Recap of predictions from last week - not so good :) Although Liverpool dropped points and United, Chelsea and Spurs won, I was definitely wrong on City and Arsenal. Oh well! Here I go predicting this weekend's games:
Sunderland vs Tottenham
After surprising City last weekend, The stadium of light will be buzzing in anticipation of another top 4 team - Spurs. Bendtner and company are riding the high of a strong end to the season and will be looking to take points off Redknapp's team. Tottenham managed to navigate the threat of Swansea City last weekend and will be looking to stay ahead of a resurgent Chelsea team. If Sunderland are to take a point from this game, they will have to nullify Luka Modric and prevent Scotty Parker from linking the defense and the midfield. In order to handle Bale, the Sunderland right back (O'Shea/Brown/Bardsley) will have to prevent him from cutting inside and having a shot at goal from distance. Forcing him onto his left foot will guarantee that he will send in crosses towards Adebayor/Saha, however, Sunderland's defense has height and will be able to handle those crosses. Of course, if Harry switches Bale to the right wing, this may throw off Sunderland's game plan. Sunderland will probably score via Sessegnon, but I'm guessing Spurs will edge this 2-1.
Chelsea vs Wigan
Oh pretty boy Torres! He looks like he's back. Chelsea sneaked into the Champions league semi-final and are playing well under DeMatteo. It will be interesting to see how they line up in this game - I'm guessing we will see some squad rotation. Terry has claimed that he plans on playing despite his broken ribs, but he will probably be on the bench, allowing Cahill and Luiz to form the central partnership. Bosingwa will probably be preferred at right back as he offers something going forward. Meireles' distributiong will ding passes to the likes of Sturridge and Kalou who will run into space behind the defense. Chelsea 3-0 Wigan.
Liverpool vs Villa
I full expect Villa to take something from this game. Liverpool will be missing the suspended Pepe Reina and will have Alex Doni in goal. Although the ex-Roma goalkeeper has vast experience, he has not played for liverpool in a competitive game nor has he played in the premier league. As a bit of trivia - he is the goalkeeper who let in seven against United in the champions league. Villa are still reeling from the tragic news regarding their captain, Stiliyan Petrov. As long as Villa can navigate the pace of Luis Suarez (admittedly no easy task), they can expect to walk away from this game with a point. It's likely that Dalgish will start with Carroll on the bench and Suarez up top and bring the 6"2' striker on towards the end of the game. 1-1 draw.
United vs QPR
Adel Taraabt will be the only played standing between United and a cricket score. I expect Taraabt's trickery to cause problems on the wings - especially since Evra and Rafael/Jones can be suspect on the counter-attack. On the other hand, Taraabt seldom shows desire to track back and this may prove to be the undoing of QPR. Either way, it would be silly of Mark hughes to play Taraabt on the left, as he will be required to help man-mark Antonio Valencia. It would make more sense to play Taraabt in a withdrawn role behind the striker. The Ferdinand brothers will be key to their respective defenses. Fergie will go 4-4-2 with Welbeck in front of Rooney and Ashley Young and Valencia on the wings. I expect the now-fit Nani to come off the bench and get some playing time. With another game in the midweek, Fergie will be keen to get him back to fitness. I expect Valencia to run riot - 3-0 United.
Arsenal vs City
Let's be clear about this - if United win and City lose, City will be eight points behind United with six games to go. That would be near impossible. This is a must-win game for City and that might just play into Arsenal's hands. Van Persie will be chomping at the bit after having a dull game last weekend. The last time these two teams met, City won by virtue of a solitary David Silva goal. The problem for City will be that Kompany seems to still be struggling with injury and RVP may have a field day against him. At the other end, City will more than likely score via Balotelli and I expect that Tevez may start this game. Tevez would be the x-factor that would throw off Wenger's tactical setup and Tevez may walk away as the man-of-the-match. The key battle, however, will be in midfield. Alex Song and Yaya Toure are the central components of their respective teams. They are both creative as well as manage to get in a few tackles to break up play. They will probably nullify each other and allow the other central midfielders to dictate the game. Kolo Toure, Nasri and Clichy can expect a hostile reception as they head back to the Emirates stadium.
If Tevez starts, I predict City will win 2-1. If he doesn't, the game will probably end up as a draw with a late equalizer from RVP.
Sunderland vs Tottenham
After surprising City last weekend, The stadium of light will be buzzing in anticipation of another top 4 team - Spurs. Bendtner and company are riding the high of a strong end to the season and will be looking to take points off Redknapp's team. Tottenham managed to navigate the threat of Swansea City last weekend and will be looking to stay ahead of a resurgent Chelsea team. If Sunderland are to take a point from this game, they will have to nullify Luka Modric and prevent Scotty Parker from linking the defense and the midfield. In order to handle Bale, the Sunderland right back (O'Shea/Brown/Bardsley) will have to prevent him from cutting inside and having a shot at goal from distance. Forcing him onto his left foot will guarantee that he will send in crosses towards Adebayor/Saha, however, Sunderland's defense has height and will be able to handle those crosses. Of course, if Harry switches Bale to the right wing, this may throw off Sunderland's game plan. Sunderland will probably score via Sessegnon, but I'm guessing Spurs will edge this 2-1.
