Man City vs Newcastle
Probably Dietmar Hamann might return, if not only to the bench, while punters are expecting Man City to recall Bernado Corradi. There are not fresh injuries to worry about, but I think no matter how you reshuffle your squad, you shouldn’t have trouble beating a Newcastle team at home.
Newcastle could have Kieron Dyer back, unless he gets injured on the way to Manchester, and Shola Ameobi might play his last game before going in for hip surgery. Shay Given might make his return in goal tonight, while Obafemi Martins remains a slight doubt.
Verdict: Man City win… 2-0
Chelsea vs Watford
Chelsea should face a relatively easy game at home to Watford. I put a few Chelsea players in my yahoo fantasy squad this week. I’m expecting them to have a romp. Ashley Cole and Arjen Robben look set to start after being rested in the midweek Carling Cup. Captain Terry returns from suspension. He’s lucky he only missed a Carling Cup round. I still don’t know if Sheva would return yet though.
Watford only have Marlon King and Clarke Carlisle out, while captain Gavin Mahon looks set to return. But they would have a tough time against Champions Chelsea in any case.
Verdict: Chelsea win… I hope for a 3-0 or 4-0, but it might end up a 1-0 if Watford do nothing but defend with 10 man in the box.
Everton vs Aston Villa
For Everton, James McFadden is suspended for 3 games after his red-card involving under-fire Graham Poll. James Beattie looks set to start along side AJ.
Astong Villa would hope to bounce back from recent defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea, with Gary Cahill set to return to first-team action. Martin Laursen and Aaron Hughes are out, together with Garet Barry who is a slight doubt.
Verdict: Draw… Hopefully 1-1 or 2-2 for a good game to view, but might end up 0-0.
Boro vs West Ham
Middlesborough have their defensive stars returning, so look to strengthen their back line. Chris Riggot, Ugo Ehoigu and Stuart Parnaby are returning to match fitness, but might not feature in this game. While Mark Viduka is definitely out with fractured toes. “Good news” is that Abel Xavier is set to return.
West Ham have since bounced back from their slump, winning two games in a row – against Blackburn and Arsenal. Their Argentine stars might make it back to the starting line-up, as they slowly adapt to English football. There are doubts over Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora though.
Verdict: Draw, or West Ham might just nick it. 1-1 or 1-2.
Portsmouth vs Fulham
Pompey are looking to bounce back after Manchester United and Chelsea ruined their encouraging start to the season. Portsmouth are boasted by the return of Campbell and Linvoy Primus this week. Kanu looks set to return to the starting line-up while Gary O’Neil and Noe Paramot might feature. Glen Johnson is making his loan totally not worth it as he sits out a long injury. Andy Cole joins him on the sidelines.
Fulham have a number of injury problems of their own. Michael Brown, Simon Elliot and Jimmy Bullard are definitely out, whilst Philippe Christanval and Mark Pembridge are doubts. Better news is that Papa Bourba Diop is expected to return.
Verdict: Portsmouth. Convincingly.
Sheff United vs Bolton
Sheffield are without Chris Armstrong, Michael Tonge, Leigh Bromby and Steve Kabba.
Bolton are only without Joey O’brien and Ricardo Gardner. Kevin Nolan might miss this game due to his fiancée due to give birth. Still, Bolton should win this easy.
Verdict: Bolton… 1-0, hopefully more.
Wigan vs Charlton
Lee McCulloch and David Cotterill might come in, while Emile Heskey is out. Not that that would make much of an attacking difference.
Charlton are without Kevin Lisbie, while Djimi Traore, Gonzalo Sorondo, Cory Gibbs and Talal El-Karkouri might return. JFH might keep his place in the Charlton strike-force. I expect Charlton to have a difficult game against a resurgent Wigan though.
Verdict: 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 Wigan, but I don’t think it would be a high-scoring game.
Blackburn vs Man Utd
This is one game which I wasted money on. I put my money on Blackburn to win. It was a tempting 4.55 odds, but it looks as slim a chance as Watford beating Chelsea,(maybe not as bad). Blackburn are without Savage, Steven Reid and Jason Roberts. Brett Emerton could return, though I hope he doesn’t because he is rubbish, and I’m in Australia!
Manchester United would field the same team as last week. I just hope for the sake of my money that the midweek lost to Southend might derail their momentum.
Verdict: Man Utd win, though I’m hoping for a long-shot upset.
Reading vs Tottenham
Another match in which I put my money on the home side causing an upset. The home side are without Bobby Convey, David Kitson, Peter Mate, Aaron Brown and Simon Cox though.
Tottenham look on a high after beating Chelsea in a sensational match last week and hope to continue that good form against Reading, though I hope not.
Verdict: Home win… for my money’s sake.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Undoubtedly the big match of the weekend. This one is too close to call, but I might have to go for an Arsenal win despite my truest feelings a Liverpool fan. Arsenal have been playing exceptional good football recently, only that they have failed to find the net. What stops them though is ‘anti-football’ like Fabregas calls it. But Liverpool doesn’t really play anti-football. Just like Man Utd doesn’t, it looks as though Arsenal might beat yet another big name. Freddy Ljungberg and Julio Baptista are not expected to feature in the match today though.
For Liverpool, their only ‘anti-football’ star is Momo Sissoko, so his 3-month injury comes at the worst time. Gerrard looks set to move back to the centre of mid-field while Jermaine Pennant might come in on the right.
Verdict: Home win.
1 comment:
...please where can I buy a unicorn?
Post a Comment