EPL Preview: It's Make Or Break Time For The Big Four

by Salaar Arshad Shamsi (Senior Writer)

741 reads

Preview/Prediction

September 25, 2008

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Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top of the table with twelve points from five games, Chelsea and Liverpool are just behind with eleven points, also from five outings, but champions Manchester United sit just above the relegation zone (that's a first!). The Red Devils are in 15th place with just five points but have played a game less than their rivals.

Everton vs Liverpool: the Merseyside Derby is one of the most awaited clashes of the season. The Reds come into the game with 2-1 victory in their Carling Cup affairs while Everton were defeated by Blackburn. Everton's latest recruit, Louis Saha, believes this result should fire the Toffees into taking all three points against Liverpool in Saturday's early kick-off.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are both available for Liverpool while Everton will be forced to do without the services of young Nigerian striker, Victor Anichebe, who is doubtful due to a shin injury.

Aston Villa, who fell to 1-0 defeat to QPR in mid-week, have been on fire in the Premier League and Sunderland escaped a shock by defeating League One strugglers Northampton Town 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Fulham play host to West Ham United. Ironically, both the Cottagers and the Hammers were knocked out of the Carling Cup in mid-week.

West Ham's manager Gianfranco Zola is hoping for a speedy revival ahead of their clash in West London.

European Champions 

The Red Devils come into the game after 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup and should have all of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Dimitar Berbatov available for selection while Micheal Carrick will be out of play until November.

A troubled Newcastle United play host to Paul Ince's Blackburn Rovers, who are hoping to have Paul Robinson fit ahead of the clash.

West Brom will travel to Middlesbrough.

Stewart Downing, Afonso Alves and Mido will be the players to watch out for from the Tee-Siders.

Chelsea will travel to Stoke City after their 4-0 thumping of Portsmouth in the Carling Cup.

The Blues should start with Didier Drogba but Ricardo Carvalho is ruled out for over a month. New signing Mineiro could replace Jon Obi Mikel for his first Premier League appearance as Deco remains sidelined.

In Saturday's late-kickoff, Arsenal will play host to Hull City.

The Gunners thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 in the League Cup, and should have Emmanuel Adebayor back alongside Robin Van Persie but Samir Nasri remains doubtful.

Portsmouth, are low on confidence. The FA Cup holders have been thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City and 4-0 by Chelsea in their last two outings.

Pompey, who will have Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch starting for them will be up against big-buying Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are currently win-less in the League but picked up a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Carling Cup.

Ramon Pavlyuchenko is a certain starter ahead of the game at Fratton Park.

Wigan Athletic play host to the revolutionized Manchester City at the JJB Stadium.

Amr Zaki and Antonio Valencia are both fit for the clash and Steve Bruce is hopeful of gaining three points but Mark Hughes and co have other ideas.

The Eastlands club are without Bulgarian winger, Martin Petrov, but are still at "full strength" with Jo, Robinho, Steven Ireland, Elano, Vincent Kompany, Richard Dunne, Shaun Wright Phillips, and Micheal Johnson all available for selection.

Predictions :

• Everton v Liverpool (1-1)
  
• Aston Villa v Sunderland (2-0)
  
• Fulham v West Ham (0-0)
  
• Man Utd v Bolton (3-1)
  
• Middlesbrough v West Brom (1-0)
  
• Newcastle v Blackburn (0-2)
  
• Stoke City v Chelsea (1-3)
  
• Arsenal v Hull City (4-0)
  
• Portsmouth v Tottenham (1-0)
  
• Wigan v Man City (1-1)
  

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comments (45) write a comment »

1. reply to comment by Tahira
   about 1 month ago

   Ok, good read, I like the prediction stuff!!!!

   I think Man City will actually win that game and I say Portsmouth will come off a little better than that, they must have some rage bottled up inside : )

   Everything else seems spot on.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Tahira..

2. reply to comment by Steven
   about 1 month ago

   Thanks for the update!

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Cheers, Steven.

3. reply to comment by Shyam
   about 1 month ago

   I agree with most of your predictions.. not sure abt Arsenal beating Hull 4-0 though!

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      I wouldnt bet against it.

4. reply to comment by Warren
   about 1 month ago

   If Liverpool draw Everton, it might be the end of their hopes of winning the league..

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      a bit strong..it's at Goodison Park..

   2. by Ankit
      from about 1 month ago

      A bit early to be saying that isn't it, we are joint second right now.

   3. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      I agree, Ankit but Liverpool cant really afford to drop points after results like Stoke.

5. reply to comment by Dave
   about 1 month ago

   Intensive break down of all matches here. How long did it take you? Portsmouth and Spurs will make an interesting game but I doubt Manchester City can be held by Wigan.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks - has Robinho won you over?

