EPL Monday Week 32; LIVERPOOL VS NEWCASTLE

LIVERPOOL LOOKING TO CLOSE IN ON MANCHESTER CITY

The Reds tackle Newcastle at Anfield tonight knowing a win takes them within four points of City and renewed hope for Champions League football next season. These are two sides licking their wounds at the moment, Liverpool having lost to both United and Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways. For Newcastle, it's one win in the last five games, and defeat in the derby to Sunderland left a deep scar to fans and players alike of Newcastle United.

Newcastle edged out the reverse fixture back in November 1-0 and the black and white army will be hoping for a repeat result tonight. Newcastle now just sit nine points adrift of safety with seven matches left to play after four losses on the bounce.

The Reds head into this game on bad form, but will be hungry than ever due to City's slip up once again on Sunday. Liverpool fans will be knowing only three points will revitalize their chances of finishing fourth at most, as second or third spot look to be out of their reach this season.

Liverpool will be without French international Mamadou Sakho who limped off against Blackburn in the FA cup quarter final replay. Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard serve their final match of their three games suspension and Adam Lallana has a groin problem. Rodgers will be delighted to welcome back Jordan Ibe to the line up as well as Emre Can who returns from suspension. Daniel Sturridge should be fit after complaining of muscle tightness while Mario Balotelli may well have recovered from illness.

Newcastle captain Fabriccio Coloccini and stiker Papiss Cisse are suspended while Rolando Aarons and Siem De Jong are back in training but will not make if for this fixture. Long term absentees Cheick Tiote and Steven Taylor are still out.


Probable Line ups;

Liverpool (3-4-2-1)
Mignolet; Can, Lovren, Toure; Markovic, Henderson, Allen, Moreno; Coutinho, Sterling; Sturridge.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1)
Krul; Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Jonas; Colback, Sissokho; Gouffran, Cabella, Ameobi; Perez.


Key Players

Philipe Coutinho - With six goals in all competitions, the little Brazilian will be the man to watch. He netted the winner vs Blackburn that sent Liverpool to Wembley for a FA cup semi-final clash vs Aston Villa.

Moussa Sissokho - Tall, energetic, powerful, pacey and a wonderful striker of the ball. This guy has it all. One of the best attacking midfielders when running at the defense, probably on Yaya Toure betters him. If he's on his game, Henderson and Allen will have a long night. He is the key to Newcastle getting anything out of this.

Prediction; Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle

Newcastle just look out of sorts at the moment and with nothing really to play for, while Liverpool know only victory will have them dreaming of Champions League football again.

EPL Week 32 Sunday Preview

DERBY SUNDAY, QPR HOST CHELSEA, UNITED AND CITY TO BATTLE AT THE THEATER OF DREAMS

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY

Two colors will fill the streets of Manchester this, the red of United and the sky blue of their cross town neighbors City as the battle to claim Manchester takes center stage but only one color will be left lighting the streets, will it be red or sky blue?

Their is no doubt United are the in form side of the two but how City enjoy this clash, out of form or not, I'm sure we'll see the best of City. United have only won one of the last five meetings and have only netted twice in the previous clashes against their rivals. They won't have picked a better time to face the Champions, confidence is low and mentally weak, City are vulnerable. United on the other hand are full of confidence and riding high, dangerous is what they are at the moment.

City have dominated this fixture for the best part of four seasons and have stumped a sky blue mark of authority all over Manchester. They go into this match 4th in the table and crucial players out of form i.e Sergio Aguero. A performance reminiscent of the display against Crystal Palace where the build up play was labored, slow and sluggish, they'll be walking off the Old Trafford pitch with their heads down and tails tucked in between their legs.

City are in poor form, but let's not focus on the negatives because this is a side that can give a good hammering to the best of best on their day, United fans will know too well about that. If Pellegrini get's his formation and tactics right, I really fancy City to walk away with 3 points today but if that all goes wrong, Manchester will be all red after all is said and done.

