Premier League Preview Part 2
Contd. from Part 1
Liverpool’s topsy turvy form in the season continued in the Europa League as they put in another abject display to draw 0-0 with FC Utrecht of the Netherlands but a point was enough for Roy Hodgson’s men to secure their path to
the last 32 of the Europa League.
Liverpool’s form in the league has been better, of late, having secured 16 points from the last 18 and on Saturday they will be confident of winning all three points when they host Roy Hodgson’s ex-employers Fulham. Hodgson will
be hoping that his ex-employers can provide him with some festive cheers ahead of Christmas at Anfield.
Mark Hughes, since taking over the reins from Hodgson has failed to get his team firing on all cylinders and there have been more draws than wins under him at Craven Cottage but a win against Liverpool could just prove to be the
exact tonic that his side needs.
Liverpool on the other hand have been on the road to resurrection in the League and a win on Saturday will see them climb a little further up a very tight Premier League table after a dismal start to the season. With the top four
within sight, maybe Roy Hodgson’s men can prepare for a final onslaught on the title after the New Year but that still remains a farfetched thought and first up is Fulham this Saturday.
On Sunday, when West Bromwich Albion takes on the Wolves at the Hawthorns, the fans can be sure of a fiery midlands derby as both sides will not be willing to settle for anything less than a win. It will be the second derby in
a row for both the sides as last time out, Mick Mcarthy’s men earned a narrow win over the Birmingham Blues while Baggies lost to Gerrard Houllier’s Aston Villa last week. The Wolves are still searching for their first win away from home and are desperately
entangled in a fight to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League and if the Baggies earn all three points this week they will be left feeling like the Christmas turkeys.
Another exciting match on the weekend will be played between Sunderland and Bolton at the Stadium of Light and with Bolton in the form of their lives, the going may get a little tough for Steve Bruce’s men. Just one place separates
the two sides and with both the teams in contention for a European spot the game promises to be an all action encounter.
Tottenham Hotspurs will also be in buoyant mood after getting a visit to San Siro again in the Champions League to fact AC Milan and will be looking for all three points against a Blackpool side that has been unpredictable at best
in the league. Bloomfield Road is expected to be jam packed for the visit of the Spurs and with some sparkling performances under their belt at their own den, the Seasiders will be no pushovers on Saturday.
In the other matches of the weekend, Alan Pardew will be looking to extend his winning start to his Newcastle career with an away game against Birmingham but it may not be easy as Birmingham have been very impressive at home of
late.
Gerrard Houllier’s Aston Villa, who faces relegation, threatened Wigan this week whole. Manchester City will host Everton in the only Monday night clash of the weekend.
Ther Premier League matches to be played this weekend are as follows:
Saturday
Sunderland v Bolton
Arsenal v Stoke
Birmingham v Newcastle
Blackburn v West Ham
Wigan v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Fulham
Sunday
West Brom v Wolves
Blackpool v Tottenham
Chelsea v Man Utd
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