Sunday Supplement

Well yesterday proved to be one of the blogs first unsuccessful days, but I hope not to be dwelling on this and hopefully moving on to a more successful Sunday.  Sunday brings three fa cup fixtures and one premier league match.  Cup matches are always slightly more difficult to call and don't offer much value in the usual markets.

CHELSEA v BRENTFORD

After scraping a late draw at Griffin Park Chelsea now take Brentford back to Stamford Bridge.  Since the first match Chelsea have won two, drawn one and lost one whilst Brentford have won one, lost one and drawn one.  At the turn of the year Chelsea suffered some indifferent results at home with defeats to QPR and Swansea but in recent weeks they have turned this around with wins against Arsenal and Wigan.  Brentford still boast a good away record in the league with just one defeat in their last five.  Also to note four of their last five away matches have seen two or more goals scored as well.  Comparing these two teams Chelsea have averaged just under two and half goals per home match whilst Brentford have managed just over one goal per away match.  Another area with these two teams are similar is they are both averaging approx one goal conceded per match.  I believe Chelsea will go out with a strong lineup in this match as it is one of their most realistic chances of silverware this season.  Chelsea have started strong and quickly at home this season and this shown with their average first goal scored coming at 26 minutes.  My suggestion is for a few goals and a home victory.

MANCHESTER CITY v LEEDS UTD

After last weeks defeat away against Southampton surely Roberto Mancini will be very focused on the cup as the media continue to report pressure from the owners.  Even the most loyal Manchester City fan will struggle to say the title race is still alive and with that in mind Manchester City will be desperate to win at least some silverware this season.  Early in the season I commented on the City side were not looking as hungry as last season and thought they would struggle to hit last years highs.  It is often reported winning your second league title is often harder than the first, the ability to maintain a teams focus and desire is a key skill of a manager.  In recent matches Manchester City have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five.  By their usual standards this is indifferent for the champions.  At home they have been still in championship form with the only blot on their record being a recent draw with Liverpool.  Leeds come into this match with reports of yet another takeover and uncertain times ahead.  With this in mind their form has dipped slightly with two defeats and a draw in their last three.  Sadly their away record is not positive with three defeats and one draw in their last five matches.  Looking at these teams trends this season it is grim reading for the visitors with Manchester City scoring on average over two goals per home match whilst this is nearly the same amount Leeds have conceded away from home.  Overall I cannot see beyond a home win and a good forecast for at least a couple of goals.

HUDDERSFIELD v WIGAN

Arguably this could be the closest of the cup matches on offer on Sunday.  Huddersfield come into the match under new management and in recent good form.  Their only defeat in the last five came away at Derby whilst winning two and drawing the other two matches.  Their last five home matches have seen four draws and one victory, of these last five none have seen over two goals scored either.  Their opponents Wigan have won two and drawn two of their last five away matches.  Both of these two teams have managed just over one goal per game in relevant home and away matches.  I'm not expecting this to be the most high scoring of matches and these teams average first goal scored is after forty six minutes.  My suggestion is that Huddersfield can come away from this match with something due to their recent good home form and also the new manager factor as well. 

LIVERPOOL v SWANSEA

Liverpool come into this match after a set of really disappointing results and also mounting pressure on Brendan Rodgers.  The early signs of movement in the right direction have now been replaced by frustration of dominating recent matches but no gaining results.  Swansea come into this match not in brilliant form themselves but this has been partly put down to the distraction on next weekends Capital One cup final.  Motivation will be key for the Swans in this match, I wonder if some players may well have their mind drifting to the final already.  Paul Merson only commented last week that he personally would not be thundering into tackles in recent matches to make sure he would have been fit for Wembley.  Looking at the recent form of Liverpool they have lost three and drawn two of their last five.  All of these matches have seen two or more goals scored and also both teams scoring has landed in three of these five.  Their home record is better with three wins and two defeats in the last five, of these five matches four have seen three or more goals scored.  The Swans come into the match with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five.  Their away form stands at one win, one defeat and three draws in the last five.  On the road Swansea have suddenly discovered a mean defence and have looked to grind out low scoring results.  Three of their last five away matches have ended nil nil and of the other two only one saw more than one goal.   Since returning to the premier league Swansea are unbeaten at Anfield, much will depend on the strength of the team set out by the visitors tomorrow.  This match will be vital to the end of the season for Liverpool, because defeat tomorrow could really see a limp finish and start to crank the pressure on the manger from some sections of supporters.  I believe this match may not be the highest scoring encounter and overall I would be torn between a home win or a draw.

Thanks for reading and good luck !!!