The EPL Thread!

[mg91]

Another weekend of exciting action ahead.

Looking forward to Chelsea and Liverpool. Hopefully it ends all square, with United picking up 3 points at Old Trafford

Premier League preview

Chelsea host Liverpool live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1 on Sunday as the Premier League table begins to take shape with mini-wars at the summit and foot beginning to unfold.

The Blues, having started so well, suffered a shock loss at Wigan Athletic last weekend, sparking condemnation of the display by captain John Terry. Better is certainly needed at Stamford Bridge as they look to get their title hunt back on track versus Liverpool.

Among the other weekend fixtures, leaders Manchester United welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford, Blackburn Rovers make the trip to Arsenal, West Ham United and Fulham play out a London derby, and a number of the already-struggling sides meet one another.

Chelsea got back to winning ways during midweek UEFA Champions League action, albeit unconvincingly, while Liverpool fell to defeat in Italy leaving manager Rafa Benitez to regret the phrase "we can beat anyone" said prior to kick-off. The Blues will look to home comforts against the Reds, having not lost in the league at Stamford Bridge since November 2008. Liverpool have an in-form striker Fernando Torres at their disposal but their defensive sturdiness, Jamie Carragher specifically under the microscope, is a worry.

On Saturday, one of four 3pm kick-offs sees Bolton Wanderers welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the North West. Gary Megson has seen quite the change of fortunes in recent times, having accumulated seven points from a possible nine to help alleviate question marks over a style of play that was not pleasing on the eye, let alone initially proving effective. Spurs have previously faltered at the Reebok Stadium but can take heart from their start to the new season - their best to a Premier League campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers tackle bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth, who continue to break all sorts of rotten records. Including the end of last season, Pompey have lost eight games on the spin. Manager Paul Hart has been dealt a poor hand but he will be aware that owners often find the axe a lighter weapon to wield than the emotion sympathy. Wolves will be concerned that they share the same goals against tally as their opposition, but will find comfort in the knowledge that Pompey have failed to score in 10 of their previous 13 league outings.

Newly-promoted pair Burnley and Birmingham City go head-to-head. Beware the men in Blue, for the Clarets' home ground has been their sanctuary to date: all nine points accrued at Turf Moor. The duo played out two 1-1 draws in their Championship meetings last season. It is of course key to take points off your potential relegation rivals, but perhaps it is also fair to argue that another stalemate played out would serve to avoid any damning dent to confidence so premature in the term.

Hull City are sinking fast. They meet Wigan, conquerors of Chelsea, at the KC Stadium. Much of the attention surrounding the Tigers' downfall has centred around their manager Phil Brown's future. That will either serve to take the pressure away from the players or work the other way by becoming a distracting storyline of a man and his own separate fight for survival. The Latics, of course not managed by Roberto Martinez at the time, were 5-0 victors in the corresponding fixture last season.

Manchester United play out an evening fixture versus Sunderland. The Red Devils appear to have found their stride, spurred on by Ryan Giggs' outstanding form. The Welshman has assisted their last five goals. The Black Cats' own in-form player, Darren Bent, has proved he can take his chances against the top sides, scoring versus Chelsea earlier this season, and former United defender Steve Bruce will hope his summer signing is again ready to pounce, and his mind not elsewhere considering his next Call of Duty update on Twitter.

On Sunday, Arsenal take on Blackburn Rovers live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. Manager Arsene Wenger will be eager to mark entering his 14th year of management at the Gunners with a convincing win. Arsenal fans will also be interested to see if injury victim Theo Walcott is involved as the club look to continue their return to form. Attack could be the best form of defence for Rovers, with Arsenal's backline still unproven and Olympiakos' midweek decision to do just the latter proving an unwise one.

West Ham are in action against London rivals Fulham with both teams at the wrong end of the table. Indeed, the pair have both lost four of their last five league matches. A fourth straight defeat for Gianfranco Zola could send alarm bells ringing, especially against a Fulham side who have so far failed to demonstrate they can cope with their extra Europa League exertions. Having looked at the goals scored for and against columns for the two clubs, expect this to be a tight affair.

