Brian Moore, November 10th, 2010
Upset victories grabbed the spotlight over the weekend as both Arsenal and Chelsea dropped points. Chelsea still lead the league, but now only by two points over
Manchester United.Manchester United have closed the gap against Chelsea to only 2 points ahead of their local derby against City.
Manchester United have closed the gap against Chelsea to only 2 points ahead of their local derby against City.
Manchester United beat Wolves to take advantage of Chelsea’s loss. But it was an unconvincing victory. They’ll need a better performance on Wednesday when they visit local rivals Manchester City.
Tottenham roasted European champs Inter Milan last week, but they couldn’t muster a win against Bolton at the weekend and instead dropped points. They’ll hope to revive their league aspirations with a victory over Sunderland on Tuesday
It’s a tight points spread in the league at the moment and a win for any team could catapult them well up the standings as a full fixture list will play out midweek.
Stoke City vs Birmingham City
Britannia Stadium (Stoke-on-Trent), Tuesday November 9th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet East, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports HD 2, ESPN3.com USA, ESPND
After saying this week that he would support a relegation system for referees, Tony Pulis will turn his attention to his own relegation battle as Birmingham City come to the Britannia.
The Potters will be attempting to end a four game losing skid in this game, a poor run of form that sees them teetering above the relegation zone on goal difference alone. Stoke will be without Ryan Shawcross, who is suspended after his sending off in the 2-0 weekend defeat at Sunderland. Mamady Sidibe remains sidelined with an Achilles injury.
The Blues make the trip on a three game unbeaten streak, a run of games in which defender Liam Ridgewell has scored two goals. Left back Ridgewell is now the Blues’ joint leading goal scorer with three Premier League strikes.
Scottish star James McFadden remains injured for Birmingham, but Chilean international Jean Beausejour could return to the starting lineup.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland
White Hart Lane (London), Tuesday November 9th, 3:00PM EST
Channels: Fox Sports Premium, Setanta Sports Canada, FSC, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Basico, ESPN HD Brasil
After their Champions League victory over Inter Milan that made them the talk of Europe, Tottenham crashed back to earth when they were beaten 4-2 at Bolton over the weekend. They will attempt to return to form on Tuesday as Sunderland come to White Hart Lane.
Tottenham currently sit in 7th place and will be looking for victory if they want to put pressure on the teams in the top four. Harry Redknapp will make a late decision on the fitness of Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart who has a lingering hamstring injury.
Sunderland bounced back well at the weekend after their nightmare 5-1 beating at the hands of arch rivals Newcastle. A brace from Ghana World Cup star Asamoah Gyan helped the Black Cats to a 2-0 victory over Stoke City. The goals of Gyan will be a welcome boost, as England international forward Darren Bent is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Aston Villa vs Blackpool
Villa Park (Birmingham), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: ESPN3.com USA
Aston Villa have achieved back to back draws and will look to return to winning ways when Ian Holloway and his entertaining Blackpool team visit Villa Park. Gerard Houllier has had a difficult time with injuries since his arrival and it recently got worse when midfielder Steve Sidwell will be out for over a month.
Sidwell will join John Carew, Emile Heskey, Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo Coker on an injury list that makes unhappy reading for Villa fans. Villa could be boosted by the possible return of Gabriel Agbonlahor for this game.
Blackpool are surprising more people every week and travel to Villa Park with three away wins in the Premier League, as many as any other team in the league. The good form of the Tangerines is made even more surprising by the fact that, having conceded 23 goals, they have the Premier League’s worst defensive record.
Defender Craig Cathcart is out for BLackpool, and striker Brett Ormerod will be a late decision due to a groin strain.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal
Molineux Stadium (Wolverhampton, West Midlands), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: ESPN3.com USA, ESPN DOS
Arsenal’s title challenge suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Newcastle United at the weekend. The Gunners will need a win against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers if they are to remain in touch with league leaders Chelsea.
The Gunners received bad news when they discovered Thomas Vermaelen has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a long term Achilles injury.
Wolves suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the weekend, when a last minute Park Ji-Sing goal saw them lose 2-1 at Manchester United. Wolves are on a 10 match winless streak since their opening day victory over Stoke City.
Defender Jody Craddock is a long term absentee for Wolves, while Matt Jarvis is set to play in his 100th league game for the club.
