Weekend Preview: New Years (31/12/11)

Its the Last weekend of the year, a great year of Football it has been, but only the half way stage for the Premier League season. And there's plenty more in store. The title race is wide open with arguably 5 or 3 teams in it.

Liverpool v Newcastle: 3-1 was the final score in this one, Gerrard marking his long awaited return by scoring the winner. Newcastle took the lead with their goal eventually given as an Agger own goal. But goals from Bellamy either side of half-time gave Liverpool a deserving win. Additionally Martin Skrtel's brilliant goal-line clearance from Demba Ba's effort was key in moving Liverpool level on points with Chelsea in 4th.

Man Utd v Blackburn: A draw for birthday boy Sir Alex's side will see Man United sit top of the league through another year. A draw would be a bit of a party spoiler though, United will have to beat the leagues struggling sides to win the league -  Fergie would be the first one to tell you. My Prediction: United win! They have got problems at the back but that didn't matter against Wigan and I think they'll be just as ruthless against Blackburn.

Arsenal v QPR: Thierry Henry isn't available for this match but I'm sure the Arsenal fans will be singing his name. They need to bounce back from their draw to Wolves to keep the pressure up on Chelsea and Liverpool in that fight for the Champions League places. QPR need anything to turn their season back around, they are on a free fall to the relegation zone. Prediction: Arsenal win! And RVP to brake Shearers record with a hat-trick.

Bolton v Wolves: Both sides find themselves in the bottom four and consequently will know they have to beat the sides around them to stay in this division. Prediction: Draw! I can't split these two, both have dodgy defences, both struggle to score goals.

Chelsea v Aston Villa: If its anything like last year it should be a classic! Chelsea will hope not to concede 3 again this year. They seem to have assured their defensive options with the imminent signing of Villa product Gary Cahill, the deal isn't completed and Cahill will play his last game for Bolton today. Prediction: Chelsea win! Three draws on the bounce for the Blues may come to an end today!

Norwich v Fulham: Two mid table sides come face to face, the more direct Norwich versus the mini Spurs, Fulham who attempt to play attractive football but ultimately aren't as good as Spurs. Fulham ought to be safe but Norwich will till have doubts; Blackpool were 4 points ahead of them at the same stage last year with 25 points and still got relegated. Prediction: Fulham. Ruiz and Dempsey are top draw and could be the undoing of Paul Lambert's side.

Stoke v Wigan: Wigan have yet again shocked teams all round the country and will want to do the same to the quality Stoke side that could potentially earn another year in Europe through their league position rather than a cup run. Prediction: Draw! Vital points for Martinez and his men, points in games such as these will surely see them stay up.

Swansea v Spurs: Brendan Rodgers described Bale and Modric as "perfect players" but could they come back to haunt him. A win for Swansea could take them as high as 9th and only 18 points away from the 40 point safety mark. Spurs on the other hand will be up to 41 points and 49 points from 20 games from there on in will take them to Mancini's 90 point mark. Prediction: Spurs! Can't think of many who will be able to stop Spurs and unfortunately Spurs will keep the ball better than Swansea.

West Brom v Everton: These sides kick off the year of Premier League football. They are two of the leagues steady sides come face to face at the Hawthorns. Both should be safe, both mid-table. Prediction: Everton! Sooner or later they will start making that 7th placed push!

Sunderland v Man City: Man City will probably be in second place by the time this match comes along so a three points is imperative to keep themselves in pole position going in to the New Year and the second half of the season. A win for Sunderland and they will be back to mid-table where they belong with the quality they have in their squad. Prediction: Man City win! Need to rack up points against these lower clubs in order to win the league.

Happy New Year everyone! Keep following...

Monthly Round-Up (November 2011)

The travesty of Gary Speed's unexpected death has put everything in to perspective for football fans across the world. Just like the saying "it only takes a second to score a goal" the same can be said for the event which occurred early on Sunday morning, the 27/11/11 is a date few will forget. Not only has a great footballer been lost, not only has a potentially astonishing coach been lost but an unbelievable man has been lost. Our thoughts are with the Speed family and all the people that knew of Gary.