Lastly, Everton lock horns with Stoke City. The Toffees, who boast in-form attacker Louis Saha, have recorded three wins in their previous four games. Stoke, though, have been especially patchy this campaign, with their only two triumphs unsurprisingly coming at the Britannia Stadium. Tony Pulis will be keen for a change of fortunes at Goodison Park to help take the burden off their future home fixtures.

Source

FIXTURE LIST:

Saturday
Bolton v Tottenham
Burnley v Birmingham
Hull v Wigan
Man Utd v Sunderland
Wolves v Portsmouth

Sunday
Arsenal v Blackburn
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Stoke
West Ham v Fulham

 

[mg91]

That is the last time I ever post how I want the weekends matches to pan out.

 

[The Guid]

didn't go as planned? lol

 

[mg91]

didn't go as planned? lol

Hahaha yeaaah....you could put it like that lol.

If I'm honest I'm glad we took the point we did. Sunderland deserved to win. They played physically but I was impressed with the way they came out to play. It was a far cry from the team that parked the bus at Old Trafford last season.

Anyway, it could be worse. Two points off top, Liverpool to play Sunderland and Chelsea to play Villa which will both be tough, and an international break for the players to regather themselves.

 

[EaglesUK]

Hahaha yeaaah....you could put it like that lol.

If I'm honest I'm glad we took the point we did. Sunderland deserved to win. They played physically but I was impressed with the way they came out to play. It was a far cry from the team that parked the bus at Old Trafford last season.

Anyway, it could be worse. Two points off top, Liverpool to play Sunderland and Chelsea to play Villa which will both be tough, and an international break for the players to regather themselves.

Bet Anton got some stick off Rio!

 

[mg91]

Bet Anton got some stick off Rio!

Just saw this!

I don't think he did to be honest. Rio called to console him according to Anton. It wouldn't have been the sweetest way for United to salvage a point from Ferdinand's point of view lol

Anyways, here the preview for the weekend. THE EPL IS BACK BABY!!!

Premier League preview

The Premier League returns after a two-week break as Harry Redknapp revisits Fratton Park and leaders Chelsea make the trip to Aston Villa.

After a fortnight of international football, England's top flight makes its comeback with several intriguing fixtures on offer as the table begins to take shape.

Among the fixtures, Manchester United host Bolton Wanderers, while Birmingham City head to Arsenal, Sunderland host Liverpool and Manchester City tackle Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

A hostile atmosphere is expected at Portsmouth on Saturday when manager Redknapp makes his return after leaving the club for Tottenham 12 months ago. Redknapp lifted the FA Cup during his time on the South Coast but his exit for North London left a bitter taste in the mouth of Pompey supporters.

As irony would have it, in the corresponding fixture last season striking duo Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe scored the winning goals for Portsmouth. The pair have now of course since followed Redknapp to White Hart Lane. Spurs are currently an impressive third in the table, while Pompey lie bottom - but the latter did at least seal their first win of the term last time out. Emotions will be running high on the South Coast.

On Saturday lunchtime, Sky Sports 1 & HD1 brings you live footage of Aston Villa's meeting with table-toppers Chelsea, whose last league match saw them edge out title rivals Liverpool. This proved a significant result for boss Carlo Ancelotti, after the Italian saw his troops lose at Wigan the weekend prior. Villa should pose a stern test for the Blues, although their previous record against Chelsea - one win in the last 10 league meetings - suggests otherwise.

Manchester United tackle Bolton having avoided a home defeat by the skin of their teeth in their last top-flight fixture. The Red Devils were off key against Sunderland, and Sir Alex Ferguson will demand a vast improvement from his charges. The champions have largely come out on top against Bolton, however the appointment of referee Mark Clattenburg for the game adds an interesting subplot. United have taken just one point from the last four matches officiated by Clattenburg, while Ferguson was sent to the stands for insulting said official against Bolton in 2007.

