It's always a big weekend when English footballing superpowers collide, but Sunday's contest between Chelsea and Liverpool will be even more important than usual because everything is more amazing on Superbowl Sunday. Oh, and some Fernando Torres guy has switched teams, too. That'll be interesting. On Saturday, both United and Arsenal are in action along with what should be a good match between Tottenham and Bolton at White Hart Lane and several less good matches involving Stoke and Blackburn. Will Manchester United be able to maintain their lead at the top of the table? All signs point to ‘yes'.
English Premier League Preview, Week #25: Torres, Chelsea FC Entertain Liverpool
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Saturday
Stoke City vs. Sunderland
Time: 12:45PM GMT (7:45 AM EST)
What would happen if you had Stoke City and then took all the entertaining bits out? No more Eidur Gudjohnsson, no more Tuncay, no more Rory Delap long throws. I think what you'd get is Blackburn. Adding John Carew to the front line may make them even more annoying than Rovers. So thanks, Tony Pullis. I appreciate that. Meanwhile Sunderland have added some interesting, exciting players, so there'll be at least half a side worth watching in the early game. Before they get mauled by Stoke's defence, anyway.
Pick: 1-1 Draw.
Aston Villa vs. Fulham
Time: 3:00PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
I am going to attempt to cater to American tastes on this one. Here goes: CLINT DEMPSEY MICHAEL BRADLEY CLINT DEMPSEY MICHAEL BRADLEY CLINT DEMPSEY MICHAEL BRADLEY CLINT DEMPSEY MICHAEL BRADLEY. YEAH!
This is going to be like the American Civil War. It will be horrifying and the (more) northern side will win.
Pick: 2-0 Aston Villa.
Time: 3:00PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
Blackpool play a highly attacking 4-3-3 shape that they’ve used to dominate a number of games they have no right being in, but they tend to run up into trouble when they face off against midfield trios or especially hard working CMs. Everton have especially hard working CMs and a midfield three. Uh oh. Also, I can’t believe David Moyes’ accusation leveled at Cesc Fabregas this week. Moyes claims that Fabregas accused Everton of bribing the referee, which is total nonsense because Fabregas is a charming young man and would never do anything of the sort.
Pick: 4-1 Everton.
Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion
Time: 3:00 PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
I don’t always have snarky comments about football matches. Manchester City will win easily and it will make me very sad.
Pick: 3-0 Manchester City.
Newcastle United vs. Arsenal
Time: 3:00 PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
With Andy Carroll sold and Shola Ameobi injured, Newcastle have nobody really capable of finishing off an attack, which is ironic because Arsenal have been in that situation for years. Might as well learn from the best, eh?
Pick: 3-1 Arsenal.
Time: 3:00 PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
Poor Spurs have absolutely nobody fit at all, which will make this a rather interesting game, because Bolton are in the unfamiliar position of having the personnel to absolutely dominate a match away from the Reebok Stadium. For Spurs, the situation isn’t quite so strange. Half their squad being unable to play football? Why, that’s just second nature to them, although it normally isn’t due to a malfunctioning appendix.
Pick: 1-1 Draw.
Time: 3:00PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)
Well I’m certainly tuning in for this game.
Pick: Chris Samba and Ryan Nelson to be gigantic and scary.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United
Time: 5:30 PM GMT (12:30 PM EST)
Manchester United pick up a lot of draws on their travels, but with Wayne Rooney suddenly springing into life I don't think they'll have much of a problem with lowly Wolves. Incidentally, Mick McCarthy is going to be facing a major fine at the end of his season for repeatedly sending out under-strength teams: His first-choice XI.
Pick: 2-0 Manchester United
Sunday
West Ham vs. Birmingham
Time: 1:30 PM GMT (8:30 AM EST)
Two mediocre teams battle it out at Upton Park. So far this season, Birmingham have got one over the Hammers by clinching a place in the Carling Cup Final, while West Ham have scored a coup by pinching ‘world-class' striker Robbie Keane from under City's noses. Since these two teams played in a cup semi-final less than ten days ago, I expect the commentators to discuss that match more than the one they'll actually be watching on Sunday. I don't blame them. It's not going to be pretty.
Pick: 1-1 Draw.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Time: 4:00 PM GMT (11:00 AM EST)
Last time these two sides met Liverpool relied on two goals from Torres and subsequently held on as Chelsea mounted a second half surge. This time the game is at Stamford Bridge and Torres has swapped sides. That doesn’t bode very well for the Reds. On the plus side, they no longer have a frenetic guinea pig running the team, so that will probably help matters out.
Pick: 2-1 Chelsea.
Appendix A
Get well soon, Luka!
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