Tuesday Premier League Preview
There is no doubt that Manchester City’s form has picked up in recent weeks, and the defending league champions gave a thoroughly efficient and high-class performance in eliminating Stoke City from the FA Cup over the weekend. With Manchester United playing on Wednesday, City have an opportunity to put pressure on the current league leaders, as they face bottom of the table QPR on Tuesday. Rangers took an absolute battering from League One MK Dons in their previous fixture, though in a sense a fixture in which the pressure is absolutely off the home side might suit them under the circumstances.
David Silva has recaptured his best form in recent weeks, and when the Spaniard is prompting City’s attacks with his perceptive and accurate passing then their team often looks like the best and most efficient in the Premier League, despite the prolific attacking play of Manchester United. Should he keep it up and City continue to achieve good results in the absence of Yaya Toure then the title race will be far from a foregone conclusion.
Aston Villa meet Newcastle at Villa Park; two big clubs on the verge of relegation. Of the two, the threat of the away side being demoted to the Championship would seem to be more remote, particularly as they have been very active in the transfer window, securing the signings of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko, with possibly more to come.
It would seem that a first-team of Krul, Debuchy, Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Gouffran and Cisse ought to be more than good enough to stay in the division. Villa, by contrast, haven’t dipped into the market at all, and are relying on the young squad that have seriously struggled in recent weeks. Newcastle will hope to start picking up some wins sooner rather than later, and a fixture against this struggling Villa outfit will look an attractive prospect to pick up three points, particularly as they play Chelsea and Tottenham in their next two matches.
Stoke City will attempt to recover from their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester City with a home fixture against Wigan Athletic. The Latics look to be in with a real threat of being relegated this season, with no apparent upturn in their form tangible yet, as the club have steadily slumped down the division and currently sit second bottom. The away side would probably take a point from the exceptionally tricky trip to the Britannia Stadium.
Finally, Sunderland host Swansea City in a match between two teams that look to be secure in mid-table at present. Swansea have had the smoother run through the season, but Sunderland’s recent excellent form and physical toughness might see them win this one, particularly with their excellent home support behind them.
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