The top two clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with the Merseyside derby getting a big day of football underway before it. Roberto Mancini could do with a win, QPR could do with anything and Big Sam wants West Ham to defend fish. Good man Sam.
By Declan Whooley
Goals at Stamford Bridge
The clash of the top two teams in the Premier League is the undoubted match of the weekend and logic would state there will be goals a plenty. Man United have scored more goals than anyone else in the league, their 21 goal haul putting them two ahead of their nearest challengers Chelsea.
At the back United look vulnerable, with only Swansea and Spurs in the top half conceding more than the Red Devils. Chelsea are on a red-hot streak domestically, even allowing for their midweek reversal in the Ukraine with Juan Mata, Edin Hazard and Oscar itching to attack the United rearguard.
Fergie has won just six times at Stamford Bridge in the league and whatever the result, we are confident it won’t be a 0-0 draw.
And that the Chelsea grounds man and Patrice Evra are looking forward to this as much as we are.
Merseyside Mayhem
Early kick-offs often lack bite and atmosphere, but safe to say that will not be the case at Goodison on Sunday afternoon. This fixture has had its share of red mist over the years and while Everton’s record in the derby is poor – just four wins in 28 attempts since 2000 – they will look to lay claim to being the top team on Merseyside.
They lost to Liverpool three times last season but still managed to finish ahead of the Reds for the first time in seven years and already double the points (18) of their neighbours.
A win on Sunday would cement their Champions League aspirations and prove that further progress is being made under David Moyes.
Grumbling fans at the Emirates
QPR travel to the Emirates on Saturday with both fans a little on edge. QPR have good reason to be fearful. They are bottom of the league, without a win and without a manager that takes accountability for his own failings. Only the all-at-sea Southampton defence has conceded more and the wage bill is not correlated to performances thus far.
Arsenal will be a little deflated after Schalke came to London to spoil the party midweek. Gunners fans were giddy with excitement up until Wednesday night and Saturday will show if that was merely a blip or whether expectations have to be lowered. If they can’t find a way past the bottom team in the league, then serious questions will need to be asked.
For starters, is Marouane Chamakh even a real footballer?
Mancini to get back on the saddle
Most men have the pleasant dreams when they think of a trip to Amsterdam, but for Roberto Mancini Wednesday night’s drubbing by Ajax will put him back under increasing pressure.
City were awful and not for the first time the Italian’s managerial approach was questioned. Eamon Dunphy in particular had a field day.
A home fixture against Swansea is the ideal tonic to get three points, bang in a few goals and start improving defensively.
Over to you Bobby.
West Ham looking for three points and a clean sheet
West Ham have surprised many this season – JOE included – and their style of football has not been as painful as we had anticipated. Sunderland and Stoke have made Big Sam’s men seem quite adventurous and are just one point outside a Champions League placing.
Defence is the corner stone of Allardyce’s philosophy and though conceding nine goals in eight games is not bad, they have just one clean sheet in five and that will be in the manager’s mind.
They travel to Wigan, the side that inflicted a 4-1 defeat on them in the League Cup with Allardyce saying at the time they “could not defend a fish supper.”
Defend the fish tomorrow and they could join fellow Londoners Chelsea in the top four.
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