Barclays Premier League Weekend Preview: Round 25

The midweek fixtures saw the top three all stay in touch of each other at the top, but also cracked open an interesting shell of teams chasing fourth spot. With Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool currently seventh, it looks like a tasty ending to the season for the neutral.

Mushtaq Quraishi looks ahead to another weekend of league football, with a number of away wins on the cards…



Saturday 2 February

Manchester City v Arsenal

Manchester City have not been playing to their full potential recently, with a defeat to Sheffield United in the FA Cup followed by a dull draw against bottom side Derby. The departures of strikers Samaras and Bianchi will no doubt have an effect on the side going forward, seeing as they haven’t got that many world-class attackers in the squad, particularly with the confusion surrounding Benjani. It seems as if the likes of Elano, Geovanni (if he ever plays!!) and Petrov will have to be at their very best and chip in with the goals if City are to have any chance of finishing fourth.

Arsenal have been brilliant since their shock Carling Cup defeat to local rivals Tottenham. Two consecutive 3-0 drubbings of Newcastle in the past week have got the Gunners back on track and they look well placed to challenge Manchester United at the top. Striker Adebayor is in hot form and should be gunning to grab another goal or two here.

Manchester City have been exceptional at home this season, though they are slowly losing that ‘fortress’ status. Nonetheless, Arsenal have recently discovered a new dimension to their game, that of hitting long balls to the forward men, which works effectively with Adebayor. I expect an Arsenal win.

Prediction: 0-1



Birmingham City v Derby County

Birmingham are one position above the drop-zone thanks to their goal difference. McLeish has discovered the challenge of managing a struggling side and it is up to him to get the team back on track. Birmingham are very disorganized at the back and don’t offer a lot going forward. But they have shown resilience earlier in the season and they will have to use their battling spirit during this tough game.

Derby are going down, but their performance against Manchester City shows they are improving under Paul Jewell. The Rams have brought in some experienced players of late just to get the belief going once again. Though they have only won one game this season, I think Jewell’s side have a good chance here, so long as they are confident and have a bit of belief in them.

Both sides are struggling and I would say Birmingham need the points more than Derby, seeing as Derby are all but relegated. However the Rams will make it hard for Birmingham, just as they have made life difficult for Manchester City, Newcastle etc. I tip Derby to scrape a rare win.

Prediction: 0-1



Blackburn Rovers v Everton

Blackburn Rovers have been out of the news recently, thanks to the chase for fourth spot between Liverpool, Villa, City and Everton. But I think Blackburn can also challenge for that final Champions League spot. They have shown at the beginning of the season that they are capable of going on good runs, keeping clean-sheets and scoring goals. Rovers are currently five points away from that much-wanted fourth spot and will have to ensure another good run should they wish to succeed this season.

Everton are holding on tight to that final Champions League berth, with a draw against the resurgent Spurs their last league result. Many Toffees fans will now be roaring their side on to qualify for the Champions League come the end of the season, thanks to their heroics in 2005, where they pipped local rivals Liverpool to that final CL spot. But they will need Yakubu back quickly if they are to achieve this, because they look slightly rusty going forward without the big man.

Both sides are equally matched, with Blackburn possibly the better off due to their lack of involvement in other competitions. I think a draw would be fair.

Prediction: 1-1



Portsmouth v Chelsea

Pompey’s defeat to Manchester United left them ninth in the table and six points away from fourth. Portsmouth have lost their grip on that spot due to absentees away on African Cup duty. However, they have brought in Milan Baros and Jermain Defoe to try and bring some experience to the squad going forward and I’m sure the former Liverpool man will show some creativity and add that spark to the side. As for the Champions League, I think it’s fair to say Portsmouth have little chance of making that now, however they should be pushing for a UEFA Cup spot at least.

Chelsea can play well, averagely or even badly and still get results. They have recently shown that they can also cope without experienced players through injuries, suspensions or international obligations. Overall, Grant’s side are hard to beat and though they should have thrashed Reading during the midweek game, they are still a brilliant outfit. Anelka is also looking more comfortable as time progresses and one can only wait for him and Drogba to form a lethal partnership, as soon as the latter comes back from African Nations Cup duty.

Portsmouth have been rubbish at home this season and have found it hard to score, which is one of the main reasons Baros and Defoe have been brought in. Chelsea are a hard-to-beat side so I expect them to battle it out for all three points here.

Prediction: 1-2



Reading v Bolton Wanderers

Reading are really in trouble now. They shouldn’t be lacking goals but they are and their defence is appalling. Arguably, their biggest problem is lack of creativity from midfield. Reading need to get back to basics and just pass the ball around a bit more, which will build their confidence up. They are going to struggle, yet I think they have enough to stay up.