Free-scoring Arsenal, who boast 24 goals to their name from seven matches, go head-to-head with newly-promoted Birmingham. The away side have made a habit of netting all their goals, be it very few of them, after 75 minutes this term. Whether such a pattern will earn them anything from their trip to Emirates Stadium is debatable. But Alex McLeish can be optimistic that his men could upset a still questionable Gunners backline.

Liverpool travel to the Stadium of Light to lock horns with Sunderland. The Black Cats have won only one of the 16 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, but the North East club appear to be turning a corner. They took the lead against Chelsea and should also have won at Old Trafford. With Darren Bent in tow, Steve Bruce will be more than just hopeful of an upset. However, beware the retaliation of Liverpool, who will be eager to get their title hunt back on track after a potentially damaging loss at Chelsea.

West Ham United currently find themselves second from bottom and without a three-point haul since the opening day of the season. They face a thorough examination of their seemingly soft centre when they head to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City. The Potters have made a sound start to the 2009/10 term, but things could be going much more swimmingly for Tony Pulis' men if they could only see out leads - they have lost seven points from winning positions this campaign.

In Saturday's final match-up, Everton do battle with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park. Clean sheets have been hard to come by for Wolves so far this term - just one to date - and they will need to be wary of an in-form Louis Saha. With seven goals in all competitions already, the Frenchman is on fire. For Wolves, Matt Jarvis has been their shining light. The winger has created an impressive 25 goalscoring chances, and you feel if Wolves are to avoid the drop they must keep Jarvis fit for the duration while complementing his eye for a pass with defensive solidarity.

Two clashes take place on Sunday and both can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. Blackburn Rovers first entertain North West counterparts Burnley at Ewood Park. Blackburn received a good hiding in their last outing at Arsenal, but Sam Allardyce will have taken some positives from the performance. Burnley, meanwhile, could do with getting an away day monkey off their back as they look to earn a first win on the road of the campaign, having won all their games at home.

Lastly, big spenders Manchester City look to continue their encouraging start to the season when they take on Wigan. City have never beaten the Latics in the Premier League, but times are a-changing at Eastlands. City are fourth in the table after winning five of their opening seven encounters. For Wigan, it continues to be a hugely mixed start under boss Roberto Martinez, who will be demanding consistency; victory over Chelsea followed by defeat at Hull City is a head-scratcher.

Source

Also worth noting that Liverpool will not have Gerrard OR Torres for their trip to Sunderland.

A massive blow to the scousers and will considerably lessen their goal threat. It'll be interesting to see how they cope. They're match is on at the same time as United, so I won't be watching, but I'll be praying for a draw. Hell, Sunderland could even win with the form they're in.

United are missing Rooney for the trip, but Van Der Sar will be back in goal.

Chelsea vs. Villa should be interesting a well.

Should be a good weekend!

 

[mg91]

Chelsea lose 2-1

Lpool down 1-0 at HT

and United up 2-0 at HT.

So far so <Censored>ing good

 

[mg91]

LOL at Lpool.

Stupid fans let their beach ball on the pitch and it comes back to haunt them. judging fromt he highlights they were lucky it was only 1-0.

And while I'm at it:

United! United! Top of the League!

United!

TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

Chyeeeeah boy.

 

[cruzg24]

Wow I cant believe Chelsea lost, lol.

 

[mg91]

Wow I cant believe Chelsea lost, lol.

I was this close to putting 20 bucks on Villa.

They were paying like 5 dollars...would've won 100 :|

 

[mg91]

Premier League preview

Liverpool host Premier League champions Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday in what is considered to be a make-or-break game for Rafa Benitez.

Disastrous form, by the Merseyside club's high standards, has heaped extensive pressure on Benitez's shoulders, with his side's title aspirations and his own future seemingly hanging by a thread. The clash against United is likely to be decisive.

Elsewhere on a full weekend programme of top-flight action, Wolverhampton Wanderers entertain Midlands rivals Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime, Chelsea are in action against Blackburn Rovers while Arsenal make the short trip across London to Upton Park to tackle struggling West Ham United.

