English Premier League Midweek Preview: Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United All Back In Action

Six Premier League clubs will be back in action this midweek before the league once again gives way to the FA Cup as the fourth round will present itself this weekend in England. While the three midweek fixtures will allow the clubs participating a chance to play catch up to certain members of the rest of the league, the midweek fracas won’t be without some interesting and potentially important fixtures.

Tuesday and Wednesday will witness matches as both the top and bottom of the table is concerned and also allows the continuation of some of week 24’s most attractive stories to endure.

Back on the rise Liverpool and Aston Villa both face winnable matches against Fulham and Wigan, respectively, while league leaders Manchester United will look to extend their lead at the top to five when they travel to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool.

Slumping Blackpool may soon have to face life without Charlie Adam as bids have come in for the attacking midfielder thick and fast from both Liverpool and Aston Villa. Having lost four of their last five, the Seasiders need a spark. While many would approach the idea of letting your best player leave to join a club near you in the table as not the way forward, a bid upwards of £8-10 million offered for Adam would surely be the right price for Blackpool.

Blackpool have to cash in on Adam now, don’t they? Out of contract this summer, if the Tangerines fail to move the Scot during this transfer window, they risk missing out on a hefty transer fee to either invest in his replacement or to continue on funding the club.

Life in the Premier League never seems to provide an easy road for smaller clubs and while a slump and the potential loss of their captain remains a difficult task to tackle, a visit from the league leaders provides a bigger, more immediate test for Blackpool.

The story of Manchester United is starting to play out like that book you’ve already read and now know by heart. In what’s turning into a classic Sir Alex Ferguson-led United side, one that staggers and stutters from August to December only to produce their best form for the remainder of the season, the Red Devils find themselves alone at the top with a chance to extend that lead to five.

With their attack now firing on all cylinders, Manchester United do look poised for another title run. The return to form in an attacking-support role by Wayne Rooney and the continued brilliance of Ryan Giggs have both provided Dimitar Berbatov with enough chances that has seen the Bulgarian reach the league scoring summit. Saturday’s home hat-trick was no fluke, it was Berbatov’s third of the season and took his goal tally to 17.

For Tuesday, it’ll be attack Vs. attack from Bloomfield Road as Blackpool look to get their campaign back on track and play spoiler to United’s invincible season.

Wigan Athletic Vs. Aston Villa, DW Stadium, Wigan- What a debut Darren Bent had for the Villans on Saturday. His 18th minute strike was the winner against second spot Manchester City while it should also be noted that Villa’s central defensive pairing of Richard Dunne and James Collins were immense against the City attack. While Wigan can be tough to break down at home, the Latics enter Tuesday’s contest coming off a 0-3 loss away to Arsenal and seem destined for relegation under Roberto Martinez.

Liverpool Vs. Fulham, Anfield, Liverpool- Returning to Anfield after his first win as Liverpool boss (second stint), Kenny Dalglish faces a selection headache. Raul Meireles had a fine match on Saturday when the Reds beat Wolves away. His wonder-volley from outside the box was arguably the weekend’s best moment and it all came from Steven Gerrard’s preferred advanced, central midfield position. With Gerrard again available after serving his three match suspension, who will Dalglish play in the role? Time will tell while Fulham, through Clint Dempsey, are also coming off a weekend win. Buoyed by Dempsey’s brace at Craven Cottage, the Cottagers sit 14th, but will still need results if they’re to avoid flirting with a relegation battle.

As always, join SB Nation Soccer for live coverage of Tuesday and Wednesday’s midweek Premier League matches.