Premier League - no change at top NEWS
The January transfer window has now closed so each team in the Premier league is stuck with it's current squad, for good or bad, and with over half the season gone the top of the table has a familiar feel to it with the two Manchester clubs dominating.
Its been a busy week with the FA Cup fourth round and its accompanying shocks as well as a full round of Premier league fixtures during the week.
Looking back a week the elimination of top tier clubs like Spurs, Liverpool, Norwich and Aston Villa breathed life back into the FA Cup and re-kindled the romantic notions that used to make it so special. The win for non-league Luton (Ok they have a long Football League history) at Norwich was particularly special and is exactly what the FA Cup is all about.
Although half the teams left in the FA Cup are not from the Premier League its still difficult to see beyond one of the big clubs lifting the famous old trophy but at least some of the country's lesser clubs will have had their day in the sun.
The shocks dried up with the midweek Premier League fixtures as Man Utd beat Southampton to re-establish their seven point lead over second place City, who could only manage a draw at QPR who are, incidentally looking a much better bet for survival. If they do retain their place then that would surely rank as Harry Houdini's greatest act of escapology yet.
There was more movement at the bottom end of the table than the top with the midweek results. QPR's draw, Reading fantastic 2-2 draw at Chelsea after being two goals down with 10 minutes to go and Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle means that Rangers are still bottom, but Villa are now in 19th and Wigan are 18th, Reading having climbed out of the relegation zone courtesy of a superior goal difference.
Villa manager Paul Lambert is under real pressure now with the club having been eliminated from both Cup competitions as well as falling into the bottom three. He's received the cautionary 'pledge of support' from owner Randy Lerner but it's difficult to envisage him being sacked with the club badly needing stability. Lambert has plenty of talent at his disposal but he really needs to address Villa's defensive fragility and lack of organisation. Having a look at what Harry Redknapp has achieved at QPR wouldn't be a bad idea for Lambert.
Newcastle's win will have earned manager Alan Pardew a brief reprieve from the mounting pressure. The Magpies have been busy during the transfer window although they've done all their business in France bringing in five Gallic players to join the five already present at St. James'. New signing Moussa Sissoko made an immediate impact but it was another French midfielder Cabaye who scored the winner with a fantastic shot from outside the box. With influential captain Coloccini staying at the club, at least for the immediate future, things are looking up at Newcastle.
The final few days of the transfer window saw a great deal of activity although very little of it was major business. Man City finally offloaded the colourful Mario Balotelli back to Italy and it will be for AC Milan to manage him in future. City have not secured a replacement so Roberto Mancini will be hoping Dzeko, Aguero and Tevez remain fit.
Unsurprisingly QPR were the most active club with Harry (gang warfare eh?) bringing in former Blackburn defender Chris Samba for a club record £12.5m as well as Jermaine Jenas from Spurs to join earlier signing Loic Remy. The transfer of West Brom's Peter Odemwingie didn't materialise even though the player himself drove to Loftus Road in expectation of a move. I wonder how he will be received by his Albion team mates at training today and the supporters on Sunday?
QPR's big spending is a massive gamble that will only be justifiable if the club are able to save themselves from relegation, although I'm sure the new signings will have clauses allowing for their release if they are doomed to the Championship.
Sunderland's capture of Swansea's Danny Graham could prove a masterstroke and take some of the goals coring pressure off Steven Fletcher whilst the best bargain of the window was probably Stoke's signing of jack Butland from Birmingham for only £4m. Butland has a great future ahead of him and, although he remains on loan at St. Andrews for the rest of the season, he'll no doubt prove a major asset for Stoke in years to come. I like the fact that he turned down a potential money-spinning move to Chelsea in favour of as location where he will be guaranteed first team football.
Liverpool finally managed to get Moutinho in from Inter Milan to join their earlier significant signing, Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal bolstered their defence with the late signing of Malaga's Monreal, a smart move given that Kieran Gibbs will be out for anything up to six weeks.
All those new signings have an immediate chance to make an impact this weekend with a full set of fixtures, the previews of which are below: -
Saturday 2 February
QPR v Norwich - 12.45pm ko at Loftus Road. Now that Harry has the opportunity to make some additions of his own choosing he can't really complain if he doesn't see an improvement in the club's fortunes. The team has responded well to him but they need wins not draws now if they are to survive. Rangers have tightened up at the back and the addition of Samba can only assist in making them harder to beat. Striker Bobby Zamora is also fit again so they should have a keener cutting edge up front too. Norwich's recent loss of form (six defeats in nine games) now sees them just seven points above the relegation zone so Chris Hughton's men are as desperate for a win as Rangers. I can see a close, hard fought game and a point apiece.
