SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 [All times 15:00 (BST) unless otherwise stated]
Middlesbrough - Chelsea (12:45)
Many a club manager bemoan the international calender and it becomes an understandable concept when influential players return to their respective sides worn out, jaded, or worse - injured. Captain John Terry and full back Ashley Cole were sidelined for England’s midweek Belarus trip and remain a doubt for the trip to the Riverside Stadium; a ground that is notorious for upsetting teams of a perceived higher stature. ‘Boro famously halted Arsenal’s eyebrow-raising start to last season and Chelsea have made similar strides this term - they remain one of only two sides in the Premier League that go into the weekend with the aim of protecting an unbeaten seven game run. Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, and Jose Bosingwa have been added to a treatment table that already included the likes of Michael Essien, Joe Cole, Deco, and Didier Drogba, meaning Franco di Santo, Branislav Ivanovic, and even England U21 international Michael Mancienne, could receive run-outs. Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has his own injury concerns, but not on the same scale as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s. With Sanli Tuncay still recovering Southgate’s hand may be forced to partner former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere with Brazilian Afonso Alves.
Middlesbrough and Chelsea both hold interesting first and last records. For example, contrary to popular opinion, Chelsea (not Arsenal) were the first club in the history of the English league to field an all-foreign starting eleven. In December 1999 during Gianluca Vialli’s reign as manager the Blues started with De Goey, Petrescu, Thome, Leboeuf, Babayaro, Ferrer, Deschamps, Poyet, Di Matteo, Ambrosetti, and Flo. Middlesbrough on the other hand were the last team to field an all English eleven. In Steve McClaren’s final Premier League game he fielded a side that were not only English, but all born and raised in the north east of the country.
Arsenal - Everton
Arsenal’s physio’s will be working overtime as six Gunners returned from international duty requiring treatment. Captain William Gallas has suffered a hamstring complaint, Bacary Sagna is sidelined due to a knee problem, Nicklas Bendtner has knocked his ankle, and all are likley to miss the hosting of Everton. There are also question marks over the availability of influential Spanish midfielder Francesc Fabregas who has broken his nose, Robin Van Persie who has muscular problems, and Johan Djourou who is concussed. Summer signing from competitive rivals Manchester United Mikael Silvestre may make his full debut after making a reserve appearance last week. The Gunners have picked up a miserable point in their last two games after losing to Hull City at home, and leaving Wearside with a draw when a rare - and late - Cesc Fabregas header levelled the scoreline at Sunderland. Everton have also been stuttering, but the news that David Moyes has signed a new five year deal - and the stability that this will bring to the side - may rejuvenate the Mersey side back to the places they have been pushing for in past seasons.
Arsenal’s defence has come under a fair amount of flak this year, but in domestic competition they have conceded five goals from eight games. Perhaps it is the Gunners’ attack that should come under fire. Yes, Emmanuel Adebayor has scored five this term, but he has only popped up in two games. Similarly Robin van Persie is yet to find his stride. These are supposedly the elder statesmen of a young team and the onus for goalscoring falls sqaurely on them. Should a team with ambitions of lifting aloft a Premier League crown really be struggling to score at Craven Cottage, at home to West Brom, at home to Hull City, and away at Sunderland? In this fixture four seasons ago Arsenal thrashed Everton 7-0 with goals coming from Van Persie, Pires, Vieira, Pires, Edu, Bergkamp, and Flamini. The Gunners need to refind that spirit that almost embodied the wins over Bolton and Blackburn earlier in the season.
Aston Villa - Portsmouth
National treasure Harry Redknapp recently stated that in order for Portsmouth to push onto the next level they need to play up off the field. The south coast side is often cited as having one of the worst training facilities in the league, yet ‘Arry still manages to recruit great talent from all over the world. Despite winning an FA Cup last year Redknapp has insisted that the Hampshire club still lag behind the Aston Villa’s of the Premier League. “Villa have unbelievable tradition, they won a European Cup. In my opinion, they are one of the big clubs in the country,” Redknapp said earlier in the week. “There wouldn’t be much between the two teams on the pitch. But we are still growing off the pitch.” He’s right. This is a tasty tie. Both teams are challenging for the same honours this season and aim to build on the success of last year, with silverware this year. How they got there though couldn’t be more different. Redknapp tries to balance the books and is always wheelin’, dealin’, and lookin’ for a bargain… even if it meant selling on for a few mill more a month or two later: RE David Nugent. The big money departure of Sulley Muntari funded the cost of Peter Crouch, and the cockney manager was priced out of a move for Shaun Wright Phillips who returned to his boyhood club Manchester City. Martin O’Neill on the other hand was gifted an almost infinite amount of cha ching to bring in James Milner; Carlos Cuellar; Luke Young; Nicky Shorey; Brad Guzan; Brad Friedel; Curtis Davies; and Steve Sidwell.
An interesting aspect of this match is the potential midfield clash that has been talked up by the aforementioned Sidwell who is eager to come against a brief former team-mate Lassana Diarra. O’Neill admitted splashing over £50million during the summer in order to have a squad with sufficient strength in depth to cope with a congested fixture list, and now that Sidwell is nearing full match fitness, the former Reading and Arsenal educated midfielder may receive a run out on home soil.
