Back from International Break

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

Manager Rafael Benitez will have to gamble this Saturday early kickoff against Manchester City. The Reds are ten points behind league leader, Chelsea, and another defeat could seriously end the title hope this season. Benitez will have to gamble with Captain Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger fitness as they are short of first team staff members in the starting lineup since Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera have been included in the injury list. Daniel Ngog suffered a broken nose on international duty but should be ready for the tie against Manchester City. Liverpool could be on borrowed time if they do not start winning.

Manchester City will have to break their mold from drawing games. They have drawn four matches in consecutive session and that has hampered their match to the top of the league. Manager Mark Hughes will have to figure out what will be his best starting lineup on the day against Liverpool. He does not have decent cover for his defensive wings as that is the weakest in the team. There is a chance that Rohinho could make an appearance on the bench after a lengthy period out with injury. Otherwise, plenty of choices upfront as Adebayor, Tevez and Bellemy are all fit for fight. Martin Petrov will not feature as he is ruled out with a knee injury sustained through international duty.

It will be no surprise if Manchester City will let Liverpool see a lot of the ball while they counter attack the Reds. Birmingham broke away twice a fortnight ago to get a draw at Anfield and Liverpool could suffer another counter attacking session. Manchester City are a quick team but finding hard to win games of the late so it could be up to Liverpool to see if they want it more on the day.

Manchester United vs. Everton

Sir Alex Ferguson will start his two game touchline ban as his side faces Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday. The FA suspended Ferguson for his comments about referee Alan Wiley and the ban comes at a hard time for United, who have slipped to third place and five point behind leaders, Chelsea. Mike Phelan will take charge of the bench, he could be boosted with the return of D. Berbatov, Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand from injuries while Danny Welbeck continues to struggle with his knee injury.

Everton are looking to resurrect their season by winning at Old Trafford after beating West Ham 2-1 in their last outing. The Toffees are hungry to succeed this season as they had a mixed start to the season. The injury list has increased which gives Manager Moyes a bit to think before confirming his starting lineup on Saturday. Moyes is without J. Vaughan, V. Anichebe, M. Arteta and P. Jagielka. Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Phil Neville are all ruled doubtful to face Manchester United.

Everton have never beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford ever since the start of the Premiership. That’s one statistic that might be on some of the Everton’s players mind as they are seriously under strength in the defensive department going into the tie. The last two meeting between Manchester United and Everton ended up with a marginal win for the home team by a goal. Last year, Manchester United had Cristano Ronaldo scoring the winner but who will step forward this time. A stalemate could not be ruled out for second Liverpool versus Manchester tie of the day.

Tottenham vs. Wigan Athletic

The North London team are searching for another three points at home to keep up with both Arsenal and league leader, Chelsea, at the top. It is not a surprise that Manager Harry Redknapp has leaded them to fight for a place amongst the Big 4 this season. They started on a high this season but fell back down to earth after a 3-0 defeat to their neighbors, Arsenal. Then a home win against Sunderland, a fortnight ago, has helped Spurs finding their confidence yet again. The bad news to hit the club is that keeper Cudicini has broken both his wrist and pelvis in a motorbike incident. Redknapp might not have the service of Aaron Lennon, Dos Santos, Bassong and Luka Modric as they are all ruled doubtful.

Wigan will not be complaining much with their status in the Premiership. They are currently 13th in the league and 4 points from the relegation zone. They record away from home is somewhat perceived as what a mid table should be, 6 games play, 2 wins and 4 defeats. Their only two wins came against Aston Villa, in the season premiere, and last month 3-1 win against Burnley. Although, Tottenham will be a tougher opposition and Manager Sanchez will need to strengthen his men at the back. Titus Bramble looks bewildered in my situation during the game and Wigan should be worried if he has one of his moments. M. Figueroa will not travel to London as he is rule out with a knee ligament injury.

The best result Wigan have got from White Hart Lane is a 2-2 result back in 2006, otherwise Spurs have the advantage. Their recent meeting ended with a 3-1 win with Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring 2 goals and one Luka Modric. Fortunately for Wigan, it is most likely that both players will not feature in the starting lineup but then again Wigan needs to contend with Jenas, Milner, Dafoe, Crouch and Keane. With this firepower on the Spurs team, they are favorites at home to beat mid table Wigan.