United haven't been anything close to perfect but they are getting the job done both at home and away from home. They know it's City, they are well aware it won't be a stroll in the park. Both teams need to win, Arsenal's victory over Burnley yesterday has made this game even more important than it already was. A draw will suit the Gunners, as they'll have some breathing space between them and the challengers.

United welcome back Robin Van Persie to the squad following an ankle injury but defenders Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will miss out due to illness and a hamstring injury.

City's captain Kompany faces a late fitness test, while strike duo Wilfried Bony (ankle and knee) and Stevan Jovetic (muscle strain) are sidelined.


Probable line ups

Manchester United (3-5-2)
De Gea; Jones, Evans, Rojo; Valencia, Herrera, Blind, Fellaini, Young; Di Maria, Rooney.

Manchester City (4-4-2)
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Aguero.


Prediction; Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City

This is a hard one to call, United are in form, City just know how to play against them, so I'm stuck in between. A score draw looks likely given both teams fluency in attack but at the back there are question marks over both sides.

If LVG goes with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, I see them losing especially if City deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation to allow Yaya the freedom to steam roll forward. All in all, it's a must win game for both side and it will come down to who is the more hungrier between them.


QPR vs CHELSEA

The West London derby will be the early kick off today as QPR entertain Chelsea at Loftus road. Rangers are still fighting for survival and were very impressive last time out at Aston Villa where they recorded a 3-3 draw and at West Brom where they won 4-1. Of course their opponents today are of a different caliber, but they'll be going into this one full of confidence.

QPR sit two points adrift of safety while their opponents are comfortable at the top of the table four points ahead of second place Arsenal with two games in hand. With games running out, QPR will be aware that they have limited time to escape the drop and will be wanting all 3 points today.

Mourinho's men can afford a slip up and still feel comfortable at the top, but with fixtures against United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come, they know it's far from won yet.

Diego Costa will miss the clash due to a hamstring injury while playmaker Cesc Fabregas will have a protective mask on after breaking his nose and along side Nemanja Matic is one booking away from a two match ban with United and Arsenal up next.

QPR have a long list of absentees and the most crucial are Eduardo Vargas, Leroy Fer, Rio Ferdinand and Richard Dunne who will all miss the match today due to various injuries.

Prediction; QPR 1-3 Chelsea

Hard to see Chelsea slipping up in this one, and with Hazard on banging form, another win is written on the cards.
 

 

EPL WEEK 32 SATURDAY PREVIEW

IT'S SWANSEA VS A RESURGENT EVERTON, SPURS HOST VILLA AND THE GUNNERS HEAD TO TURF MOOR

 

 SWANSEA VS EVERTON

 A resurgent Everton side head into South Wales in a run of good form, another three points here and they'll be wondering where this form had gone earlier in the season. We all know the Liberty stadium isn't an easy place to visit and Roberto Martinez will be well aware of the threat Swansea pose on home turf. The toffees are on a run of three consecutive victories, the best run they've had this season.

Swansea on the other hand recorded their first ever victory against Everton back in September, a thumping 3-0 victory in the third round of the Capital one cup at the Liberty stadium. Swansea are on good form, a victory takes them past their highest point tally in the Premier League 0f 47.

Angel Rangel is set to return to the starting 11 in place of injured Kyle Naughton who picked up an ankle injury in the victory over Hull city while Pacey winger Jefferson Montero faces a late fitness test.

Everton have a number of injury concerns, the most worrying is Romelu Lukaku who will have a late fitness test to determine his place in the squad. Aiden McGeady, Darron Gibson, Bryan Oviedo and Tony Hibbert will not make the team due to various injuries.

Prediction; Swansea 1-1 Everton

Swansea are a tough side to beat at home, Everton are on the form of their lives. To me this has one result scribbled on the wall, a draw. Should be an entertaining match to open the weekend, and I'm expecting both sides to cancel each other out.


SOUTHAMPTON VS HULL

Both these sides lost last weekend to Everton and Swansea respectively and both will be hoping to bounce back in style. Southampton have seen their Champions League hopes vanish in a couple of months but are still hoping to make it to the Europa League at least. The Saints will be looking for a third consecutive home win when the Tigers come to town but it's never easy against a relegation threatened outfit. The home team have won the last five of this fixture and will be looking to make it six as they tussle with Liverpool and Tottenham for a place in next seasons Europa League.

