Premier League Preview - Leap Frogging!

This weekend sees a host of interesting matches played out as everyone looks at the place above them with jealous emerald eyes, desperate to leap frog: Liverpool and Man United, Villa and Arsenal… and the entire bottom half of the table in their plight!

Once again this weekend, the emphasis is on survival. Newcastle United move from drawing their ‘must–win’ game against Hull, to attempting to gain anything from their ‘must-not-lose’ game against Arsenal tomorrow. Though everyone would rather be at home when facing one of the big clubs, the Toon have actually struggled to record victories on home soil this season and pressure will be high at St. James’ tomorrow. To make things worse for Newcastle, Arsene Wenger’s men have been in scintillating form of late in the league, putting themselves firmly back in the frame for fourth spot and confidence is running high. Arsenal will be looking to Eboue and Arshavin to repeat last week’s displays, but Eduardo and Fabregas are unlikely to feature. As for the Magpies, they welcome back Nolan from suspension (enabling the woeful Geremi to move back to the bench) and Habib Beye is also in contention after over 3 months out with an ankle problem. Footie Frog is doubtful, however, that this will bring much optimism to the depressed Geordie faithful, with only a couple of shots on target in an appalling display against Hull last weekend, Newcastle need to start putting in some performances – and, essentially, start scoring. On the large St. James’ pitch, Arsenal’s creative, flowing football could tear Newcastle apart. Watch out for Van Persie and Arshavin. The words field and day spring to mind.

Middlesbrough are another side to have a titanic (yes, in both senses) relegation clash – their second in a week in fact. After last weekend’s last minute draw against Portsmouth, ‘Boro make the trip to the Britannia Stadium to take on a Stoke side also eager to pull away from the mire. Unfortunately for Southgate’s men in recent weeks they haven’t looked like being able to pull away themselves. Everything about them looks like a club in decline – a manager lacking nouse (and cash), a squad lacking depth, a first team lacking goals, and a stadium lacking fans. The stats aren’t in their favour either – with Stoke only having lost to Man U at home in since the turn of the year, James Beattie having scored more goals against Boro than any other club, and Boro not having scored away from home in the last 7 games. Footie Frog can’t see anything but Southgate’s men lacking three points come the final whistle. Home win.

A team that has recently pushed themselves up and seemingly out of danger is Tottenham. Spurs are now sitting pretty in 11^th and trying to look up, rather than down the table for the first time this season. It may be too little with the squad they have, but it is certainly not too late, as the Spurs fans have seen their gloomy mood change after some decent performances of late. This could all come to an end tomorrow however, as Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea visit the Lane keen to remind Man United they are ready should Fergie’s men slip up again. The London derby is one of the weekend’s more glamorous ties, and with Lennon and Modric on song for Spurs, and Essien and Drogba purring for Chelsea, this one is particularly tricky to call. Footie Frog just thinks that Chelsea will nick this one. A draw could be on the cards if Spurs play to their best, but defensive frailties mean that the Blues could just bully and squeeze out a victory. Away win.

‘Can we play you every week?’ Is sure to be the cry at Craven Cottage tomorrow, as Fulham incur the wrath of a United team embarrassed and scorned by Benitez’s men at Old Trafford. The fact is, they do. This is the third meeting between these two in the last month, and history shows that the scoreline is worsening from the Cottagers point of view. The Red Devils have won 3-0 in the League, 4-0 in the FA Cup, and will surely be out to get 5 tomorrow to prove a point… Footie Frog doubts whether they will get that many as Fulham are never a push over at home, but an away win should definitely be on the cards. Rumour has it Benitez has just bought a little white and black flag and will wave it to his heart’s content. Like I said, rumour.

West Ham United are looking over their shoulders now at the likes of Tottenham, knowing that they must continue to grind out results to remain in their current position of 7^th, the last spot of qualification for the now-ridiculously-titled-UEFA EUROPA League. The Hammers make the trip up to the north-west to take on Blackburn. Both sides struggle for consistency at the moment (West Ham throughout their entire Premier existence) and so this one is close to call. Blackburn don’t win matches, and West Ham can’t score. Draw.

Portsmouth host Everton in a match that back in August was a whitewash. Since that 3-0 win for Pompey, they have struggled to find 3 points anywhere, leaving them hovering above the relegation zone, whilst the Toffees are chasing Villa and Arsenal for 4^th place. No Pennant for Pompey, Cahill doubtful for Everton, many goals unlikely. The ones that come should come the way of the Euro hopefuls. Away win.

Footie Frog looks at West Brom versus Bolton and winces at the footballing irony. Gary Megson twice got West Brom promoted to the Premier League, but this time heads to the Hawthorns wanting the three points that will mean his Bolton side can pull away from the bottom of the table. Meaning, of course, that Tony Mowbray’s men would not get the win in this ‘must-win’ game, and could be even further adrift at the foot of the table. The Baggies will be buoyed by both their performance last week against West Ham, and the fact that Bolton’s in-form midfielder Mark Davies is out of action for 6 weeks. Bolton also haven’t won away in their last 6 matches. With the limited creativity of the Trotters, and the lack of goals in the Baggies, this could be a Boing Boing Boring Draw.

Sunday...

Sunday hosts the most exciting clash of the weekend, as Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield in a match that means everything to both sides. Rafa will put down his Fulham flag on Saturday night and be planning the tactics to either keep up with United or close the gap still further (depending on Hodgeson’s men). Martin O’Neill will, amusingly, be doing exactly the same thing, as he keeps his fingers crossed that Newcastle can get something out of Arsenal at St. James’. He will also be trying to stop the rot, as Villa’s poor form of late has cost them that precious fourth spot – causing even their own fans to turn on the team. The Reds have to be favourites after some scintillating performances have earned them some stunning victories recently, demolishing 2 of the best clubs in the world in Madrid and Man United repectively, putting 4 goals past each of them. When you consider, too, the goal-shy nature of Villa’s attack recently, and the 14 match hoodoo the Villains have against the Reds, you have to agree with Footie Frog that there should be little option other than a home win.

Sunday’s other games should also provide two home wins. Hull travel to Wigan without Turner, Gardener, and captain Ashbee, just a week after the Latics produced one of their most impressive performances in a while, earning their first victory in 8 games. A narrow win for Wigan, who are still struggling to find goals, but should have more creativity than the Tigers. Man City won’t welcome a match so soon after been taken to the limit in the UEFA Cup by Aalborg on Thursday night, and they particularly wouldn’t want to play a team like Sunderland. They will be given a test at Eastlands by a physical front two, but the Black Cats have been struggling recently, and have missed Ferdinand at the back. City’s strength in depth should pull them through.