Old Trafford showdown

Friday, 10/02/2012

by Ger McCarthy

Saturday

Manchester United v Liverpool

No doubting the match of the weekend in the Premier League takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday when age-old rivals Manchester United and Liverpool crows swords. All the media attention will be on Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez but United can ill afford to drop any points with Manchester City two points clear at the top. Alex Ferguson’s side have tasted defeat only twice in their last ten Premier League outings while Liverpool have win two of their last eight encounters. Form tends to go out the window when these clubs come together so expect a tight affair with Manchester United likely to edge it on their home patch. Verdict: Manchester United.

Blackburn v QPR

Two sides coming off disappointing losses clash at Ewood Park in a relegation six pointer on Saturday. Blackburn's nine home defeats has Steve Kean’s side firmly entrenched in the bottom three but Mark Hughes’ side are just three points above them making this encounter pivotal to both clubs. QPR will be without the suspended Djbril Cisse who was red carded in the 2-1 loss at home to Wolves last time out while the inclusion or exclusion of Christopher Samba should make for interesting discussion prior to kick off now that fellow centre-half Ryan Nelsen has left  for Tottenham. All signs point to a tough affair. Verdict: Draw.

Bolton v Wigan

Wigan are rock bottom of the division and without a victory in their last nine attempts while Bolton’s recent mini-revival ended with a 2-0 defeat at Carrow Road last weekend. Only a victory will suffice for the home side as Chelsea and Manchester City loom on the horizon and Owen Coyle’s team could even climb out of the drop zone if results go their way on Saturday. Roberto Martinez desperately needs a win to kick-start Wigan’s flagging hopes of staying up and will look to Argentinean striker Franco Di Santo for goals in this crucial match. Verdict: Bolton win.

Everton v Chelsea

Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping to erase the memory of Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United last time when the Blues visit Goodison Park. Chelsea blew a three goal lead and had to settle for a point at Stamford Bridge but remain in the hunt for a Champions League berth by going into the weekend in fourth place and just seven points behind Tottenham. Villas-Boas has lost only once in his last ten outings but six of those results were draws meaning a victory is needed away to Everton to keep pace with the top three. David Moyes’ side earned a late point at Wigan but will need a vast improvement in performance to get anything out of this encounter. Verdict: Chelsea.

Fulham v Stoke

Two sides loitering in the bottom half of the Premier League table face off at Craven Cottage with Stoke City looking for their first win in five attempts and the chance to end a sequence of three consecutive losses. Martin Jol’s side has slipped to fourteenth after an indifferent campaign but with Clint Dempsey in fine goal scoring form (16 Premier League strikes) the Cottagers might have enough firepower to see off a Stoke side who will be without the suspended Robert Huth after the German defender was sent off in the 1-0 loss at home to Sunderland. Verdict: Draw.

Sunderland v Arsenal

Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland are one of the form teams of the Premier League having recorded five wins in their last six matches. The Black Cats will face the sternest of tests when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light this weekend with the Gunners still basking in the glow of a 7-1 hammering of Blackburn. Robin Van Persie has netted an astonishing 28 times this term and will need stopping while James McClean is also enjoying a rich vein of form since his promotion to the Sunderland first team. The potential to overtake Newcastle in fifth should spur Arsene Wenger’s side. Verdict: Arsenal win.

Swansea v Norwich

Two promoted clubs that have lit up the Premier League this season should provide plenty of entertainment at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea will be buoyed by the midweek announcement that manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a contract extension and eager to record their sixth home win of an impressive campaign. Paul Lambert’s Norwich City currently lie two points above the Welsh club in ninth place and are coming off their third win in five outings following a 2-0 defeat of Bolton. It should be a game for the purists between two clubs who like to pass the ball. Verdict: Draw.

Tottenham v Newcastle

Third meets fifth in the Premier League on Saturday evening when Tottenham host Newcastle United at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp has made all the headlines this week but his Spurs side who managed a hard-earned point away to Liverpool last Monday night will be anxious to keep pace with the two Manchester clubs at the summit of the standings. Senegal strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse fired the Magpies to a 2-1 victory over Villa and Alan Pardew will hope for more of the same on Saturday. Verdict: Tottenham win.

Sunday

Wolves v West Brom

The Black Country derby sees Mick McCarthy’s Wolves hoping to build on a morale-boosting win at QPR. Kevin Doyle proved the difference on that afternoon and should feature against a West Brom side that has suffered four losses in their last six games. Roy Hodgson’s side has won five times on the road this term but need Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie to quickly rediscover their goal scoring touch. Verdict: Wolves win.

Aston Villa v Manchester City

The Premier League leaders face a difficult away assignment at Villa Park owhen Roberto Mancini’s side go in search of their seventh away victory of the campaign. Villa played well despite losing 2-1 to Newcastle last time out with Robbie Keane impressing since his loan move from LA Galaxy. Sergio Aguero rediscovered his early season form in City’s 3-0 win over Fulham and should start in a crucial fixture for the bookies favourites for this year’s Premier League title. Verdict: Manchester City.

Follow Ger on Twitter: @germccarthy74

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