Wednesday 28th Previews
The Most Beautiful Game give you all of Tuesday 27th January’s Premier League Match Previews below
Everton vs Arsenal
Bolton vs Blackburn
Wigan vs Liverpool
Chelsea vs Middlessbrough
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Everton vs Arsenal FC
Date: Wednesday, 28th January 2009
Venue: Goodison Park
Kick Off: 20.00
By, Oli Price
It’s a juicy midweek tie we face on Wednesday night, when both teams think they can win the game. Everton, unbeaten in six league games with just one goal conceded, take on Arsenal, undefeated in eight and looking for a fourth straight win.
Everton are on good form, just 5 points behind the visitors, and they have certainly not struggled to find the net, having only failed to score in one of their last 10 games. Their last two games have seen them secure back-to-back 1-1 draws at Anfield against Liverpool, with Moyes elated by the spirit shown among his injury-hit squad.
Moyes still has Yakubu, Louis Saha and James Vaughan all sidelined, but record signing Merouane Fellaini returns after a two-match suspension. Battles on the Field
Tim Cahill v William Gallas- In the absence of any fit senior strikers at Everton, Tim Cahill looks set to continue his stint as makeshift centre forward against Arsenal on Wednesday. But he is up against the strong Frenchman!
Joleon Lescott vs Robin Van Persie – Lescott is charged with the unenviable task of shackling the Gunners’ joint-top goalscorer Robin van Persie on Wednesday night. The Dutchman has started 2009 in sizzling form, scoring or assisting every Arsenal goal since the turn of the year.
This game is tough for the Gunners, but if they wish to remain in the title race, like all their remaining games, this is a must win. Arsenal have won their last 3 Premier League matches; but have not won four league games in succession, since ending last season with four consecutive victories. Arsenal welcome back defender Gael Clichy following his one-match ban, while fit-again centre-back William Gallas will be hoping for a start. Mikael Silvestre is still out with a thigh problem and striker Eduardo continues to improve his match-fitness, but could be back in the first team within a week.
Themostbeautifulgame.com’s Prediction: Everton 1-1 Arsenal FC
Best Bet: Robin Van Persie (to score first)
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Match Preview: Blackburn vs Bolton Wanderers
Date: Wednesday 28th January
Kick-off: 20:00
Venue: Ewood Park
By deej3005
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce returns to his former club, where he did so well as a manager. Allardyce hasn’t set the world alight at Blackburn, but a kick-start win against his former club would really help.
Bolton are on a poor run, and so this is an important game for them. Many would have expected the clubs’ positions at this time in the season to be switched, with Bolton just outside the relegation zone and Blackburn 13th and it is a tribute to the fact that Bolton have done very well against similarly matched teams, that this is not the case.
Home Side:
Derbyshire and Roberts should return after the missing goalless draw with Sunderland in the FA Cup. Other than Keith Treacy and Steven Reid, Blackburn have almost a full-strength squad so Sam Allardyce won’t be able to use the injuries excuse.
Away Side:
Kevin Nolan returns from suspension for the Trotters, while new signing Davies may be on the bench. Elmander is a long-term casualty but defender Sebastien Puygrenier may be in line for a start.
Battles on the Field:
Santa Cruz v Cahill
Cahill has impressed this season with some commanding performances from centre-back, but Santa Cruz is far and away Blackburn’s best player. This is the standout battle of the match.
Pedersen v Steinsson
Pedersen may cause the Icelandic full-back some problems with his pace and excellent crossing ability. He’s not bad on the volley too, and Steinsson may be prevented from getting forward just in case Pedersen slips in behind.
The Beautiful Gay’s Prediction: 2-2
Best Bet to Score First: Smolarek
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Match Preview: WIGAN v LIVERPOOL
Date: 28th of January 2009
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: JJB Stadium
By, Paulie C (Paul Cronin)
A much changed Wigan team to face a Liverpool side that needs to get their title challenge back on track. The exit of Palacios is a major blow for the Latics in what has been a very good first half to the season. Liverpool however appear to be faltering. In the first few months of the season it did not come as a shock to find Liverpool had scored in the last minute. Now a draw is not a surprise.
HOME SIDE
The home side has lost two of their big players in the recent transfer window in Palacios and Emile Heskey. The players in to replace these two are Mido, a very technically gifted striker, and Watson, a relatively unknown central midfielder. Holding onto Valencia and Zaki must be Steve Bruces main priority now.
Battles on the Field –
ZAKI v CARRAGHER This battle has a slightly different feel to it now as previously Zaki was partnered with Emile Heskey, a player who did a lot of the ugly work so Zaki had a lot of space. With Mido now likely to partner Zaki and his style very different to Heskey we may see Zaki occupying defenders the way Heskey did and Mido now reaping the rewards. Carragher though likes the physical battle and will want to test Mido early on.
CATTERMOLE v ALONSO Lee Cattermole may have lost his midfield partner but this will not take away from the fact that the busy midfielder is just the type of player to disrupt Alonso. That said if Alonso can get his game together after a number of poor displays after a terrific start to the season then his passing may be the deciding factor.
AWAY SIDE
A Liverpool team that must be quite low in confidence has resorted back to the tried and tested Torres and Gerrard partnership up front. Sadly for Robbie Keane this improves Liverpool in two ways, firstly the central midfield area is more stable unit without the erratic positioning of Gerrard and secondly the impact Gerrard can have in a free role is quite often devastating.
Predicted Line Ups –
HOME TEAM – Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Dossena, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Gerrard, Torres
AWAY TEAM – Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Watson, Cattermole, Taylor, Mido, Zaki
Best Bet – Torres (due a goal and Liverpool are likely to play on the break)
The Most Beautiful Game’s Prediction – Wigan 1 – Liverpool 2
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Chelsea Vs Middlesbrough
Article By: Matthew Wood
28th Jan 2009,
KO 19:45,
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have been looking a bit shaken in the League recently, but a decent cup performance against Ipswich, could re-install confidence to a side which needs a win to maintain a strong title challenge. Middlesbrough on the other hand, are having a bad time in the League and find themselves situated in relegation zone in 18th place.
Chelsea have been fairly quiet in this transfer window, although rumour’s are circulating of bid’s for striker, Drogba. Chelsea have also sold veteran goalkeeper, Carlo Cudichini, to Spurs this week, Cudichini has found it hard to find a starting spot ahead of Cech ever since he moved to Chelsea in 2004. There has also been a rumour of a possible takeover at Chelsea from an Arab tycoon. Although Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich has come out and said that the club is not for sale.
Middlesbrough have had a heart breaking week despite winning at Wolves in the cup. Ben Watson was supposedly moving to Middlesbrough from Crystal Palace, however, their bid was hijacked by Wigan and the player decided to move to Wigan instead. Manager, Gareth Southgate, has partially blamed the clubs poor League position on Watson opting to move Wigan rather than to the Riverside. Both team’s really need a win, or in Middlesbrough’s case, at least something from the game. If Chelsea fail to win here, it will be a huge blow to their title challenge, and if Middlesbrough fail to get at least a point, it could prove costly in a relegation battle that already looks to be tight.
TEAM NEWS
>Marlon King could make his debut for Middlesbrough
The Beautiful Game’s Verdict: Chelsea 3-1 Middleborough (I can see Middleborough continuing a recent bad run of form, however they wont be total push over’s)
Best Bet 1st Scorer: Anelka
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