Chelsea vs Wigan
Oh pretty boy Torres! He looks like he's back. Chelsea sneaked into the Champions league semi-final and are playing well under DeMatteo. It will be interesting to see how they line up in this game - I'm guessing we will see some squad rotation. Terry has claimed that he plans on playing despite his broken ribs, but he will probably be on the bench, allowing Cahill and Luiz to form the central partnership. Bosingwa will probably be preferred at right back as he offers something going forward. Meireles' distributiong will ding passes to the likes of Sturridge and Kalou who will run into space behind the defense. Chelsea 3-0 Wigan.
Liverpool vs Villa
I full expect Villa to take something from this game. Liverpool will be missing the suspended Pepe Reina and will have Alex Doni in goal. Although the ex-Roma goalkeeper has vast experience, he has not played for liverpool in a competitive game nor has he played in the premier league. As a bit of trivia - he is the goalkeeper who let in seven against United in the champions league. Villa are still reeling from the tragic news regarding their captain, Stiliyan Petrov. As long as Villa can navigate the pace of Luis Suarez (admittedly no easy task), they can expect to walk away from this game with a point. It's likely that Dalgish will start with Carroll on the bench and Suarez up top and bring the 6"2' striker on towards the end of the game. 1-1 draw.
United vs QPR
Adel Taraabt will be the only played standing between United and a cricket score. I expect Taraabt's trickery to cause problems on the wings - especially since Evra and Rafael/Jones can be suspect on the counter-attack. On the other hand, Taraabt seldom shows desire to track back and this may prove to be the undoing of QPR. Either way, it would be silly of Mark hughes to play Taraabt on the left, as he will be required to help man-mark Antonio Valencia. It would make more sense to play Taraabt in a withdrawn role behind the striker. The Ferdinand brothers will be key to their respective defenses. Fergie will go 4-4-2 with Welbeck in front of Rooney and Ashley Young and Valencia on the wings. I expect the now-fit Nani to come off the bench and get some playing time. With another game in the midweek, Fergie will be keen to get him back to fitness. I expect Valencia to run riot - 3-0 United.
Arsenal vs City
Let's be clear about this - if United win and City lose, City will be eight points behind United with six games to go. That would be near impossible. This is a must-win game for City and that might just play into Arsenal's hands. Van Persie will be chomping at the bit after having a dull game last weekend. The last time these two teams met, City won by virtue of a solitary David Silva goal. The problem for City will be that Kompany seems to still be struggling with injury and RVP may have a field day against him. At the other end, City will more than likely score via Balotelli and I expect that Tevez may start this game. Tevez would be the x-factor that would throw off Wenger's tactical setup and Tevez may walk away as the man-of-the-match. The key battle, however, will be in midfield. Alex Song and Yaya Toure are the central components of their respective teams. They are both creative as well as manage to get in a few tackles to break up play. They will probably nullify each other and allow the other central midfielders to dictate the game. Kolo Toure, Nasri and Clichy can expect a hostile reception as they head back to the Emirates stadium.
If Tevez starts, I predict City will win 2-1. If he doesn't, the game will probably end up as a draw with a late equalizer from RVP.
Agree with most of your predictions with a couple exceptions:
ReplyDeleteTottenham v Sunderland: Sunderland really impressed me from their last match and if it wasn't for the fact that Man City has so much talent to turn around from a 2 goal deficit in under 6 minutes, than the Black Cats would have walked away with an impressive win. Tottenham doesn't have that kind of talent up front beyond Adebayor and will will fall 2-1 to Sunderland.
Liverpool v Aston Villa: While I agree that a 1-1 draw is normally the case with LFC (especially when they play at home) I think they'll win 3-1 against Villa. Villa has been struggling all season and I won't be surprised if they fall closer to relegation zone as Bolton and QPR keep climbing. Villa has just as many people missing as LFC (most notably Petrov, Bent and N'Zogbia) but Liverpool still has enough talent upfront with Suarez to make up the difference. If Gerrard doesn't have to play a more CDM role and can actually get involved on the offensive side then its over. Only way LFC loses the game to Villa is if Doni just blows his first start of the season or if Carroll figures the only chance he'll score a goal is by kicking it into his own net and scores 2 OGs for Villa.
Hey Smitty, thanks for reading and commenting. Interesting and valid points. I expect Tottenham will have enough fire power to trouble Sunderland's defense, whereas Sunderland's strikers (a certain Mr. Bendtner) blow hot and cold and I really do not think they will be as up for this game as Spurs will be. But, we shall see. The Spurs team will be feeling the pressure of Newcastle just below them and obviously their local rivals currently above them on goal-difference. I think Redknapp's brilliant man management and motivational skills will push Spurs through.
ReplyDeleteI think the key point you raise is the performance of Doni - it's just a huge gamble to expect him to perform in his first game for Pool. Although, I guess it may work in his favor. An interesting article I read pointed out that he speaks spanish and will be able to communicate with the back four fairly easily - so that's a plus, I guess. True about Villa - they might be drawn into that relegation battle if they keep sliding the way they are. Let's be honest, McLeish is a manager that has relegation written all over him. Taking your points into consideration, I guess a Liverpool win is fair, but I'm sticking to my guns! :)
Enjoy your football weekend and thanks again for your post.