Premier league discussion 28th/29th December

Saturday, 29 December 2007
Birmingham v Fulham, 15:00
Chelsea v Newcastle, 15:00
Everton v Arsenal, 17:15
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Sunderland v Bolton, 15:00
Tottenham v Reading, 15:00
West Ham v Man Utd, 15:00
Wigan v Aston Villa, 15:00


Sunday, 30 December 2007
Derby v Blackburn, 13:30
Man City v Liverpool, 16:00

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Hammers-United will be a great game, although West Ham seem to be struggling at home, I think they can cause United a few problems if they defend well and close them down, Tevez goes back to his old ground and will no doubt get a great reception, I think this is the type of game where if Liverpool and Chelsea are to claw points back, then West Ham are a team to help them achieve it, of course, if West Ham have an off day, United could just storm to victory, I can't see it being the case though.

Chelsea play Newcastle without Drogba, Lampard, Cole, Carvalho and Terry so Newcastle cant play them at a better time, however, I think Chelsea were really frustrated at Villa and will want to put things right, Ballack and Shevchenko will have to step up again and they still have Joe Cole and SWP so I think Chelsea will still get the 3 points whilst Newcastle continue to struggle.

Everton-Arsenal is another great game, Everton are doing really well and have lost just 1 in their last 14 games, pretty impressive, a lot of it is down to Tim Cahill who's been sensational since his return, this is a game that will show if Everton really have what it takes or if they aren't quite ready to challenge the big 4 yet, it's a game where Arsenal could drop points again.

On Sunday, it's going to be a very tough game for Liverpool, in recent years we haven't really done that well at City, now it will be even more difficult considering how well they've performed this season and have a chance to really stake a claim for a top 4 finish, Liverpool need to majorly up their game from the shocking performance at Derby and if they are to catch United and Arsenal, this is a game Liverpool must win.

Chelsea win
Man United & Liverpool draw
Arsenal lose

need to win at wigan, after a run of draws. actually 5 games without a win now, although only the loss to portsmouth was really a bad performance.

man city - liverpool - if liverpool win, i think that'll be the final cut off four the top 4 to stay in the top 4. a man city win will keep the chasing pack in sight, with man city obviously then in a very strong position

Chelsea-Newcastle just has anarchy written all over it.

Another toughie for us. a draw would be a good result.

After this game, we have games against:

West Ham (h)
Brum (h)
Fulham (a)
Newcastle (h)

Slightly easier. Then its Citeh away and then Blackburn at home.

Well we really need to improve against Newcastle. I can see Hilario coming in if Cech isn't 100% (well actually I can't see it happening but I hope it happens), Belletti to replace Ferreira, Ben Haim to replace Carvalho and Bridge for A Cole.

Oh and Avram, ditch the 4-2-4 idea. Play Mikel and Ballack alongside Essien, 2 wide players and Shevchenko. Should be a simple squad selection but I'll have money on Roman/Avram fucking it up again.

Well if Man City beat Liverpool the race for 4th place is on!

I don't know what to expect of this game...we haven't been that good at home...but have been excellent away. We always seem to play well against Man Utd, but they are pissing over everyone at the moment. We are one of the most unpredictable sides in the league...I'm gonna go for us to take a surprise win...don't know why, just think it might happen!

Liverpool at home is going to be a massive game for us, epecially if we win tonight. It could be the chance to put some space between us and Liverpool, but it will be very hard and i would be happy with a point if we win tonight.

Looking forward to welcoming back two very much loved players...in Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand.

Derby are going to win there second game of the season.

8-0 to Pompy.

The game against West Ham for Manchester United will be tough no doubt, I don’t think steamrolling Sunderland should be any indication for West Ham. The West Ham players after their disappointing draw would want to give a good performance and take heart from last season win (Curbs 1st game in charge) the past visits to Upton Park for Manchester United, one or two notable games Manchester United had to come from behind to win, I think the last 3 Hammers to score past Manchester United at Upton Park all left the club this summer.. Ashton will be the dangerman.

West Ham

Home Form:
W . . D . . L . .. F . . . A
2 . .. 4 . . 3 . . 10 . . 10

Away Form:
W . . D . . L . .. F . .. A
5 . .. 1 . . 3 . . 13 . . 6

So it should be an away win for Man Utd tomorrow but last season West Ham were on a run of very poor form, i think they had just lost to Bolton, then they beat Man Utd 1-0.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is out with a thigh injury, with Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole suspended.

John Terry (foot), Carlo Cudicini (rib), Didier Drogba (knee), Florent Malouda (knee) and Claude Makelele (ear) are also out.

Newcastle's Joey Barton will not play after being remanded in custody charged with common assault and affray.

