Premier League Preview – Gameweek 25
The big fixture of this weekend’s Premier League sees Liverpool faced with their second difficult away day of the week, as the Reds travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City. While Liverpool would probably settle for a point from this game, City really need to win considering they have fallen seven points behind league leaders Manchester United, following the goalless draw against QPR in their previous fixture. One feels that Liverpool will have to defend considerably better than they did at the Emirates in mid-week if they are to leave Manchester with a point.
By the time City face Liverpool, they could be ten points behind leaders United, who meet Fulham at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s teatime kick-off. Just one week ago the teams met at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, and United swept aside a woeful Fulham outfit. However, the Cottagers are a different proposition at home, and have beaten United on their home turf in previous seasons. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if United dropped points in this one.
Chelsea will hope to improve upon recent results when they meet Newcastle at St. James’ Park. The home side picked up a critical victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday, and look far better equipped to deal with the remainder of the Premier League season, having picked up several excellent signings during the January transfer window. The Blues might find a resurgent Newcastle a tough proposition to deal with.
Supporters of Tottenham were desperate to see the club bring in a forward before the transfer deadline passed, but were to be disappointed. However, Spurs remain well placed to finish in the top four, and will be hoping to cement their existing position as they travel to the Hawthorns. However, West Brom have impressed at home all season, and despite the situation surrounding Peter Odemwingie, will fancy their chances of causing the Tottenham defence a few problems. If West Brom are on their game, this could be a very hard fought contest.
Arsenal have a must win game at the Emirates against Stoke City. Having got out of jail to a certain extent in mid-week against Liverpool, the Gunners need to pick up three points here if they are to remain in touch in the race for the top four. Stoke, in truth, don’t have a great deal to play for, and with one win twenty-one away matches in the Premier League, their form doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence that they’ll be able to halt the Gunners on their home patch.
The other contender for the top four, Everton, look to have a very winnable home fixture against a team with very different concerns in the shape of Aston Villa. The away side are desperate to start picking up points after a dismal run of form, with the threat of relegation looming large over the second city’s biggest club. The Toffees will be heavily fancied to beat them, though, and with Spurs facing a difficult fixture, Everton could find themselves in the Champions League places if they come out on top.
Having splashed out on transfer deadline day, Queen’s Park Rangers have the opportunity to test out their new line-up against possibly the Premier League’s most out of form team. Norwich City could yet be one of Rangers’ relegation rivals, and there is no doubt that Harry Redknapp will have identified this fixture as one that QPR must pick up three points from.
Reading have given some incredibly gutsy performances in the last few weeks, and have another home fixture this weekend against a Sunderland side that have looked tough to beat of late. The Royals look outgunned on paper against most teams in this division, and this fixture against Sunderland looks no different, but they continue to defy the odds in picking up far more points than one would reasonably expect. While the Black Cats will certainly be looking for three points, they definitely won’t be taking the opposition lightly.
Swansea travel to Upton Park to meet a West Ham side that are desperate for points. The Hammers have been in freefall in the last couple of months, and could restore the fit again Andy Carroll to their starting line-up in an attempt to arrest their slide down the Premier League table. Swansea may have one eye on the upcoming League Cup final, but have proved a tough team to beat both home and away this campaign.
Finally, Wigan face Southampton in a true relegation battle. The away side has lately looked to be in with a good chance of pulling away from the relegation zone, but their management will be aware that a few sloppy results could easily see them sucked right back into the heart of the relegation storm. Three points for Wigan would put them level on points with the Saints, so one can see the important of this fixture for both sides.
