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KEEP LIFE SIMPLE
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Omg too rush >.< No pics for this one =x
CHELSEA 2 ASTON VILLA 0 (STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON)
The Blues have not lost at Stamford Bridge for a few years now in all competitions, and that looks set to continue against an off-form Villa side. The Villans have gone four matches without a win, including last weekend's 1-1 draw with City. Chelsea managed a forfuitous victory at Blackburn last weekend, but will be without 1st and 2nd choice goalkeepers Cech and Cudicini for this midweek clash. It will be up to their defenders to protect their 3rd-choice goalkeeper Hilario, who has had very little match time. The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Villa defeat the Blues by two goals, a result which, alongside Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Norwegian side Rosenborg in the Champions League, saw "The Special One" Jose Mourinho leave his post as Blues manager. Chelsea will not want a repeat of that result if they still want to have a say in the title race.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 FULHAM 0 (WHITE HART LANE, LONDON)
Spurs were unlucky not to leave Arsenal with a point last week. Their shaky defence has become more solid and steady under Juande Ramos, although the defence still has its occasional blips, like their 2-3 loss to Birmingham earlier this month. Goalkeeper Robinson is in flying form, keeping his side in a match with several flying saves. This is in stark contrast to months ago, when he was at fault for more than half of the goals Spurs leaked. Their counterparts today, Fulham, are in a wretched run of form. 5 matches without tasting victory saw manager Lawrie Sanchez sacked. They managed a 1-1 draw against Wigan last Saturday, but against their London rivals who have a point to prove, this will be yet another defeat for the Cottagers as they remain in relegation trouble.
WEST HAM UNITED 1 READING 1 (UPTON PARK, LONDON)
The Hammers have very erratic form. If one looks at their recent results, don't be too surprised to see "Win, Lose, Win, Win, Lose, Lose, Draw, Lose, Win" or something like that. Just when they are looking good, they can slip to a surprise defeat. Just when they look to be low on confidence, they can sneak a victory. Just look at the past weeks. Two defeats by Everton in the league and the League Cup quarterfinals, then a trip to in-form Middlesbrough, who had two straight wins. But West Ham won the match in stoppage time. This could yet be another off-day for the erratic Hammers, against poor travellers Reading, who have picked up just two away points this season. The Royals will be looking for points to stay away from relegation trouble.
BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM)
Both sides come into this fixture on the back of defeats. Birmingham were routed 0-3 by a revived Bolton side, while Boro crashed to a surprise 1-2 home reverse at the hands of West Ham. Boro were rather unlucky, conceding the winner in stoppage time. They will be going all out to grab victory against the Brums at St Andrews. The hosts badly need victory at home to inspire their fans, but they will probably be made to wait for it again, with Boro's Tuncay Sanli in formidable form. After a slow start to his career with Boro, he has scored thrice in four games, and will be counted on to deliver the goods for the visitors today.
DERBY COUNTY 0 LIVERPOOL 3 (PRIDE PARK, DERBY)
Derby put up their best performance of the season in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at their own backyard. This was their first away point of the season. However, it will be back to a crushing defeat against the Reds, whose solid defence are a far cry from the Magpie's. With striker Fernando Torres supplying the goods, there is simply no way for the Rams to get anything out of this match.
EVERTON 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (GOODISON PARK, LIVERPOOL)
Everton were on a formidable 13-match unbeaten run, but that run was ended by champions Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday. Still, manager David Moyes will be happy about his side's performance as they came so close to grabbing a point. Bolton are having a good run of form, but against the Toffees who are looking to bounce back before their crunch tie against Arsenal, Everton should edge this.
SUNDERLAND 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (STADIUM OF LIGHT, NEWCASTLE)
Two dubious refereeing decisions cost the Black Cats a total of 3 points from 2 matches. The 3 points would have pushed them away from the dreaded dropzone. However, as it stands, Sunderland sit in the bottom three, and ex-United captain and current Sunderland manager will hardly relish this fixture against his previous bosses. Sunderland have shown dogged determination and spirit this season, but United, based on current form, should still edge this one.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 (JJB STADIUM, WIGAN)
Wigan managed a draw away to Fulham on Saturday, while their visitors today, Newcastle, managed a lucky 2-2 draw at home to Derby. Both sides are unable to keep clean sheets and with neither able to piece together a run of wins, this looks to be a drab draw at the JJB Stadium.
PORTSMOUTH 1 ARSENAL 1 (FRATTON PARK, PORTSMOUTH)
A potential banana-skin for the Gunners. Portsmouth have not scored at home since the amazing 7-4 victory over Reading. However, their counterparts do not have the best defence, having kept only around 5 clean sheets so far in the league. Pompey's African attacking players should finally break their goal-scoring woes at home. For Arsenal, the fixture the fixture list will take its toll, and Pompey could profit from that.
MANCHESTER CITY 2 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 (CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM, MANCHESTER)
This is a surprising prediction from me, given that City have a 100% win record at home in the league, while Blackburn have lost 4 straight games. However, City have not always been convincing despite their results, while Blackburn have put up many spirited displays and were often unlucky not to get some points. City's home record is something to be proud of, but it is worth mentioning that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have not visited them yet, while their 1-0 victory over Manchester United was very lucky and came when the Red Devils were off-form due to off-season commitments. Over the second half of the season, expect City's record to be shattered.
Joel at 12/26/2007 02:21:00 PM :: link
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