| |
Premier League Preview - Week 11 - November 6/7, 2010
Thursday 04 November 2010
Saturday lunchtime sees Tottenham return to Premier League duty on the back of an unforgettable Champions League victory over reigning European champions Inter Milan. They face a different task on Saturday in the form of Bolton, who may not carry the same reputation to that of Inter Milan but have won four of their last five meetings against Tottenham at the Reebok stadium and will be sure to capitalize on any European hangover that Tottenham might suffer.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Manchester United welcome Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers to Old Trafford knowing they can ill afford to lose any more ground in the title race. Despite their lowly league position of 19th, Wolves will travel to Manchester full of confidence having come from a goal down to defeat Manchester City 2-1 and record a much needed three points after a difficult start to the season.
Blackpool secured their first home victory of the season on Monday night, eventually seeing off a spirited challenge from fellow newcomers West Bromwich Albion who played with nine men for the majority of the 90 minutes. They will need to improve on Monday’s performance at the weekend when they take on an Everton side who are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games and quickly climbing the table after a sluggish start.Sunderland will be looking to put a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle behind them when they entertain Stoke at the Stadium of Light, while West Ham will travel to Birmingham on Saturday still rock bottom of the Premier League table despite a resilient performance at the Emirates last week where they came agonisingly close to a share of the spoils against Arsenal.
Sunday provides us with three more games, the first sees Arsenal face Newcastle United at the Emirates. Arsenal will be confident of a routine success after cruising to a 4-0 victory over the Magpies last Wednesday in the Carling Cup. However, on that occasion both sides rested a number of key players, with Chris Hughton’s decision to do so paying off in emphatic style when they thumped bitter rivals Sunderland 5-1 last weekend. Goals look sure to be on the menu with the two free scoring sides notching a combined total of 41 goals so far this season.
West Bromwich Albion have made an impressive return to the Premier League under manager Roberto Di Matteo and continue their quest for survival when they take on Manchester City at the Hawthorns. The Baggies have defeated Arsenal on the road, held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford and remain unbeaten in five games at the Hawthorns. Manchester City on the other hand have dropped to fourth after consecutive defeats to Arsenal and Wolves. With expectations rising significantly at Eastlands in the last few years and a title challenge now expected, City boss Roberto Mancini finds himself under increased pressure having dropped seven points behind Chelsea.
Finally, the most anticipated clash of the weekend comes from Anfield where Liverpool lock horns with Chelsea in what could be another classic meeting between the sides. Despite their league position of 13th, Liverpool will go into Sunday’s clash with renewed confidence after successive victories over Blackburn and Bolton. Chelsea though have no reason to fear a trip to Merseyside, having won four of the last seven Premier League meetings at Anfield and completed the league double over the Reds last season.
Game of the weekend: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Two giants of the English game meet for the first time this season having made contrasting starts to the Premier League season. Chelsea could hardly have been more impressive, pulling five points clear at the top with just ten games played. Liverpool on the other hand have tasted the relegation zone after a horrific start under newly appointed boss Roy Hodgson.
Blast from the past: Sunday 2nd October 2005 - Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea
Chelsea continued their dominance of the Premier League, moving nine points clear at the top with a crushing 4-1 win over Liverpool. Frank Lampard put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot before Steven Gerrard equalised just nine minutes later. The Blues went ahead once again just before the break through Damien Duff and capped a faultless display in the second half with goals from Joe Cole and Geremi to wrap up the points and shock the Anfield faithful
On this day : 10 years ago – 2000/2001
Arsenal and Manchester United continued to lead the way in the Premier League, both sides recording impressive 5-0 victories against Manchester City and Southampton. Liverpool stayed within three points back in third with a comfortable 3-1 defeat over Merseyside rivals Everton.
Five years ago - 2005/06
Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the season, beating Blackburn 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to move nine points clear at the top. Manchester United were comprehensively beaten 4-1 at Middlesbrough, dropping to 6th and trailing league leaders Chelsea by 13 points.
One year ago - 2009/2010
Nine men Liverpool suffered a 3-1 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage, while Portsmouth put problems off the pitch aside to record just their second Premier League victory of the season, Arune Dindane recording a hat-trick in their 4-0 win over Wigan.
Week 11 fixtures
Saturday 6th November
Bolton vs. Tottenham - 12.45 - Live on Sky Sports
Birmingham vs. West Ham - 15.00
Blackburn vs. Wigan - 15.00
Blackpool vs. Everton - 15.00
Fulham vs. Aston Villa - 15.00
Manchester Utd vs. Wolves - 15.00
Sunderland vs. Stoke City - 15.00
Sunday 7th November
Arsenal vs. Newcastle - 13.30 - Live on Sky Sports
West Brom vs. Manchester City - 15.00
Liverpool vs. Chelsea - 16.00 - Live on Sky Sports
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
Related Articles
| |