Hull were poor against Swansea in the last outing and another performance like that today will have Steve Bruce running for cover. The Tigers put on a great showing against run away leaders Chelsea not too long ago and a performance reminiscent of that will be more than welcomed by Steve Bruce.

Ronald Koeman welcomes back Steven Davis after he missed the trip to Goodison Park with a groin injury, but Filip Djuricic (ankle) misses out. Shane Long is set to lead the line against his former club.

Hull midfielder Meyler serves the first game of a three-match ban, but Tom Huddlestone is available to return after serving a two-game suspension. Gaston Ramirez is ineligible to face his parent club. Curtis Davies and Andrew Robertson should be back in the line up.


SUNDERLAND VS CRYSTAL PALACE

 Alan Pardew takes his new side Palace to his old rivals Sunderland and will definitely want a performance par to the performance against Manchester City that yielded three points . Sunderland were victorious in the Tyne-Wear derby thanks to a Jermaine Defoe left foot volley. Despite that win, the Black Cats just sit three points ahead of the drop and will want nothing less than three points.

Sunderland have a goal scoring problem, and have only netted more than twice on two occasions this season, one of them was against Palace in the reverse fixture which they won 3-1. This is definitely a better Palace side than they one they faced before, under Pardew, the Eagles have shown some mental strength and desire to win games and this shall be a tough game for Dick Advocaat's men.

Set piece specialist Sebastian Larson begins his two match suspension after receiving his 10th yellow card of the campaign against Newcastle last weekend. Experienced defender Wes Brown, Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez all remain sidelined due to injuries. 

Alan Pardew will welcome back Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak who has completed his four match suspension but strikers Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell are not yet fit while Jordan Mutch is also sidelined with a thigh problem.

Prediction; Sunderland 1-2 Crystal Palce

The Eagles just look perfect.....okay not perfect but good under Pardew and I see them winning this but not as comfortably. Both teams will be on a high following impressive results last weekend. Sunderland are desperate for three points but I don't see them getting it.


TOTTENHAM VS ASTON VILLA

Tim Sherwood returns to White Hart Lane hoping for good fortunes against his previous employers and will be hoping in form striker Christian Benteke can fire his side to victory. Villa rescued a valuable point midweek at home to QPR to keep them two places above the drop thanks to a Benteke hat trick.

Spurs have won the last five meetings in this fixture netting two or more goals in the process. Villa haven't won at Spurs since 2008 and all Villa fans will be hoping Sherwood can register a first victory in six seasons in a ground he knows so well. Spurs were lethargic in their last outing and will have to vastly improve if their to pick up all 3 points.

A victory for Spurs will push them ahead of Liverpool who are not in action till Monday and four points behind struggling City who have a crunch derby affair against neighbors United tomorrow. Defeat for Villa will leave them looking over their shoulders so they'll have to pick up a point at least.

Hugo Lloris and full-back Kyle Walker are both set to miss this one. Apart from that Pocchetino should have a full squad to chose from.

Alan Hutton, Scott Sinclair and Ashley Westwood are all set to be out and long term injury Libor Kozak is still sidelined with a broken leg. Aly Cissokho is set to return.

Prediction; Tottenham 2-0 Aston Villa

Villa just never look the part away from home and I see them struggling in this one. Spurs should run out easy 2-0 winners and put more pressure on the teams around them.


WEST BROM VS LEICESTER CITY

Leicester City travel to the Hawthorns looking for another victory following their impressive victory against West Ham last weekend. That win has given the side a bit of hope in their chances of survival and another win today shall really have the foxes fans hoping even more.

West Brom will be disappointed with their showing last weekend in front of their home crowd as they were thumped 4-1 by a team that has generally struggled away from home this season, QPR. That defeat has definitely left them just looking over their shoulders as their now just seven points ahead of the relegation zone.

