Английская Премьер Лига Previews: Ноябрь 28-29

So we've all heard about Sunday's trio of derby-day delight, but with would-be top four contenders Aston Villa and Tottenham facing off, as well as intriguing ties lower down the table between Blackburn and Stoke, West Ham and Burnley and Wigan and Sunderland, there is plenty to keep us entertained on Saturday.

Manager-less Portsmouth have the arduous task of hosting Man United, something the incoming manager will probably be relieved to have missed, while Phil Brown will hope his Tigers can build on their mid-week defeat of Everton away to Man City, as his job is still far from safe.

Talking of precarious managerial roles, Gary Megson's time at Bolton is also hanging in the balance, and a trip to Fulham will not be one he or his side relish. In terrible form and producing eye-sore football, the Trotters are not winning any plaudits, games or fans this season.

Gianfranco Zola has probably had worse results than the Ginger Mourinho, but the Italian's brand of good football has probably kept him further away from the sack, though, in a results-based business, he too must be far from comfortable at Upton Park. With Burnley visiting on Saturday, the Hammers will expect three points, particularly when considering their opponents' away form. Either way, West Ham are very much in a relegation battle.

Sunday sees the Merseyside derby, with each club badly needing a result to turnaround the gloom felt on both sides of the city. Newly promoted duo Wolves and Birmingham contest the Midlands derby while Arsenal visit Chelsea, desperate to put the brakes on what has been an eery opening to the campaign for the hosts; who look very much the champions-elect.

That game, is our fixture of the week, as Написал Steven Fitch.

So, big game this weekend eh? Blue versus red, city rivals battling it out for local pride, the one game each team wants to win more than any other this season...oh, hang on, am I not previewing the Everton vs Liverpool game?

Oh, OK, in that case I shall whet your appetite for what potential could be the game of the season thus far as rampaging Chelsea travel to free scoring Arsenal this Sunday.

So in the blue corner with a sensational record of 13 games, 11 wins, (and quite a few of those coming by way of pretty hefty knockout) we have Chelsea. The front runners, the form horse, pretenders for the crown, pound for pound the best team in Europe I have heard some cry.

Well, it's quite tough to argue against such an outburst at present. The blues have a five point lead in the Premiership, haven't conceded a goal in seven of their last eight games and are close to averaging three league goals a game.

Everywhere you look on the pitch, and on their bench, and in their reserves for that matter, they have match-winners and it is this strength in depth which will worry the teams chasing them the most.

At times this season Chelsea have been without Lampard (who will be out this weekend too), Bosingwa, Ballack, Drogba, Cech, Joe and Ashley Cole and it has not seemed to bother them one iota. Such is the depth available to coach Carlo Ancelotti along with the form of players like Terry, Anelka and Essien (who for me is the best Chelsea player of the lot), you never seem to notice when these big players are missing.

So can anyone out there stop this Abramovich funded juggernaut? Well..

In the red corner, giving away a sizeable strength and point advantage, but still with an impressive eight knockouts from 12 starts this term we have Wenger's La Resistance, sorry Arsenal.

Equally impressive going forward (a colossal 36 goals in just 12 games), nearly as thrifty at the back (14 conceded), and an all-star international line-up that wouldn't look out of place at a Jackson funeral (too soon?)

However, and this is where the two teams primarily differ, year upon year Arsenal just show that air of fallibility usually just when you begin to think this year may be their year. Last weekend was the prime example, coming off a run of four straight wins including Spurs and Liverpool, Wenger's men go to Sunderland and lay an egg, losing 1-0.

It's also a fact that Arsenal have so far, Spurs aside, failed to beat any of the league’s top six, their other two defeats this season both coming in Manchester.

So, what's likely to happen Sunday? Well for me the game will be won and lost in midfield. Манчестер Юнайтед showed against Chelsea a few weeks back that winning that particular area, while not shutting Chelsea down, can certainly slow them down and United were rather unfortunate to lose that game.

Arsenal have the players in Fabregas and Arshavin to cause untold damage to that watertight Chelsea back-line, but they will need to win the battle first. Players such as Diaby and Song need to win the physical duel between Essien and Ballack to allow Arsenal's creative unit to function fully. If Chelsea dominate in the middle trenches it could be a long afternoon for the men from North London.

Form-wise Arsenal's home record has been tremendous. They have won nine of their last 10 home games scoring 40 goals into the bargain. Unfortunately that sole home defeat came against Sunday’s opponents as Chelsea dished out a 4-1 thumping at the Emirates last season.

Chelsea's away form until recently was nearly as faultless as their home form, however, back-to-back away defeats to Wigan and Aston Villa had given them a slight case of travel sickness. Still it's eight wins from their last 10 away games and they will have the slaughter of last season’s fixture fresh in their minds.

Should be a belter this, both teams will look to attack, both have been scoring at will and, on their given days, both can pretty much beat any other. However, it's Chelsea who have been having more of these days recently and I expect their tremendous roll to continue. It may not have the raw emotion of a Merseyside derby but don't for a second think anyone inside the Emirates this Sunday will be taking it any less seriously.

Verdict: Blues looking very much the heavyweights as they deliver another knock-out blow to title contenders.

Rest of the fixtures:

Saturday, 28th Ноябрь 2009

Aston Villa vs Tottenham: The game should be an attacking one, which will be keenly fought by two teams that neutrals will be willing on to invade the top four. Spurs’ greater squad depth may well give them a better chance at doing this come Май, but on Saturday night it will be the team from the Midlands who are smiling.

Blackburn vs Stoke: Not going to be the purest game of football seen this season and, for that reason, we're predicting a stifling draw which won't be disastorous for either outfit.

Fulham vs Bolton: Fulham have an impressive home record and will hope to heap more misery on the team from Greater Manchester that may see Gary Megson’s contract edging closer to Phil Gartside’s shredder.

Man City vs Hull: City need to re-discover the winning groove and this could play into Hull's favour as the Tigers have rediscovered their killer touch. Score draw.

Portsmouth vs Man United: It won't be a walk-over for the Champions, but United will have had much sterner away trips than this one; Pompey's pride keeping the score down, though.

West Ham vs Burnley: It is unlikely to be a classic but if the London side use their home advantage against a side which is very poor on the road then they have no excuse for not gaining the three points they so desperately need.

Wigan vs Sunderland: Both teams go into the game with problems but Wigan will be determined to put on a show for their fans and with Sunderland missing their top two strikers, the Latics might just edge it.

Sunday, 29th Ноябрь 2009

Everton vs Liverpool: The biggest game of the season couldn't come at a worse time for either side, as both sides of the Mersey are struggling. With key players missing all over the place, we're going to sit on the fence and call a draw!

Wolves vs Birmingham: Late goals almost guaranteed with these teams; dramatic draw.

For full previews and accounts of all these games, please visit www.football-previews.co.uk