Premier League Preview

The Premier league is starting to reach a climatic finale as with a number of teams still in with a shout for the title. With the start of a new month comes a new possibility to bag the MOTM prize. The game between Liverpool and West Ham on Wednesday will count towards this weekends action, so all fantasy managers who are on the ball should take advantage of the double header!

Saturday 1^st March

Derby Vs Sunderland

Well, there is not too much that can be said for Derby’s performance so far this season, having scored only 13 goals and conceded 57, they are going one way and that is down. Sunderland have battled well to stay out of the relegation zone, and should be honing in on another victory on the weekend.

YTM Player to watch: With a number of injuries in Sunderland’s midfield, they will require somebody to step up to the plate. Dickson Etuhu will be that man.

Prediction: Derby 0-2 Sunderland

Fulham Vs Man United

Fulham are staring into the barrel of relegation. Man United have been in sublime form of late, trouncing Newcastle last weekend. However Manchester United have never recorded a clean sheet at Fulham in the Premiership. An embarrassing stat that they will be looking to reverse on the weekend. It appears only a miracle will help Fulham on this one.

YTM Player to watch: The combination of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez was outstanding last week. Any or all of these players are tipped for a high score this weekend.

Prediction: Fulham 1 – 3 Man United

Middlesbrough Vs Reading

Middlesbrough have surged a late attack on the leaderboard after a series of poor results, they have managed to get near the middle of the table. Reading have lost a record eight consecutive league games after last week’s defeat at the hands of Villa and seem incapable of rectifying their situation. Middlesbrough will be in high spirits after their midweek FA Cup victory, even though the goal was scored in controversial fashion.

Jeremie Aliadiere will be serving his suspension after a red card last week, but Wheater will be back in the game after serving his suspension during the midweek FA Cup fixture

YTM Player to watch: Winter signing Afonso Alves is yet to have a full start for Boro, could this be his day?

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Reading

Birmingham Vs Tottenham

Birmingham, after having shaken off a number of injury worries last week have allegedly lost Olivier Kapo to a hamstring injury. McSheffrey will probably be back to take his place on the left midfield position. Tottenham are flying high after being crowned Carling Cup champions, and should be able to see out a victory away from home.

Ledley King is still trying to break back into the squad after a long recovery from injury. Woodgate, who scored the winner on Sunday is out for a week with a sprained ankle.

YTM Player to watch: Pascal Chimbonda will need more than an apology to make up for his behaviour last weekend. Hopefully he will be able to oblige.

Prediction: Birmingham 1-2 Tottenham

Newcastle Vs Blackburn

It has been a torrid opening couple of weeks for Newcastle’s “saviour” Kevin Keegan. He is yet to win a game since taking over the Toon ship which looks to be sinking deeper and deeper into trouble. Blackburn are on rampant form and with a fully fit squad they will be looking to kill off any last resistance.

YTM Player to watch: David Dunn had a hand (read foot) in 3 of his team’s four goals last week. Although a couple were for being awarded a penalty, he is proving an elusive player to track.

Prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Blackburn

West Ham Vs Chelsea

This is the game that so many West Ham fans love to watch, and one that Frank Lampard and Joe Cole pray that they play well in. In keeping with past form, this is going to be a difficult game to call. Rob Green has proved somewhat worthy of the England number 1, and lets the world know through subliminal glove messages. Chelsea’s strike force is re-kindled with Drogba back to the fore. Expect a titanic battle of attack and defence.

YTM Player to watch: Rob Green. Lets see if he is as good as he thinks he is.

Prediction: West Ham 0-0 (Come on Rob!)

Arsenal Vs Aston Villa

This has always been a tough fixture for the men on top of the table, and Villa have been in good form of late, pushing their way to a European position. Eduardo’s freak injury last week sees him ruled out for 9 months, and Wenger has stated that even though this has left a gaping hole in attack he will not be rushing Van Persie back into the team.

Carew and Agbonlahor have partnered each other exceptionally well this season, the young and the old, the strong and the fast - call them what you will, they will be hoping to breach Arsenal’s leaky defence.

YTM Player to watch: Villa’s Ashley Young leads the way in Key Contributions this season, and will be looking to set up a couple more on the weekend.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

Manchester City Vs Wigan

This will be an interesting game. The Manchester City team imploded last week against Everton and culminated with the needless sending off of Martin Petrov after “lashing out” at an Everton player. The red card means he will be suspended for this game, and with the 2^nd most popular YTM pick Micah Richards sidelined for 7 weeks with a knee injury, it may be time for some transfers.

YTM Player to watch: Marcus Bent is due another good performance

Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Wigan

Sunday 2^nd march

Bolton Vs Liverpool

Up until last week’s hammering at the hands of Blackburn, Bolton had kept five clean sheets in six games, a couple of which were in UEFA Cup ties. Nothing lasts forever though, and Liverpool will look to continue their dominant resurgence. This is the first of a double header for Liverpool, and it is the first of two games they should win.

YTM Player to watch: It is always a major lottery when Liverpool is concerned, if Ryan Babel starts, the Dutchman is my pick of the game.

Prediction: Bolton 0-3 Liverpool

Everton Vs Portsmouth

These two teams have been playing some quality football which sees both of them in the top half of the table. Portsmouth have been boosted by the skills of Jermain Defoe who opened his account with his new team last week. Everton brushed aside what should have been a stiff challenge from Man City, and with Andy Johnson on goal scoring form this game will either be a goal fest, or a massive disappointment.

YTM Player(s) to watch: Two of the most exciting (and often inconsistent) goalkeepers in the game, David James and Tim Howard will play a huge role in this game

Prediction: Everton 0-0 Portsmouth

Wednesday 5^th March

Liverpool Vs West Ham

The equation for Liverpool is simple. Win games. Get points. Move back up to at least 4^th. The execution on the other hand might be slightly more challenging. The skill of the individuals in the Liverpool set up has been paramount to an ever changing team under Rafa’s rotational policy. Will they have what it takes to beat the Hammers and possibly regain their spot in the top 4?

YTM Player to watch: Liverpool’s talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard will need to hold the team together to get a result from this one.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

Any comments? Feel free to post them below, Good luck to all the aspiring Manager of the Months!

Cheers