West Brom will be hoping for a result similar to the reverse fixture in which they picked up a 1-0 win and continued their winning results against Leicester making it four consecutive victories.

Craig Dawson will be available for Tony Pulis but Yusuf Mulumbu starts his three game suspension following his red card for elbowing Joey Barton while Matt Upson and Dean Hammond will be available for Leicester city.

Prediction; West Brom 3-1 Leicester City

West Brom did get hammered last weekend at home to QPR, chances of them getting hammered again today at home is very unlikely according to me. Tony Pulis must have been working on went wrong in the course of the week and I expect West Brom to be too strong for Leicester city.


WEST HAM VS STOKE

Both these sides are in poor form and both will be looking to end their slumps. The Hammers have lost three in four while Stoke have lost three consecutive games. West Ham have been a surprise this season and are probably comfortable in 9th spot. Lets not forget these sides are 9th and 10th in the table only separated by goal difference.

The previous fixture ended in a 2-2 draw, West Ham coming from two goals down. At that time West Ham were probably in the best form they've ever been in and they weren't familiar with the term losing. They'll have to turn things around though as they are winless in last three games against Stoke.

The Hammers who have won one of their last nine Premier League games will be without Andy Carroll once again, Doneil Henry and James Tomkins who has undergone a shoulder surgery but welcome back Ecuador forward Enner Valencia.

Marc Wilson will be available for the Potters, Jon Walters as well, who has been training this week.

Prediction; West Ham 1-1 Stoke

I see a draw in this one, both teams in bad form but comfortable in mid-table. Nothing here to play for really, but it will depend on who wants the win more.


BURNLEY VS ARSENAL

Burnley welcome the last of the top eight teams they've faced in consecutive weeks to Turf Moor. The Clarets are second from bottom although picked up a much needed point against Spurs last time out after a great showing that should have seen them pick up three instead.

Arsenal are on fire, and are my bet to finish runners up to Chelsea this season. They were emphatic against Liverpool last weekend absolutely obliterating a Liverpool side that in all honesty couldn't tell their left from right that day. An eighth successive Premier League win for the Gunners will see them go four and five points clear of United and City who clash horns tomorrow.

These kind of games are never easy for the big guns at such a pivotal point of the season. Burnley are well aware that only three points is good enough at this point of the campaign but face a daunting task against the leagues in form side.

Burnley will be without midfielder Dean Marney and defender Kevin Long, both long term absentees but welcome back winger Ross Wallace, right back Steven Reid and Matt Taylor after a seven month injury lay off.

Arsenal will be without Laurent Koscielny who is suffering from a groin injury and keeper Wojciech Szczesny who has a rib problem.

Prediction; Burnley 1-3 Arsenal

Arsenal are just on fire and it's hard to see them losing at the moment. Ozil looks to be back at his very best and the rest of the team is playing wonderful football. So all I see in this is an Arsenal win, if they get it going like they did against Liverpool, Burnley are in for a long 90mins.

EPL Week 31: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Preview

PARDEWS' MEN LOOK TO INFLICT FURTHER MISERY ON CITY

Alan Pardews' men who sit comfortably 12th on the table will be looking to inflict further damage on a side who not too long ago looked like the only team with a possible chance of catching run away leaders Chelsea. How things have changed, City now sit 4th behind Arsenal and cross town rivals United. A big drop in form has seen them win only twice in their last 5 games in all competitions, losing the other three including a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona that saw them get knocked out of the Champions League.

City know nothing less than 3 points will be good enough, they'll have to match their performance at Selhurst Park last season if they are to walk away victorious. Then and only then they can hope of overhauling Chelsea a task that looks impossible to me even if they do win. What's even worse for all City fans is that, a defeat will leave them a point off rivals United heading into the Manchester derby this coming Sunday.

Palace come into this game on the back of two victories against QPR and Stoke city but have failed to record points against City in the last seven games failing to score a goal in the four most recent meetings. Marouane Chamakh remains sidelined with a hamstring injury so as to Fraizer Campbell, while Mile Jedinak is suspended and Jordon Mutch misses out with a thigh injury.

