Friday, 16 December 2011
Armchair Sport: Weekends Premier League Preview
Armchair Sport: Weekends Premier League Preview: Blackburn vs West Brom Somehow Blackburn manager Steve Kean continues to stand against the tide against him. What the Ewood Park faithful h...
Weekends Premier League Preview
Blackburn vs West Brom
Somehow Blackburn manager Steve Kean continues to stand against the tide against him. What the Ewood Park faithful have to endure until their fortunes change is beyond me. West Brom will want to bounce back from an unlucky defeat last time out and both teams will know how vital this match could be. I'm not holding my breath for goals in this one. I think as neither team will want to lose a draw is a likely outcome.
Everton vs Norwich
Before I get to the home side I'm going to say how impressed with Norwich I have been this season. They have't looked out of place in the league and have given a few teams a scare. Maybe fortunate to face a injury hit Newcastle last weekend they did show they have plenty of goals in their side. Goals is something Everton have been lacking. An average season to date could have been so much better if some of their chances had been converted. This is a match Everton should win though and I think they will deliver 3 points in a tight game.
Fulham vs Bolton
How will Fulham react to their Europa League capitulation in mid week. Well the form that Bolton have shown will give Martin Jol confidence that he can get his Fulham team to bounce straight back. Who knows what has gone wrong at Bolton this season. Owen Coyle sets such high expectations of himself and his team. How much have they missed Elmander. You can't see anything other than a Fulham home win I'm afraid.
Newcastle vs Swansea
With last weeks match against Norwich in mind I think that this match could be a bit special. Strange you think. The two goalkeepers have arguably been the best in the league this year and in Demba Ba and Scott Sinclair each have an attacking player who has threatened every time they have played this season. I expect an entertaining game with plenty of action, a few goals and I think both teams would settle for a draw all things considered.
Wolves vs Stoke
Despite losing in mid week European action, Stoke will have rested key members of their team and will want to get back on track in the league. Wolves will be a tough test for the Potters and you get the feeling that Mick McCarthy's men will do enough to be safe. I think this one will end a draw though.
Wigan vs Chelsea
This has to be a Chelsea win right. Well Wigan are on a mini decent run themselves and I have a sneaky feeling this won't be an easy game. But that said Andre Villas-Boas seems to have settled on a core of 12 or 13 players and those players have repaid his faith with some impressive performances and confidence is returning to the Stamford Bridge side. The scoreline may not reflect the difficulty of the encounter but I think Chelsea will win and win by a clear margin.
QPR vs Manchester United
All the factors point to this being a difficult encounter for Manchester United. The early kick off plus the Neil Warnock factor will see QPR really go at United. United's injury nightmare surely cannot survive further stretching and Fergie will be quite happy to escape with a point and no injuries. I think the incentive of topping the table will motivate a United performance and although it won't be an easy match, United to win just.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Despite everything that has gone on in the press I do think we will see the very best of Luis Suarez this weekend. It's his chance to show us that unquestionable talent he has. It will take a super human effort from Villa to keep the Uruguayan and I expect a decent Liverpool win.
Tottenham vs Sunderland
There are many factors to take in to account for this match. Tottenham rested many of their star names in mid week and the fact they are at home will spur them on. Obviously Sunderland have the Martin O'Neill factor and will be buoyed by last weekends dramatic late winner. I think this will be a tight game and a draw could be on the cards.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
The undoubted match of the weekend and I expect a pulsating occasion. It should be end to end and could conceivably by any scoreline. City will want to bounce back from defeat against Chelsea but Arsenal have the threat of Robin van Persie who is chasing Alan Shearer's goals in a calendar league record. I think this will be a decent draw with goals and both teams ultimately satisfied.
Somehow Blackburn manager Steve Kean continues to stand against the tide against him. What the Ewood Park faithful have to endure until their fortunes change is beyond me. West Brom will want to bounce back from an unlucky defeat last time out and both teams will know how vital this match could be. I'm not holding my breath for goals in this one. I think as neither team will want to lose a draw is a likely outcome.
Everton vs Norwich
Before I get to the home side I'm going to say how impressed with Norwich I have been this season. They have't looked out of place in the league and have given a few teams a scare. Maybe fortunate to face a injury hit Newcastle last weekend they did show they have plenty of goals in their side. Goals is something Everton have been lacking. An average season to date could have been so much better if some of their chances had been converted. This is a match Everton should win though and I think they will deliver 3 points in a tight game.
Fulham vs Bolton
How will Fulham react to their Europa League capitulation in mid week. Well the form that Bolton have shown will give Martin Jol confidence that he can get his Fulham team to bounce straight back. Who knows what has gone wrong at Bolton this season. Owen Coyle sets such high expectations of himself and his team. How much have they missed Elmander. You can't see anything other than a Fulham home win I'm afraid.
Newcastle vs Swansea
With last weeks match against Norwich in mind I think that this match could be a bit special. Strange you think. The two goalkeepers have arguably been the best in the league this year and in Demba Ba and Scott Sinclair each have an attacking player who has threatened every time they have played this season. I expect an entertaining game with plenty of action, a few goals and I think both teams would settle for a draw all things considered.
Wolves vs Stoke
Despite losing in mid week European action, Stoke will have rested key members of their team and will want to get back on track in the league. Wolves will be a tough test for the Potters and you get the feeling that Mick McCarthy's men will do enough to be safe. I think this one will end a draw though.
