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The last set of Premier League fixtures showed that you really can’t predict what is going to happen this season. One thing you can predict is that all managers will be hoping to start the year positively by picking up three points.
WOLVES V CHELSEA
Chelsea’s game at Wolves on Bank Holiday Monday will be a tense affair than some may have imagined. The 3-1 defeat at Villa crushed any title hopes and it means that pressure is piled on Andre Villas-Boas. The manager insists he has control of the situation, however you can’t help but feel this is a must win game.
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Player to watch: Frank Lampard
Could super Frank save the day? Lampard is blue through and through, he’ll be frustrated with his lack of starts as of late and wanting to show Villas-Boas how important he is to the team.
MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL
Man City are still top of the table despite losing 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Mancini is demanding a huge improvement from his players as they take on Liverpool tomorrow. The City manager rested Balotelli whilst Aguero and Silva started on the bench against Sunderland, expect all three of them to start this one.
Player to watch: Mario Balotelli
Rested and raring to go; you wouldn’t bet against Balotelli making some early headlines in 2012.
NEWCASTLE V MAN UTD
Man Utd have the advantage of a longer rest as they don’t take on Newcastle until Wednesday. The Magpies have been on a bad run lately, only winning one in seven, they’ll want to pick something up in this game to ensure they don’t slip further down the table.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
It has been heavily publicised that Ferguson left Rooney out of the squad for the Blackburn game as punishment for going out for a meal with his wife. Rooney has an excellent record against Newcastle, if he starts the game I expect him to be on the scoresheet.
BLACKBURN V STOKE
Blackburn have a great chance to move out of the bottom three tonight as they welcome Stoke to Ewood Park. Steve Kean’s side will be in high spirits and will be looking to build on their magnificent 3-2 win at Old Trafford on New Years Eve.
Player to watch: Chris Samba
If anyone can cope with Stoke’s physical presence it’s Chris Samba. Him and Yakubu have been the leading men for Blackburn this season and they’ll need to have another good game tonight.
ASTON VILLA V SWANSEA
Both Aston Villa and Swansea picked up great results this weekend, ensuring an exciting encounter this evening. The Swans are the only team in league without a Premier League away win this season, could Villa Park be the place to get it?
Player to watch: Darren Bent
Bent’s back to fitness and came on as a substitute to score against Chelsea. There’s speculation about him leaving Villa in the transfer window, whether he leaves or not he’ll be wanting to put on a good show.
Full list of fixtures:
Monday: Aston Villa v Swansea, Blackburn v Stoke, QPR v Norwich, Wolves v Chelsea, Fulham v Arsenal
Tuesday: Tottenham v West Brom, Wigan v Sunderland, Man City v Liverpool
Wednesday: Everton v Bolton, Newcastle v Man Utd
