Spurs are injured, Paolo Di Canio’s first game in charge of Sunderland and the Manchester derby; what a Premier League weekend coming up.
At this point of the season we should have lots and lots of talking points at both ends of the table and this weekend serves up tons of them. Sadly we only have time to look at three so here goes.
The most catastrophic Bale out since… well, you know
While some of the more myopic chasing pack’s supporters may have rejoiced at the sight of Gareth Bale getting injured on Europa League duty last night his injury is a genuine loss to the Premier League as a whole, never mind to Fantasy Football managers.
But it is Spurs fans who are really despondent now. Undoubtedly their star player, and the most likely source of goals for his team, the seriousness of the Welshman’s injury is not known at this stage but he is bound to miss this weekend’s game at the very least.
And what a game it is, as they welcome Everton to the Lane. A few weeks back the Toffees looked out of the top four race but a decent run of form (three wins on the bounce) and they are right back in it and only four points off the Champions League spot.
Jermain Defoe is also crocked so it will be up the highly unreliable Emanuel Adebayor to score the Spurs goals. Win and AVB’s side are back in control of their destiny. Lose and squeaky-bum time will well and truly have begun.
The start of the Di Canio era
After all the fuss of the past week, it was almost forgotten just how deep in the brown stuff Sunderland are right now. Paolo di Canio has just seven games to save the Black Cats and he begins that task away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
It can appear that Rafa Benitez doesn’t really care about the league and some Chelsea conspiracy theorists reckon he is on a mission to dodge the top four, win a few cups and feck off. We doubt that but they have been sliding (three losses, three wins in the last six) and they played on Thursday in the Europa League.
After a tough week, fatigue may be a factor and Di Canio will surely have his troops energised for this one. The home side definitely have more quality but we will be glued to this one to see how Sunderland do. If they win, there could be fireworks on the sideline too. If there lose that is equally likely to happen, to be fair.
Oh yeah, that title business
Due to the dominance of Manchester United the title race has become about the fifth most interesting thing in the league. But it will be back in full focus on Monday night as Manchester United host cross-town rivals City.
When this fixture was scheduled we all hoped it would be a titanic, and title, showdown. Instead, due to City’s less than stellar defence of their crown it could became a coronation for United at Old Trafford instead.
Fifteen points clear with just eight games to go, including this one, a home win will virtually confirm what is probably inevitable; another title for Alex Ferguson. A City win would inject just a hint of life back in the title race but no more.
However, games between these two sides have been great in recent years so it really is a must watch, even if the result may have little to no bearing on the final placings.
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