EPL Preview for Big 4 (18th and 19th October)

 

Middlesbrough

vs

Chelsea

Chelsea go into the game with a bunch of injuries, but will be boosted by the news that captain John Terry has been declared fit for the match and is likely to play a part. Blues gaffer Luiz Felipe Scolari will still be without Michael Essien who is out with a major injury, Didier Drogba with the knee ligament problem, and Ricardo Carvalho out with knee injury too and Michael Ballack who has been ruled-out for three weeks after undergoing surgery.

Middlesbrough have managed to ensue just nine points from their seven games so far and at present lie in 12th place in The Premiership, but Southgate’s men may be aware that they have a chance of a point against an injury-riddled Chelsea.

Arsenal

vs

Everton

In their last two matches, Arsenal have lost to Premiership new-comers Hull City at the Emirates and then managed to scuff a draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and will be without captain William Gallas (hamstring), Bacary Sagna (knee) and Niklas Bendtner (ankle) for the visit of Everton, while long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are still missing. However, Wenger is set to include Abou Diaby for the first time this season, and Cesc Fabregas is set to feature, despite breaking his nose on International duty for Spain in midweek.

Everton are without a win since their 3-2 victory over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on September 14th and David Moyes is without Tim Cahill, who is still unavailable through suspension and will have to wait until the last moment to see if captain Phil Neville recovers from a hamstring injury, while Lars Jacobsen could feature if the defender shakes off his shoulder injury.

Liverpool

vs

Wigan Athletic

In the second of Saturday’s North-West derbies Liverpool, who are without Spanish striker Fernando Torres and Holland winger Ryan Babel, will be hoping to continue their unbeaten record this season.

Steve Bruce’s Latics, who have eight points from their opening seven games, lost at home to Middlesbrough before going into the international break, and may be without the in-form Amr Zaki, with Emile Heskey facing a late fitness-test, but Steve Bruce’s men cannot be underestimated on the road, but face a tough test against Liverpool, who feel that this season they are finally proper Premiership title contenders.

Interesting will be to see how Heskey plays against Liverpool after declaring openly that it would be lovely to go back to his former club. The manager Steve Bruce though thinks that Heskey will be choking his England Career if he does so.

Manchester United

vs

West Bromwich Albion

After a slow start to their Premiership season, Manchester United are presently lying in 8th place in the league, with a game in hand. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be ecstatic with Wayne Rooney’s inspirational form of late, with the England International scoring four goals in the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The Baggies are just one point behind United in the Premier League and have made a firm start to the campaign after promotion from The Championship last season. West Brom go into this clash on the back of two Premier League wins (against Middlesbrough and Fulham) and are comfy in 9th place, but it would be a windfall to get any result from their trip to Old Trafford.

Lets hope Cristiano Ronaldo comes back to his scoring form… Keep checking for Results as soon as they are out..:)