Bolton Wanderers - Blackburn Rovers
An on form Kevin Davies will be keen to add to his growing season tally of four goals by netting in the Lancashire derby and help the Trotters put an end to an eight year winless run over their north west rivals. Greater Manchester may be witness to a capacity crowd as ticket prices have decreased at the Reebok Stadium and the blue and white stripe visitors sold their ticket allocation with ease. Unlike Wenger and Scolari, Gary Megson can boast near enough a full strength squad, his opposite number for the day Paul Ince is set to welcome Paul Robinson back after the former England international missed the previous two league games due to a calf complaint. Roque Santa Cruz is also doubtful after the Paraguayan missed his nation’s World Cup qualifiers after hobbling off the pitch at Ewood Park when Manchester United came to town. A scheduled conference today also bore bad news not only for the Rovers, but also for the Republic of Ireland as Stephen Reid requires surgery on his knee… his season is likely over.
Robinson travels to Bolton with cruel memories of relegation. Prior to the game he said: “It isn’t an easy place to go and I remember getting relegated there with Leeds a few years ago… It is a local derby and it will be a tough game, but it is one we’ll be looking to win.”
Fulham - Sunderland
After a summer of heavy investment Mackem manager Roy Keane believes Sunderland will no longer be seen as an easy three pointer. A draw with Arsenal in their last league game, a fixture that they looked to win after a Grant Leadbitter wonder goal but came unstuck in the dying minutes courtesy of a rare header from Francesc Fabregas, will have given them added confidence going into this trip to the capital city. They will have to make do without Kenwyne Jones and Nyron Nosworthy though as both are dining at the treatment table, but a strike force of Djibril Cisse and El Hadki Diouf will more than suffice for the Jones loss. Only two points and three positions separate the two sides and both have witnessed inconsistency at this level. Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson welcomes back Andy Johnson from suspension and will lead the line in a stadium that witnessed six goals during the international break when England legends took on Republic of Ireland legends, the game finished three a piece but the former Lions triumphed on penalties.
Two players on the books at Sunderland: Steed Malbranque and David Healy, used to entertain the fans in west London and will be desperate for a run out to battle against their former club. They will have to get past Fulham’s midfield schemer Jimmy Bullard first though as the 29-year old, who was recently called up to the England squad but did not feature, is determined for Fulham to return to winning ways (after a run of four losses on the spin). He said: “It’s hard to take when you’re playing well and losing… We have been playing well. After wins against Arsenal and Bolton we were flying. We played well in the next three games, better than the teams we were playing against perhaps, but not got the results. Our objective is to win [on Saturday] because there’s no point playing well all season and losing.”
Liverpool - Wigan Athletic
Fernando Torres was inconsolable after returning from international duty injured as it meant he would not feature in the midweek Champions League clash against his former club Atletico Madrid. Prior to that fixture though Liverpool host Wigan Athletic. There have been predictions of an upset at Anfield as a strike partnership of Dirk Kuyt and a thus far misfiring Robbie Keane is seen to be largely ineffective. However, the Reds saw off the threat of Manchester United when the reigning double champions visited Anfield without key performers like Torres and Steven Gerrard, but their captain returns to club duty fresh from helping England defeat Belarus where he opened the Three Lions’ account with an eye pleasing 31-yard drive. All eyes will be on Emile Heskey though, who is adjudged to be the man who is so beneficial to scouse striker Wayne Rooney’s international career. The powerful forward is enjoying an international renaissance under Italian tactician Fabio Capello and has even been linked with a return to Liverpool, such is the extent of his current adulation. Heskey even said: “When you are performing well speculation will come around. A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen. Let?s see how it goes.” Star Latic Amr Zaki though may miss out of the Merseyside visit as he was forced to withdraw from Egypt’s World Cup qualifier with Djibouti because of a calf injury.
Manchester United - West Bromwich Albion (17:30)
Prior to any 2008-09 Premier League ball being hit most fans would view this as a home banker. But the visiting Baggies have already amassed 10 points from seven matches and gave Arsenal a run for their money on the first game of the new season. They bring a good crowd with them too, and during the Emirates clash it was the midlanders who provided the most vocal support, and outsung the almost shell-shocked Gunners, despite the Arsenal securing the win. In fact, Samir Nasri’s early strike at Ashburton Grove remains the only away goal West Brom have conceded away from home in the league, and their form guide is to be admired having won four out of their last five games. United’s midfield though may be boosted by the timely recoveries of over £30million worth of talent. Both Michael Carrick and even Owen Hargreaves - who has sufferered a persistent tendinitis problem - may play their way into contention providing they pass late fitness tests. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may have one eye on the midweek Champions League Battle of Britain tie with Glasgow giants Celtic, and so veteran winger Ryan Giggs may flank the Red Devils midfield. The Welshman has recently talked up his game, citing his summer studies and acquiring the Uefa Pro (A) licence as a great help in giving him a greater understanding of the game and believes it will improve him as a player despite being in the midst of his twilight days. Should United not kill off Brom’s hopes by netting an early goal then the visitors may push on for a win as they have never, in the history of the Premier League, managed back to back away victories. Should they claim they claim the three points then they will cement their finest start to a top flight season (in it’s modern format), and the result would cause even more cloud cover on what was supposed to be a sunny and cheerful times for troubled Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 [All times BST]
Hull City - West Ham United (15:00)
To follow…
Stoke City - Tottenham Hotspur (16:00)
To follow…
MONDAY OCTOBER 20
Newcastle United - Manchester City (20:00 BST)
To follow…
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