Post by Gianni Infantino on Feb 20, 2014 15:14:27 GMT
Gianni Infantino last night
Premier League is back, woo! Two of the league's top four have just lost in Europe by the same scoreline against the two best teams in the competition and they'll want revenge. Let's have a look at fixtures.
The week starts with two of the classiest managers in football at Stamford Bridge as the leaders face Merseyside's third team. Everton are capable of a surprise, having beaten United at Old Trafford and held Arsenal to a point at the Emirates, but you always have to look at Chelsea as favourites at home.
Fresh off a loss to Bayern Munich which was mostly Ozil's fault, obviously, Arsenal will want to dismantle a somewhat resurgent Sunderland who are back in the relegation zone despite losing just two of their last ten. Impressive, but Arsenal have been good at home this year.
Cardiff were destroyed by Welsh rivals Swansea last time out and will hope to lash out at fellow newly-promoted side Hull at Cardiff City Stadium. Hull started the season well but have quietened down recently despite Jelavic and Long recently joining and now have the distraction of an FA Cup replay with Brighton.
After the week's loss to Barcelona, characterised by a wrongly made decision which allowed Martin Demichellis to play for City, City will want to put a strong performance in against Stoke. Stoke are very impressive against big teams this year but not quite so away from home.
Fulham travel to West Brom having lost in dramatic fashion to Liverpool last time in the league. Neither side can afford to drop points at this stage, as Fulham sit bottom needing four points to climb out of the relegation zone and West Brom sit level with Sunderland, one place outside the zone itself.
West Ham had their own Liverpool-style legal issues recently with the wacky Andy Carroll red card situation, and they face a Southampton side which has surprised nobody since September as they've, predictably, slid back down the table to outside any European places.
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd is one of those games which would almost invariably make you think of a United walkover. However this season has made us rethink pretty much everything with United, and even the signing of Juan Mata doesn't seem to be helping them too much. Palace have won 3 of their last 5 whilst United have won only 1.
In non-televised 13:30 Sunday news, Liverpool face Swansea. The reverse fixture was a Jonjo Shelvey show, showing exactly why Liverpool were so happy to have sold him. A loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup ended Liverpool's trophy dreams and Swansea's recent managerial change makes this an odd one, which you'd expect Liverpool to win with their solid home record this year.
I love Newcastle vs Aston Villa. I remember 2009, when Damien Duff scored an own goal which effectively sent Newcastle down. Back then Villa were chasing Europe. Now they're both shit, boasting just one win, a draw and three losses each in their last five games.
Last season Gareth Bale caused Norwich constant problems at Carrow Road, but this season he plays for Real Madrid, and Spurs look a very different team without him. Form under interim boss Tim Sherwood has been good but has disappointed some Spurs fans. Norwich's super summer hasn't worked out for them and they lie just a point above the relegation zone.
Premier League is back, woo! Two of the league's top four have just lost in Europe by the same scoreline against the two best teams in the competition and they'll want revenge. Let's have a look at fixtures.
Such effort put into writing those out.
The week starts with two of the classiest managers in football at Stamford Bridge as the leaders face Merseyside's third team. Everton are capable of a surprise, having beaten United at Old Trafford and held Arsenal to a point at the Emirates, but you always have to look at Chelsea as favourites at home.
Fresh off a loss to Bayern Munich which was mostly Ozil's fault, obviously, Arsenal will want to dismantle a somewhat resurgent Sunderland who are back in the relegation zone despite losing just two of their last ten. Impressive, but Arsenal have been good at home this year.
Cardiff were destroyed by Welsh rivals Swansea last time out and will hope to lash out at fellow newly-promoted side Hull at Cardiff City Stadium. Hull started the season well but have quietened down recently despite Jelavic and Long recently joining and now have the distraction of an FA Cup replay with Brighton.
After the week's loss to Barcelona, characterised by a wrongly made decision which allowed Martin Demichellis to play for City, City will want to put a strong performance in against Stoke. Stoke are very impressive against big teams this year but not quite so away from home.
Fulham travel to West Brom having lost in dramatic fashion to Liverpool last time in the league. Neither side can afford to drop points at this stage, as Fulham sit bottom needing four points to climb out of the relegation zone and West Brom sit level with Sunderland, one place outside the zone itself.
West Ham had their own Liverpool-style legal issues recently with the wacky Andy Carroll red card situation, and they face a Southampton side which has surprised nobody since September as they've, predictably, slid back down the table to outside any European places.
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd is one of those games which would almost invariably make you think of a United walkover. However this season has made us rethink pretty much everything with United, and even the signing of Juan Mata doesn't seem to be helping them too much. Palace have won 3 of their last 5 whilst United have won only 1.
In non-televised 13:30 Sunday news, Liverpool face Swansea. The reverse fixture was a Jonjo Shelvey show, showing exactly why Liverpool were so happy to have sold him. A loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup ended Liverpool's trophy dreams and Swansea's recent managerial change makes this an odd one, which you'd expect Liverpool to win with their solid home record this year.
I love Newcastle vs Aston Villa. I remember 2009, when Damien Duff scored an own goal which effectively sent Newcastle down. Back then Villa were chasing Europe. Now they're both shit, boasting just one win, a draw and three losses each in their last five games.
Last season Gareth Bale caused Norwich constant problems at Carrow Road, but this season he plays for Real Madrid, and Spurs look a very different team without him. Form under interim boss Tim Sherwood has been good but has disappointed some Spurs fans. Norwich's super summer hasn't worked out for them and they lie just a point above the relegation zone.