Will Manchester United increase the heat on Chelsea?
Confidence is soaring and Louis van Gaal’s team will head into their Saturday evening clash at Stamford Bridge with a firm belief that they can grab all three points and ensure the Londoners’ a nervy run-in.
But it’s been a while since United went to Chelsea’s back yard and got anything. October 2012 is the last time they won at the Bridge and under Jose Mourinho, the Blues are a formidably resilient unit. Still, knowing how good United have played in recent weeks, Mourinho may offer up something resembling Chelsea’s display at Old Trafford in the very early days of David Moyes.
On that occasion, Chelsea were cagey and refused to risk much in the attacking third. Certainly, with such an incredible front-line these days, Chelsea’s players have natural attacking instincts and will still cause United problems. But they certainly won’t gamble when a draw will suffice.
Martin Rickett / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Martin Rickett / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images
United have been free-flowing ever since the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal. They’ve hit three goals or more in three of their last four games and, as showcased in the win over Manchester City, teams still can’t handle Marouane Fellaini, despite the less-than-subtle way United are using him. But more importantly, other players have started contributed greatly too – most notably a pair of Spaniards.
Juan Mata will certainly seek some revenge for the ease with which Mourinho allowed him leave Chelsea as he continues to mark himself out as a critical element in Louis van Gaal’s system. Ander Herrera bossed the central zones against City and took his goals superbly well against Aston Villa.
Should United win, it definitely makes things more interesting as the finish line approaches.
Are the wily Foxes set to continue their resurgence?
Just a few weeks ago, Leicester looked dead and buried. There was that ding-dong battle away to Spurs that ended in a 4-3 loss and it seemed only a matter of time before they were mathematically relegated.
But, as the teams around them have shown little interest in pulling away and gaining any sort of momentum, Nigel Pearson’s side have racked up back-to-back wins and are on the march.
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So much attention was paid to that inexplicable 5-3 win over Manchester United at the start of the season and the club’s season has been practically defined by it. But what that game did do was bring Jamie Vardy to centre-stage and he’s been such a critical element in the team’s resurgence.
Jon Buckle / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Jon Buckle / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
In the 2-1 win over West Ham, he tore the Hammers defence to ribbons on countless occasions with his speed and clever running. Though he didn’t get on the score-sheet, he was a constant menace and played a crucial role in Andy King’s winner. Last week, it was Vardy who popped up with another last-gasp Leicester moment, scoring an injury-time winner away to West Brom.
They’ve been here before, of course. They have won consecutively in the league just once before. They beat Stoke and then United and then went on a 13-game winless streak. They’ll desperately hope something similar doesn’t derail their hopes of a miraculous escape.
Can the Saints go marching back to a top-five place?
It’s not how it works but Southampton deserve to qualify for Europe next season. Ronald Koeman has done a remarkable job in incredibly difficult circumstances and when they seemed like tailing off after an immense start, they’ve dug in and kept in touch with the top-five.
It promises to be a crucial summer for the club. Last season, they lost the majority of their prized assets but managed to keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin. Once the term ends, the rumour mill will start again and Southampton will do well to keep hold of the French midfielder for another campaign. Meanwhile, the build-up to Saturday’s clash at Stoke City has been overshadowed by the relentless talk of defender Nathaniel Clyne moving elsewhere and with the big teams set to sniff around again, it could be another difficult summer ahead.
Nathaniel Clyne could be part of another Southampton exodus this summer. Tim Parker / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Tim Parker / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images
So, having European football to look forward to could placate fans temporarily. Their run-in is generous with a final-day clash against Manchester City a stand-alone difficult assignment (on paper).
The Brittania Stadium isn’t as daunting a place to go as it was when Tony Pulis was in charge of the Potters and Ronald Koeman’s side can take full advantage of Liverpool’s Cup exploits and jump into 5th with a victory.
Manuel Pellegrini is a dead man walking but still has his pride to play for
In the short-term, it’s been pretty miserable for Manchester City but the malaise really began in January and Manuel Pellegrini has been desperately trying to reignite his side ever since.
He’s failed and will almost certainly pay the price. But he deserves more than that and has his reputation to think of. He won the Premier League and League Cup in his first season in English football but will be ruthlessly cast aside this summer, the derby defeat surely the last straw.
Manu Fernandez / AP/Press Association Images
Manu Fernandez / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
But should City finish second and he’s sacked, it reflects more on the workings of a dysfunctional club than that of their coach. So, Pellegrini will be intensely focused on City’s six remaining games. They are all winnable. But would you back these players to deliver when it matters most? Having flopped so incredibly in the intense atmosphere of a local derby with so much on the line, will the collection of egos care about a home clash with West Ham?
Burnley’s away day blues could cost them survival
If Sean Dyche’s side are to stay up, it will be because of grit, determination and hard work. It certainly won’t be because of their ability to conjure memorable escapes or last-gasp wins.
They’ve managed 26 goals in 32 games (still not as embarrassing a tally as Aston Villa or Sunderland). They won just 5 games all season (the joint-lowest with Sunderland). And the form book says that they may win only one more game between now and the end of the campaign.
Andrew Matthews / EMPICS Sport
Andrew Matthews / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
The form book also says that they are poor on their travels. They’ve won just once away from Turf Moor this term – from 15 games. So, bad news then that four of their remaining six fixtures are away from home.
The biggest story involving the club this week has been the revelation that another manager told Dyche to ‘move with the times’ regarding diving – essentially that the players need to do all they can to gain an inch.
