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Can Manchester United continue their impressive European form in the league?
Although they won by just a solitary goal, the game against Real Sociedad on Wednesday was a gentle reminder of how good United can be, if they are on song. And in Wayne Rooney, they have a player in red-hot form. Whilst his goal tally might not indicate that, the Englishman has been a big part of everything good about United this season.
Saturday’s clash against Stoke city will certainly be a test of United’s strength in depth, as it will be their third game in the space of a seven days. But with Robin Van Persie likely to take his place in the starting lineup, United should prove too strong for Stoke. The Potters are already facing an uphill battle as they won just two games so far, as they look to change their identity whilst staking a claim in the Premier League next season. Whatever happens, it is sure to be an interesting encounter and one that Moyes will be looking to win, at all costs.
Cash of the Titans at Stamford Bridge
It is arguably the clash of the two in-form teams in the Premier League right now as Chelsea take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. However, City hold the edge in terms of recent meetings, having won six of their last seven encounters with Chelsea in all competitions. But the game is at Stamford Bridge, which is slowly turning into the fortress of old as Chelsea have won all but one of the their previous 12 games at home.
With both sides coming off morale boosting wins in the Champions League and both attacks looking as potent as ever, this match might just be the perfect advert for the Premier League. With Fernando Torres coming back to form in the Champions League and Sergio Aguero leading the goal scoring charts for City in the League, both sets of defences will certainly have their task cut out for them. With both sides currently occupying the top four, victory for either is sure to strengthen their hand and will likely prove crucial as the battle for the Premier League begins to heat up.
Can Fulham continue their impressive run of form or will the Saints halt their progress?
Barely a couple of weeks ago, there were talks that Fulham were a team full of talented individuals, who were poorly managed and that Martin Jol might just get the sack. But what a difference a couple of games makes, as Fulham have won their last two matches and look like they have finally worked out how to make best use of all the creative talent at their disposal.
Next up for the Cottagers are the surprise package of the season so far, Southampton. Having conceded just three goals all season and kept a clean sheet in their previous three home encounters, Southampton are certainly proving to be a tough nut to crack. The game against Man United last week showed that they are certainly unfazed by the opposition and will prove to be a stern test for Jol’s men. Whilst Fulham have history on their side (they are unbeaten in their last seven games against the Saints), they certainly will have to be on their mark if they are to come away from St. Mary’s with anything at all.
Battle of the Belgian behemoths at Villa Park
Villa Park will play host to the most played fixture in English football history, as Saturday marks the 215th meeting between the two sides. After a slow start to the season, four wins in their last five games sees Everton currently occupying seventh place, four points and one place above champions United. The upturn in form has been thanks to their loan signing Romelu Lukaku, who has started life at Everton like a duck to water.
Not to be undone, Aston Villa have their own Belgian behemoth in Christian Benteke, who has started this season from where he left off last year. The pair have scored four goals each and are joint second in the conversion rate with 28.6% of their shots resulting in goals, only behind Man City’s Aguero. With both strikers in such cracking form, it is sure to be goals galore on Saturday, in line with the meeting’s rich history and one that is certain to excite any neutrals watching.
Will Sunderland get their first win of the campaign against Newcastle?
Having lost six successive games, Sunderland come into the Tyne-Wear derby in the worst possible run of form and under new management to boot. Gus Poyet will certainly have a lot to do as he looks to turn around the fortunes of a Sunderland side, who are on course to become the worst side to have ever played in the Premier League.
They come up against a Newcastle side, who are hot on the heels of a morale boosting 2-2 draw with Liverpool last week, a game in which they played with 10 men for more than 50 minutes. With their loan signing, Loic Remy in such sparkling form, Newcastle will be looking to heap more misery on their rivals as they head in the derby on Sunday. If history is anything to go by, losing the derby might not be the worst thing in the world, as the past three managers to have won the derby in their second game, have all gone on to be sacked within a year.