6. reply to comment by Bela
   about 1 month ago

   Good call on Man U. I doubt they will climb too high though before the end of October. We may see a battle between Chelsea and Arsenal going into late November/early December. I also agree with Warren, if Liverpool do poorly against Everton on the weekend, this could be the end of their run in the league.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Bela.

7. reply to comment by Dev
   about 1 month ago

   Nice work but just think West Ham and Man City would win and Arsenal 2-1 Hull.
   Liverpool-Everton game wont end in draw, Liverpool favorites after their weak show against Stoke!
   Agreed with rest of the predictions.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Dev..Hull beat Newcastle 2-1...Im looking at Arsenal being a lot better than Newcastle right now..

8. reply to comment by Alan
   about 1 month ago

   I don't think Mineiro will play Salaar, Scolari has said he's about 10 days away from being ready.

   Good article though btw.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks for the update, Alan!

9. reply to comment by Andrew
   about 1 month ago

   Good read Salaar. It'll be another fantastic weekend.

   1. by Salaar
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Andrew..awaiting Hot and Not..

   2. by Andrew
      from about 1 month ago

      ahhhhhhh the pressure :P

10. reply to comment by Stefan
    about 1 month ago

    poor Tottenham :), Nice read. I am eagerly awaiting the matches.

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Thanks Mr.Vasilev!

11. reply to comment by Nymkhishig
    about 1 month ago

    about pompey i think it will be a another series of "bad sunday". spurs are winless they will do everything to have theirt first one. that's my thought
    

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Time will tell..Thanks for your thought!

12. reply to comment by Salomon
    about 1 month ago

    Chelsea might struggle a bit at Stoke but we should come away comfortably with 3 points...

    Good read Salaar...

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       I doubt that..Thanks Salomon..I haven't seen a more humble Chelsea fans than you..you're always expecting the worst..no high expectations so it comes out better for you..if I remember correctly you predicted a 1-0 defeat against United.

    2. by Salomon
       from about 1 month ago

       Yeah well, being a Chelsea fan throughout the late 90's untill now, I know its dangerous to have too high expectations. That game agains United, I really did expect us to bottle it but we were rescued by my name-sake...

    3. by Alan
       from about 1 month ago

       All depends on whether Chelsea negate the threat of Delap's throw-ins Salomon...

    4. by Salomon
       from about 1 month ago

       According to Big Phil, they've been practicing different defence mechanisms against the long throw threat. I would be very disappointed if they scored a goal from a Rory Delap throw in, the way they did against Everton...

    5. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Everton's defense doesn't really have John Terry :p

    6. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Chelsea won't have Joe Cole either - so perhaps Anelka and Drogba could start together.

    7. by Salomon
       from about 1 month ago

       Well all the hype and talking, Rory Delap doesn't even make the game. He failed a fitness test right before the game. Chelsea dominating the early play so far...

    8. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       2-0 now, Anelka scored.

13. reply to comment by Benjamin
    about 1 month ago

    Great read mate, pick of the day for me. and i agree with all the results except i think spurs will draw with pompey :)

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Thanks Benjamin!

14. reply to comment by Anthony
    about 1 month ago

    Got a feeling Rooney gonna do something special this weekend. He always does well against Bolton and he's in my fantasy football line-up! Nice preview Salaar.

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Thanks Anthony..yep, he's got a hatrick against Bolton.

15. reply to comment by Yoosof
    about 1 month ago

    good read salaar. i usually do an epl preview, but if your going to do one every weekend there's no point in me really doing one anymore. anyway, i like the predictions thing, although i do disagree with the last, i feel man city will beat wigan, however i wouldn't bet against amr zaki scoring for wigan!

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       Thanks Yoosof..Time will tell..Well, I considered Man City's strength to give them the win but for two reasons I've gone with a 1-1..Zaki and the JJB stadium, away.

16. reply to comment by Maire
    about 1 month ago

    Agh Salaar you're giving Spurs no hope the poor things, I shouldn't laugh but tee he he :-) Agree on most although I think Fulham may nick a win

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       They're not giving themselves any hope either.

17. reply to comment by Brandon
    about 1 month ago

    I highly doubt Fulham and West Ham only grind out a nil-nil draw. Both teams have shown a bit of a scoring streak so far this season. My prediction would be a 2-2 draw, or someone coming out with all three and a scoreline of 3-2.

    1. by Salaar
       from about 1 month ago

       It's possible..

18. reply to comment by Zahi
    about 1 month ago

    I like the article, but I'm not sure it's make or break time yet. we're still in the 4th week.

About the Author Salaar Arshad Shamsi (senior writer)

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