We return to the premier league this weekend after last weekend's cup fixtures. This weekend there are some great fixtures to be seen and hopefully correctly previewed.
First up is the dinner time london grudge match, well if you believe the media hype it is a grudge match but in reality I doubt there is to much animosity between them. QPR have won just twice in their last twelve matches. Part of their problem at home is they haven't kept a clean sheet at home in their last ten matches. Tomorrow they face a Spurs team that has truly been goal crazy on the road. Averaging over two goals in away matches this year shows the scale of the task for Harry Redknapp's team to get anything from the match. Obviously my selection is for goals in this match.
Next is the basement battle between a youthful Aston Villa hosting Southampton. This match is going to be a real test for Villa after the cup defeat in midweek. Villa have only one win in their last six at home whilst Southampton have improved recently and boast only one defeat in their last four matches away from home. This going to be a very difficult match for the home team and like their match against Wigan recently they need to start well. If they don't the fans could turn on the team and defeat could soon follow. I fancy Southampton to get a result and also a few goals in this match.
Everton face the elegant Swans at Goodison, the home side have been an almost certainty for both teams to score this year. Swansea have also been productive for goals this season, but away from home this season they have ground out results by keeping games tight and grabbing a odd goal such as at the Emirates. Swansea have won four of their last six matches away from home, they will post a severe test for Everton. My only concern is the effort Swansea put in against Chelsea in midweek might effect the sharpness. I would foresee goals possibly later on in this match and also depending on the team Swansea play a home win or score draw. I fancy Swansea may rest players ahead of the cup 2nd leg and this will heavily favour a home win.
Fulham play Wigan at the cottage in another game that should contain goals, Fulham have been surprisingly poor at home in recent form, losing to Swansea & Spurs. Normally Fulham are strong at home and I would favour them to get a result against a poor Wigan side. Both of these teams tend to score and concede so it could be a entertaining match.
Norwich have seen a real dip in form recently losing four of their last five, coincidentally they play fellow strugglers Newcastle. Newcastle haven't won any of their last thirteen on their travels and losing Ba and reports of squad unrest are really testing Alan Pardew. I would favour a home win here as I foresee a tough end to the season for Newcastle.
Struggling Reading face this years surprise package in West Brom, in recent weeks Reading have tried to tighten up their defence and have noticeably had a few lower scoring matches. West Brom have won one, drawn one and lost one in their last three away matches. This is a difficult match to judge and if I had to choose I would lean towards a possible away result. Strangely in this match I could see 0-0 or 5-5 just couldnt really call this match before seeing team lineups.
Stoke must be wondering which Chelsea side they will face, the team that beat Southampton five one at St.Mary's or the team that lost two nil at home to Swansea. Either way Stoke will strongly fancy an upset especially with reports Cech is still injured and a lack of harmony in the dressing room. Stoke have lost just one of their last eighteen at home and matches against the top four is to make for a fervent atmosphere. Rafa Benitez has a poor record at the Britannia as well to cast more doubts in the blues camp. I wouldn't see to many goals and definitely favour a home team getting some type of result.
The final match on this preview is between Sunderland and West Ham, if I was to make one suggestion I expect one goal to be scored from a corner or set piece at the stadium of light. Both teams rely on quality deliveries from corners etc. Sunderland have only won two of their last five at home whilst West Ham have won once away from home in their last five. Something makes me believe West Ham can get some kind of result in this match possible a draw. Sunderland have found goals hard to find at home this year and they may well revert to the plan of keeping in tight and looking to pinch a goal.
Overall a difficult set of fixtures with several matches seeing teams in poor form facing each other. I would also predict several matches should see goals especially as teams are in need of results now.
What ever happens good luck people and thanks for reading !!!
No comments:
Post a Comment