This week -end will be marked by the derby of Merseyside and the clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. Two matches that all football lovers are awaiting with so much impatience I'm sure.
This Saturday's Match of The Day is undoubtedly the derby between LFC and EFC, scheduled this early afternoon. LFC is lying 5th in the table, 14 points behind league leaders Chelsea and 1 point behind Totenham Hotspur (4th). LFC are have won there last 4 matches at home and are unbeaten in there last 9 matches. With these stats, it seems that Raffa Boys are on there way to a fith straight win at home and for a tenth unbeaten match. Top scorer Torres, Benayoun and Glen Johnson are still out due to injury. Kyriagos, the Greek International defender is back to his best of late. He is the man on whom the back four of LFC will rely on to keep Everton's in form striker Landon Donovan at bay. Dirk Kuyt seems to enjoy his role as forward since he has been scoring 3 in his last 4 matches for LFC.
Everton, lying 9th in the table with 32 points and one match less than LFC, has not lost since he was beaten by LFC on his homeground (0 - 2). Everton have won there last 3 matches, drawn with Arsenal (2 - 2) and Chelsea on away trips. This means unbeaten in 9 matches. Everton who will rely on the form of striker Donovan and midfielders, Fellaini and Tim Cahill to get a draw at least if not 3 points. EFC is a tough team to play with when they are away. Thus, LFC will not have an easy game and that too in a derby.
This is the 213th derby match and LFC has lost only 2 matches for the last 20 matches thay have played. Since 1999, EFC have not beaten LFC at Anfield. This also marks the 25th derby of Vice Captain Carragher.
Following stats, I will give LFC a win following his form at home of late. But beware of Everton who will certainly not give up so easily, as we expect so in a derby.
In the other clash between Chelsea and Arsenal, I predict an easy win for Chelsea. They will have to win this match so that they can take back there 2 points advantage if Man Utd wins today against Portsmouth. Chelsea have find it difficult to beat teams like Burnley and Hull City of late. Is this a sign of tiredness for the Blues? Well, they have the squad to overcome such difficulties and on their day can beat any team. With Drogba back in line up, Anelka in top form as well as young Sturridge on the bench, Chelsea has many options in front. Obi Mikel is back and will be there in midfield to face Fabregas, the playmaker of Arsenal. Terry has said after his personal problems that this won't affect his game and will give his 100% as usual. He is no more the England Captain following the extra marital affair he has had lately.
On the other hand, Arsenal has no other options than to defeat Chelsea to keep pace with the top two to win the Premiership title. But given the inexperience of some young guns and some long term injuries of there top scorer Van Persie, Edouardo, Walcott and Bendtner, it will be difficult to overturn the game in there favor. Arsenal will have to play offensive football in order to win the match and thus expect exposure at the back.
Since Chelsea is a better team and has a better squad, I give Chelsea who are unbeaten at home this season, favorite to win and take the 2 points lead on Championship rivals Man Utd.
My predictions for other matches:
Sunderland V/s Wigan : Sunderland win
Burnley V/s West Ham Utd: Burnley win
Man Utd V/s Portsmouth: Man Utd win
Stoke City V/s Blackburn: Draw
Hull City V/s Man City: Draw
Tottenham Hotspur V/s Aston Villa: Draw
Bolton Wanderers V/s Fulham: Fulham win
Birmingham City V/s Wolves Wanderes: Birmingham win
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