night.

TEAM NEWS

Bolton

Lee Chung-Yong is away at the Asian Cup so will miss Bolton's next few fixtures, but Paul Robinson returns following his suspension.

Knee injuries rule four of Owen Coyle’s men out of this clash; Gretar Steinsson, Ricardo Garnder, Sean Davis and Joey O’Brien all miss out, as does Jlloyd Samuel, who is suffering with a calf problem.

Steinsson is close to a first team return but despite improvements in his fitness he is unlikely to be involved in this match.

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

Wigan

Roberto Martinez felt his side were tired and lacking energy after the Newcastle defeat so he may freshen up his side in an attempt to reinvigorate them for this trip.

That could see James McArthur, Maynor Figueroa and new signing Adrian Lopez all called into action, however the goal shy Mauro Boselli is unlikely to make the starting line-up.

The Latics are still without their inspirational winger Charles N’Zogbia who is serving the second game of his three match ban, and they will also be without exciting youngsters Victor Moses and James McCarthy.

Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi will be ineligible against his parent club so Mike Pollitt will start between the posts.

Possible starting XI: Pollitt; Stam, Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Figueroa; Thomas, Diame; Cleverley, Watson, McArthur; Rodallega.

Prediction
Despite a poor run of form, Bolton have got an excellent home record this season and they should be too strong for a Wigan side low on confidence after a poor performance against Newcastle. The quality of Petrov and Elmander gives Bolton a huge advantage and they should fire them to a sixth home win this season.

Bolton 2-1 Wigan Athletic

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05-01-2011 20:45 Arsenal - Manchester City

Arsenal Bid To Maintain Impressive Record Against City

With seven points out of nine over the festive period, Arsene Wenger will claim that his rotation policy was correct, the players he rested against Wigan having come back and produced the goods against Birmingham. Sceptics may insist that two points were needlessly lost at the DW Stadium, but either way the Gunners are handily placed in third, two points behind the two Manchester clubs and very definitely in the title race.

They should be confident that they can make it three wins out of four going into this clash against City, not only because they were impressive in sweeping aside defending champions Chelsea 3-1 on their last appearance at Ashburton Grove; but also because they achieved an emphatic 3-0 victory over Roberto Mancini’s side when the clubs met at Eastlands in October.

That win was Arsenal’s first in four league and cup games against City, but more ominously for City, they haven’t beaten the Gunners in London since a 3-2 win back in October 1975. Arsenal have won 21 of the 28 league and cup home games against City since then.

However, Wenger frequently points out that history has no real relevance to the next match, and he will be looking for his players to maintain their focus, show further evidence of their growing mental and physical resilience, and above all claim the three points against one of their most serious rivals.

The Gunners boast the best away record in the Premier League (21 points to City’s 20), but have proved vulnerable at home, losing three times, and Wenger will be anxious to ensure his team do not squander any more points at the Emirates.

With cup commitments accounting for their next two fixtures, he will demand a defensively sound, mature, winning performance against City.

City Looking To Make Major Statement In Title Race

Seeking their first win at Arsenal in more than three decades on Wednesday, City’s main objective will be to defeat a major competitor and make a big statement in this season’s exciting battle for top-flight supremacy.

Buoyed by three straight wins, and level on points with neighbours and arch-rivals Manchester United, City go into this contest with the belief that they can win the title. They are now firmly established among the leading five clubs and find themselves in the strongest position they’ve enjoyed at the start of a new year since the Premier League was formed.

Their challenge now is to build on that position on a ground where they have never won. And defender Jerome Boateng reflected the positivity within the squad regarding the task at hand.

Talking to City’s official website, Boateng said: “Arsenal’s players have played many years together at their club and you can see that on the pitch in the way that they move for one another. It is a difficult game for us but it will be difficult for them too.

“When we played them here [at Eastlands] earlier in the season I don’t think we were any worse than them and we had only ten men for most of the game [following Dedryk Boyata’s fifth minute dismissal]. Now we want to play them with 11.

“I don’t believe in bogey teams or jinxes and things like that, I only look to the next game. That City has not won in Arsenal for a long time makes no difference to what might happen on Wednesday night.

“We must just work hard together to make sure we continue our winning run. It is true we have played better away from home sometimes. I don’t know why.

“I think if you look at the home game with Arsenal in the first half each team had six chances to score. In the second half it was difficult because they made their extra man count by moving us around the pitch and we became tired. We are looking forward to the game.”

City’s assistant manager, Brian Kidd, who played for both clubs in the 1970s, commented: “All games are big. It is another three points up for grabs just the same as Blackpool. They [Arsenal] beat us fair and square in the first game but I repeat that I wouldn’t change our squad for any other. I don’t fear any team in the league.

“It seems ridiculous that we haven’t won there since the 1970s but that has to end sometime.”

