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Finally the Weekend is here!! (Sighs)
This is what every football fan thinks of during the week. But this week was not a bad one as we had four Champions League Games in midweek, which turned out to be very boring one to be honest, plus there was Europa League which had some sparkling games like Villareal vs Napoli, Stuttgart vs Benfica, FC Twente vs Rubin Kazan and so on… Plus we also witnessed two Premier League Games which were Blackpool vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs Stoke. So it didn’t turn out to be a bad week for football lovers after all. Anyways, a new weekend awaits us and a new set of Premier League action plus a small matter of a Carling Cup Final awaits us too.
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This weekend provides a whole lot of action as Wolves take on Blackpool, which will be a relegation six pointer; Newcastle host Bolton and Manchester United travel to Wigan to increase their gap at the top which was down to a single point after Arsenal’s hard fought win over Stoke City in midweek. Here is my preview of all the games.
Aston Villa vs Blackburn
Only two points separate these two sides in the Barclays Premier League Table but there is a good difference of five places between the two. So a win for Villa will see them leapfrog the Rovers and give them a huge lift. Aston Villa find themselves on the wrong side of the table and they are a too good a side to go down in my opinion whereas Blackburn have been very inconsistent lately with two wins in the last six games. This will be one feisty affair as both teams will think that they have a chance for the 3 points but I believe Aston Villa will just nick this win only because they are playing at home.
Prediction: 2-1
Everton vs Sunderland
Everton to me is the most inconsistent team in the league. One day they seem like world-beaters (the FA Cup win over Chelsea) and the other day they completely switch off give out a very disappointing performance (their recent game against Bolton suggest that). Sunderland, on the other hand, has been impressive this season and find themselves in contention for a place in Europe in next year. It’s going to be a closely fought contest this one and I reckon a home win once again if a better Everton come out to play
Prediction: 1-0
Newcastle vs Bolton
What can I say about these two teams? Only one point separates the two and they both have been excellent this season and have performed way better than everybody’s expectations. Owen Coyle has completely transformed Bolton and more importantly Johan Elmander, who has been some kind of a revelation this season after his disappointing start to his Bolton career. Newcastle have looked solid this season and after losing Andy Carroll, their main man in January, have not given up hope but fighting strongly to finish the season on a high. I predict a quite entertaining draw this
Prediction: 2-2
Wigan vs Manchester United
This is a very tricky tie in my opinion. Yes on paper it does seem like a routine United victory but I wouldn’t underestimate Wigan one bit and neither will Sir Alex Ferguson. With Arsenal winning in midweek, the pressure is on Ferguson’s boys here to get the three points. Wigan on the other hand is struggling this season and find themselves in the relegation zone. If Wigan play to their potential then I expect them to trouble Man Utd but the Red Devils have been in such situations before and seem to be grinding out results even when they are not playing well
Prediction: 0-2
Wolverhampton vs Blackpool
Blackpool were impressive in their mid-week win over Tottenham but this is going to be a different game altogether. With Charlie Adam suspended for this tie, I do not expect them to trouble Wolves much. Wolves were impressive in their draw with West Brom last week and will look to build up on their performance from that day. Predicting a Wolves win for here only because Blackpool are without their main man
Prediction: 3-1
West Ham United vs Liverpool
West Ham were excellent in their FA Cup tie against Burnley on Monday and they will be hugely motivated by the presence of Thomas Hitzlsperger who will make his first appearance in a West Ham shirt in the BPL. Liverpool had a tricky game in mid-week against Sparta Prague and had Dirk Kuyt to thank for as he scored in the 86th minute. Liverpool have looked a different side under Kenny Dalglish and are slowly finding their feet but West Ham aren’t going to be easy at all. They have put up some strong displays recently and I believe can nick a point from this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Manchester City vs Fulham
City are looking strong as a unit now and that was clearly evident in their Europa League win over Aris. Edin Dzeko is slowly settling to the pace of the Premier League which is good news for Roberto Mancini’s side. Fulham too are looking strong now by the return of Bobby Zamora through injury. It’ll be a nice tactical clash this but City look too strong in my opinion.
Prediction: 2-0
Arsenal vs Birmingham City (Carling Cup Final)
Arsenal aim to end their trophy drought with a victory on Sunday's final
Arsenal go into this final in the hope of winning their 1st trophy since 2005. The pressure will undoubtedly be on the Gunners as they are the over-whelming favorites to win it. But they will be without their influential captain Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott who both picked up injuries in the Stoke game in midweek. Birmingham are quite confident ahead of the final but they have some injury problems of their own too. Creative midfielder Alexandr Hleb is a major doubt after he was stretchered off during their FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. Scott Dann is also injured and he’ll be a huge miss for this clash. New January signings David Bentley and Curtis Davies are both cup-tied for the match so they won’t feature at all in this game. I tip Arsenal for this one because they will be eager to end their trophy drought soon and also will look to silence their doubters.
Prediction: 3-1
I would also like to preview some other BIG games from across the continent.
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund (German Bundesliga)
Borussia Dortmund has been some sort of surprise package this season. They have taken the Bundesliga by storm and sit pretty at the top with a 10 point lead over second placed Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich had a tough start to the campaign but are slowly looking back to their best with the return of Robbery (Robben and Ribery) through injuries. They have started to pick up points but still are way (12pts) behind Dortmund. Expecting this to be a classic match of attacking football.
Prediction: 2-2
AC Milan vs Napoli (Italian Serie A)
Another top of the table clash this, as leaders AC Milan taken on second placed Napoli. Both teams have been in great form lately in the Serie A but have struggled in Europe. Napoli were knocked out of the Europa League by Villareal recently and Milan suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Tottenham in the Champions League. Only 3pts separate these two sides and the outcome of this tie will definitely play a huge part in deciding where the Scudetto will be heading to come May. Expecting AC Milan to narrowly edge this win.
Prediction: 2-1
Enjoy the Football weekend guys.
