Injury Crisis! (Weekend Preview)

This weekend promises to be a nightmare for thousands of YTM managers due to the ever-growing Premiership injury list.

Those of you relying on van Persie, Van der Sar, Terry, Cole et al will be cursing your luck for the next few days as you watch friends and colleagues with Fabregas, Rooney and Ronaldo laugh their way past you. 

Time to decide - Knee-jerk transfer? Or stick with the crocked stars? The choice is yours…   

Saturday

Everton v Liverpool (12.45)

The game of the weekend without question. Injury hit number one - will star striker Fernando Torres be fit? Will Rafa risk him? If Torres does play, will Everton expose Alan Stubbs to the Spaniard’s lethal pace? So many questions, but one thing’s for sure - this will be a fiery encounter.

Prediction: Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool… YTM Player to watch: Steven Gerrard

Arsenal v Bolton

Robin van Persie’s absence is a huge blow to Arsenal - but it would have been softened by a glance at the fixture list. Van Persie could walk into Bolton’s team with one leg (or should that be hop?) - let alone a mere injury. Sammy Lee is gone - which is probably a good thing for the Trotters, but nowhere near good enough to get anything from the Emirates.

Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 0 Bolton… YTM Player to (possibly) watch: Theo Walcott  

Blackburn v Reading

Blackburn are going for four straight wins in a row, while Reading’s form has been indifferent this season. The loss of Roque Santa Cruz is a big loss for Rovers, (it’s been reported he’s made a miraculous recovery) but that may mean that Morten-Gamst Pedersen or David Bentley will push further forward to support Benni McCarthy, who is showing glimpses of last season’s form. Take them to win again - comfortably.

Prediction: Blackburn 2 - 0 Reading… YTM Player to watch: Morten-Gamst Pedersen

Fulham v Derby

Both these teams could look back at this fixture in May and think of it as a turning point. Fulham can climb to mid-table with a win, while Derby could even get out of the relegation zone. Derby? Out of the relegation zone? I’ve booked my appointment with the optician… Can’t be right…

Prediction: Fulham 3 - 1 Derby… YTM Player to watch: Hameur Bouazza

Man City v Birmingham

When will it end? Man City’s run of easy home games continues against Steve Bruce’s battling side who have impressed this season. City are just irresistable at the moment though, and they should win with their usual swift counter-attacking style. Their touch of class is provided by Elano, and it’s significant that he may miss the game because of jetlag.

Prediction: Man City 3 - 0 Birmingham… YTM Player to watch: Micah Richards 

Middlesbrough v Chelsea

Didier Drogba doesn’t want to play anymore, Frank Lampard is… well, Frank Lampard, John Terry is shackled with more injuries than Darren Anderton in his prime and Ashley Cole has lost a leg (OK, I’m exaggerating slightly). Despite the relative crisis, they’ve got the man to deal with it. The man that can lead them to great things… Avram Grant! We should start making friends with Israelis - England’s hopes of Euro 2008 qualification lie in their hands. Avram - any inside info? Middlesbrough face their biggest test this season - it will only get harder from now.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Chelsea… YTM Player to watch: Didier Drogba

Wigan v Portsmouth

This will be a bruiser. These two teams are no-nonsense, John Smiths-esque in their approach to the game. Pompey have a definite edge in class, but Wigan’s determination can grab them a point in what should be an open game.

Prediction: Wigan 2 - 2 Portsmouth… YTM Player to watch: Hermann Hreidarsson

Aston Villa v Man Utd (17.15)

United’s defence has been nothing short of sublime this season. Villa’s youthful attack is promising but not yet convincing and they would normally struggle to break down Fergie’s backline. However, with Van der Sar and Vidic both doubtful, the back four will be easier to penetrate. Rio needs to step up on his Russian performance, too.

Prediction: Villa 1 - 2 Man Utd… YTM Player to watch: Wayne Rooooooooney

Sunday

West Ham v Sunderland (16.00)

West Ham tend to fare better away from home, but their record is rather unpredictable. Sunderland are playing well but not getting results - typified by their performance at Arsenal last time. They’re a stubborn lot - making this a hard one to call.

Prediction: West Ham 2 - 1 Sunderland… YTM Player to watch: Craig Bellamy

Monday

Newcastle v Tottenham (20.00)

This should be an action-packed finish to the weekend. The last time Spurs played on Monday Night Football was when they somehow drew 4-4 with Villa. Newcastle are poor travellers and are a different proposition at home - expect an end-to-end battle which could suit Spurs. I’m predicting some joy for Jol at long last…

Prediction: Newcastle 1 - 2 Tottenham… YTM Player to watch: Robbie Keane

Good luck if you make transfers - keep those knee-jerks to a minimum and you’ll be fine!

Cheers,

Matt H @ YTM