ARSENAL
v
EVERTON
The Emirates, North London
February 1, 2011, 19:45 GMT
***
The Gunners have a penchant for scoring a lot of goals against Everton, they scored 7 in the Invincible season while smashed 6 past them, at their own den, on the first day of last season. Things weren’t so straightforward in the same fixture last season as the Gunners needed a last minute equalizer via Thomas Rosicky to steal a point against the Merseyside team.
Arsenal is the only top division team still playing for all competitions this season, and is looking forward to stretch their good run with a win against Everton. Most of the players got a rest of 48 hours due to non-involvement in the ‘typical cup game’ against Huddersfield. Samir Nasri, who suffered a hamstring injury in that match, is believed to be out for at least 3 weeks. Lukas Fabianski might need a surgery which makes him doubtful for this fixture. Squillaci will serve his suspension while Vermaelen is yet to recover from an ‘achilles’ injury.
For Everton, Victor Anichebe is a doubt for the fixture with a groin injury. Most of the first team exhausted themselves in an epic encounter with Chelsea three days back in the FA Cup. It remains to be seen if Moyes picks the same team in this difficult away fixture. Louis Saha, who looked in great touch in that game, might get to start again against the Gunners, while Jagielka, who sat out that game, will probably start at the heart of the Everton defence. Tim Cahill is yet to return from International duty.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal): The Arsenal captain again rescued his team in the crucial FA Cup encounter and saved them from playing a reverse fixture. He is a man on mission and will be too much for Everton to handle at the moment.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Arsenal 2 – 1 Everton
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SUNDERLAND
v
CHELSEA
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
February 1, 2011, 19:45 GMT
***
Chelsea, just off a record-breaking stint in the transfer window, will be looking to cement their resurrection with a solid display against Steve Bruce’s Black Cats. Adding to the Blues’ resolve will be their sore need to prove the 3-0 thumping received at home at the hands of Sunderland was a mere flash in the pan. That signalled the rot had truly set in the team, and Chelsea went on to surrender a comfortable lead to end up currently wallowing in fourth spot. If Chelsea have had their ranks reinforced with David Luiz and Fernando Torres, Sunderland will be without Darren Bent who made the move to Aston Villa.
You’re likely to be disappointed if you were expecting Fernando Torres and David Luiz to feature in blue. Chelsea will most likely feature its usual line-up minus any major injuries, except that of central defender Alex. The defending champions will resort to the tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation and can be expected to crank up the pressure at the Stadium of Light. Ivanovic and Terry will need to be at their very best to keep Sunderland from repeating their earlier heroics.
Asamoah Gyan and Kieran Richardson, who’s likely to feature in an advanced attacking-midfielder role, will figure as Sunderland’s main attacking options. Campbell, Turner and Meyler will be out on account of injuries and Sunderland’s hopes will rest on their spearhead Gyan. Stephane Sessegnon, Sunderland’s signing from Paris St.Germain, is likely to feature in this clash but Steve Bruce will be without the services of Sulley Muntari, who is still fighting out some visa woes and Zenden, who picked up an unfortunate injury during training.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea): The sulking Frenchman seems to find the back of the net against Sunderland with astonishing regularity. His tally currently stands at 6 goals in 6 encounters with the Black Cats. With Torres coming into the team, Anelka has even more reason to put on his scoring boots.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea FC
————————
LIVERPOOL FC
v
STOKE CITY
Anfield, Liverpool
February 02, 2011, 20:00 GMT
***
After what can be called as only a rollercoaster ride, Liverpool exit the doors of winter transfer with two prospective deals albeit they had to break the same record twice during the day. Following the sale of Kop favourite Fernando Torres to rivals Chelsea, the club had to act quickly to bring in a replacement. Andy Carroll was the answer to their prayers. But now it is time to shift focus to matters on the pitch.
The Reds will surely be brimming with confidence now that they seem to have a much stronger squad on paper and their first test would be against Stoke City at home. The Potters walked away with all three points in the previous meeting at the Britannia, but Liverpool will surely look to turn that around. Kenny Dalglish has injected the much needed change in tactics as well as confidence into a shaken Liverpool squad.
Stoke sold their star striker Sanli Tuncay to Wolfsburg and also sent out Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen’s on loan to Fulham, so Tony Pulis has shrunk his attacking options post winter transfers. John Carew though, who made his move from Aston Villa to Stoke for the rest of the season, will, in all probability, be given a starting berth. Stoke are currently 10th in the Premier League table and a win at Anfield will see them usurp Liverpool’s position at 7th. Pulis knows that is a going to be a difficult game and a lot of responsibilities rests on his defensive line.
