After a midweek that saw upsets everywhere after goalkeeping blunders and the appearance of a rugby union side in a soccer match, normal proceedings return this weekend. As there are three derby games, you’ll be forgiven if your mouth is watering more than when Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson catches a glimpse of a chicken and mushroom slice.
Saturday’s games feature three of the top four, and you’d expect Chelsea and Man City to come through their home fixtures against Blackburn and Wolves respectively, with relative ease. Meanwhile Arsenal is in front of the Sky cameras as they take on West Ham at Upton Park. The ‘ammers could do worse than play like a rugby team as this is apparently what saw Ipswich through against Arsenal midweek. I must have been right when I saw Tamas Priskin rushing over the line with the ball in his hands.
The following day is when the real action gets underway though. With two games at 12, you had better get the lunch sorted pretty sharpish. Birmingham meet Villa for what will be the third time this season, and it doesn’t promise to be a cracker. Both sides are hardly pleasing on the eye but after David Bentley’s loan move to Birmingham it might be interesting to see how things pan out.
Sunderland welcome Newcastle looking to avenge the 5-1 humiliation they suffered back on Halloween. Both sides were beaten by lower league opponents in the FA Cup last weekend and will be hoping for a return to form here.
Two hours later it’s Merseyside’s turn as King Kenny makes his triumphant return to Anfield (someone should probably tell them he’s not won a game yet). Everton will fancy their chances against the home side who’ve been rather indifferent in recent times. If Fernando Torres actually turns up, Liverpool should walk it. Otherwise it could be an interesting afternoon.
Lastly, Tottenham host top of the table Manchester United in a game they never usually win. Spurs boss ‘arry Redknapp has been more interested in a deal for David Beckham this week than he has this game plan for Sunday’s game, and this may show. Also with Wayne Rooney back for the reds don’t bet against him grabbing a goal.
