Weekly Comic 29/12/07

Chelsea vs Newcastle

29/12- While the third placed Chelsea are trying to keep up the pace with Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the table, the 10^th placed Newcastle United are struggling to maintain their spot in the top half of the table, hence a good match can be expected this Saturday when Chelsea play hosts to the visiting Newcastle team. Both the clubs have been old rivals and there have been 28 encounters between them in the last 15 years, out of which 8 have drawn where as the Blues have won as many as 13 times. This suggests that if we go by history, Chelsea is the stronger side. Coming to the current form of the clubs, Chelsea are coming from a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at home while Newcastle were beaten 0-1 in an away tie against Wigan.

 

While the home crowd would want them to create an impact with a win it seems to be quite difficult as the Blues would be playing without three of their first choice defenders as Carvalho, who has been injured from some time now was joined by Terry a couple of weeks ago and finally Ashley Cole has been suspended for this match. This will be a huge setback for Murinho’s side but the strikers would have to take up the challenge to score as many goals.

 

Newcastle on the other hand would like to revive their campaign as they have slipped to the 10^th position and are ahead just on the goal difference, they would at least want a point of this game in case they win it would be a great gift for the fans before new year though both like quite difficult in current form except for the case we can see Martins and Viduka breaking apart Chelsea’s depleted defense.

 

Prediction: 3-1, Chelsea win

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough

29/12- Two teams in not the best of forms would be pitting against each other when Middlesbrough visit Portsmouth this week. While Portsmouth after making a promising start to the season have slipped to the 8^th position, which is a major shock considering that they constantly appeared in the top 5, their opponents are in the 16^th spot which is just 2 places and 3 points above the relegation zone. Portsmouth would enter this match after a goalless draw against the then league leaders Arsenal at home, on the other side Middlesbrough have lost their last two premiership encounters, the first being at home against West Ham and the last one being 3-0 against Birmingham City in an away tie. In fact, Middlesbrough have not been able to beat Portsmouth since the 1993-94 season as the 8 matches between the clubs then have either resulted in a Portsmouth victory or a draw.

 

Portsmouth is the home team and a lot of encouragement from the crowd will be expected as a win at home will not only help them improve their points’ table position but also their disappointing run at home this season. Mwaruwari has been the most prolific scorer for the club till date and has netted 8 of the 25 goals scored by his side, which is nearly 30%. A good amount of support for him can be expected from the experienced Kanu and Muntari, at least the crowd would hope for that.

 

Middlesbrough on the other hand have to hope that Downing can score more goals and also they can get at least a point out of this away tie as this will help them ensure the safety of the non relegation zone at least for the week as they are already 3 points clear of the relegation zone.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Portsmouth win

Sunderland vs Bolton

29/12- With the premiership crossing the half way stage it is high time that teams lying of the table can try and do things to get out of the mess they are in after the initial part of the season. Two such teams would face off when the Bolton Wanderers travel to Sunderland, while Sunderland are the second last team on the points table in the 19^th position, Bolton are equally struggling at the 15^th position. While Sunderland are on a losing streak after losing 2 back to back matches, the last one being a 0-4 loss too Manchester United at home last week, Bolton have been following a pattern of wins and losses for the past few matches. They lost the last one 2-0 while traveling to Everton, they might just end up winning this one as per the pattern.

 

Bolton have a non depleted squad and have a wonderful striker in Anelka, what they have not been able to do is defend well as they have a great combination working ahead. Diouf has been a force to reckon with in the mid field and has played the role of the play maker for the side efficiently and he along with Anelka can be expected to play a huge role if the side is looking out for its first away win this season. Just 3 points above the relegation zone is no comfortable position and the Wanderers would want to start their move upwards before it is too late.

 

Sunderland on the other hand would have to face the hammer as their injury list consists of quite a few defenders and a second string defensive line against the class of the Bolton attack might just not work. With the forwards not being to deliver consistently there are little chances of survival on current form

 

Prediction: 0-2, Bolton win

Tottenham vs Reading

29/12- A classic fight between two sides packed together on the points table can be expected when the 13^th placed Tottenham play hosts to the 12^th placed Reading. The difference between the sides is just one position on the points table and that too with just a point separating the two. However Tottenham seem to be on a move and their last week’s demolition of Fulham was something to go by, the 5-1 score line would be playing on the Reading players mind. Reading on the other hand have been doing pretty nice as well, they have converted 2 of their last 5 matches into wins while the other have been draws. They also played well enough against West Ham in an away tie to get a point out of the match.

 

Being at home, Tottenham have been in the best of forms as they have lost 4 of the 9 matches played but they have scored in every match played in the premiership and that is something that might have worked in their favor but Reading also has the same record against their name and hence the fans can at least expect a goal from both teams. However Tottenham have scored nearly twice every match and with the likes of Keane and Bent firing, the front line can be quite difficult to handle for the struggling Reading defense.

 

Reading on the other hand will also be facing a strong opposition from the crowd and another fact against them is that they have not won a single away match this season. Another worrying fact is that they have conceded far too many goals and their defensive line has been the third worst in the premiership this season. The side would be missing Gunnarsson after he was red carded on the 26^th in the match against West Ham, they would be hoping that they can fire via Kitson, Doyle and Hunt

 

Prediction: 2-1, Tottenham win

 

West Ham United vs Manchester United

29/12- The first match after gaining the top spot on the table should be quite interesting as Manchester United travel to West Ham in an attempt to maintain their recently gained top spot in the premiership. Manchester United are in red hot form and they are on a winning streak as well hence it will be very difficult to stop them at this point of time. They have the last three games the have played and the last match they played, they completed a drubbing of Sunderland in an away tie when the beat them 4-0. West Ham on the other hand have been performing decently well as well though they were held to a 1-1 draw by Reading in the last match they played at home, they have been consistently winning points and moving ahead.

