THREE things to look out for during this weekend’s Premier League action
Each Premier League club has competed in 15 games this season. We are nearing the half way point and the top half of the table is still wide open with no one team quite taking the reins and asserting full dominance.
It makes for superb viewing and even though Arsenal top the table, they play third and fourth over the next couple of weeks.
There is also the relegation scrap which will take many more twists and turns before we reach the end of the season. How about that Palace, eh?
Anyway, here are three things to look out for during this weekend’s Premier League action.
1) Arsenal to quiet the detractors
Today’s early kick off presents us with a fantastic fixture as league leaders Arsenal travel to Manchester City. Following a fantastic come from behind win against Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday, Manuel Pelligrini’s side will be feeling extremely confident and rightfully so considering the way they have played at home this season, too.
Arsenal, on the other hand, lost 2-0 in Naples on Wednesday and there have been murmurs of ‘tired legs’ and complaints about the scheduling. City have the bigger squad as Pelligrini was able to make seven changes against Munich ahead of this clash against Arsenal but look for Arsenal to show the determination and steel it takes to win at places like the Etihad in what would be one of those ‘statement’ wins.
City are favourites because of their fantastic home record but this is a different Arsenal team compared to years gone by.
2) Crystal Palace to provide a stern test at Stamford Bridge
Ok, Ok, it may be a little over the top to say that Palace can go to Stamford Bridge and record what would be an astounding away victory. But why not? Palace have been much improved over the past five games and confidence is high. Conversely, Chelsea lost to Stoke last weekend and following the game Jose Mourinho claimed his team had ‘big problems’.
Now, that was probably a little bit of an overreaction but Palace couldn’t ask for a better time to play Chelsea after what was a deflating loss. Tony Pulis has been recruited to add some steely determination to Palace’s ranks and they will need plenty of that as they travel across town to west London on Saturday.
3) AVB: from zero to hero
Was it really only three weeks ago that Andre Villas Boas was on the brink of losing his job following a 6-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City? There were many a Spurs fan crying their eyes out as they realised that throwing a lot of money at a load of average players doesn’t turn in to gold.
But times have changed. As always, fortunes in football have fluctuated wildly and Spurs have been able to steady the ship and, whisper it, are scoring some goals from open play, believe it or not.
They sit eight points away from the top of the table and two points away from fourth position which is currently occupied by Manchester City. Look for Tottenham’s turnaround to be completed on Sunday as they take on Liverpool at White Hart Lane. Liverpool have struggled on the road this season, most notably in a 3-1 loss to Hull City, and Spurs will want to establish an early advantage as their season gets back on track.
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