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

The Gunners came through a bruising encounter against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s with three points and no new injury problems – despite having to contend with some dubious challenges, notably Roger Johnson’s poor tackle on Cesc Fabregas, and Lee Bowyer’s stamp on Bacary Sagna, who also felt Bowyer’s studs raked down the back of his leg.

“Apart from a few bruises we are all right from Birmingham,” a relieved Arsene Wenger told the club’s official website.

The Frenchman also reported that left-back Kieran Gibbs is returning to full training this week and may make the squad for the FA Cup Third Round tie against Leeds United on Saturday. Gibbs has been out since injuring his ankle against Partizan Belgrade on December 8.

Other than that only Manuel Almunia (ankle), Abou Diaby (calf) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) remain sidelined through injury.

Wenger may well select the starting XI that beat Chelsea and Birmingham, which means he would have the likes of Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Marouane Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin available on the bench.

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

Manchester City

Manager Roberto Mancini will take his team to north London seeking to make it four wins out of four over the holiday period, but will have to assess the fitness of three potentially key players before they travel.

Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli injured his knee during the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on December 28, a game in which he scored a hat-trick, and consequently missed Saturday’s 1-0 win against Blackpool. However, City are hopeful he will have recovered in time to face Arsenal.

Spanish midfielder David Silva also suffered a knee knock and was substituted by James Milner after 64 minutes against Blackpool. With Silva’s participation in doubt for Wednesday, Milner could face the Gunners from the start.

A bone spur and bruised heel has kept former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor out of action recently, and could prevent him appearing against his old club.

Another ex-Arsenal man, Kolo Toure, has completed a three-match suspension and is available again, which could put Joleon Lescott’s place in jeopardy.

And former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira, who has featured in each of City’s last three games, starting against Villa, is expected to be among the substitutes again.

Michael Johnson remains sidelined by a knee injury.

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

Prediction
Third host second in what promises to be a compelling clash that could have repercussions on the eventual destiny of the Premier League title.

The most potent attack (Arsenal, 42 goals scored) takes on the meanest defence (City, 16 goals conceded), and there could be lively action at either end of the match: City have scored more goals (five) in the first 10 minutes of games than any other team, while Arsenal have scored the second highest number (eight) in the final 10 minutes.

It is a given that the Gunners will be on the front foot, looking to get forward at every opportunity. City under Mancini are more cautious, and may look to frustrate their opponents with bodies packing the midfield.

Both teams are in excellent form and should not want for confidence. They drew last season at the Emirates, but sharing the points will not please either side this time – especially if Manchester United beat Stoke City at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Despite City’s fine away record, Arsenal should exploit home advantage to shade it.

Arsenal 2-1 Man City

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05-01-2011 20:45 Wolverhampton Wanderers - Chelsea

Breaking The Record Books

Few sights in football are as disheartening as a downbeat Yorkshireman managing a struggling side, and few Yorkshireman are struggling as much as Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, yet the former Republic of Ireland manager continues to go about his business at the bottom of the league with a wry smile.

And for relatively good reason: Wolves simply aren't playing that bad this season and results are likely to come. But after losing twice to Wednesday's opponents last season, it'd come as something of a shock if the Midlands outfit engineered a victory against a side that they have lost to in their last six encounters.

Yet if they did so, the Molineux faithful would be forgiven for doing cartwheels through the town as three points could send Wolves as unfathomably high as 15th.

A Year Of Decline?

This time last year, Chelsea were top of the table having lost just three times in the league. Fans of the champions need not be reminded of how far they've fallen this season. But for those of us who aren't, let's have a chuckle.

The champions have now won just once since being defeated by Sunderland at home in early November, and have drawn as many games after 20 games this year (5) as they had throughout the entire of last year's double-winning season.

Yet despite the poor record and the lowly fifth position, the Blues are only six points away from the two Manchester sides that top the table. Victory over Wolves could see Ancelotti's side go back into the top four.

TEAM NEWS

Wolves

Mick McCarthy will face a midfield headache as he will be without captain Karl Henry and on-loan Chelsea youngster Michael Mancienne, who so often fills in in the middle of the park.

Striker Kevin Doyle is pencilled in to return from a thigh injury on the day of the game, but it could prove too quick a turnaround to get the Irish forward into the game, so expect top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to lead the line.

Stephen Hunt, who fractured Petr Cech's skull while at Reading, will start and will likely be roundly booed throughout by the travelling support.

Possible starting XI: Hennessey; Zubar, Berra, Stearman, Elokobi; Jarvis, Edwards, Foley, Milijas, Hunt; Ebanks-Blake.

Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti faces no fresh injury or suspension worries, but that's not to say the Italian will not be tempted to ring the changes after seeing his side fritter away a lead to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Defender Jeffrey Bruma may face the chop despite being adamant that he was not at fault for Emile Heskey's goal in the 3-3 draw at home, with Branislav Ivanovic returning from suspension.

