With only four weeks left on the schedule, here are five key matches to keep an eye on this weekend in the Premier League.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Wigan Athletic v Tottenham (on Sportsnet, 9:30am ET), Everton v Fulham (on Sportsnet ONE, 9:30am ET) Stoke City v Norwich City (on Sportsnet World, 9:30am ET) and Newcastle United v Liverpool (on Sportsnet, noon ET). Also at 9:30am ET, watch Southampton v West Bromwich Albion exclusively on Sportsnet World Online
Sunday programming alert: Watch Reading v Queens Park Rangers (on Sportsnet World, 7:30am ET) and Arsenal v Manchester United (on Sportsnet World, 11am ET). Also at 10am ET, watch Chelsea v Swansea City exclusively on Sportsnet World Online
Wigan Athletic vs. Tottenham
The Latics’ magic has slightly worn off and the threat of relegation looms large over the DW Stadium after successive league defeats. Roberto Martinez continues to deny that their FA Cup final appearance is a distraction, but for a small club like Wigan, the lure of winning a piece of silverware has caused a slight shift of focus among the players. Avoiding relegation doesn’t earn a medal, though it’s in the players best interest that Wigan keep their top-flight status. For some, this might be their last shot at a trophy, so you can understand a bit of a head turn.
After last weekend’s inspiring second-half come from behind victory over Manchester City, the momentum gained could be enough to propel Spurs to a top-four finish. After a poor first-half performance, Andre Villas-Boas made a tactical switch in the second half that made the difference — shifting Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey to the wings, and bringing on Lewis Holtby, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Defoe just past the hour mark. Both Bale and Defoe found the net on their return, following Dempsey’s equalizer, with Huddlestone earning plenty of plaudits in the holding role.
Wigan won the opposite fixture 1-0 at White Hart Lane, with Spurs fans booing their team off the field after the final whistle. Tottenham will be boosted by the return of Aaron Lennon.
Newcastle United vs. Liverpool
Life without Luis Suarez begins for Brendan Rodgers on Saturday at St. James’s Park, after the Uruguayan received a heavy 10 match ban by the FA for foolishly biting Branislav Ivanovic last weekend.
Rodgers and Pepe Reina have spoken out against the suspension, arguing that the punishment has more to do with the man and not the incident. Clearly, Suarez was in the wrong and has no plausible excuse for trying to bite an opponent — a screw is definitely loose. But the FA have a history of inconsistencies when dealing with violent conduct charges, with Jermaine Defoe avoiding punishment for a similar offence on Javier Mascherano in 2006.
The loss of Suarez would have been a catastrophe had Liverpool still have something to play for this season. The new campaign won’t begin for Suarez until October, should the club decide not to cash in on their prized asset this summer.
Newcastle currently sits only six points above the drop-zone, having played an extra game than survival-chasers Wigan. Since losing the Tyne-Wear derby two weeks ago, the Magpies have descended further down the table and are in need of a morale-boosting performance. A victory this weekend is a must, as it would lift Newcastle to the 40 point threshold and virtually secure their top-flight status.
The reverse fixture at Anfield in November ended 1-1, with Suarez scoring the equalizer off an exquisite individual effort that is a candidate for goal of the season.
Chelsea vs. Swansea City
The Blues have endured a congested schedule, and continue to battle on two fronts. A win in Basel on Thursday has them in the driver’s seat for a spot im the Europa League final. Their final league fixtures have them still to face Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton. Tired legs were given a boost with the return to fitness of Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill. The timing could not be better. People might knock Rafa Benitez’s slow and calculated methods, but his rotation policy has kept Chelsea within striking distance of earning a piece of silverware and a top-four place.
After their memorable League Cup victory at Wembley in late February, the Swans have been cruising on auto-pilot with one win in five matches. Michael Laudrup’s first season has been deemed a resounding success. Michu has been a revelation, scoring 17 goals and counting — a steal considering his £2 million price tag. Loanee Jonathan De Guzman has also emerged as a Premier League quality talent, and Ashley Williams has become a prime transfer target this summer for some of the league’s top clubs, after a stellar sophomore campaign in the top-flight. Nothing but good news at Swansea, despite being close to dropping out of the top ten. A guaranteed third season in the Premier League and contesting the South Wales derby with rivals Cardiff City is reward enough.
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Arsenal vs. Manchester United
On Sunday, Robin Van Persie will make his much anticipated return to Emirates Stadium as a Premier League champion. Don’t expect Gunners fans to be in a congratulatory mood for their former captain’s achievement. The wound left following his sale to Manchester United is still fresh, and the hatred for his betrayal runs deep. Despite the feelings in the stands, Arsenal will present their opponents with a guard of honour before kickoff. You can almost guarantee the reception awaiting RVP won’t be pleasant and he will be targeted with cruel intentions.
Having clinched the league title through a tremendous RVP hat trick, expect Sir Alex Ferguson to give his bench a good run in United’s remaining matches. With a winner’s medal already in their pocket, this match means very little to the champs, though, Ferguson will never lay down and surrender points, especially against a rival. Van Persie could possibly even start on the bench, though you would expect him to get on the field, if nothing more than to take some of the sting out of the situation.
Unfortunately, Arsene Wenger doesn’t have the same luxury as his legendary counterpart. The Gunners’ remaining four matches are extremely crucial, as Chelsea and Tottenham are right on their heels with a game in hand. Arsenal are undefeated in their last six games — winning five — but haven’t beaten United in two years, with Aaron Ramsey scoring the lone goal in this identical fixture. RVP scored within three minutes of the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory at Old Trafford over his former mates, but refused to celebrate. It will be interesting to see what happens should he do the same at his old stomping ground. Wenger will be without the services of Olivier Giroud for the next three matches following a controversial late red card against Fulham, adding a further obstacle to the task at hand.
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
The power of Paolo Di Canio’s presence is quite remarkable. Successive wins under the Italian’s tutelage has Sunderland on the brink of securing their top-flight status for next season, which would justify his controversial hiring. However, it’s difficult to determine exactly what’s changed since the sacking of Martin O’Neill. Aside from far more intense and tactical training sessions, and the odd player shuffle, it is exactly the same team that went eight games without a victory before Di Canio’s arrival. However, Stephane Sessegnon credits his Italian manager for installing a team-first mentality into the squad, something that was obviously missing under O’Neill.
In the thick of relegation for the majority of the season, Paul Lambert continues his quest to avoid the drop. Villa has won eight of 34 matches, with half of those victories coming in the last 10. The problem has been too many draws, almost half (16) of their matches ending in a split of the points. Neither side can afford to throw away valuable points, especially Villa in their current position. Lambert must also be concerned with his side’s terrible goal difference (-27), should it come to a tie-breaker. A win on Monday would give Villa the double over the Black Cats, having collected three points at the Stadium of Light through a Gabriel Agbonlahor match-winner.
There is slight drama ahead of kickoff, with Di Canio obviously taking centre stage. While managing Swindon Town in the League Cup earlier this season, the Italian gestured toward Villa supporters, taunting them with relegation. Keep an eye out for his enthusiastic celebrations should the Black Cats score.
Monday programming alert: Watch Aston Villa v Sunderland (on Sportsnet World, 2:30pm ET).