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Premiership 2011 - Week 35 - Scramble for the Fourth Place
By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Google+: Joe Bexpert
Old foes reunited once again at the Emirates for yet another showdown in the Premiership, Arsenal will host Manchester United on Sunday while Liverpool takes on Newcastle at Anfield. The London derby betwen Chelsea and Tottenham will take place on Saturday for the fight for the fourth place.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham
This London derby have a bit more meaning to it this season after Chelsea and Tottenham are competing at the top half with settings goals to achieve. The London Blues are in a hope to still catch the league leaders, Manchester United at the top while Spurs needs that fourth place in order to compete in the Champions League.
For Chelsea, this could be the case of being too much too late occasion for this season. There aren’t many games left and with four games to go, Chelsea have six points to gain on rival Manchester United. So the Blues will have to win this London derby to salvage the late entry as a title candidate to save coach Ancelotti’s job. The positive point for Ancelotti is that Fernando Torres has final open his Chelsea goal account and what more, the team seem to be able to find their foot with the right tactics and right players. Michael Essien, Ramires and Alex are all fit to face Spurs.
It’s not the way you start the season but it is the way you end the season that counts. For Spurs, it is important to them to continue to compete at the highest level and by that the Champions League would help them achieve both the need to compete domestically and also receiving the money to strengthening the team. Manager Harry Redknapp is hoping that his team can find their good form early this season as their last game was once again left him wanting drawing 2-2 against WBA at White Hart Lane, also getting a 3-3 draw against rivals Arsenal the game before. A change is needed and that is the mentality to win once again. Corluka, King Huddlestone and Woodgate are unavailable for the short trip to Stamford Bridge.
A draw would not suit either team but a cautious would exercise this option as both teams can score goals for sure. So going for a over 2.5 goals would be a safe option but Chelsea is more likely to favorite here as the options are plenty and the squad depth is stronger that Tottenham, the element of surprise will have to come from Van Der Vaart or Gareth Bale for Spurs.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle
Buying and selling were the main objectives between Liverpool and Newcastle at the turn of the year, Liverpool purchased Newcastle’s prize asset, Andy Carroll for 35 million pounds while Newcastle struggled to find a replacement unless free transfer Kufi is what the Geordies expect to materialized on. This game is undoubtedly going to focus on Andy Carroll but to many disappointment, he is doubtful to face his boyhood club at Anfield Road early afternoon kickoff.
Liverpool is building upon their success with Scousers coming through the ranks. The Reds have seen Martin Kelly, Jack Robinsen, Jack Flanagan and Jay Spearing coming through the ranks, pushing experienced Poulsen and Kyrgiakos to the bench. Caretaker Kenny Daglish is in no illusion that his team are world beaters yet, but a late push for some European placement for next season would be the key for some success. Daglish will look towards Kuyt, Maxi and Suarez to carry their good form but Agger, Aurelio, Kelly, Gerrard and Glen Johnson are all out for this tie.
After the sale of Andy Carroll, the Magpies have struggled to score and failing to score in five of their 11 Premier League game since Carroll’s departure, Newcastle hasn’t been that lethal in front of the goal. Hanging 11th in the Premier League, Newcastle are solidly clear from the drop and with that mid-table finish, surviving the league was the priority. Manager Alan Pardew have fond memories playing against Liverpool as it was his first game in charge and run out victorious with 3-1, Carroll scored in that game. He will be hoping to do a double over Liverpool but he will have to do it without Ben Arfa, Best, Ireland, Smith, Gosling and Guthrie. Captain Kevin Nolan could return after reciving some treatment on his groin strain.
The stats don’t look good for Newcastle when it comes to head to head at Anfield. Liverpool have won the last five consecutive games and with that in mind, also with Andy Carroll in the limelight, the reds are favorites to win at home for a late push on the European places.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
Another encounter of the top half teams in the Premiership, the Gunners will be hosting the league leaders, Manchester United for the three points in which Arsenal will see this as a do or die match. Arsenal are currently 9 points adrift from one of their arch rivalries and a win is a must for Arsene Wenger to believe that the title is still within their reach. Wenger knows that their recent form has been disappointing with only one win out of the last seven league games. Many will point out that losing the Premiership title would have come late in the season after being put out of the Champions League. For what it is worth, Arsenal has only scored once in their last three home games, Van Persie on penalty against Liverpool so on open play, they struggle at the Emirates. To make matters worse, they are without Abou Diaby, Bartley, Fabianksi, Mannone and Vamaelen while Rosicky is doubtful to feature on Sunday.
The rivalry between the two clubs is undoubtly dominated by Manchester United Alex Ferguson and with a win at the Emirate on Sunday, the scot will register a fifth successive victory over Arsenal in all competitions. What more to take away from that is Manchester United would certainly be on course to 19th title and their fourth in five seasons. Their midweek 2-0 away win over Schalke 04 showed that they are capable to do what is require to get succeed after a bit of turbulence at the turn of the year. Like any champion team, they bounce back and Manchester United are showing some consistency in the both the Premiership and Champions League. Ferguson will be without Scholes, still suspended, and both Fletcher and Hargreaves are unavailable.
Manchester United have a good grip on Arsenal in the recent years and with the run up to the big game on Sunday, the Red devils have held out three clean sheets which shows their defensive depth. Arsenal has to score and win this weekend. Their faithful are complaining about the rising prices of a season tickets in which the value in return resemblance yet another trophyless season. A draw should be exercised here.
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