Premier League Weekend Preview - Part 2
Liverpool Football Club was lying in the relegation places just over a couple of months ago but the return to form of Fernando Torres has transformed their fortunes and now they are rubbing shoulders with the top of the table in the Premier League.
Tonight, Roy Hodgson’s men will travel to Stoke on Trent to take on Potters at the Britannia Stadium. After claiming the priced scalp of Chelsea last weekend they failed to make it four wins out of four and drew against Wigan in the midweek but make no mistake
about the fact that Nando is back to his goal scoring best. With him on song it may just prove beyond Stoke to prevent them from notching up another three points tonight.
Potters, on the other hand, ended their four match barren run of no wins with three points against Birmingham on Tuesday and breathed a new lease of life into their ranks but their opponents tonight are no Birmingham but in fact the most successful side
in the history of English football.
With Roy Hodgson’s men put to prove their doubters' wrong, Stoke have more than a fight on their hands. The fact that they have not beaten Liverpool since 2009 may not provide them with the confident boost that they may require.
In another pivotal clash of the evening, West Ham will face Blackpool at Upton Park in London. Avram Grant is under increased pressure as his side is stuck at the foot of the table. The patience of the owners may run out if Grant’s men do not start churning
up the points.
Hammers have just one win this season and after they squandered three points against West Brom in the midweek, it will be extremely difficult for them to see off a resurgent Blackpool side which has scored 19 goals in 12 games.
Their confidence will be boosted by the fact that Blackpool have the worst defensive record in the league as they have conceded 25 goals this season, more than any other side this season.
Newcastle is another side in the league that is going through a topsy turvy time as after claiming the priced three points at the Emirates Stadium, they stumbled against Blackburn, losing at home. Newcastle are currently in the top six of Premier League
but it is nothing more than flattering as they have lacked consistency this season.
With Joey Baron suspended for tonight’s game against Fulham they might struggle. Fulham have not won any of their last 24 away games in the league but tonight’s match is extremely important for both the sides and both the manager are aware of this fact.
In the last two matches on Saturday, Wolves will face off against Bolton while Wigan will pit their wits against West Bromwich Albion. On Sunday, Arsenal will face off Everton in the league. Arsenal are looking to cement their position in the top three of
the table so that they can mount a challenge for the title but on Sunday, they will come up against an Everton side that is unbeaten in their last six games.
The gunners will head into the match on the back of a hard fought win against Wolves in their last match while Everton will also be proud of their recent record. The match is expected to be a feisty encounter.
The last match of this week will be played between Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea and Sunderland. The London Blues recovered from the set back at Anfield with a win over Fulham in the midweek and the Black Cats may be in for a torrid time against the run away
league leaders.
Frank Lampard is set to be out for another couple of weeks and Drogba is also struggling with malaria symptoms but he is likely to lead the Blues' attack in the match. Essien will be missing the game due to suspension.
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