English Premier League: Super Sunday Roundup and Predictions
There are three Premier League matches to be played on Sunday.
Manchester City F.C. vs. Arsenal F.C.
The biggest clash of the day is without any doubt between the two giants; Manchester City and Arsenal. City are 2nd whereas Arsenal are 5th on the league table. Ex-Arsenal players Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo
Toure will be fired up to face their old club. Especially Adebayor, since his controversial goal-celebration move did not sit well with the Arsenal fans and the player also did not try to hide his feelings.
The Citizens have become a fortress at home. They have already beaten Chelsea (their only defeat of the season so far) at home with many key players injured. Looking at their performance and standing, Arsenal should expect a tough
game on Sunday.
City’s new signing Mario Balotelli is fit at last after a long layoff and might be making his Premier League debut this Sunday.
English young midfield sensation Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) is suspended and will serve his 3 match ban by sitting on the bench.
For Arsenal, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are fit and might play in this important match. However, defenders Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia are still injured.
Adebayor’s hat-trick in the Europa League match against Lech Poznan could not have come at a better time and has created some selection dilemma for the Italian coach which is a good thing to have.
Stoke City F.C. vs. Manchester United F.C.
The 1st match of the day is going to involve the club that has been the talk of town for last few days; because of the “Wayne Rooney Saga”. Much has been already said and heard about Rooney saga. It is good for United
that Rooney has finally ended the speculation and signed a new 5 year contract. Now the players can concentrate on the pitch rather than what Rooney’s going to do.
Rooney has been ruled out for 3 weeks and will miss the clash against Stoke due to an ankle injury he picked up in training on Tuesday. Other absentees will be Ryan Giggs and Jonny Evans who are out with a hamstring and hip problem
respectively.
Ricardo Fuller (Stoke) is fighting for fitness following a shoulder injury that he sustained at Bolton last week. There are no other injury concerns but Tony Pulis may try Asmir Begovic in goal after Thomas Sorensen’s mistake against
Bolton.
This is a must win game for Red Devils, as they cannot afford to drop too far behind Chelsea.
Liverpool F.C. vs. Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Liverpool needs a win more than anyone at this stage. Down in the relegation zone, every game is a do or die for them at this stage. After giving its key players rest, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Raul Meireles
are all back.
England’s Right full back Glen Johnson is also expected to play after missing previous two games because of a hamstring problem. Daniel Agger has also recovered and might play some part in the match.
For Blackburn, Ryan Nelsen has given a fitness boost while Christopher Samba will serve suspension.
Other injury concerns are that of Keith Andrews with groin, Jason Roberts with ankle and Vince Grella with hamstring; all the above mentioned players have been ruled out.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson’s job is on the line so they must win otherwise will have to face the consequences. Since, at the moment nothing is going right for him and the Reds.
It is rumored that Fernando Torres is displeased and wants to leave in the January transfer with Manchester United and Barcelona both interested to buy him.
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