They’ve spent the entire season gaining inches but in the right way. What they really need is some points on the road, starting with Everton on Saturday.
5 talking points ahead of the weekend's Premier League action
Will Manchester United increase the heat on Chelsea?
Confidence is soaring and Louis van Gaal’s team will head into their Saturday evening clash at Stamford Bridge with a firm belief that they can grab all three points and ensure the Londoners’ a nervy run-in.
But it’s been a while since United went to Chelsea’s back yard and got anything. October 2012 is the last time they won at the Bridge and under Jose Mourinho, the Blues are a formidably resilient unit. Still, knowing how good United have played in recent weeks, Mourinho may offer up something resembling Chelsea’s display at Old Trafford in the very early days of David Moyes.
On that occasion, Chelsea were cagey and refused to risk much in the attacking third. Certainly, with such an incredible front-line these days, Chelsea’s players have natural attacking instincts and will still cause United problems. But they certainly won’t gamble when a draw will suffice.
United have been free-flowing ever since the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal. They’ve hit three goals or more in three of their last four games and, as showcased in the win over Manchester City, teams still can’t handle Marouane Fellaini, despite the less-than-subtle way United are using him. But more importantly, other players have started contributed greatly too – most notably a pair of Spaniards.
Juan Mata will certainly seek some revenge for the ease with which Mourinho allowed him leave Chelsea as he continues to mark himself out as a critical element in Louis van Gaal’s system. Ander Herrera bossed the central zones against City and took his goals superbly well against Aston Villa.
Should United win, it definitely makes things more interesting as the finish line approaches.
Are the wily Foxes set to continue their resurgence?
Just a few weeks ago, Leicester looked dead and buried. There was that ding-dong battle away to Spurs that ended in a 4-3 loss and it seemed only a matter of time before they were mathematically relegated.
But, as the teams around them have shown little interest in pulling away and gaining any sort of momentum, Nigel Pearson’s side have racked up back-to-back wins and are on the march.
So much attention was paid to that inexplicable 5-3 win over Manchester United at the start of the season and the club’s season has been practically defined by it. But what that game did do was bring Jamie Vardy to centre-stage and he’s been such a critical element in the team’s resurgence.
In the 2-1 win over West Ham, he tore the Hammers defence to ribbons on countless occasions with his speed and clever running. Though he didn’t get on the score-sheet, he was a constant menace and played a crucial role in Andy King’s winner. Last week, it was Vardy who popped up with another last-gasp Leicester moment, scoring an injury-time winner away to West Brom.
They’ve been here before, of course. They have won consecutively in the league just once before. They beat Stoke and then United and then went on a 13-game winless streak. They’ll desperately hope something similar doesn’t derail their hopes of a miraculous escape.
Can the Saints go marching back to a top-five place?
It’s not how it works but Southampton deserve to qualify for Europe next season. Ronald Koeman has done a remarkable job in incredibly difficult circumstances and when they seemed like tailing off after an immense start, they’ve dug in and kept in touch with the top-five.
It promises to be a crucial summer for the club. Last season, they lost the majority of their prized assets but managed to keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin. Once the term ends, the rumour mill will start again and Southampton will do well to keep hold of the French midfielder for another campaign. Meanwhile, the build-up to Saturday’s clash at Stoke City has been overshadowed by the relentless talk of defender Nathaniel Clyne moving elsewhere and with the big teams set to sniff around again, it could be another difficult summer ahead.
So, having European football to look forward to could placate fans temporarily. Their run-in is generous with a final-day clash against Manchester City a stand-alone difficult assignment (on paper).
The Brittania Stadium isn’t as daunting a place to go as it was when Tony Pulis was in charge of the Potters and Ronald Koeman’s side can take full advantage of Liverpool’s Cup exploits and jump into 5th with a victory.
Manuel Pellegrini is a dead man walking but still has his pride to play for
In the short-term, it’s been pretty miserable for Manchester City but the malaise really began in January and Manuel Pellegrini has been desperately trying to reignite his side ever since.
He’s failed and will almost certainly pay the price. But he deserves more than that and has his reputation to think of. He won the Premier League and League Cup in his first season in English football but will be ruthlessly cast aside this summer, the derby defeat surely the last straw.
But should City finish second and he’s sacked, it reflects more on the workings of a dysfunctional club than that of their coach. So, Pellegrini will be intensely focused on City’s six remaining games. They are all winnable. But would you back these players to deliver when it matters most? Having flopped so incredibly in the intense atmosphere of a local derby with so much on the line, will the collection of egos care about a home clash with West Ham?
Burnley’s away day blues could cost them survival
If Sean Dyche’s side are to stay up, it will be because of grit, determination and hard work. It certainly won’t be because of their ability to conjure memorable escapes or last-gasp wins.
They’ve managed 26 goals in 32 games (still not as embarrassing a tally as Aston Villa or Sunderland). They won just 5 games all season (the joint-lowest with Sunderland). And the form book says that they may win only one more game between now and the end of the campaign.
The form book also says that they are poor on their travels. They’ve won just once away from Turf Moor this term – from 15 games. So, bad news then that four of their remaining six fixtures are away from home.
The biggest story involving the club this week has been the revelation that another manager told Dyche to ‘move with the times’ regarding diving – essentially that the players need to do all they can to gain an inch.
They’ve spent the entire season gaining inches but in the right way. What they really need is some points on the road, starting with Everton on Saturday.
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Analysis Ander Herrera Burnley jamie vardy Juan Mata Leicester City Manchester City Manuel Pellegrini Marouane Fellaini Ronald Koeman Sean Dyche Southampton