Premier League preview: Blackburn v Chelsea
Champions Chelsea face a difficult task as they travel up to Ewood Park, a ground where their title hopes looked to have faded last year.
The draw with Blackburn made them third favourites for the title, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men responded superbly to romp to their third Premier League triumph. Chelsea are five points clear at the top this season, but while their home form has been flawless, their away form has seen them drop points.
Blackburn have nine points from nine games and are one place above the relegation zone, but there should be no more worries, as prospective new owners Venkateshwara Hatcheries, a poultry and pharmaceutical company, are looking to spice things up, promising some money for manager Sam Allardyce to spend to help the side. Although some reports suggest that it could turn out to be a paltry sum.
Second-placed Arsenal have a London derby to contend with at the Emirates as they welcome the visit of West Ham. The Gunners are flying high. Having beaten Manchester City 3-0 last weekend, they demolished Newcastle United 4-0 in the Carling Cup midweek to reach the quarter-finals.
West Ham also reached the quarter-finals of the competition, but unlike Arsenal, they are not flying high. In fact, they are not flying at all. The Hammers are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and have only won one game all season. They capitulated last week after taking the lead against Newcastle, and according to Valon Behrami, they are “a little bit scared.” Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six league matches against their east London neighbours, and it might get a bit more scary for the players because of Arsenal’s form.
Manchester City need to bounce back from their defeat to Arsenal without the injured Carlos Tévez. The club captain has flown back to Argentina to recover from a dead leg. The other half of Manchester crept above them last week in the table, so City will want to put that right with a win against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This fixture may have not been the pick for television coverage, but Aston Villa versus Birmingham City is one not to miss for both sets of supporters. Former Villa ‘keeper Peter Enckelman comes to mind when you think of this fixture. In 2002, he let the ball go underneath his feet in the 3-0 win for Birmingham and was confronted by a fan as well. Memories for both clubs, good for Blues and bad for Villa.
There is no Enckelman around, but both clubs are desperate for the win. Villa are 10th while Birmingham are 12th. One point separates the two, and it is Villa who have enjoyed the success over recent times, winning the last six encounters. Birmingham had the upper hand previously, winning four and drawing two, and will draw inspiration from that to turn the tide.
Everton have enjoyed good form recently to get themselves up the table. They beat Birmingham to get their first win. Then they beat Liverpool convincingly in the Merseyside derby, but only drew to Tottenham last week, even though they could have won had it not been for ‘keeper Tim Howard’s error.
Stoke are Everton’s opponents, and after they thought they had secured a point against Manchester United last week thanks to Tuncay Sanli’s wonder-strike, they then lost in extra-time to West Ham in the Carling Cup. Everton and Stoke are on the same points and loitering near mid-table.
Fulham also have one win and are unable to get going under Mark Hughes. Since the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool, Fulham were expected to decline, but Hughes has refused to let that happen. Wigan come to Craven Cottage, and they are doing slightly better, but only by a point. However, they are high on confidence after booking their place in the last eight of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win over manager Roberto Martinez’s old side Swansea.
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