THE PREMIER LEAGUE weekend is undoubtedly headlined by Sunday’s mouth-watering clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford but there are plenty of other fascinating fixtures.
Here are five talking points ahead of the action…
West Brom and Villa desperately seek Derby Day lift
For Alan Irvine, there would be no better way to endear himself to the section of Baggies fans that have turned on him by beating cross-city rivals Aston Villa. The Hawthorns faithful are growing increasingly restless with their manager as their side lie perilously close to the red zone after an indifferent first half to the season.
West Brom have not won in five attempts and with others picking up points around them, Irvine’s side have slid down the standings in recent weeks. The visit of Villa to the Hawthorns may be the perfect tonic to reinvigorate their campaign but the detractors feel there are underlying issues with Irvine’s managerial style.
That said, three points on Saturday would appease the critics and lift West Brom from their current gloom.
Villa aren’t in such quite a rot but after an impressive start, Paul Lambert’s side have struggled of late. Victory over Leicester last time out was badly needed and eases the pressure somewhat on Lambert but much like his counterpart, taking the derby spoils this weekend would be a significant step in the right direction. A defeat for the Baggies would only increase the murmurings of discontent among supporters.
Podolski to be given his chance as Arsenal injury crisis escalates once more
Can Lukas Podolski convert his Champions League goalscoring form onto the domestic stage? Press Association Images
Press Association Images
For one reason or another, Lukas Podolski has never been Arsene Wenger’s cup of tea. Despite making a big impression during his first season in England – he scored 11 Premier League goals – the German has fallen behind Danny Welbeck, Oliver Giroud and Alexis Sanchez this term.
He was given the opportunity midweek and underlined his worth with an inspired performance that was no doubt born out of pure frustration. Now, Wenger has hinted that Podolski will be given his chance domestically when Newcastle visit the Emirates on Saturday.
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The striker’s goalscoring ability is undoubted and with a clinical left foot, it seems strange that Wenger has consistently overlooked the 29-year-old when Arsenal have relied so heavily on Sanchez to find the net this year.
With the Gunners’ injury problems mounting once more, they will face a stern test in the form of Alan Pardew’s side as they look to bounce back from last week’s humbling defeat to Stoke. The win against Galatasaray would have lifted spirits but Arsenal are still well off the pace domestically and they can ill-afford to drop any more points, particularly against a Newcastle side hoping to overtake them with a victory of their own in North London.
If the injury list wasn’t long enough already, Laurent Koscienly, Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal have all been ruled out of the game. With Calum Chambers unavailable through suspension, Wenger finds his options limited once more. Perhaps Podolski might be given a game in defence.
Will Hull be on the receiving end of Chelsea’s redress?
Much to the surprise of many, Chelsea came unstuck for the first time this season at St James’ Park last time out. Defeat to Newcastle has given the title race a new breath of life after the Blues had started to open up a commanding lead at the summit. Man City are hot on their heels so Jose Mourinho’s side will be determined to bounce back and inflict more woe on Hull.
The Tigers have failed to win any of their last eight Premier League outings and although Cesc Fabregas is suspended, you fear the worst for Steve Bruce’s side in the capital. It’s difficult to see Hull coming away from Stamford Bridge with anything but if last week proved anything, Chelsea aren’t the indestructible side everybody was making them out to be.
The Blues completed an impressive Champions League group campaign by swatting Sporting Lisbon aside on Wednesday and they will sense blood when the wounded Tigers arrive in West London.
With the festive period looming, Steve Bruce will be desperate for his side to start collecting points regularly to avoid becoming entrapped in the relegation dogfight. They currently sit 18th in the standings and Saturday would be an ideal time to end their win less run, however unlikely that may be.
Time for Tottenham to address their post-Europa League hoodoo
It's difficult to know what to expect from Tottenham at Swansea PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
There are several criticisms levelled at the Europa League but the competition must send a shiver down the spine of Tottenham fans. Over the past few seasons, Spurs have struggled to manage the busy schedule as their league form, particularly on the weekend after a Europa League game, has been effected.
This week – after a tiresome trip to Turkey on Thursday – Mauricio Pochettino’s side face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. That said, Tottenham have picked up half of their points this season on the road and will be keen to avoid three disappointing results in the space of a week after a scoreless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend was followed-up by that defeat to Besiktas.
Gylfi Sigurdsson will be determined to get one over on his former employers. It never quite happened for the Icelandic international at White Hart Lane but a return to Wales has seen him rediscover his confidence and form under Garry Monk.
The Swans are flying high once more, currently in 8th, and will fancy their chances of picking up three points against a Tottenham side just below them in the standings.
Can QPR end their away day blues at Goodison?
For a side that has lost all of their away games this season, it’s remarkable QPR still have their heads above the water. Harry Redknapp’s side have been a different proposition at home and away and while their form at Loftus Road has been encouraging, the R’s will be eager to end their travel sickness sooner rather than later.
Their opponents on Monday will be equally desperate for the points as Everton look to address their own poor run of results. Last week’s defeat at the Ethiad extended Roberto Martinez’s side’s win less run to three games as they languish in the bottom half of the table.
The Spaniard hasn’t been able to replicate the miracles he performed last year at Goodison Park but having rested several regulars during Thursday’s Europa League game and the fact they don’t play until Monday, the Toffees should be raring to go against QPR.
