North London derby & more this weekend ..
November 19th 2010 13:41
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
This weekend brings Premier League action following mid-week Internationals, with the most exciting fixture to be found at the Emirates Stadium. After Arsenal moved to within two points of leaders Chelsea last week, they now host their biggest rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs, in Saturday's lunch time kick off. This presents the Gunners with a chance to go top of the Premier League for the first time this season, at least for a few hours. But Tottenham re found their form with victory against Blackburn last time out, and who knows what will happen in a Derby situation. This fixture usually brings plenty of goals, and should provide an entertaining start to the weekend's fixtures.
Chelsea will immediately have the chance to reclaim top spot should Arsenal win, as they travel to Birmingham City in a 3pm match. The champions will be missing central defensive pair Alex and John Terry, and the home side will hope to make the most of this vulnerability and gain a result. The other team in the Title picture right now, Manchester United, host Wigan. Star player Wayne Rooney is expected to return on the bench for United, and this will be a huge boost. But with or without Rooney, you'd have to expect a home win.
The other Saturday fixtures see the season's latest surprise package, Bolton, take on Newcastle United. Given the closeness of the league, a couple of wins can propel anyone up the table, as the home side have learnt, going into tomorrow 5th. This will be a crucial game, with the 8th place Magpies just one point behind them. West Brom and Stoke are level on points and meet in a mid-table clash, while Liverpool host bottom placed West Ham, with no Steven Gerrard. Blackpool could move 9 points clear of the bottom two, as they take on Wolves, with the away side really needing to win this one.
Sunday sees 4th placed Manchester City travel to Fulham, looking to keep up to speed with the top 3. City are still without suspended striker Mario Balotelli, who was sent off against West Brom. The Italian youngster was subject to racist abuse in mid week while on International duty, and his future is already subject to a lot of speculation. But Mancini's own future could soon be of pressing concern, if performances on the pitch don't pick up. Blackburn take on Aston Villa, trailing them by two points in the league. Victory could propel the home side from 14th to 8th, or Villa from 9th to 5th.
The weekend's final fixture comes from the Stadium of Light on Monday night, as Sunderland face Everton. That stunning win at Chelsea last week has seen the Wearsiders move to 6th, and are only three points off the Champions League places. This is the sort of position Everton themselves would expect to be in, and this should be a very close, and intriguing encounter, with both teams sure to be going for the three points.
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