Well, what a week that was! In a very decent Careless Final last Sunday afternoon, Arsenal managed to once again find a new way of fucking everything up. It will come as no surprise to regular viewers that the winning goal they conceded came from an error from both centre half and goalkeeper. Whilst Thomas Vermaelen looked like Wenger had finally got something right in the centre backs market, Laurent Kocielny has looked out of his depth all too often this season. This was likely to happen, in fact I mentioned it in a blog before the season began, as he was only playing in France's Ligue 2 3 years ago. He simply needs time, and a diet of steak and guiness, if he is too make an impact in England. We also saw a cracking match between 2 of the Sky 4 on Tuesday with Chelsea coming from behind (oo-er) to beat Man Utd. After the FA once again showed the balls that they're famous for in not banning Wayne Rooney for his deliberate elbow on James McCarthy. The commonly peddled myth that no retrospective action can be taken is ill-researched, it's bollocks. In Serie A only this season they looked at Milos Krasic diving and decided that even though the referee said he'd seen it and took action, that the referee was wrong. Krasic was handed a 2 match ban. Utterly spineless as usual. The match was a cracker and once again proved Sir Wrigley to be a fucking awful graceless twat. They were beaten by the better team and having been fortunate enough to be able to field Wayne Rooney, and for him to stay on the pitch after his constant abuse of officials, was incensed by the failure to send off David Luiz. Horrible, horrible man. Music this week comes from Germany, Beatsteaks with Hello Joe.
Birmingham v West Brom, 1245 Saturday
The weekend begins with yet another Midlands derby. The things have been coming thick and fast with Birmingham represented by 4 teams in the Prem this season. Birmingham should still be riding the crest of a wave after their brilliant victory against Arsenal, and their first silverware in a long...long time. They have been pretty solid at the back all season and have been kept back by the lack of goals from their forwards. Nikola Zigic seems to have recently decided that his height of around 9 foot 4 might be a useful tool, and they have looked a much better team for it. West Brom haven't looked much better under Woy Hodgson since his appointment as boss. They still leak goals far too much and don't score nearly enough when Odemwingie isn't on form. I see this one going Brum's way. They should be able to keep WBA at bay and nick a goal or two. Billy Hill's are 2.4 and that seems fine to me.
Arsenal v Sunderland, 1500 Saturday
From the winners of the Careless Cup to the vanquished losers. Arsenal have in recent seasons taken major defeats like this very seriously and their form has suffered. There is also the all to familiar injury crisis at this stage with more than half the first choice XI being ruled out for this match. Thankfully then, they are playing the almightily poor Sunderland on Saturday. Steve Bruce seems destined to buy decent players, get some impressive results, but fail to turn these performances out anywhere near regularly enough. He's plainly underachieving at Sunderland and I feel would be out of work were it not for a very good start. He has spent a fortune for someone who's team seem very at home in the middle of the table and he really should be under more pressure. Having seen Arsenal bring in some fringe players like Chamakh and Bendtner against Orient in the FA Cup this week and grab goals, I am confident they will again perform well in this chance against the Wearsiders. Victor Chandler go 2.1 on Arsenal -1.25 and I'm happy with that.
Bolton v Aston Villa, 1500 Saturday
In a match that promises very little in entertainment we see faltering Villa travelling to the Reebok. Having put out a reserve side against Man City in the FA Cup and been soundly beaten, Ged Houllier is feeling the pressure. His claims that the key players were rested for this match will sound very hollow if Bolton win. After the initial goals and euphoria surrounding Darren Bent's move, the team has regressed back to the lifeless bunch of chancers they looked early in the season. Ashley Young has disappointed in every match barring the last one, Gaby Agbonlahor looks like the headless chicken he is and Emile Heskey...well he's shit isn't he? Both sides are near enough to the relegation places to make these 3 points very important so we should see plenty of endeavour if not skill. I fancy a draw at a widely available 3.4.
