Round 5 – Not fooling him twice
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
The Premier League makes way for the FA Cup this weekend. It is round five and only few of the big names remain. London clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will be among the favourites but so are Liverpool-based Everton and their city rivals Liverpool. For the Gunners it may be a tricky second trip to Sunderland facing O’Neill’s Black Cats.
Chelsea – Birmingham
The Brummies have pushed on the gas pedal since Christmas day. After a horrible December they can currently boast the best form in the last eight games in the Championship. Leaders West Ham are only six points away now. Unfortunately their records with the Blues of London are not an encouraging stat to take into this match. They never won at Stamford Bridge in their last eight visits, managing only two points. The last time they played them in the FA Cup the end result was 2-0.
Nonetheless there probably has rarely been a better moment to try and make amends for unfavourable historical data. Abramovich has been seen visiting the Chelsea training grounds and although there may have been smiles exchanged and he was reported to be in agreement with the manager that the problems originate from the players’ attitude Villa Boas should worry.
There does seem to be a schism between players of the old guard and those who have joined the group recently. Even when someone scores there is sometimes reluctance from the players outside the scorer’s group to join in the celebrations.
Negative signs for a team which looks like having reached a point where radical changes are required. Terry should be back in defence and given David Luis’ recent displays he should be partnered by new boy Gary Cahill. In attack, a disappointed Drogba who lost with his Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations final against Zambia, will bench Torres, still nothing but a mere statue at Stamford Bridge.
Will this be enough? Nothing is certain with the Blues these days but even though they will have an eye cast on the Champions League clash in Napoli on Tuesday they know they have to avoid as many slip ups as they can. They will be prudent with Villas Boas demanding more attention in defence. The goals will come thanks to Drogba, who has always been there when the club needed him and whenever goals were required.
Verdict: 1
Cautious Chelsea. But they have to take this home.
Everton – Blackpool
A particularly lax calendar awaits the Toffees this month. This is due to the fact that they will not being playing their next Premier League match given that Liverpool will be involved in the first Wembley final this season. Derby postponed therefore so all energies should be focused on advancing in the FA Cup, for a change.
Moyes should be all smiles now that the club has made a few good moves on the market, wasting no time in January to remedy for a situation that was piling on ridicule on a club, and a manager, of this calibre. Some absentees still remain but because of the increased number in personnel the manager will have no problem in fielding quite a strong starting eleven for a match which does now gain in importance for the club.
Championship side Blackpool have been busy themselves picking up precious points. They presently occupy a position in the playoff area. Only twice have they been defeated since November, over a span of 17 league matches. On both occasions it was on away turf.
5-3 was the score in the last match the teams played at Goodison Park.
Verdict: 1
Everton’s schedule allows them to take the cup seriously this time.
Sunderland – Arsenal
The Black Cats’ last match was against Arsenal. The Gunners, however, are coming from a difficult trip to the San Siro where they lost heavily. I’m not sure how much in the mood they will be for a visit to the Stadium of Light. They almost lost there last weekend although the home team’s goal was a bit lucky. The difference in quality was clear but the situation will be different this time.
O’Neill has been on the right track to finally make the home stadium of Sunderland a fortress once again. It had ceased to be thus during the reign of Bruce. The weekend defeat should have helped the manager understand better his opponents and he is not usually one to be carried by the nose twice. The Sunderland players be better rested than Wenger’s. The Frenchman will once again be making use of his staring eleven now that Henry has travelled back to the United States and Mertesacker is ruled out for a long time.
Verdict: Sunderland 0:0
The San Siro thumping will still be shaking Wenger’s short squad. A rested Sunderland and an O’Neill plotting revenge should keep steady for long enough to get what they want.
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