Both teams desperately require the points for different reasons.
5 Premier League talking points ahead of another crunch weekend
THE PREMIER LEAGUE weekend is undoubtedly headlined by Sunday’s mouth-watering clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford but there are plenty of other fascinating fixtures.
Here are five talking points ahead of the action…
West Brom and Villa desperately seek Derby Day lift
For Alan Irvine, there would be no better way to endear himself to the section of Baggies fans that have turned on him by beating cross-city rivals Aston Villa. The Hawthorns faithful are growing increasingly restless with their manager as their side lie perilously close to the red zone after an indifferent first half to the season.
West Brom have not won in five attempts and with others picking up points around them, Irvine’s side have slid down the standings in recent weeks. The visit of Villa to the Hawthorns may be the perfect tonic to reinvigorate their campaign but the detractors feel there are underlying issues with Irvine’s managerial style.
That said, three points on Saturday would appease the critics and lift West Brom from their current gloom.
Villa aren’t in such quite a rot but after an impressive start, Paul Lambert’s side have struggled of late. Victory over Leicester last time out was badly needed and eases the pressure somewhat on Lambert but much like his counterpart, taking the derby spoils this weekend would be a significant step in the right direction. A defeat for the Baggies would only increase the murmurings of discontent among supporters.
Podolski to be given his chance as Arsenal injury crisis escalates once more
For one reason or another, Lukas Podolski has never been Arsene Wenger’s cup of tea. Despite making a big impression during his first season in England – he scored 11 Premier League goals – the German has fallen behind Danny Welbeck, Oliver Giroud and Alexis Sanchez this term.
He was given the opportunity midweek and underlined his worth with an inspired performance that was no doubt born out of pure frustration. Now, Wenger has hinted that Podolski will be given his chance domestically when Newcastle visit the Emirates on Saturday.
The striker’s goalscoring ability is undoubted and with a clinical left foot, it seems strange that Wenger has consistently overlooked the 29-year-old when Arsenal have relied so heavily on Sanchez to find the net this year.
With the Gunners’ injury problems mounting once more, they will face a stern test in the form of Alan Pardew’s side as they look to bounce back from last week’s humbling defeat to Stoke. The win against Galatasaray would have lifted spirits but Arsenal are still well off the pace domestically and they can ill-afford to drop any more points, particularly against a Newcastle side hoping to overtake them with a victory of their own in North London.
If the injury list wasn’t long enough already, Laurent Koscienly, Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal have all been ruled out of the game. With Calum Chambers unavailable through suspension, Wenger finds his options limited once more. Perhaps Podolski might be given a game in defence.
Will Hull be on the receiving end of Chelsea’s redress?
Much to the surprise of many, Chelsea came unstuck for the first time this season at St James’ Park last time out. Defeat to Newcastle has given the title race a new breath of life after the Blues had started to open up a commanding lead at the summit. Man City are hot on their heels so Jose Mourinho’s side will be determined to bounce back and inflict more woe on Hull.
The Tigers have failed to win any of their last eight Premier League outings and although Cesc Fabregas is suspended, you fear the worst for Steve Bruce’s side in the capital. It’s difficult to see Hull coming away from Stamford Bridge with anything but if last week proved anything, Chelsea aren’t the indestructible side everybody was making them out to be.
The Blues completed an impressive Champions League group campaign by swatting Sporting Lisbon aside on Wednesday and they will sense blood when the wounded Tigers arrive in West London.
With the festive period looming, Steve Bruce will be desperate for his side to start collecting points regularly to avoid becoming entrapped in the relegation dogfight. They currently sit 18th in the standings and Saturday would be an ideal time to end their win less run, however unlikely that may be.
Time for Tottenham to address their post-Europa League hoodoo
There are several criticisms levelled at the Europa League but the competition must send a shiver down the spine of Tottenham fans. Over the past few seasons, Spurs have struggled to manage the busy schedule as their league form, particularly on the weekend after a Europa League game, has been effected.
This week – after a tiresome trip to Turkey on Thursday – Mauricio Pochettino’s side face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. That said, Tottenham have picked up half of their points this season on the road and will be keen to avoid three disappointing results in the space of a week after a scoreless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend was followed-up by that defeat to Besiktas.
Gylfi Sigurdsson will be determined to get one over on his former employers. It never quite happened for the Icelandic international at White Hart Lane but a return to Wales has seen him rediscover his confidence and form under Garry Monk.
The Swans are flying high once more, currently in 8th, and will fancy their chances of picking up three points against a Tottenham side just below them in the standings.
Can QPR end their away day blues at Goodison?
For a side that has lost all of their away games this season, it’s remarkable QPR still have their heads above the water. Harry Redknapp’s side have been a different proposition at home and away and while their form at Loftus Road has been encouraging, the R’s will be eager to end their travel sickness sooner rather than later.
Their opponents on Monday will be equally desperate for the points as Everton look to address their own poor run of results. Last week’s defeat at the Ethiad extended Roberto Martinez’s side’s win less run to three games as they languish in the bottom half of the table.
The Spaniard hasn’t been able to replicate the miracles he performed last year at Goodison Park but having rested several regulars during Thursday’s Europa League game and the fact they don’t play until Monday, the Toffees should be raring to go against QPR.
Both teams desperately require the points for different reasons.
Premier League Fixtures:
Saturday (3pm unless stated)
Sunday
Monday
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