 

Manchester United have been the best team in the competition be it at home or away and that is proven by the top spot they have occupied in the league table. Though there are a few key players missing, Sir Alex Fergusson’s team can ride smoothly on the back of the form exhibited by Christiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha and Rooney. All these are ably complemented by Tevez in the front and form a deadly combination. Their defense also looks much better and have just given away 9 goals in the 19 matches played, they have the momentum going with them and the tam would be expecting another 3 points from this trip.

 

West Ham United would be anxious about the tie as they know the threat their goal would get from the Man U strikers. As well as they would be playing without Bellamy at the front and Bowyer in the midfield and this could prove to be a huge setback as one would always want their best team get on to the field against a side like Man U. The home crowd would be hoping that their team can put up a spirited performance and at least nail out a point from the tie.

 

Prediction: 1-2, Man U win

Wigan vs Aston Villa

29/12- Two teams at the opposite end of the table with opposite fortunes and opposite current forms clash when Wigan play hosts to Aston Villa. Aston Villa were highly impressive in the first half of the season and with a place in the top half of the table, they have been fighting for a European championship spot however off late the team seems to be struggling, out of their last 5 matches 2 have been losses and 3 have been draws, the last one being against Chelsea. On the other hand Wigan had a disastrous campaign opening and found themselves in the relegation zone for long and all of a sudden they have changed and are looking much more of a fighting team and this has helped them climb to the 17^th spot and out of the relegation zone. They have won 2 of their last 5 encounters, drawn 2 and lost only 1, this seems to be the effect of the return of their star striker Heskey.

 

Wigan’s home record has been much better than their over all performance this season and hence they would be expecting to continue their stay outside the relegation zone and would also be hoping for a good show so that they can get away from the bottom part of the table. Bent has played a phenomenal role in the success of this team and a lot would be expected of him in this home tie. With the fans cheering their team’s revival, the players would be keen to do well as well.

 

Aston Villa on the other hand would take heart out of the way they fought Chelsea in the last tie and held the home side for a 4-4 draw. They showed that they had the heart to take on the best teams but in the process lost a defender in the form of Knight being suspended. Agbonlahor and Barry would be expected to net something in order to get the club a much awaited win.

 

Prediction: 2-1, Wigan win

Everton vs Arsenal

Everton vs Arsenal

 

29/12- On the eve of the new year, Everton face a tough task of managing the Gunners who have been just dethroned of their top position in the league by Man U, last week. Arsene Wenger’s team would be waiting to make a statement and a trip to Everton might just be the place they do so. Though Everton have been one of the better teams this season facing a roaring Arsenal team would be a huge challenge for the club. Arsenal have lost just one match this season and enter this match after an away draw against Portsmouth and hence would be eager to score 3 points here where as Everton beat Bolton 2-0 at home on the 26^th. Looking at the history of the clubs of the last 28 games played after 1993-94 Arsenal have managed to win 16 times while 7 have been draws and out of the 16 Arsenal wins 10 have come against Everton in Everton and hence the Gunners have an upper hand.

 

Arsenal have Adebayor and Fabregas on their side, two of the best strikers in the premiership and their injury list also seems to be empty hence Wenger would have the entire squad ready to choose from. The difference between them and Man U is just a point and if the red devils loose or tie at West Ham Arsenal have a great chance to regain their lost position, even if Man U win it is important that the Gunners can keep up pace with them.

 

Everton, on the other hand are fighting for the UEFA cup spot and know that only a few wins can help them achieve their goals With Manchester City having to host Liverpool this weekend a win could take Everton to the 5^th spot and if Yakubu and Cahill can score a few we would have a game on hand. But as of now it looks as if the Gunners might just take home a good 3 points.

 

Prediction: 1-3, Arsenal win

Weekly Comic 25/12/07

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

26/12- Just a day post Christmas the Blues would be hosting the team from Aston Villa, this is a tough draw for both the teams as most of their Christmas would be spent practicing. The draw is also very important for both the teams as the 3^rd placed Chelsea would like to cut down on the 4 point gap between them and the 2^nd placed team Manchester United. On the other hand Villa would like to at least maintain its 7^th spot if not improve it on the points table. While Chelsea would have the home advantage they also enter the match on a positive note as they were able to manage a 1-0 away victory at Blackburn this past Sunday. Aston Villa would also be encouraged by the way they held a tough team like Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at home.

 

Chelsea for some weeks now have been playing without Drogba, Ballack and now even John Terry is missing hence they would again rely on Lampard, Kalou and Cole to provide the spark to the game and try to win it for them. Chelsea have been decent in their performance at home this season and scoring against them at home has been very difficult as well but the Blues would also like to score some more goals while playing at home.

 

Aston Villa on the other side have a fairly non depleted side with decent away performances this season, Carew has been one of their in form players and has more often than not broken the deadlock in a match and along with the team’s top scorer this season, Agbonlahor, can be a potential threat to Murinho’s defense. Though the match might be an evenly fought one, beating Chelsea in their den would be kind of difficult and Villa would settle with just a point as well.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Chelsea win

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