All eyes will be on Anfield on Sunday at 2pm, in a clash that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1, as Liverpool look to record a vital victory over bitter rivals Manchester United. Having suffered back-to-back league defeats, the unthinkable happened during midweek when the Reds were stunned by Lyon in the UEFA Champions League. And, despite Liverpool co-owner George Gillett vocally backing Benitez, a fifth straight loss could be too much to bear for the Spaniard, who faces a selection headache amid fitness concerns over key personnel.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson would love nothing more than to record a result that would put 10 points between his side and their North West neighbours so early on in the season. United boast a fine record at Anfield, having lost only one of their last seven Premier League visits, while the encounter will also include the subplot of Michael Owen's return to Liverpool, after he joined United from Newcastle during the summer. Benitez, who is to oversee his 200th league game in charge of the Reds, could do without being haunted by the man he chose not to re-sign.

The first fixture of the weekend takes place at Molineux as Wolves host neighbours Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. Having won just one of their previous seven league outings, Mick McCarthy's men have edged their way down the standings. They were denied victory in their last game following a late equaliser while a lack of firepower remains a concern. Villa lie an impressive sixth in the table and will surely be buzzing after defeating Chelsea in their previous match. Their league position has been largely built on a sound defensive platform; they boast the meanest backline, having conceded just seven goals in eight matches.

Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head with a Stoke City side that slowly appear to be improving their performances on the road. The Potters have notoriously relied on their excellent home displays; they have gone 50 top-flight away games without scoring more than two goals. However, Tony Pulis' team are on their longest unbeaten away run, having drawn their last three games. But Spurs boast an impressive record at White Hart Lane after winning nine of their last 10 games in the league. Regarding selection for Harry Redknapp, the manager will have to make do without the suspended Jermain Defoe, and will likely turn to Peter Crouch as a partner for Robbie Keane.

Hull City welcome bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth to the KC Stadium. This is a colossal encounter, a six-pointer if you will, despite it still being relatively early on in the campaign. Pompey have managed just one win to date and a loss in East Yorkshire would leave them stranded at the foot of the standings. Victory, however, would haul them to within a point of the Tigers and do much to transfer the strain from boss Paul Hart to his counterpart Phil Brown. Goals have been the South Coast club's problem, but they could see this game as the chance to put that right, with Hull's backline very leaky so far.

Birmingham City face a stern test when they take on Steve Bruce's Sunderland. The Black Cats head into the clash off the back of their impressive scalp against Liverpool and will see this encounter as a chance to demonstrate they are genuine contenders to push the top sides all the way this term. Having struggled for consistency early on, Bruce's men, powered by the free-scoring Darren Bent, are unbeaten in three matches. Birmingham, meanwhile, have suffered three straight losses and must stop that rot. Goals have proved an issue and summer signing Christian Benitez will be under the spotlight to provide that gusto.

Burnley will be hoping that their Midas touch at Turf Moor continues when they meet Wigan Athletic. The Clarets have won 10 matches on the trot in the league at home (including play-off games). Such form has helped compensate for losing all of their fixtures on the road this term. Wigan, meanwhile, continue to be hugely unpredictable and manger Roberto Martinez will be aware that such inconsistency risks them being pulled towards the wrong end of the table. But there have been encouraging signs for the Latics, they just need to iron out their bad habits.

Chelsea and Blackburn round off Saturday's action with an evening kick-off. The Blues have been reliable at home under Carlo Ancelotti, as their midweek hammering of Atletico Madrid saw them bounce back from their setback at Aston Villa. Chelsea's weakness has been set-pieces, and Rovers will no doubt look to 'mix it up' against the Blues with high balls aplenty launched into the box. But this is likely to be a tough examination for Sam Allardyce's charges, who are eyeing their first consecutive league win of the season.

On Sunday, Bolton Wanderers meet Everton at the Reebok Stadium. The Trotters appear to have come good after a rocky beginning to the campaign and they can count themselves unlucky to have lost at Old Trafford in their last match. And their clash versus the Toffees could be a prime opportunity to get back to winning ways what with Everton potentially fatigued from their Europa League trip to Benfica on Thursday.