Bolton are another team down in the dumps. They have accumulated 22 points this season and I would bring that all down to Nicolas Anelka, who has since gone to Chelsea. Without any real replacement for the Frenchman, one wonders where the goals are going to come from. It’s not even like their defence is good enough to keep clean sheets either. I think Bolton are likely to go down.

This is another six-pointer. Both sides have the same number of points, but Bolton have a much better goal difference than Reading. If Reading can create chances, they should win this game, but neither side is attractive to watch and I can only see a bore draw.

Prediction: 0-0



Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

With Hutton and Woodgate now at Tottenham, they should be a much more solid outfit, particularly at the back. Juande Ramos has sparked improvement at the club since his arrival and I think his quality buys during the transfer window should be trusted. Spurs now look raring to go and are trying to push for a late Uefa Cup spot. So long as the new players can adapt to the team quickly, I feel they can achieve a top six finish.

Manchester United are the in-team at the moment, with Cristiano Ronaldo clearly currently the world’s best player. The young Portuguese winger provides us with hours of entertainment and some real quality goals, but the question is how long will this continue? Well, even if Ronaldo does unexpectedly lose form, Fergie has enough match-winners in his side to keep him going. I expect United to win the league this season.

Spurs will make it harder for United than they did last week in the cup game, where they lost 3-1. I think it will be a tighter game with fewer chances, but I still think United will grab a late win.

Prediction: 1-2



Wigan Athletic v West Ham United

Wigan are a more battling side under Bruce and they showed their spirit during the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea recently. But they lack real cutting-edge and this could hurt their chances of survival. So it seems as if they will be involved in yet another dogfight and I fear they may go down. But, with a bit of thrill, they could climb the table.

West Ham’s win over Liverpool has shown how good they actually have been this season. The Hammers are in the top ten and deservedly so. They have a bit of bite about them and are good at holding teams back, as well as hitting them going forward. They will make a late attempt to secure a top-six finish, however, they could be a real force next season.

West Ham have been impressing all season whereas Wigan have been quite poor and inconsistent overall. West Ham seem to create more and play neater football, therefore they should get a win.

Prediction: 0-2



Liverpool v Sunderland

Liverpool are beginning to frustrate their fans now. The supporters are brilliant towards the manager and players, but despite us expecting the Reds to start winning games again, they simply fail to do so. Defeat to West Ham not only shows the quality of the League’s fringe sides this season, but also how far Liverpool have fallen back this campaign. I don’t feel rotation is much of a problem anymore, but the players are lacking belief and confidence. Also, why is Rafa still sticking with Dirk Kuyt? The Dutchman has surely proved he isn’t good enough to score goals and though he is a hard-worker, he isn’t carrying out the job for which he was bought.

Sunderland’s victory over Birmingham gives them a real lifeline in terms of staying up this season. The Black Cats look good enough to survive and a win here and there will keep them up. They didn’t play particularly well on the night but they will have to be at their best if they are to beat Liverpool.

Roy Keane’s whole aim for this game will be for his side to go out and frustrate an already frustrated Liverpool side! The Reds are playing badly at the moment and if Sunderland can take advantage of this they could end up winning the game or more realistically gaining a point. But, though they never seem to do so, I hope Liverpool can win this game!

Prediction: 2-0



Sunday 3 February

Newcastle United v Middlesbrough

Welcome back to Newcastle, Kevin! Kevin Keegan must really be wondering why he took his old job back. Newcastle’s back-to-back defeats to Arsenal have left us wondering whether they ever will improve. Of course Keegan will need time to sort his squad out, but he hasn’t exactly improved the squad since his arrival. I think Newcastle are just looking to finish mid-table this season but will try hard to achieve something in the following campaign.

Boro, the inconsistent side, are five points clear of the drop zone, so we could see them relax a bit over the next month. If they do, Newcastle will beat them. Boro haven’t really convinced they are that good this season and after letting Woodgate go I just can’t read what is happening at the club. They seem to just sell their best players but not replace them. I think they are very much still in relegation trouble, though they brought in Afonso Alves which should strengthen their attacking options.

I tip Newcastle to find a win here for the home faithful. The side will feel they can actually beat Boro, whilst Arsenal was quite a tall order. Boro are due a blip and I expect it to start here.

Prediction: 2-0



Fulham v Aston Villa

The Cottagers lack any half-decent players in their squad and are four points adrift of safety. They, like Derby, are edging closer and closer to certain relegation unless they win a handful of games on the trot, which they don’t have the quality to do. In other words - they are doomed!

Aston Villa are pushing for that fourth spot and of all the teams chasing (except Liverpool) I think they have the best chance. Martin O’Neill has a wonderfully talented side, but their only problem is lack of players. Nevertheless, the inclusion of nearly half a dozen Villa players in the England squad shows how much talent O’Neill’s side really have to display.