Wigan Athletic vs Liverpool
The DW Stadium (Wigan), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Fox Soccer Plus, FoxSoccer.tv
Long suffering Liverpool fans will travel to Wigan in hope that the weekend victory over Chelsea marks a revival for the Reds rather than yet another false dawn. The win over Chelsea was Liverpool’s third consecutive league win, a run of form that has seen them climb back into contention for a top four finish.
England defender Glen Johnson could return for the Reds, while Joe Cole and Daniel Agger remain sidelined.
Struggling Wigan have fallen into the relegation zone after a four game winless streak. They face a tough task to end that streak here. Steven Gohouri is suspended for the Latics, while Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy and Mike Pollit remain injured.
Chelsea vs Fulham
Stamford Bridge (London), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: FSC, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Premium, Fox Sports Basico, Setanta Sports Canada
League leaders Chelsea suffered a 2-0 weekend defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. They will look to bounce back here as London rivals Fulham make the short trip to Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti has yet to lose two Premier League games back to back, and will have no intention of doing so here. Ancelotti will be able to field red hot striker Didier Drogba despite a malria scare, Drogba has scored nine goals in his last six Premier League home games.
Michael Essien could also return to action for Chelsea, while Alex and Nicolas Anelka are doubts.
History is not in Fulham’s favor for this game, they have not won a league game at Stamford Bridge since 1964, and have not an away game anywhere in the Premier League for 15 months.
Fulham have problems at both full back spots, left back Carlos Salcido will miss the game with an ankle injury, while right back Chris Baird is out with a thigh problem.
West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion
Boleyn Ground (London), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: FoxSoccer.tv
Rock bottom West Ham United will play host to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday with the Hammers desperate for a win.
West Ham have won only one game all season but Manager Avram Grant was heartened by the 2-2 weekend draw at Birmingham City. Midfielder Mark Noble will miss this game after appendix surgery.
West Brom will travel to Upton Park trying to bounce back from two consecutive defeats. Despite being without suspended midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, Roberto Di Matteo and his team will be heartened by the memory of their last trip to London that ended in victory at Arsenal.
Newcastle United vs Blackburn Rovers
St. James' Park, Newcastle (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Wednesday November 10th, 2:45PM EST
Channels: Fox Sports Basico, FoxSoccer.tv
Newcastle United will play host to former manager Sam Allardyce and Blackburn Rovers, with the Toon Army looking to continue an excellent run of form. Newcastle destroyed arch rivals Sunderland 5-1 and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend.
Striker Andy Carroll appears to be making a run to challenge Wayne Rooney and John Terry as the nations most talked about footballer. Carroll scored the winning goal at Arsenal, and is also attracting a host of negative tabloid headlines lately.
Blackburn pulled themselves out of the bottom three with a 2-1 weekend victory over Wigan Athletic. Rover will be without striker Benjani, who was injured during the Wigan victory.
Everton vs Bolton
Goodison Park (Liverpool), Wednesday November 10th, 3:00PM EST
Channels: ESPN3.com USA
Everton are riding a six game unbeaten streak and will look to continue the streak on Wednesday as they played host to Bolton Wanderers. Bolton will be looking to follow up on their impressive 4-2 weekend win against Tottenham Hotspur.
David Moyes was recently awarded the Manager of the Month Award for October, and may have the option of calling upon Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini, who are recovering from injury.
Kevin Davies is in excellent form for the Trotters and will be a big threat to Everton, he could be joined by Martin Petrov who came off the bench to score against Spurs.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
City of Manchester Stadium (Manchester), Wednesday November 10th, 3:00PM EST
Channels: ESPN3.com USA, ESPN2, Sky Sports HD 2, Sky Sports 2, ESPN Venezuela, ESPN Latin America North, ESPN + , Canal+ Sport, ESPND
The Manchester Derby will be a high profile affair this week, as Manchester United will make the trip to Eastlands with both teams in the top four.
Manchester City won at West Bromwich Albion at the weekend to end some worrying form that included back to back defeats and consistent rumors of a dressing room divided.
Carlos Tevez will be fired up to go against his old team, but he will not be joined by Mario Balotelli. Balotelli had an eventful weekend, scoring twice at West Brom, before receiving a red card that will rule him out of this game.
United have won four consecutive Premier League games and are the only team in the country to remain undefeated in all competitions. However, Sir Alex Ferguson has a number of concerns ahead of this fixture. Ryan Giggs and Nani are injury doubts, while several United players are hoping to be available after being struck by a virus this week.
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