Moneybags Manchester City lock horns with Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium. Like the aforementioned Everton, Fulham were in European action on Thursday when they took on Italian side Roma. The Cottagers have yet to regularly show the same high levels of quality of last season while back-to-back draws for City have slowed down what has been a promising start to the campaign. This is the type of game City are now expected to win so Hughes' big buys must step up against the Cottagers, who are capable of an upset.

The final game of the weekend sees West Ham host London rivals Arsenal. The Hammers are second from bottom in the table and are without a win since the opening day. But one game versus City aside, West Ham have not been convincingly beaten this term. Gianfranco Zola's team need perhaps a stroke of luck to help them notch the result that just might spark their season back into life. The Gunners head into the game after conceding a late equaliser in Holland on Tuesday. Such defensive naivety needs to be eradicated if they are to emerge as outsiders for the 2009/10 title.

Source

The big one!

United vs. Liverpool! I'm busting with excitement to be honest. Form won't count for <Censored> in this one, I just hope it's entertaining...

Owen to score a winner anyone??

 

[BlueNation]

The big one!

United vs. Liverpool! I'm busting with excitement to be honest. Form won't count for <Censored> in this one, I just hope it's entertaining...

Owen to score a winner anyone??

If Liverpool can pull this win out then this could turn their season around. Liverpool needs this match. NEEDS IT!

 

[mg91]

If Liverpool can pull this win out then this could turn their season around. Liverpool needs this match. NEEDS IT!

Exactly what Paul Scholes has said this week.

Despite the contrasted form, I wouldn't say I'm certain we'll win, but we do have a good record at Anfield and we're desperate to put the atrocity of last season behind us. But Pool are a wounded animal, so we need to do the job. Hopefully Rooney and Fletcher pass last minute fitness tests. If they play, I'll fell much more confident. We have the depth to win without them, but the industry of those two is always missed in a derby like this.

 

[BlueNation]

I'm watching the Aston Villa at Wolves match. It is quite a physical match. Wolves haven't had too many good chances, but Villa has been doing mediocre.

 

[BlueNation]

WOLVES TIED IT UP ON A PK!!!

 

[mg91]

I only watched the first half but it looked a real scrappy affair. Typical English derby, in typical English conditions. That said what I watched was enjoyable, and based on the first half I would say a draw was a fair result. I'm glad Edans-Blake scored as well. He had a good few seasons in the Championship after Wolves signed him from United, but he hasn't shone in the PL as of yet. Hopefully that goal can be the catalyst for better performances.

Other results:

Chelsea 5 vs. Blackburn 0

Burnley 1 vs. Wigan 3

Birmingham City 2 vs. Sunderland 1

Spurs 0 vs. Stoke 1

Hull 0 vs. Pompey 0

 

[mg91]

THREE HOURS TILL KICK OFF!!!!

 

[BlueNation]

THREE HOURS TILL KICK OFF!!!!

LIVERPOOL MOTHER <Censored>!!!!!

I know I'll end up getting <Censored> back and a ton of <Censored> if we don't make the champions league next year, but I'm going to bask in the glory for the moment!

 

[mg91]

LIVERPOOL MOTHER <Censored>!!!!!

I know I'll end up getting <Censored> back and a ton of <Censored> if we don't make the champions league next year, but I'm going to bask in the glory for the moment!

I was expecting a lot worse than that.

But fair play.

I had a bad feeling to be honest, I couldn't see you guys losing 5 in a row, and I'm desperately dissapointed with the way we played. No <Censored>ing urgency or coolness what so ever.

I will say that we were denied a clear penalty and Carragher should have been sent off, but that's football, and I don't think that we deserved anything from the game.

So have at you, you dirty scousers!

I'm sure you'll all be typically quite in May, when the silverware is handed out

 

[Oiler35]

Even without Stevie-G, we still got 3.