Premier League 2012: Chelsea travel to Sunderland, Arsenal take on West Brom
There’s not much special happening in the Premier League today, with most of the glamour of the weekend reserved for tomorrow’s Manchester Derby. Nonetheless, there are still some tasty morsels available...
Arsenal are a good side playing badly. West Brom are a mediocre side that were playing brilliantly, and are now playing badly. That’s about as much narrative as you’ll get, but this should be a fun game between two teams that like to attack and have plenty of weaknesses. Let the battle for the Europa League places commence!
Aston Villa vs. Stoke
When Meatloaf said “I’ll do anything for love, but I won’t do that”, the ‘that’ he was talking about was watching this game.
Southampton vs. Reading
The Saints have taken eight points from the last five games and are enjoying something of an upswing in form, but they’re still in the relegation places. Reading are there beneath them, and they’ll really need to start doing better if they don’t want to find themselves adrift. It’s an early relegation battle.
Sunderland vs. Chelsea
The last time a Rafael Benitez team went to Sunderland, Liverpool conceded a Darren Bent goal which deflected into the net off a beach ball. We can absolutely guarantee that nothing remotely as hilarious as that will happen today.
Swansea vs. Norwich
Two teams that were promoted last year and excelled, but have enjoyed differing fortunes this season until Norwich’s run of solid form in recent weeks. Swansea have been inconsistent so the Canaries - who have quietly creeped up to 12th - are more than in with a shout here.
Wigan vs. Queens Park Rangers
The Redknapp roadshow rumbles on to the land of pies, and QPR fans will be hoping that some signs of hope will be shown against Wigan. QPR only really need a couple more wins than a few bad teams to survive this Premier League season, but it probably doesn’t seem that easy when you’re stone bottom.