The tributes have rolled in for Speed and he more than anyone would want the football to continue... and that it did with some great games on display. The last game of the month was Crystal Palace's 2-1 victory, after extra time, at Old Trafford and now face Cardiff City in the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup. Cardiff united after an emotional few days to knock Premier League strugglers Blackburn out. Meaning one Championship side will be facing a tough task in the final against either Manchester City or Liverpool, two top Premier League sides.

Man City sent out a star quality side to make sure of victory versus Arsenal, Aguero getting the only goal at the Emirates. Whereas Liverpool travelled to Stamford Bridge for the second time in 9 days winning on both occasions. Another nasty November for Chelsea looks to ruin another season, starting with defeat on Halloween weekend to arch rivals Arsenal the month didn't get any better, a late snatch and grab from Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League summing up their indifferent month. Many have called for the head of AVB, some wonder why the head of a Carlo Ancelotti is nowhere to be called.

Villas-Boas is yet to "goas" as the Sun recently described the possibility of his departure. Although, Steve Bruce has become the first Premier Division manager to get the axe this season being sacked 3 days before the 'Black Cats' face a possible "six pointer" against fellow felines Wolves. Incidentally Ancellotti is one of the contenders to take over at The Stadium of Light. Nevertheless Martin O'Neil or Mark Hughes seem more likely.

AVB is under much scrutiny largely due to Chelsea's form in the Champions League and like many other English clubs, are finding the group stages of European football a tough task. Only Arsenal seem secure, and have turned their season around in the past month. Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Fulham, Birmingham and Stoke are unsure of places in the knock-out stage.  The 'chicken and egg' conundrum springs to mind when pondering the reasons for England's poor form in Europe; is it the tough and straining and such high quality football suffered each week in the EPL taking it out of the teams and hindering them in Europe or otherwise is the lack of quality in the Premier League resulting in clubs not having the quality to cope against some of Europe's top names. In my opinion, and I very much hope, its the former as so many clubs are "tough places to go" and "a real threat" that the effort put in on a Saturday disadvantages those on a Wednesday. Despite this I am confident the majority of English clubs will qualify as most still have it in their hands entering 'Matchday 6'

Despite what a thrilling month November has been for Football fans the overriding memory will be that of the Gary Speed tragedy. Hopefully December will avoid the bitter taste this saddening event has caused the world of Football. The fans will be able celebrate the festive period with all the football they need. I for one get excited when I see the Sky Sports Christmas advert at the start of December and those Sky Sports snowmen scoring diving headers left, right and centre signifying that there is a LOT of Football on the way.

A crucial week awaits after a disappointing defeat for Chelsea

Chelsea let lead slip to just one point after 2-1 defeat away at Spurs, earlier in the day, Manchester United moved to within one point of leaders Chelsea after beating rivals Manchester City who gave Spurs the chance to move into 4th. That chance they took. At the start of the day the door for the final Champions League spot looked wide open, whilst the door for the Premiership was almost shut: by the end of the day the hinges had swung, the title race was now wide open whereas the door for 4th spot had swung in the opposite direction needing one last push. That final push is to come on Saturday, a pivotal day for both Manchester City who lie in fifth and Spurs 2 points above them in 4th. Spurs head to Old Trafford to play United in the days early kick off and in the evening kick off Manchester City travel to the Emirates Stadium facing Arsenal, who to have hopes of the Premiership themselves. If Spurs can beat United they will have beaten the top 3 clubs consecutively, if they manage this incredible feat this could prove the end of United's title challenge, and with the form Spurs are in who is going to bet against them. Chelsea play in the 4pm kick off on Sunday at home to Stoke, in which many would expect a Chelsea victory, especially after Stoke had a rare defeat at home to Bolton today. The only thing that's for definite is that it shall undoubtedly be a thrilling end to the Season