Wigan vs Chelsea
This has to be a Chelsea win right. Well Wigan are on a mini decent run themselves and I have a sneaky feeling this won't be an easy game. But that said Andre Villas-Boas seems to have settled on a core of 12 or 13 players and those players have repaid his faith with some impressive performances and confidence is returning to the Stamford Bridge side. The scoreline may not reflect the difficulty of the encounter but I think Chelsea will win and win by a clear margin.
QPR vs Manchester United
All the factors point to this being a difficult encounter for Manchester United. The early kick off plus the Neil Warnock factor will see QPR really go at United. United's injury nightmare surely cannot survive further stretching and Fergie will be quite happy to escape with a point and no injuries. I think the incentive of topping the table will motivate a United performance and although it won't be an easy match, United to win just.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Despite everything that has gone on in the press I do think we will see the very best of Luis Suarez this weekend. It's his chance to show us that unquestionable talent he has. It will take a super human effort from Villa to keep the Uruguayan and I expect a decent Liverpool win.
Tottenham vs Sunderland
There are many factors to take in to account for this match. Tottenham rested many of their star names in mid week and the fact they are at home will spur them on. Obviously Sunderland have the Martin O'Neill factor and will be buoyed by last weekends dramatic late winner. I think this will be a tight game and a draw could be on the cards.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
The undoubted match of the weekend and I expect a pulsating occasion. It should be end to end and could conceivably by any scoreline. City will want to bounce back from defeat against Chelsea but Arsenal have the threat of Robin van Persie who is chasing Alan Shearer's goals in a calendar league record. I think this will be a decent draw with goals and both teams ultimately satisfied.
Armchair Sport: Europa League last 32 and last 16 draws
Armchair Sport: Europa League last 32 and last 16 draws: Last 32 Porto vs Manchester City Ajax vs Manchester United Lokomtiv Moscow vs Athletic Bilbao Salzburg vs FC Metalist Kharkiv Sto...
Europa League last 32 and last 16 draws
Last 32
Porto vs Manchester City
Ajax vs Manchester United
Lokomtiv Moscow vs Athletic Bilbao
Salzburg vs FC Metalist Kharkiv
Stoke City vs Valencia
Rubin Kazan vs Olympiakos
AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht
Lazio vs Atletico Madrid
Steaua Bucharest vs FC Twente
Victoria Plzen vs Schalke
Wisla Krakow vs Standard Liege
Braga vs Besiktas
Udinese vs PAOK
Trabzonspor vs PSV Eindhoven
Hannover 96 vs Club Brugge
Legia Warsaw vs Sporting
Last 16 draw
Salzburg/FC Metalist Kharkiv vs Rubin Kazan/Olmpiakos
Legia Warsaw/Sporting vs Porto/Manchester City
Steaua Bucharest/FC Twente vs Plzen/Schalke
Wisla Krakow/Standard Liege vs Hannover 96/Club Brugge
Stoke/Valencia vs Trabzonspor/PSV Eindhoven
AZ Alkmaar/Anderlecht vs Udinese/PAOK
Lazio/Atletico Madrid vs Braga/Besiktas
Ajax/Manchester United vs Lokomotiv Moscow/Athletic Bilbao
Porto vs Manchester City
Ajax vs Manchester United
Lokomtiv Moscow vs Athletic Bilbao
Salzburg vs FC Metalist Kharkiv
Stoke City vs Valencia
Rubin Kazan vs Olympiakos
AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht
Lazio vs Atletico Madrid
Steaua Bucharest vs FC Twente
Victoria Plzen vs Schalke
Wisla Krakow vs Standard Liege
Braga vs Besiktas
Udinese vs PAOK
Trabzonspor vs PSV Eindhoven
Hannover 96 vs Club Brugge
Legia Warsaw vs Sporting
Last 16 draw
Salzburg/FC Metalist Kharkiv vs Rubin Kazan/Olmpiakos
Legia Warsaw/Sporting vs Porto/Manchester City
Steaua Bucharest/FC Twente vs Plzen/Schalke
Wisla Krakow/Standard Liege vs Hannover 96/Club Brugge
Stoke/Valencia vs Trabzonspor/PSV Eindhoven
AZ Alkmaar/Anderlecht vs Udinese/PAOK
Lazio/Atletico Madrid vs Braga/Besiktas
Ajax/Manchester United vs Lokomotiv Moscow/Athletic Bilbao
Armchair Sport: Champions League last 16 draw
Armchair Sport: Champions League last 16 draw: Lyon vs Apoel Nicosia Napoli vs Chelsea AC Milan vs Arsenal Basle vs Bayern Munich Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona CSKA Moscow vs Re...
Champions League last 16 draw
Lyon vs Apoel Nicosia
Napoli vs Chelsea
AC Milan vs Arsenal
Basle vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Benfica
Marsielle vs Inter Milan
Napoli vs Chelsea
AC Milan vs Arsenal
Basle vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Benfica
Marsielle vs Inter Milan
Armchair Sport: How low will Liverpool FC go.
Armchair Sport: How low will Liverpool FC go.: There is already a sick campaign out on some Liverpool websites that has attempted to change the outcome of the Luis Suarez racist case. T...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)