Fulham v Blackburn, 1500 Saturday
Another team that looked impressive a little while back, but has been crap of late is Blackburn. Fulham are on the up! Having gained a few wins at home, they got a very creditable draw at Man City. We also saw the continuation of the ongoing cock measuring contest between Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini. Hughes seems completely unable to accept Citeh are better for him leaving, and Mancini has been drawn into this pathetic spat. We now have Hughes claiming a lack of respect because Mancini didn't look at him when shaking hands, and Bobi claiming 'he did it first'. Immature in the extreme, but mildly amusing. Anyway all this being said, with one teams form in the proverbial shitter and one on the up there can only be one outcome, can't there? Take Paddy Power's 1.75 on Fulham.
Newcastle v Everton, 1500 Saturday
This should be a fairly even match on paper. Both teams are shy of a goalscorer with Saha once again injured for the Toffees and Carroll departed from Newcastle. Everton have something of an injury crisis at present with Cahill and Fellaini both missing from midfield, and generally they're the best players. Cahill provides energy and a consistent goal threat and Fellaini is up and down like a yoyo. They will definitely miss the pair with Arteta looking a shadow of his former self all season. A mirror for Everton really. They look tired and bored most weeks, and Moyes looks just as listless. Newcastle have been brilliant in beating Arsenal, Liverpool and thrashing Villa, but without Carroll their threat is halved. However comma I think they should still beat a pathetic at times Everton. Betfair are a standout at 2.72 and I think it's worth a punt.
West Ham v Stoke, 1500 Saturday
As with all West Ham matches, this could have plenty of action, and go either way. The Hammers have some raw striking talent in Demba Ba and Victor Obinna as well as the experience of Robbie Keane. The energy of Scott Parker in midfield and the more than capable Matt Upson and Robert Green at the back. This should really be enough to keep them up if they could string more than 2 results together. Stoke are Stoke. They're big, tough and quite often dirty, but they get results. They'll not play football or produce any sort of flair, but they'll bully enough teams to get enough wins to be well clear of relegation. Whether the fans will continue to accept this lack of progress will be interesting though. West Ham's best results have come at home so far and if they play as they can then their pacy front line will cause Stoke's 4 giants at the back problems. I think they will probably also concede though, as they're seemingly incapable of doing anything the easy way. Stan James are a best priced 2.2 on over 2.5 goals and that should cover.
Man City v Wigan, 1730 Saturday
The late match on TV sees a truly pathetic Wigan outfit taking on Citeh at Eastlands. Having failed to beat Fulham last weekend, City will be very glad Spurs failed against Blackpool. They really need to be winning home matches like that if they are to gain Champions League football next season. The win over Villa's reserves was impressive and Mario Balotelli was also very good before he decided he was all angry as usual. If someone could harness his fantastic natural ability and take the excesses out of his game, he could really be something special. Carlos Tevez had a bit of a rest and should be very fresh for this match too, giving them plenty of classy striking options. Wigan were soundly beaten by Man Utd last weekend and looked as poor at the back as they have all season. They don't score many either and this is a recipe for disaster in the long run. I see another thrashing for Wigan in front of both their fans this week. Victor Chandler go 2.11 on City -1.5 and I'd be happy with that in this one.
Liverpool v Man Utd, 1330 Sunday
THE BIG ONE. With United having dropped points against Chelsea and also now missing both first choice centre backs for the trip to Anfield. Arsenal should really have gone 1 point behind United on equal games by the time this kicks off. This should provide plenty of inspiration for both teams to gain a win. I think, although he wouldn't admit as much, Fergie would settle for a draw here. Whilst Pool are underperforming, they still have the weapons to hurt United shorn of their most impressive players. This seasons startling unbeaten run was built on the pairing at centre back of Rio and Vidic and they have never missed both before. They have been poor away anyway and this will be a real test. Liverpool should be up for this with Gerrard, Carragher and King Kenny all well aware of what a win would mean to the fans. If they can stop United winning the Prem, then the season wont seem quite as bad as it has at various points so far. If Andy Carroll is fit his power will unsettle United, Suarez movement will drag them out of position. They're in for a hell of a match. The 2.88 available on Pool at most bookies will go fast and I'll be all over it.
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