Here’s what to look out for in the Premiership this weekend.
Fergie celebrates silver anniversary
Sir Alex Ferguson will mark 25 years in charge of Manchester United Sunday when the Red Devils host Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Programming Alert: Sportsnet World will broadcast Manchester United-Sunderland (10:30 a.m. ET) on Saturday.
The 69-year-old Scot is one of the most successful managers in the history of the club game (he’s won 27 major titles with United since taking over the coaching reins in 1986) and his desire for more silverware is hardly on the wane.
However, this season could prove to be Ferguson’s toughest challenge, thanks to the emergence of rivals Manchester City as title front-runners.
Still smarting from a 6-1 loss to City at hone, the Red Devils stumbled to a 1-0 win over Everton last week.
With the Blues undefeated after 10 games and sitting on a five-point cushion over United, Fergie’s Reds need to put in a strong effort and earn a convincing win over the Black Cats on Sunday to send a clear message to City that the title race is far from over.
The race at the top
League leaders Manchester City will try to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches when they visit Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
City can’t afford to take QPR too lightly, especially after Rangers beat Chelsea 1-0 at home a few weeks ago.
Programming Alert: Sportsnet will broadcast Liverpool-Swansea City (10:30 a.m. ET) and QPR-Manchester City (1 p.m. ET) on Saturday.
Also, City’s next two games pose daunting tasks — Newcastle United at home, and away to Liverpool. With Manchester United poised to pounce on any mistake, City can’t afford to drop points against QPR.
Newcastle (third in the table with 22 points) has been the surprise of the season thus far. The Magpies are undefeated after 10 games, and can possibly leapfrog Manchester United into second place with a win at home against Everton on Saturday.
Demba Ba has been in fine form, with the Senegalese striker scoring eight goals in nine games this season. Everton has only given up 13 goals this season, so Ba will have to elevate his game in order to add to his goal tally.
Chelsea and Tottenham, tied for fourth with 19 points, will be looking to keep the heat on overachieving Newcastle.
Spurs visit Fulham Sunday in another London derby, while Chelsea takes on Blackburn at Ewood Park the day before.
The battle at the bottom
Last-place Wigan (losers of seven straight) visit Wolves (17th place) on Saturday in one of those traditional “six pointers.” A victory would move Wigan into a tie with Wolves on 10 points, allow them to end their miserable losing skid, and give them a bit of momentum.
Programming Alert: Sportsnet World will broadcast Wolves-Wigan (8:30 a.m. ET) on Sunday.
It won’t be easy, though. Wolves looked pretty solid in a 3-1 loss away to Manchester City, and like Wigan, they’re desperate to move up the table.
Bolton (19th place) hosts Stoke City on Sunday, a match that pits two teams coming off disappointing losses. Wanderers boast the worst defence in England’s top division (27 goals conceded), while Stoke’s offence has sputtered (just eight goals scored in 10 games).
The Canadians
David Hoillet, a 21-year-old winger from Brampton, Ont., will likely feature prominently for Blackburn (who sit in 18th place) when they host Chelsea.
Programming Alert: Sportsnet World will broadcast Fulham-Tottenham (11 a.m. ET) on Sunday.
The speedy winger has been Blackburn’s best player this season, and is coming off a strong effort, scoring a spectacular goal last week in a 3-3 draw with Norwich City.
Norwich visits Aston Villa on Saturday, and it will be interesting to see if forward Simeon Jackson, a 24-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., gets any playing time.
Jackson has been limited to three substitute appearances this season (37 minutes in total) and Norwich manager has used the exact same starting line-up for the last six matches.