City will welcome back Yaya Toure who missed the 3-0 win against West Brom due to an achilles injury and Aleksandr Kolarov who had a thigh problem.


Probable line-ups;

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
Speron; Dann, Delaney, Kelly, Ward; Ledley, McArthur; Bolasie, Zaha, Puncheon; Murray

Manchester City (4-4-2)
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Silva; Aguero, Bony.


Key Players

Crystal Palace

Yannick Bolasie; His pace and trickery can cause defenders problems, whichever wing he is deployed, Kolarov and Zabaleta will have to be sharp the whole 90 minutes.

Wilfried Zaha; Another talented winger with a lot of tricks up his sleeve. Expect to see the three players playing behind the front man to rotate at will. This may cause City problems.

Jason Puncheon; At his game he can cause trouble. He'll have to be at his very best and link up well with the players around him if Palace are to get anything.

Manchester City

David Silva; Probably the best playmaker in the league, his vision and passing ability can split the tightest of defense open. Ledley and McArthur will have to find away to stop him as he'll be drifting more central from out wide.

Yaya Toure; City will be glad to have the powerhouse back to the line up. His runs from midfield that look like an electric train in full speed will definitely cause problems to the Palace defense.

Sergio Aguero; His form has been a worry, but all it takes this man is one sniff at goal and he will punish you. Allow him too much space and pay the price.


Prediction; Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City

Selhurst Park is never an easy place to go just ask Spurs and Liverpool fans. When Crystal Palace get going they have so much pace in attack that they can hurt the best of teams. Unfortunately, City HAVE TO WIN! so they won't be taking this game lightly. They will just do enough to win it with Aguero scoring the winning goal.



 

EPL Week 31 Sunday Preview

TYNE-WEAR DERBY AND SPURS HARRY-KANE VISIT TURF MOOR

One of the most gruesome derbies in English football takes center stage today as arch-rivals Sunderland and Newcastle go head to head. Elsewhere, Pocchetino takes his Harry-Kane Spurs side to Turf Moor to battle relegation threatened Burnley.

BURNLEY VS TOTTENHAM

The Clarets just sit a point of safety welcome a side who have their eyes on a top 4 finish. Burnley have had a tough run thus far having played six teams from the top half of the table, make it seven after today's game and eight when Spurs London neighbors Arsenal visit Turf Moor next weekend. The Clarets will be in high hopes as both Manchester clubs have failed to leave Turf Moor with 3 points this season, United drawing while City lost not too long ago.

Spurs of course bring something different in the form of Harry Kane, the leagues most in form player at the moment. Aside from the defeat at Old Trafford where Kane was a mere spectator, he has been banging in the goals from all angles, a hat-trick against Leicester in their last outing and how about scoring 79 seconds into your international debut?! A victory for Spurs will see them move into 5th place.

Spurs will be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who is suffering from a leg injury and Roberto Soldado. Stephen Ward returns for Burnley but Matt Taylor is still unavailable.

Prediction; Burnley 1-2 Tottenham

Burnley will put in a good effort but Harry Kane is on the form of his life and we all expecting him to notch up the winning goal.

SUNDERLAND VS NEWCASTLE

 

The Stadium of Light is the venue for the Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland host the fiercest rivals Newcastle with new manager Dick Advocaat looking to continue The Black Cats impressive run of results against Newcastle. Sunderland are unbeaten in the last six meetings against the Toons, winning the last four games conceding only once in the process.

Newcastle will be hoping to get one over their rivals but will have to do it without the services of Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse who are both suspended but Mehdi Abeid returns from a thigh injury. The only absentee for The Black Cats is experienced defender Wes Brown, Lee Cattermole returns from suspension.

Prediction; Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle

Newcastle really have nothing to play for but pride and bragging rights. They sit 10 points off the relegation zone and 9 from their opponents. Sunderland are desperate for a victory to give them a bit of breathing space from the three bottom clubs. With more at stake for Sunderland, I see them continuing their impressive run against Newcastle. It won't be easy but they'll just edge it out.