Filed under: bundesliga, Champions League, Confederations Cup, International, MLS, Ones To Watch, premier league, Transfer, United States, Weekend Preview, World Cup
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Filed under: premier league, Weekend Preview | Tags: avram grant, birmingham, bolton, everton, fernando torres, hull city, landon donovan, liverpool, portsmouth, rafael benitez, steven gerrard, sunderland, wigan
March 6th, 2010
EVERTON v. HULL CITY – Sunday, March 7th
After a shaky start to the season, the Toffees have turned things around and are steadily moving up the table. Recently, they’ve toppled Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City and there aren’t many sides that would want to tackle this side at home, especially Hull City. It’s hard to look past the fact that the Tigers are offensively challenged on the road, not to mention, winless. The arrival of Donovan has proven to be a worthwhile investment while reports are circulating that he is pushing to make his move to Goodison Park permanent. Regardless, the Toffees are looking strong at the moment, while Hull is looking very much like a dying animal. They could be on their way out unless they find some form. There’s only one way this game will end.
Everton 2 – 0 Hull City
LIVERPOOL v. WIGAN – Monday, March 8th
Wigan’s leaky defensive record on the road may be their downfall in this fixture against a Liverpool team who is
slowly finding form and getting their stars back from injury. Wigan are winless in their last nine matches and are going to need to park the bus in front of goal to be able to get any points from the Reds. However, with Liverpool’s shaky form recently, that might just be enough to throw them off. Expect Benitez to field his strongest team possible as any slip ups from here on out will be curtains on their Champions League aspirations. And with Gerrard, Torres and possibly Johnson back, the Reds should be coming out firing on all cylinders.
Liverpool 3 – 1 Wigan
PORTSMOUTH v. BIRMINGHAM – Tuesday, March 9th
This is a crucial fixture for Pompey and Avram Grant’s men must find a way to get a win if they want to even think about EPL survival. Hopefully for the cash-strapped side, they won’t have one eye on Wembley as retaining their top flight status should be top of their to-do list. Unfortunately for them, Birmingham are having a very decent season and sit 8th with more away wins than Portsmouth have home wins. Pompey have actually won three of their last four, one of which was against Birmingham in the FA Cup. This fixture will be an exact replay of their game today (March 6th). Pompey look to have the upper hand, but I think we’ll see a different game on Tuesday and Pompey will be even hungrier to emulate their recent victory over the Blues.
Portsmouth 1 – 3 Birmingham
SUNDERLAND v. BOLTON
Sunderland are winless in their last 14 matches. Yes, 14. They haven’t taken 3 points since November 21st against Arsenal. That pretty much sums up their plight and the reason that they are now being dragged into the relegation dogfight. Even with their seemingly sound squad, Sunderland are hopeless at the moment. Steve Bruce had better churn out a result somehow or he could be tipped to be the next manager ousted. Bolton have a hard time scoring on the road, and (other than today) haven’t scored in their travels in their last six matches. Not many goals are scored at the Stadium of Light, and this match probably won’t be any different.
Sunderland 2 – 0 Bolton
Filed under: premier league, Weekend Preview | Tags: aaron ramsey, andrey arshavin, arsenal, bolton, burnley, carlton cole, dimitar berbatov, hull, manchester united, wayne rooney, west ham
March 6th, 2010
ARSENAL v. BURNLEY
This is the first game back for the Gunners after the horrific leg break of Aaron Ramsey, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the boys are on a mission to win this game for him. That’s not too tall of an order. Burnley absolutely bleed goals away from home, and it won’t help matters that Arsenal score the third most goals at home in the league (after Chelsea and United). However, there is a glimmer of hope for the Clarets as the Gunners are a little short handed in missing the likes of Campbell and Gallas. Add that to the fact that Burnley have already beat Manchester United as well as Everton earlier this season and you may have a potential upset. But those two wins came at Turf Moor under Owen Coyle, and quite frankly, it is a virtual certainty that Arsenal stroll.
Arsenal 3 – 0 Burnley
WEST HAM v BOLTON
One of the best parts about the beginning of the end is watching the relegation dogfight; seeing players give life and
Carlton Cole
limb…especially against other relegation threatened teams. This is such a case. Places 13th – 18 are separated by only 4 points, and you can bet that every manager in those spots is telling his team they have every opportunity to stay alive. West Ham sit atop of the mini relegation table, however that doesn’t mean much as Bolton are only one point back. Expect a scrap (surprise, surprise…Bolton are playing) however, West Ham’s leaky defense could be exposed by Bolton’s hard nosed, physical attacking play.
West Ham 1 – 2 Bolton
MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES
Despite the fact that Wolves did recently dispose of Tottenham at home, it’s going to take a lot to convince me they can make anything of this game. Especially after following that up with a loss to Bolton. United could be without their mercurial talisman in Rooney, and now with Owen out, Berbatov with possibly Ji Sung Park for company. Either way, it’ll be very tough for Wolves to make anything out of this game, especially given their inability to score goals away from home. Expect them to park the bus in front of goal, looking to break on the counter.
Wolves 0 – 2 Manchester United
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