Premier League preview: Liverpool v Blackburn
Back in December 1998, Roy Hodgson was sacked as manager of Blackburn, after the former champions were left languishing rock bottom of the Premier League table under his leadership.
Subsequently, Hodgson’s reputation among supporters in England was left in tatters and few, if any, would have predicted he’d end up at Anfield to manage Liverpool 12 years later.
Although that’s exactly what would happen – and undoubtedly attained through merit - the 63-year-old has endured a torrid few months in his brief tenure with the Reds and finds himself on the brink of another sacking after picking up six points from eight matches. Should West Ham manage to win a point against Newcastle on Saturday evening, then Hodgson will find himself managing a club at the bottom of the league once more.
Speculation was rife on Thursday that he’d be out of a job after the Europa League tie against Napoli, but following the resulting bore 0-0 draw, the under-fire manager was handed another lifeline to prove his credentials against his former club this Sunday.
It could well be his final opportunity to impress. Liverpool’s new owners, NESV, will be in attendance at Anfield this weekend demanding a markedly improved display from the 2-0 derby defeat against Everton last Sunday. However, Rovers boss, Sam Allardyce, has promised to show no mercy to their opponents, looking for a vital victory to lift his team into the top-half.
And should that happen, Hodgson is likely to be left with an unenviable feeling of déjà vu, as well as his P45.
Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon, high-flying West Brom could break into the top four if they beat Fulham at Hawthorns. The Baggies have been the surprise package of the season under Roberto di Matteo, who can do no wrong as the club’s manager. Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United was another clear indication that the resilient West Brom are in the Premier League to stay this time, and they’ll be confident in their ability to seal maximum points against the Cottagers, who lost 2-1 against Tottenham last Saturday.
It looks an ominous weekend for Wolves, though, who face the daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. The champions haven’t conceded a single goal at home this season and have netted 14 times in just four matches at the Bridge. On the other hand, Mick McCarthy’s Wolves have failed to win away from Molineux all season. The stats suggest this should be a walkover for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have scored 16 goals against Wolves in the last four Premier League meetings between the clubs, and that’s likely to be the reality.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Ian Holloway at St Andrews, following the Blackpool manager’s outspoken comments about Wayne Rooney earlier this week, as the Seasiders take on Birmingham City. Blackpool are currently 10th in the Premier League and were rather unfortunate to lose to Manchester City last weekend. They now face a Blues side currently stuck in a perilous rut. Without a win since mid-August, this has to be the weekend that Birmingham win their second match of the campaign if they’re to salvage anything from this season.
Sunderland and Aston Villa are also in action this Saturday. Both sides have similar ambitions, with a top seven finish certainly achievable for either. But the Stadium of Light has proven a happy hunting ground for the West Midlands outfit over the past decade. Only once in the past 10 years have the Black Cats managed to beat their opponents on home territory – something which Steve Bruce will be desperate to change this weekend.
And finally, Wigan had been tipped by many to be relegated after their first two matches of the campaign, where they lost 4-0 to Blackpool and 6-0 to Chelsea. However, results have picked up since then and Roberto Martinez is no longer the market favourite to be the next manager to get the boot. The Latics are in action against rivals Bolton this Saturday afternoon, and although they’re separated by eight league places, a home win would see Wigan leapfrog Owen Coyle’s men in the table.
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