Champions League’s coming in the middle of the week, something that explains today’s fixtures ing the Premier League. Normally Sunday’s matches would feature two or three of the league’s bigger names, but all of those clubs played yesterday, giving them an extra day’s rest before the last round of Champions League group play. The upshot is a Sunday fixture list that gives some a chance to focus on clubs they may otherwise overlook.
English Premier League Sunday: North East Clubs Try To Solidify Positions
Take the day’s first fixture, starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. The last time West Bromwich Albion welcomes Newcastle to the Hawthorns was January, when the two clubs were at the top of the Championship, solidifying their promotion credentials. The Baggies won 4-2 but would go on to finish behind Newcastle, positioning that’s being replicated in this year’s Premier League.
West Brom comes into today’s match in 13th place. Replicating January’s result would send the club seventh two weeks after a relegation battle was gaining in the rearview. Newcastle, coming into the match with 19 points (just like the Baggies), can also jump into seventh, though to do so they will have to overcome suspensions to center backs Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson. Youssuf Mulumbu, West Brom’s midfield ball winner, is also suspended.
In the day’s second match, Sunderland tries to regain momentum lost at The Molineax against visiting West Ham United. The Hammers are coming off their second win of the year, a 3-1 triumph over Wigan Athletic. Sunderland blew a 2-1 lead last week to Wolves, allowing two goals in the last 10 minutes.
Again this week, the Black Cats will have to overcome injuries at the back. Michael Turner and Titus Bramble are still out, though Steve Bruce received a boost with news John Mensah will be healthy for today’s match. The Ghanaian will be in central defense along sit Anton Ferndinand as Sunderland tries to contain Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna, and Carlton Cole.
With a win, Sunderland can jump into seventh - passing the West Brom-Newcastle winner - resuming the place where they started the weekend. For West Ham, extending their winning streak to two will move them into 18th place, with only goal difference separating them from safety.
That match starts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, the penultimate match of England’s 16th week. Tomorrow, Liverpool and Aston Villa complete the weekend, a 3:00 p.m. Eastern start at Anfield. By then, both sides of the Tyne-Wear Derby could be in the top eight.
See More:
