Reds And Blues Clash In Premiership

There are two stand out games this weekend in the English Premiership. Firstly Sven Goran Eriksson has his first taste of the Manchester derby when his resurgent City take on the stuttering champions at Eastlands. But the main game of the weekend is the first clash between the “big four” as Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

In this first clash Rafael Benítez’s Reds welcome Mourinho’s Chelsea in what will be an early test of both teams title winning potential. A win will lay down an early makers and land a huge psychological blow. Chelsea go into the game having won their opening two matches of the campaign, while Liverpool are playing only their second Premier League fixture after being involved in European action, beating Toulouse 1-0 in midweek.

Gerrard will be looking to land another killer blow against Chelsea like he did against Villa. The midfielder has been passed fit despite suffering a knock in France.

There has not been a draw between these two in a league game since May 2001 - a run of 12 games. Liverpool have conceded only 11 goals in 35 league matches at home since losing 4-1 to Chelsea in October 2005.

Meanwhile, just a few miles down the M62 Manchester Utd head to their neighbours at Eastlands without their top two scorers from last year. Rooney, as I’ve reported during the week, is out for two months following his hairline fracture in his foot against Reading last weekend and Ronaldo got himself banned for his head butt during the week. His manager must have been so happy!

Manchester City appear to be revitalised under the former England manager Eriksson after a great start and they now have a wonderful opportunity to prove their impressive start to the season by landing a severe blow to their fiercest rivals, to whom they are always overshadowed by. Both the derby, Liverpool’s game and Arsenal’s trip to Blackburn take place on Sunday.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Everton the current leaders, will look to keep up their perfect start to the season at Reading. That will be no easy task! Reading are a tough test at the Madejski but the early season pace-setters, who have already beaten Tottenham and Wigan, will have to handle the tough tackling Reading who earned a point at Old Trafford and also gave Chelsea a fright.

The Reading boss Steve Coppell said, “We will be playing three from the top 6 six within a week, and it’s as if it’s the hardest possible hurdle we could have been set.”

The new Everton midfielder, Phil Jagielka, signed from whinging Sheffield Utd, reckons Everton are playing so well he faces an extended term warming the bench. He said, “I can’t see the gaffer changing it for Reading. Nine or even seven points [from the first three games] would be a fantastic start.”

Big spending Tottenham (not that it’s done them any good so far!) are desperate for their first win and host the newly promoted Derby County. Spurs were tipped to be among the top sides this season (including me) but have so far lost both of their matches. Martin Jol’s assistant, long term Spurs employee and ex-player Chris Houghton said, “Now there is more pressure to get a result. I am sure Derby will try to make it difficult for us but it has to be about us and about bouncing back from two defeats. It has been a disappointing start for all of us here and we’re determined to get back to winning ways.”

West Ham travel to another newly promoted side Birmingham City with their new signing from Newcastle Kieron Dyer set to make his debut for the Hammers. Birmingham have been frustrated in their matches so far, losing 3-2 at Chelsea in an excellent opening game and then stumbling to a disputed last minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland. Birmingham have certainly been entertaining so far, at least. West Ham however were embarrassed by Man City who ripped them apart on the opening day. Dyer said he was ready to be thrown into the deep end, “It is possibly one of my strengths, to hit the ground running, so even though I have had a bit of a stop-start pre-season, if the manager asks me to play at Birmingham on Saturday I would be totally up for the challenge.”

The new Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce takes charge of his first league game at St James’ Park as the Magpies host Aston Villa. The England striker Michael Owen could make a welcome return for Newcastle who have not scored at home since February. However, the Villa boss Martin O’Neill wants his defenders to close down the likes of Owen. He said, “If we could just tighten up a little bit, especially when we haven’t got the ball, then I honestly believe we will start to do better. Once we get going we will be fine.”

Middlesborough’s new signing fro Tottenham, Mido, should make his debut at Fulham. Boro lost both their opening games and boss Gareth Southgate cannot wait for the Egyptian striker to get started. Southgate said, “You want a centre-forward to hold the ball up, to be a physical presence and to score goals. Mido brings all of those attributes. Mido is a player I believe possibly has a point to prove. He is a player of great ability, a strong player and a big character.”

Roy Keane takes his Championship winning side Sunderland to Wigan looking to capitalise on their four points from six so far with their new striker Michael Chopre scoring in both games. he said, “Hopefully I can make it three in three at Wigan. I’ve got self-belief and I always thought I should be playing in the Premier League.”

In the finally game on Saturday, Portsmouth host Sammy Lee’s Bolton, who have lost both of their first two games. Sammy Lee said, “It’s right that we have got no points out of the two games but I want the players to have the belief in what they are doing.”

Good luck to your team this weekend! Unless they’re playing mine, of course!

The Soccer Blogger