Over in America Thursday was Thanksgiving but in the Premier League Tottenham didn’t have to wait that long for their stuffing and, like every week, we had our fair share of turkeys. The question now with the busy period coming up in the fixture calender, who will handle theirs well and be up to be at stores ready to go and who will be in the recliner in the corner, snoozing away.
It does matter what has happened up until this point but all that good work can be undone with a stumble here. Likewise if you haven’t been to sharp up until now then some good results here could really propel you up the League.
All kick off times are 3pm BST/ 10am ET unless otherwise stated.
SATURDAY
Aston Villa v Sunderland:
Sunderland were unlucky last weekend to have Wes Brown sent off just before half time in their eventual defeat to Stoke City. Since that game the card has been overturned and although it is justice done with regards that you never know what might have been for a fully manned team against a fragile Stoke City. Gus Poyet will have to put that out of their minds come Saturday when they travel to Villa Park.
Aston Villa themselves by contrast were lucky on Monday with their game against West Brom. 2-0 down after less than 15 minutes should certainly have resulted in a comfortable win for the hosts but the missing of numerous chances gave Villa hope in the second half. Two goals, including a wonder strike saw Villa get the point, keep them around mid table in what must have felt better for Villa than West Brom.
Prediction: 2-2
Cardiff v Arsenal:
Without question Cardiff are playing well at home, the defeat of Manchester City and last weeks draw against Manchester United is testament to that. The question is, with Arsenal cruising as they are, is that Cardiff home form going to be enough?
Certainly they will not be an easy task for Arsene Wenger and I think the London club will have too much for them. That said, I also said the same thing before they played both Manchester clubs, maybe they need people to keep under estimating them and if that’s the case then Cardiff City, you are welcome.
Prediction: 1-4
Everton v Stoke:
Everton were doing so well at the beginning of the season but three consecutive tied games have seen them slip back from the pack a little. Last weeks 3-3 game with Liverpool would probably be looked at as a decent result but the two games before that produced no goals. Great for the defense but questions for the attackers.
Despite that they still remain only three points back from second place and so Roberto Martinez should still be considered to be doing a good job for the Toffeemen.
Stoke were beneficiaries of that red card last weeked. Sure they were only 1-0 up but they have been very fragile in games and against ten men I think Sunderland might have got something out of that game. Like Everton, Stoke are only three points away from a team in a significant position. Unfortunately theirs is at the other end of the table.
Prediction: 3-0
Norwich v Palace:
Things could be looking up for Crystal Palace and this weekend could go someway to backing up those claims. A good win away to Hull last week watched by their new manager, Tony Pulis is followed up by a trip to fellow strugglers Norwich City, under the management of Pulis. People who remember how tough Stoke City could be will understand how he will tighten up their formation and hopefully not leak so many goals.
For Norwich though this is not a roll over and die match for them. Make no mistake they will be looking for the three points maybe more than Palace. After this they travel to Anfield to play Liverpool before heading to West Brom, so if they do not get three points here tomorrow then it may be a while before they do again.
Not helping Norwich is the continued absence of Van Wolfeswinkel, Elliott, Bennett and Tettey being added to with Pilkington and Snodgrass. This will weaken the side and I am starting to fear for the Canaries. That said, how often do we see key players out, fresh players come in and get the result, hopefully this is the case but I am not convinced.
Prediction: 2-2
West Ham v Fulham:
An interesting one this fixture is. Pressure is on the visiting manager even though they are on the same amount of points going into this match. The difference is that West Ham are deprived of an out and out striker with Carroll still out with an ankle injury. Carlton Cole is in the squad but very rarely starts so the midfield is being asked to contribute more significantly to the goal scoring.
Martin Jol has a squad who should be much higher and probably double the points better off than they are now. Berbatov and Bent are all good strikers, Taarabt, Sidwell, Duff and others can do their roles in midfield competently and the defense backed up with Stekelenburg in goal should not be shipping goals in big numbers, and yet the last four league games have resulted in no points, two goals scored and eleven conceded. It has to change soon, and I think today could be the day.
Prediction: 1-3
Newcastle v West Brom (Kick Off 5:30 pm BST/12:30pm ET)
Newcastle didn’t start the season to brightly but with three wins from the last three you cannot argue with their current form. The win last week against Norwich was expected but it followed a win away to Spurs and at home to Chelsea. Both of those games Tim Krul and co kept clean sheets with would boost the confidence no end.
West Brom have also been doing quite well under Steve Clark but have been involved in too many tied games in recent weeks, four in the last six.
Prediction: 2-0
SUNDAY
Tottenham V Man Utd (Kick Off Midday BST/7AM ET)
Spurs were on the end of a hammering last weekend against Manchester City and AVB’s post match comments were one of embarrassment, with very few positives to take away. That was bad enough but it made Tottenham’s streak without winning in the League up to three games.
Manchester United were lucky at Cardiff last weekend, and some would say justice got served when the Bluebirds equalized late on. However, even though they were nothing special no one can argue against the mid week Champions League demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, and for that reason AVB needs to make sure his team are ready, the away win Thursday certainly was a nice match to have to try to banish the 6-0 and get back on track.
Ryan Giggs celebrates his 40th birthday today and to still be playing at the top level still certainly has to be applauded. Unfortunately for him and David Moyes I do not think AVB is in the giving mood right now.
Prediction: 2-0
Hull v Liverpool (Kick Off 2:05pm BST/9:05am ET)
Hull beat Sunderland at the beginning of this month but before that you have to go back to September. In that time Steve Bruce’s men have only score three times so I do not think the fantastic Kolo Toure and co will have much to worry about. Going forward we all know about Liverpool and with Hull conceding eight goals in the same amount of time you have to worry if after Thanksgiving there may be just one more stuffing to take place.
Prediction: 1-4
Chelsea v Southampton (Kick Off 4:10pm BST/11:10 ET)
The key for this game is how the Chelsea players will respond to the midweek Champions League defeat. Sure they qualified and maybe the kick in the butt was not as hard as it might have been but certainly Mourinho wasn’t happy by the performance. Southampton could be on the end of the response on Sunday.
That said there will be another competent side on the pitch on Sunday and they have already held United and beat Liverpool on their own grounds and so who would bet against a tough game for Chelsea come kick off on Sunday.
Prediction: 2-2
Manchester City v Swansea (Kick Off 4:10pm BST/11:10 ET)
A lot has been made about Joe Hart and Pantilimon and who will start in goal for City. A lot of the media are putting words into Pellegrini’s mouth with him clearly saying Hart was being rested. By the word ‘rest’ he allowed himself to recall the England number one whether Pantilimon was doing well or not. Being ‘dropped’ would suggest a displeasure with form and therefore a recall only when the replacement started to falter.
Joe Hart is Manchester City’s number one keeper and will continue to be. Will he start this game on Sunday, I very much expect him to be in that first eleven and I fully expect Manchester City to win. The question is will Pantilimon want to stay at Manchester City? I guess we will find out January when the window opens, but a lot of teams will find that out about players and the City situation goalkeeper situation will play out as it will.
Prediction: 3-0