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

Prediction
After beating Liverpool, a team dramatically on the wane, recently, it is tempting to think that Wolves will do the same to a side similarly losing its powers and the home side - who certainly have not played as bad as the league table suggests - will give the champions a fright with a combative approach. But surely Chelsea's bleak form can not continue for much longer? Expect Hennessey's goal to come under fire throughout and for Chelsea to make it a whopping two wins from nine games.

Wolves 0-2 Chelsea

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05-01-2011 20:45 Newcastle United - West Ham United

Challenging For Europe

Newcastle will be looking to cement their place in the top half of the table with a home win, and three points could see them move up to eighth place in the table and pushing for a Europa League spot. However, results going against them could see them drop as low as 13th in the table.

West Ham have finally hit a good vein of form with two wins and two draws from their last four games which has seen Avram Grant save his job, at least for now, by steering the club away from the bottom of the table up to 16th. Another win for the Hammers could see them further improve their position to 13th in the table, however if teams below them manage to pick up points it could be a return to the foot of the table for the Irons.

Newcastle won the reverse fixture at Upton Park earlier in the season 2-1 with goals from Kevin Nolan and Carroll as West Ham scored with their only shot on target of the game through Carlton Cole.

Poor Home Form Meets Shocking Away Record

West Ham won their first away match for a huge 27 games in their last fixture on the road as they beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage. However, their defence will still be causing them concern as they have set a club record with 18 games without a clean sheet away from home.

It is Newcastle’s home form, in contrast, that is causing them concern with only two wins in their last nine games in front of their famously vocal support. The Magpies have also only managed one clean sheet in those nine fixtures.

If anyone is likely to be confident of scoring at St James’ Park it is Carlton Cole, who has bagged himself three goals in six games against Newcastle throughout his career.

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle

Newcastle United have no new injury worries, but they will continue to be without their leading scorer Andy Carroll, whose thigh strain kept him out of the victory over Wigan.

The Magpies will also still be long-term casualties Ryan Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Having picked up a comfortable win away at Wigan on Sunday, Alan Pardew will be very tempted to pick the same starting line-up.

Possible starting XI: Harper; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands.

West Ham

West Ham are in a similar situation as they also have no new injury or suspension worries, but are still unlikely to welcome back Herita Ilunga for the trip to St James’ Park.

They also have Manuel da Costa and Tomas Hitzlsperger still in the treatment room as it won’t be until next month before either return.

The return to first team action for youngsters Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas is likely to continue, as the Hammers have hit some form in recent weeks and Avram Grant will be unlikely to change the team that dispatched of Wolves on Saturday.

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

Prediction
With both sides seemingly unable to keep clean sheets on a regular basis I’m going to have to predict goals in this encounter. A month ago it would have been Newcastle all the way, but with the Hammers playing well again and full of confidence I think the most likely result is a score draw.

Newcastle 2-2 West Ham

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05-01-2011 20:45 Aston Villa - Sunderland

Rock Bottom

Aston Villa could find themselves bottom of the Premier League on Thursday morning should results go seriously against them.

If every team below Villa were to somehow win their midweek games and the Claret and Blue side of Birmingham should lose theirs, they would find themselves rock bottom.

The league continues to intensify at the bottom of the table as they are just one point above the relegation zone, despite their dramatic draw with Chelsea at the weekend.

The position is far from the European places the club usually challenge for and expect, and hitting bottom of the league will be the lowest position the club has had for nearly two decades.

Improvement On The Road

Sunderland will be looking to improve their away form, which currently stands at just three away wins in a staggering 39 games.

It is not a record the Black Cats will be proud of but on a better note they have only lost three of their last nine away games.

Even with their disastrous away form they find themselves in sixth position and a win could take them to just two points behind title challengers Chelsea.

TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa

Manager Gerard Houllier is likely to be without England international Gabriel Agbonlahor after he picked up an ankle injury in Sunday's 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

Youngster Marc Albrighton is likely to return to the starting line-up as Ashley Young faces a late fitness test, after being sidelined with a knee injury.

Luke Young and Stephen Warnock are close to full fitness but the Villa boss remains without midfielder Fabian Delph.

Possible starting XI: Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark; Downing, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Albrighton; A Young; Heskey.

Sunderland

Captain Lee Cattermole and on-loan defender Nedum Onuoha have handed manager Steve Bruce a welcome boost by hoping to be included in the squad following injuries.

A back injury forced Cattermole to miss the 3-0 win against Blackburn, whilst Onuoha strives to shrug off a hamstring injury.

John Mensah remains doubtful with an ankle injury, whilst long-term absentees Titus Bramble, Michael Turner and Fraizer Campbell all miss out.

Possible starting XI: Gordon; El Mohamady, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Henderson, Meyler, Cattermole, Richardson; Bent, Welbeck.

Prediction
Aston Villa have been really poor this season but go into the game full of confidence after their last-gasp draw with Chelsea, so I can see them getting a narrow win against Sunderland.

Aston Villa 2-1 Sunderland