Villa have Agbonlahor, Young and Carew who are all lethal on the break and going forward. Their defence is solid as a rock, unlike Fulham’s. Villa should win comfortably.

Prediction: 0-2

Anelka Off The Mark As Chelsea Edge Wigan

Wigan Athletic 1-2 Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka scored one and made one as Chelsea overcame Wigan to advance to round five of the FA Cup.

Nicolas Anelka made the difference in this largely disappointing FA Cup fourth round tie at the JJB Stadium.

After a truly drab opening 45 minutes, the visitors took the lead as their new £15m man stabbed home Belletti’s through ball.

Shaun Wright-Phillips doubled Chelsea’s lead late on before a stunning goal from Antoine Sibierski ensured an entertaining final few minutes.

First Half

The fans clearly couldn’t be bothered with this game, perhaps due to it being televised (though why this match got the TV nod over Liverpool vs. Havant & Waterlooville only the BBC know). But despite the half empty stands both managers showed their commitment to the cup by selecting strong sides.

Avram Grant named the same XI that won at Everton: a staggered midfield formation with Makélélé holding and Anelka as a lone target man. Unsurprisingly, there was no spot on the bench for Ashley Cole post hairdresser-gate. Steve Bruce, meanwhile, replaced the recently departed Danny Landzaat with Ryan Taylor.

Chelsea could, and perhaps should have had the ball in the net within 50 seconds: Sidwell pierced the Latics defence, finding Joe Cole who beat Kirkland but fired wide. Taylor then tested Cech down the field. Chelsea maintained possession for large spells but found ball control tricky on the churned JJB surface.

Joe Cole exhibited occasional moments of skill, at one point dancing past numerous challenges to find Anelka, who stumbled in the box and rightly received no penalty. Wigan, perhaps wary of the visitors’ ability to break at pace, sat incredibly deep, enticing Chelsea to mount further pressure. But the Latics almost created something as Heskey played through Marcus Bent – the excellent Wayne Bridge was alert to the danger.

The home side attempted forays down the wings, trying to launch crosses into the box, but Chelsea’s fullbacks – impressive both pushing forward and tracking back – continuously harrowed and closed down the play. Wigan did have limited joy down the middle, however, as Bent blazed over and Alex then felled Brown ahead of what had appeared a promising move. That was the last meaningful play of this egalitarian but incredibly dull 45 minutes.

Second Half

Chelsea attacked from the off, a cross into a crowded box almost finding Sidwell.A goal looked to be on the cards, and it duly came in the shape of Nicolas Anelka. Belletti’s super ball from deep was latched onto by the Frenchman, who sprang the offside trap and poked his volley past the advancing Kirkland - his first Chelsea goal and a marvellous one at that. Wigan were visibly annoyed, remonstrating that the goal was offside, but replays showed that was not the case.

Nonetheless, the Latics almost struck back through Heskey, whose shot on the turn from a narrow angle forced Cech to save with his legs. The game remained ugly, but an off-the-ball incident involving Michael Brown, Claude Makélélé and an alleged elbow threatened to make it nasty. The entire Chelsea bench were up in arms, but no action was taken; replays suggested the Blues midfielder perhaps made more of the incident than strictly necessary and fortunately the bad blood continued no further.

Substitute Koumas bent a free-kick right at Cech, but as Wigan pushed for the equaliser they left themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks. Anelka had already been thwarted several times by goalkeeper Kirkland but went clear after out-muscling Kevin Kilbane on the ball. One-on-one with the keeper, Anelka squared for the unmarked Wright-Phillips to slot home.

Game over? Not quite – just as Wigan appeared out of ideas Koumas played a great ball into the chest of substitute Antoine Sibierski, who turned and volleyed with perfect power, pace and precision past Cech and into the top corner. Tremendous. With only minutes remaining, the game then sprang to life as Wigan chased an unlikely replay, and they almost got it as Bent’s flying shot clipped the top of the bar. But it was not to be as Chelsea held on to claim a win they merited.

Line-ups:

Wigan (4-4-2): Kirkland – Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane – Valencia, Brown, Palacios (Sibierski 77), Taylor (Koumas 58) – Bent, Heskey (Aghahowa 85)

Subs not used – Pollitt, Boyce

Chelsea (4-1-2-2-1): Cech – Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Bridge – Makélélé – Wright-Phillips, Sidwell – J Cole, Malouda (Ferreira 80) – Anelka (Pizarro 90)

Subs not used – Cudicini, Sinclair, Ben-Haim

Goals:

0-1 Anelka, 53 (Belletti)
0-2 Wright-Phillips, 82 (Anelka)
1-2 Sibierski, 87 (Koumas)

Cards:

Yellow: Bramble, Scharner, Palacios, Aghahowa / Alex, Carvalho

Attendance: 14,166