Striker Michael Owen (thigh) could return, while Claudio Cacapa and Nicky Butt may figure after being rested.

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Hopeful line-up:

------------Hilario
Belletti--Alex--Ben Haim--Bridge
-------------Mikel
--------Essien--Ballack
SWP--------------------------J Cole
----------Shevchenko

Chelsea to win, even with injuries that's a side full of internationals and a side that has players who can cause damage, Joe cole, SWP and Sheva. Being at the bridge Newcastle can not win this game

I agree luis but it's a side which can also really lack in end product if it's having an off day. I've seen plenty of games where Joe Cole, Sheva, Ballack and especially Wright-Phillips have been very wasteful. Hopefully Allardyce falls into the trap and plays a very negative line-up rather than coming out all guns blazing like Villa did.

S4P wrote:I agree luis but it's a side which can also really lack in end product if it's having an off day. I've seen plenty of games where Joe Cole, Sheva, Ballack and especially Wright-Phillips have been very wasteful. Hopefully Allardyce falls into the trap and plays a very negative line-up rather than coming out all guns blazing like Villa did.

I can't see how Newcastle can come away with anything today, even if they defended all game, they don't have a good defence and would get punished eventually, I don't think Chelsea can keep going with these injuries and suspensions but today all I can see is a Chelsea win. If it was at St James's I would fancy a draw though

Subs: Heaton, Pique, O'Shea, Anderson, Nani

Is Rooney injured? I'm surprised he is not on the bench if they are just resting him.

I think they are resting him.

Carrick has the flu, like a good part of the country at the moment.

I feel like I'm gonna throw up I'm so nervous haha, watching the Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace while I wait for the match to start.

West Ham
01 Green
02 Neill
18 Spector
06 Upson
03 McCartney
15 Solano
08 Parker
17 Mullins
16 Noble
07 Ljungberg
12 Cole

Substitutes
21 Wright, 05 Ferdinand, 09 Ashton, 14 Pantsil, 33 Camara

Cesc wrote:

Man Utd XI vs. West Ham

Kuszczak

Brown . . Ferdinand . . Vidic . . Evra

Ronaldo . . Hargreaves . . Fletcher . . Giggs

Tevez . . Saha

Subs: Wright, Pantsil, Camara, Ferdinand, Ashton

Come on West Ham!

This is your day.

Chelsea

* 40 Hilario
* 35 Belletti
* 33 Alex
* 22 Ben-Haim
* 18 Bridge
* 05 Essien
* 12 Obi
* 13 Ballack
* 24 Wright-Phillips
* 10 Cole
* 21 Kalou

Substitutes

* 30 Taylor,
* 09 Sidwell,
* 14 Pizarro,
* 17 Sinclair,
* 20 Ferreira

Newcastle

* 01 Given
* 21 Beye
* 27 Taylor
* 06 Cacapa
* 14 N'Zogbia
* 16 Milner
* 22 Butt
* 25 Faye
* 17 Smith
* 11 Duff
* 09 Martins

Substitutes

* 13 Harper,
* 04 Rozehnal,
* 05 Emre,
* 10 Owen,
* 36 Viduka

Fiso guys had a link to show that Sheva was out. Needless to say Puro didn't bother researching, brought him at a cost of 4 points and stuck him as captain.

Kalou starts as the sole striker.

2008: De Guzman's year wrote:Come on West Ham!

This is your day.

I can not believe Ashton isn't starting this, you can't play 4-5-1 at home even if it is against United

Santa's Seventh Elf wrote:Chelsea

* 40 Hilario
* 35 Belletti
* 33 Alex
* 22 Ben-Haim
* 18 Bridge
* 05 Essien
* 12 Obi
* 13 Ballack
* 24 Wright-Phillips
* 10 Cole
* 21 Kalou

Substitutes

* 30 Taylor,
* 09 Sidwell,
* 14 Pizarro,
* 17 Sinclair,
* 20 Ferreira

Newcastle

* 01 Given
* 21 Beye
* 27 Taylor
* 06 Cacapa
* 14 N'Zogbia
* 16 Milner
* 22 Butt
* 25 Faye
* 17 Smith
* 11 Duff
* 09 Martins

Substitutes

* 13 Harper,
* 04 Rozehnal,
* 05 Emre,
* 10 Owen,
* 36 Viduka

Fiso guys had a link to show that Sheva was out. Needless to say Puro didn't bother researching, brought him at a cost of 4 points and stuck him as captain.

Kalou starts as the sole striker.

got to be the weakest Chelsea side I've seen in a long long time, no Cech, Terry, Lampard or Drogba. Luckily they're up against one of the worst Newcastle sides I've ever known. You have to say an early goal for Newcastle will make it very interesting.

Rooney dropped completely.