Premiership Review - 22 & 23 Aug '09

In action this week (all matches at Malaysian time):

Saturday, 22 Aug:
Arsenal vs Portsmouth (10pm)
TMC’s prediction: 2-0 Home win

Wigan vs Manchester United (10pm)
TMC’s prediction: 0-1 Away win

Man. City vs Wolves (10pm)
TMC's prediction: 2-0 Home win

Sunday, 23 Aug:

Fulham vs Chelsea (11pm)
TMC’s prediction: 2-3 Away win

Tuesday, 25 Aug:

Liverpool vs Aston Villa (3am)

TMC’s prediction: 2-1 Home win

This weekend’s matches should see the ‘Big Four’ (or should I say Five now?) notching victories with no actual ‘blockbuster’ like the showdown between Spurs and Liverpool last week.
However, as Burnley has proven against United, some scripts are meant to be read and then torn apart. You sometimes don’t need the external hype; just create one when you have the chance.

On United:
Barely three days after our night of nerves at Turf Moor, the game against Wigan appear to have its importance magnified. With Rio and Vida still missing (while I’m writing this), it would be quite a game for O’Shea and Jonny Evans if they are paired again in central defense. In midfield, Sir Alex would probably make his (wholesale?) changes to bring more aggression and grit into our game after our insipid performance against Burnley.

Antonio Valencia should bolt down his wing position in the starting eleven and perhaps continue bolting along the flanks like he has done in the last few games. He should have all the motivations in the world to do well at the place where he started to earn his stripes, literally.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex would most likely pair Rooney with Berbatov, with Owen waiting to make up for missing the chances he had against Birmingham and Burnley.

On a quick peep:
Arsenal, Man. City and Chelsea will be tested at times this week, but I feel the momentum is currently with them. The West London derby between Fulham and Chelsea should be interesting with both teams in fine form. The Blues have been a goal down at each of their last two games and if they find themselves in a similar situation against The Cottagers this Sunday, I’d expect Chelsea to bounce back, although I hope their luck runs out! Also, Chelsea old-boy Damien Duff should be making his Fulham debut in this match.

Liverpool would only play Aston Villa on 25 Aug (in the wee hours of Tuesday) and by then, they could find themselves looking up at the rest of the big teams.
Their 4-0 win against Stoke City may have stoked some flame and passion into their game but The Villans should prove to be stronger opponents this time.

The afterthought:
Whatever formation and personnel Sir Alex deploy at Dave Whelan (DW) Stadium, the weight of expectations is clear:

We have to WIN, especially since Arsene Wenger and Co. will be visiting next week.

If we are baying for the Gunners’ blood, we need to rediscover our ruthlessness starting from this week.