Liverpool’s local lad Jamie Carragher makes his return to the team after a painful hiatus of nearly 3 months. Although this is no doubt good news to hear, Kenny now has to choose between Skrtel, Agger and Carragher for the two centre back positions. New signing Andy Carroll is currently injured due to a thigh strain and is most likely going to wait a little longer before he makes his Anfield debut. Suarez will feature provided the player returns on time with his work permit. Dalglish otherwise has no injury concerns and will no doubt put out a full strength squad.
Tony Pulis recently showed his disappointment over the timing of the FA cup fixture against Wolverhampton and although his team won the game 0 – 1, they now have a bigger game in hand against the Reds. Stoke travel to Anfield without any injury scares and Tony Pulis will be able to make a squad selection from his full strength team.
Overall, it is going to be a real test for Stoke City as Liverpool seems to be on the rise under Kenny Dalglish’s reign. Expect some high tempo football from this game.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): Ever since he has returned from injury, the captain has yet not settled in the pass-and-play routine. He was below par in Liverpool’s last game in the league, and we expect this would be the game wherein Gerrard starts playing the way Danglish wants him to.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City
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MANCHESTER UNITED
v
ASTON VILLA
Old Trafford, Manchester
February 1, 2011, 20:00 GMT
***
An exciting contest on the cards here as the Red Devils welcome Aston Villa at Old Trafford. While United will be looking forward to maintain their unbeaten run in the campaign and keep the 5-point cushion over second placed Arsenal intact, Villa will be keen to continue their resurgence bid which has seen them claw their way upwards from the relegation zone. After breaking their 36 years jinx at Old Trafford last season in this corresponding fixture, Villa will be drawing inspiration from that 1-0 victory and Gerrard Houllier will try all the tricks in his bag for a repeat of last year’s performance.
After staging an extraordinary come-back against Blackpool in their last premiership tie, the Red Devils trailing by a goal at the half time mark, once again launched a massive fight back to ensure a 2-1 victory against Southampton in the weekend FA Cup match. Old Trafford has been a fortress for the Red Devils this season as United registered 10 wins and 1 draw from their 11 home games so far. In all probability, it would be a tough night for Villa. Sir Alex fielded a virtually second string side for the FA Cup tie, so that his key players could start afresh in this Premiership tie. With a complete squad to choose from, the Devils would welcome Edwin Van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov back in to the starting line-up tonight.
It will be a full strength United side with Edwin on goal, shielded by the back four consisting of Rafael, Rio, Vidic and Evra. Nani will start on the right wing and the ever-green Ryan Giggs, who played a remarkable cameo role in United’s last game, is expected to partner him on the left. As Paul Scholes played full 90 minutes in the weekend Southampton encounter, he might be rested for this game. Darren Fletcher and Anderson are expected to marshal the midfield for the Manchester outfit. The good news for Red Devils ahead of this key clash is the recovery of Michael Carrick, who has regained his fitness and hence is available for selection.
After producing another scintillating performance coming off the bench, Chicarito is slowly but surely becoming the buzz among the Red Devils. The Mexican’s brilliant performance will serve as a warning for the underperforming Wayne Rooney. The message is bold and clear – perform or perish. The Bulgarian bulldog, Dimitar Berbatov, will surely be featuring in the starting line-up. The mantra for SAF will be to go on the attack from the very onset and kill the game off early.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have notched up two impressive victories in last couple of matches and hence there will be no dearth of confidence in their camp. Villa’s record signing Darren Bent has already proved his worth in front of goal and Gerrard Houlier will hope that the talismanic striker continues in the same fashion against United too. He missed the weekend FA cup actions being already cup-tied with Sunderland, and would come out all gun blazing against the Red Devils. Gabriel Agbonlahor, who scored the solitary goal in their memorable win last season, and Young are a couple of players who always perform above expectations against Manchester United, and Nemanja Vidic-led United defense will be aware of this fact. Houllier has a full-strength squad at his disposal to choose from, with the only absentee being defender Nathan Baker, who will be serving his suspension after getting the marching orders against Blackburn.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United): The Bulgarian is scoring goals for fun and is leading the Premiership Golden Boot chart with 19 goals to his name, 5 clear of his nearest rival. For the lazy but elegant striker, football is no less than an art form. Expect him to continue his goal scoring spree against Aston Villa as well. His link-up play with Anderson would be crucial and the lanky striker may prove to be too hot to handle for the Villians.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa