Premier League preview - Week 6 - September 25/26
There was no shortage of Carling Cup drama in midweek with Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City all crashing out in the third round. All those sides that suffered defeats will be eager to put it behind them and get back on track with a victory this weekend.
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off sees top four hopefuls Manchester City welcome league leaders and current Premier League champions Chelsea to the City of Manchester Stadium for a mouth-watering encounter. City have spent well once again this summer, adding much needed depth to a squad already brimming with class. Roberto Mancini will be disappointed with an eight point total from their opening five games and will know they can ill-afford to keep dropping points against less-illustrious opposition if they are to achieve a place in the Champions League next season. Carlo Ancelotti on the other hand couldn’t be happier with the start Chelsea have made, collecting the full 15 points on offer so far and pulling four points clear at the top of the league table. Their ability to cope in the absence of injured John Terry and Frank Lampard will have pleased Ancelotti the most and his first team regulars will be raring to go after being rested during their midweek Carling cup defeat at the hands of Newcastle.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways when they face West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger watched on as his side agonisingly conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time against Sunderland last week, proving for all their attacking flair and devastating football, grinding out wins away from home is still a work in progress for the Gunners. They should have no problems when they return to the Emirates on Saturday though, picking up two wins and scoring ten goals in their two Premier League home fixtures so far this season. West Brom have always struggled to establish themselves as a Premier League club, yo-yoing between the top tier and the Championship for the past decade. However, local rivals Wolves and Birmingham have both shown it can be done in recent years and manager Roberto Di Matteo will be delighted with his team’s start, currently occupying a place in the top half of the table.
The London derby between West Ham and Tottenham rarely fails to live up to expectations. Spurs have won the five most recent meetings between the sides and Harry Redknapp will hope to continue his side’s dominance of the fixture at Upton Park this Saturday. Blackpool will play just their second Premier League fixture at Bloomfield Road when they entertain Blackburn. The Seasiders were comprehensively outplayed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, but boss Ian Holloway will be far from concerned as they go in search of another three points, having already secure victories against Wigan and Newcastle this season.
Manchester United are not in action until Sunday afternoon when they travel to the Reebok Stadium to take on Bolton. With Chelsea playing a day earlier, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could be seven points off the top come Sunday lunchtime, making victory essential on Sunday if they are to stay in touch.
Game of the weekend: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
The two big spenders of English football do battle on Saturday lunchtime, with Chelsea looking to extend their 100 percent record in the league to seven games. Manchester City have hopes of repeating Chelsea’s rise to the top of European football and there have been signs in recent seasons that they’re not far away, not least the memorable double they completed over Chelsea in the Premier League last season, ending a run of eight consecutive defeats against the champions.
Blast from the past: March 4, 2007 - West Ham 3-4 Tottenham
Tottenham twice came from behind to defeat bitter rivals West Ham 4-3 in an unforgettable encounter at Upton Park. Tottenham came back from two goals down to level at two apiece and the sides looked to be heading for a share of the spoils. A frantic finish saw Bobby Zamora put West Ham back ahead on 85 minutes before Tottenham again battled back, first on 89 minutes through Dimitar Berbatov before Paul Stalteri fired home in added time to secure a remarkable victory for Spurs.
On this day: 10 years ago - 2000/01
Manchester United and Leicester City continued to lead the way at the top of the Premier League, both maintaining their unbeaten starts to the campaign. Three goals in a crucial 11 minute first half spell helping the Red Devils to a 3-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
Five years ago - 2005/06
Champions Chelsea made it six successive wins with a 2-0 success over fellow high-fliers Charlton, who remain second despite their first defeat of the season. Elsewhere, Bolton moved into the top four, an injury-time penalty from Gary Speed securing a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester City.
One year ago - 2009/10
A thrilling Manchester derby went the way of Manchester United, with Michael Owen scoring the winner deep in stoppage time to secure a 4-3 victory. Liverpool showed plenty of fight at Upton Park, coming from behind twice to defeat the Hammers 3-2, with Fernando Torres grabbing a brace.
Week 6 fixtures
Saturday September 25, 2010
Manchester City vs. Chelsea - 12.45 - Live on Sky Sports
Arsenal vs. West Brom - 15.00
Birmingham vs. Wigan - 15.00
Blackpool vs. Blackburn - 15.00
Fulham vs. Everton - 15.00
Liverpool vs. Sunderland - 15.00
West Ham vs. Tottenham - 15.00 - Buy Official tickets
Sunday September 26, 2010
Bolton vs. Manchester Utd - 13.30
Wolves vs. Aston Villa - 14.05 - Live on Sky Sports
Newcastle vs. Stoke - 16.10 - Live on Sky Sports
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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