After taking a break last week for the FA Cup’s third round, the Barclays Premier League returns to action this weekend.
Here are five games to keep tabs on.
Hull City vs. Chelsea
KC Stadium on Saturday
Of the three promoted clubs this season, the Tigers were expected by most to drop back down into the Championship, but they have surprised by cementing themselves as a mid-table side just past the half-way point of the season. Steve Bruce has done a fantastic job with the minimal resources available, on top of infighting between the fans and owner Assem Allam’s proposed name change. Hull’s home form has propelled them into this unexpected position (18 points from 10 matches), though, given their capitulation in the home defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day—surrendering three straight after taking a two-goal lead—the odds of getting the better of Chelsea are minimal at best.
The Blues are hitting their top gear and currently in the midst of a five-game undefeated run in the league (four wins). Call it boring football—which is a little bit harsh—but it’s proved to be effective. Jose Mourinho’s decision to implement a tactical change has been a masterstroke thus far. It’s been over 25 years since Chelsea last tasted defeat to Hull City, winning seven of their last nine meetings.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Hull City vs. Chelsea (Sportsnet, 7:30 am ET), Everton vs. Norwich City (Sportsnet, 9:30 am ET), Fulham vs. Sunderland (Sportsnet World, 9:30 am ET) and Manchester United vs. Swansea City (Sportsnet, noon ET). | Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Manchester United vs. Swansea City
Old Trafford on Saturday
Laugh at the officials all you want Mr. Moyes but the higher-ups at the club definitely do not share the same humour towards your current plight. United suffered their third consecutive defeat on Tuesday to bottom-placed Sunderland in the first-leg of their League Cup semifinal. Controversy can be found in every game, both sides are never fully content even in victory. Moyes should stop his whining and making excuses for his team’s poor form. Get on with it. Old Trafford’s aura of invincibility has swiftly vanished, as opposing teams play without fear and are shockingly confident of leaving with points on the board. The Red Devils have lost four of their last six home matches in all competitions.
Unless a couple of impact players are brought in this month, this is a mid-table side—minus Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie—as their results have proven. Despite United’s undefeated league record against the Swans (four wins), Wilfried Bony netted the match-winner in front of a distraught home crowd that quickly raced to the exits before the final whistle of last weekend’s FA Cup defeat. Similar to Moyes, Michael Laudrup is finding it difficult to produce positive results this season, with Swansea compiling a solitary victory in their last seven away league fixtures (four losses).
Newcastle United vs. Manchester City
St. James’ Park on Sunday
The Citizens have finally shed their travel demons—unbeaten in their last four—with the same relentless and dominating performances that have earned a perfect record on their home turf (10 league wins at Etihad Stadium). A boisterous pro-Geordie crowd at St. James’ Park crowd should expect plenty of goals, though, it might be the visiting supporters conducting most of the celebrations. Even without Sergio Aguero, Manchester City continues to fill the net. Alvaro Negredo scored an impressive hat-trick on Wednesday to lead his side to an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of West Ham in their first-leg league cup semifinal.
Finding the net has never been the problem for City; keeping the ball out of their own cage was why results went south during the first few months of Manuel Pellegrini’s debut campaign. The return of Vincent Kompany has made a massive impact—having missed two months through injury—with City unbeaten since the return of their captain to the back-line in December. The Magpies are winless in their last three fixtures (all competitions), failing to score in both of their league outings versus West Brom and Arsenal. Newcastle is winless in their last 14 league meetings against Manchester City (12 defeats and two draws).
Stoke City vs. Liverpool
Britannia Stadium on Sunday
Brendan Rodgers accepted a charge from the Football Association on Wednesday in regards to his criticism of referee Lee Mason following Liverpool’s controversial 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day. The Reds manager will likely be fined, but should not face a touch line ban for his remarks. An overall team performance—as Rodgers described it—guided Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Hull City at Anfield on New Year’s Day, which helped wash the bad taste that was left following two heartbreaking defeats over the festive period. Despite the loss of Daniel Agger due to a calf strain suffered in the FA Cup victory over Oldham last weekend, Rodgers was boosted by the news that Daniel Sturridge is on course to make a return to the first team, having made it through an intensive training session unscathed. Sturridge hasn’t played since suffering ankle ligament damage at the end of November, missing nine games in the process.
Stoke may have won three straight against Liverpool at Britannia Stadium (unbeaten in last five league outings), but the reunion of Sturridge and Luis Suarez poses an incredible threat. The popular and effective SAS partnership could be in full effect on Sunday, as Sturridge scored 11 goals in 14 appearances before being hobbled, with Suarez reaching unimaginable heights during his partner’s absence (scoring 10 goals in nine games). Simon Mignolet’s heroics on opening day gave the Reds a 1-0 victory at Anfield against Stoke, guessing right to deny Jonathan Walters from the spot before robbing Kenwyne Jones on the rebound three minutes from the end of normal time.
Monday programming alert: Watch Aston Villa vs. Arsenal (Sportsnet World, 2:30 pm ET). | Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Villa Park on Monday
The dreaded and infamous injury crisis continues to test Arsenal’s resolve and fortitude. It’s a problem every club must endure—some more than others—and overcome. However, the Gunners seem to be branded by the inevitable challenge, as the better majority of the last decade has proven. This season has been encouragingly different for the club, showing signs of the good old days and igniting true belief among their supporters. Theo Walcott’s latest injury could put a dent in any title hopes, but results weren’t really affected during his previous absence.
Walcott will miss the rest of the season to go along with his World Cup hopes. Luckily, the club has loosened the purse strings and become serious competitors in the transfer market. They are halfway across the line, so expect Wenger to do some business before the end of the month, especially with Manchester City breathing down their necks. On a positive note, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud will be back in the lineup at Villa Park—possibly even Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs—a place where they’re unbeaten in 14 games (seven wins).
