Premier League Analysis - 24/03/08

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

Gardner replaced the suspended Mellberg. Villa’s form has tailed off alarmingly and they visit Old Trafford next. It’s now 17 games without a clean sheet, four games without a win and just two goals scored in those games. Carson has pulled out of the England squad with a knock.

Jones was ill so O’Donovan kept his place alongside Murphy. Richardson came in for Leadbitter whilst Chopra had to settle for a place on the bench. It was Sunderland’s first away win of the season and could prove crucial. Collins, Edwards and Nosworthy picked up knocks and are doubts for the visit of West Ham.

Blackburn 3 Wigan 1

Emerton was injured so Ooijer played at right back with Khizanishvili partnering Samba. Roberts kept his place in attack with McCarthy benched once again. Despite the early Samba sending off Bentley and Santa Cruz (13th and 14th goals of the season) were just too good for Wigan.

Kilbane came in for the suspended Koumas. Edman suffered a serious injury and looks set to miss the rest of the season. Difficult times ahead for Wigan who have Portsmouth away next and will be without Brown, Koumas and Palacios (all suspended) from midfield - a definite Defoe alert.

Bolton 0 Manchester City 1

Cahill, Campo and Nolan returned for Meite, J O’Brien and McCann. A first clean sheet in five for Wanderers but they have scored four times in nine matches now. Nolan will miss the Arsenal game at home (a game they have traditionally done OK in) as he picked up his 10th booking of the season.

Petrov returned for Castillo and Vassell started ahead of Elano. Hamann served the second and final game of his ban. City continue to struggle away from home and a trip to Birmingham next up won’t be easy. Their season looks to be fading out as they fall short of European qualification.

Everton 1 West Ham 1

Yobo (ankle) and Pienaar (ill) were replaced by Baines and Cahill. Anichebe partnered Yakubu (four goals in five) in attack. Another poor result for Everton who have struggled since their UEFA Cup exit. Injuries are also a concern but after a tough trip to Anfield their fixtures look half decent so expect more goals for The Yak and more clean sheets.

Tomkins came in for Upson with Boa Morte returning from suspension to partner Ashton (two goals in two) up front and Noble getting the nod ahead of Solano. The Hammers have bounced back from the 4-0’s and big Deano hitting form and favourable fixtures they should have an OK end to the season.

Middlesbrough 1 Derby 0

Taylor came in for Huth (foot) with Cattermole preferred to Shawky. Alves was only good enough for the bench as Aliadiere and Tuncay continued in attack. Boro have scored more than one goal just once in 15 Premier League games. They have Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs next - ouch.

As Paul Jewell says it’s all about next season now.

Newcastle 2 Fulham 0

Newcastle were unchanged with KK continuing to play Martins wide and Owen and Viduka leading the line and it was their class that finally told for a much needed win.

Fulham were also unchanged with McBride and Johnson starting ahead of Dempsey who was on the bench. The Cottagers are in desperate trouble but with Derby, Sunderland and Reading next Bullard and maybe McBride are worthy of consideration.

Reading 2 Birmingham 1

Kitson was recalled at the expense of Long. Three wins in four for Reading who are doing enough to survive. Shorey has nine KC’s now - four more than the next best defender (Chimbonda and Clichy). With Blackburn, Fulham and Newcastle next expect the likes of Harper, Hunt, Kitson and Oster to carry on point getting.

McFadden (miss next two games) had keyhole surgery on Saturday morning and was replaced by Zarate. Nafti replaced Johnson. Ridgewell picked up his 10th booking and will serve a two game ban. Birmingham are back in trouble but at least Kapo has returned to training. City and Wigan are their next opponents.

Tottenham 2 Portsmouth 0

Dawson and Huddlestone came in for King and Jenas (got a knock against Chelsea). It was an eighth clean sheet of the season for Spurs. Bent impressed from the bench and seems to be pushing Keane for a start. The next five fixtures are decent so keep an eye on Berbatov, Malbranque and Hutton.

Lots of changes for Harry who couldn’t play Defoe so went 4, 5, 1. Baros, Diarra, Diop, Lauren and Muntari were out with Aubey, Davis, Hughes, Kanu, Mendes and Utaka coming in. Pompey have played all the big boys and with a depleted Wigan next James, the defence and Defoe should be on your radar.

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1

Just one change for Grant with Essien replacing Ferreira at right back and Ballack coming in to midfield. Drogba was the lone striker with Anelka coming on as a sub and the Drog justified his selection by looking back to his best. Expect tinkering for the Middlesbrough game as Fenerbahce in the Champions League looms.

Wenger named an unchanged side with Van Persie on the left and Hleb supporting Adebayor. It’s Arsenal’s worst league run in nine seasons! The one positive was that Fabregas looked to be getting back to his best. With the league looking out of reach will Wenger shift focus to the Champions League?

Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0

Brown, Carrick, Evra, Ferdinand and Scholes all returned. Giggs and Ronaldo supported the lone striker Rooney. It was United’s fifth consecutive win and fourth consecutive clean sheet. Nani and Ronaldo have withdrawn from the Portugal squad but these are likely to be just precautionary measures.

As expected Liverpool were unchanged. Mascherano will miss the Derby (Lucas will come in) following his stupid outburst at the referee. If they can beat Everton on Sunday I’d expect Rafa to put his rotation hat back on as he goes head to head with Wenger in what should be a fascinating Champions League tie.

That’s it for this week’s analysis.

Cheers,
Tom

Tags (click to view more!): Berbatov, Ballack, Drogba, Van Persie, Adebayor, Manchester United, Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Liverpool, Mascherano, Everton, Wenger