Post by Gianni Infantino on Feb 6, 2014 19:26:56 GMT
Liverpool vs Arsenal (12:45 - BTSport)
Aston Villa v West Ham (15:00)
Chelsea v Newcastle (15:00 - ChelseaTV)
Crystal Palace v West Brom (15:00)
Norwich v Man City (15:00)
Southampton v Stoke (15:00)
Sunderland v Hull (15:00)
Swansea v Cardiff (17:30 - Sky Sports)
Tottenham v Everton (13:30 - Sky Sports)
Man Utd v Fulham (16:00 - Sky Sports)
Aston Villa v West Ham (15:00)
Chelsea v Newcastle (15:00 - ChelseaTV)
Crystal Palace v West Brom (15:00)
Norwich v Man City (15:00)
Southampton v Stoke (15:00)
Sunderland v Hull (15:00)
Swansea v Cardiff (17:30 - Sky Sports)
Tottenham v Everton (13:30 - Sky Sports)
Man Utd v Fulham (16:00 - Sky Sports)
Round 25 of the Barclays Premier League this weekend with some big games, including a derby between two teams who aren't even English.
The weekend begins at Anfield as Liverpool host Arsenal, who won the earlier meeting between these two 2-0 thanks to a goal by Santi Cazorla and a worldie from Aaron Ramsey. Liverpool threw away two points last weekend after a stunning win in their last home game against Everton. Arsenal have slowed down somewhat since their early season wonders but still are dangerous with the return of Lukas Podolski. A Liverpool won could bring them to within 5 points of Arsenal.
Villa Park hosts the battle of the claret and blue with West Ham being the visitors. Villa's home form this year has been notoriously poor this season, but the recent return to something resembling form for Christian Benteke will be welcome, especially as West Ham's big man Andy Carroll is suspended for three games because he killed Chico Flores' nan or something. Swansea have just sacked manager Michael Laudrup because he hasn't really done much with them. We're only here to see those tweets again aren't we?
Chelsea host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in what is already being described as a boring game. Newcastle lost Yohan Cabaye, who Chelsea signed on deadline day and then loaned to PSG. Probably. Chelsea are coming off a huge win at the Etihad whereas Newcastle want revenge for a Fabio Borini-led defeat at the hands of Sunderland.
Crystal Palace v West Brom is a Premier League fixture, much to the surprise of many. Palace signed half of the Championship and Joe Ledley in January, while West Brom playmaker Kolo Toure has gone back to Liverpool.
Norwich bring City to Carrow Road looking to in some way avenge the 7-0 defeat from earlier this year. Fortunately for them, City don't have Sergio Aguero for this one. Even more luckily for them, City don't have Luis Suarez. We do.
Southampton and Stoke used to be a much less attractive fixture until Southampton sacked Barclays Premier League aficionado Nigel Adkins and hired Mauricio Pochettino, who has them playing some lovely stuff and has made that £15m Uruguayan they signed last summer because a sufficiently poor man's Jay Rodriguez. Stoke beat United last week, not the first time they've beaten a big team with a bad manager at the Britannia this year.
Sunderland v Hull is the showcase game of two teams who really didn't want Danny Graham. Sunderland's form under Gus Poyet has been very good and they'll carry that into a game against a Hull side who got their first goal of the year last week.
Swansea and Cardiff play in the second Welsh derby of the season. One team recently sacked their boss because he was a wanker, the other recently sacked their boss because he was a nice guy and probably the best manager in their history. Both deserved then.
The first Sunday game is at White Hart Lane as Tottenham's struggles continue despite Andre Villas Boas being sacked what feels like an eternity ago. Heavily defeated by City and struggling against Hull, a Lukaku-less Everton are exactly the kind of team they want to play right now, with Steven Naismith likely to play. Speaking of Lukaku, Jose Mourinho has said he could leave in the summer. Devastated for them. lol.
Fulham failed to beat Sheffield United the other night. If Manchester United don't win this by at least three, David Moyes absolutely has to go. Fortunately for them, Rene Meulensteen is 99% Mancunian and would love to beat Fulham to help his team get back into the race for Europa League football.