Arsenal v Stoke - 3pm ko at the Emirates. Arsenal did well to come back from a two goals deficit to draw with Liverpool on Wednesday although there will have been inevitable questions about how they allowed themselves to get into that position in the first place. Although Arsenal signed Spanish international Monreal their most important signature was perhaps that of Theo Walcott on a new contract. Walcott was on target again against Liverpool and his form, and goals of course, will be important for the Gunners going forward. Stoke didn't make much a splash in the transfer window (Butland apart and he won't don the red and white until next season) but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Although the Gunners may be without Vermaelen I still think they have enough class to edge the Potters.
Everton v Aston Villa - 3pm ko at Goodison Park. Goodison Park's not the best place to travel to just after you've dropped into the relegation zone and chances are Villa will find their desperate situation is even worse come 5pm Saturday. Paul Lambert's young squad have shown glimpses of superb football but they've not been able to sustain their performance over a full 90 minutes. Everton on the other hand have matured as a squad and they are still in with a real chance of snatching a Champions League place, although Arsenal and Spurs may say otherwise. If they are to finish in the top four this is the kind of game the Toffees have to win. And, win they will.
Newcastle v Chelsea - 3pm ko at St. James' Park. Newcastle may fancy their chances in this game now that they have injected some new blood into the squad and key figures are back. The win at Villa was an important one for Alan Pardew's men but a victory over Chelsea will see the Magpies fans face the remainder of the season with renewed hope, if not a realistic shot at a European place for next season (they're 17 points adrift of fifth placed Everton. Chelsea are going through a bit of an up-and-down patch at the moment, one minute looking irresistible, the next vulnerable - see the midweek 2-2 draw with Reading for evidence. The Blues will also be without David Luiz (injured) and Eden Hazard who is still suspended. Its likely that former Magpie striker Demba Ba will start for Chelsea given that Torres is still worryingly inconsistent. With their new found momentum I can see Newcastle taking a point from Chelsea.
Reading v Sunderland - 3pm ko at the Madejski Stadium. Both these clubs drew during the week but it will have been Reading who were buoyed more by their result, the come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Sunderland's 0-0 draw at home against Swansea was also a good result in the circumstances though. Royals boss Brian McDermott could promote Adam Le Fondre from the subs bench after his goal double at Chelsea, the second time in recent weeks that he's score twice as a substitute. In fact Le Fondre has scored more goals (7) in 2013 than anyone else in the Premier League. Sunderland could start new signing Danny Graham alongside Steve Fletcher in the hope of doubling their own goal threat. Reading need the points more than the Black Cats and that will be the difference between the sides - Royals win.
West Ham v Swansea - 3pm ko at Upton Park. West Ham will look to return to winning ways after losing at Fulham during the week but they will badly miss injured defenders James Collins, George McCartney and Dan Potts against the goal threat of Michu. Andy Carrol is likely to be on the bench again as he works his way back from a long-term injury. Swansea won the two team's first encounter in August 3-0 but the Hammers are a much tougher proposition than back then. West Ham will try and be physical with the Swans and deny them space early on. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen. I fancy another draw, although there are goals in this game.
Wigan v Southampton - 3pm ko at the DW Stadium. Whilst people may get sick of the phrase 'six-pointer' that's the best way to describe this game with Wigan in the bottom three and Southampton fighting hard to stay out of it. The Saints were magnificent in the second half of their defeat at Old Trafford with even Sir Alex remarking that they had been the best away team they'd faced so far this season. It seems that new manager Mauricio Pochettino knows what he's doing after all and, poor as the treatment of Nigel Adkins was, if the new man keeps the Saints up the fans will be content. it was only a few weeks ago that the positions of these two teams was reversed with the Saints struggling to climb out of the bottom three. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is an expert at negotiating relegation campaigns and he has stressed the importance of Wigan's home games, starting today. This has the makings of an end-to-end game and I see Wigan running out winners.
Fulham v Man Utd - 5.30pm ko at Craven Cottage. Fulham comfortably beat West Ham at home on Wednesday but Saturday's visitors will pose a far sterner test, although former Utd striker Dimitar Berbatov would probably have relished the chance to put one over his former employers, unfortunately a hamstring strain keeps him out. Fulham have other injury absentees - Sidwell, Diarra, Frei and Richardson. Utd on the other hand are in rude health and should they win they will put themselves 10 points ahead of rivals City, who don't play until Sunday. Utd's squad depth is truly terrifying compared to most other teams and even should they start slowly they always have other options to call off the bench. Utd to win comfortably.
Sunday 3 February
West Brom v Spurs - 1.30pm ko at the Hawthorns. I wonder just how much West Brom manager Steve Clarke will be fuming about Peter Odemwingie's attempts to force through a move to QPR.The want-away striker has been told to stay away until next week and he's openly talked about leaving the club eventually. its hard to see him getting much of a run in the team from here on in. Odemwingie's absence puts more pressure on young striker Romelu Lukaku but he's shown he's up to the challenge of leading the front line. Spurs may give new signing Lewis Holtby his debut as Sando and Huddlestone are still injured. Albion have lost their last seven league and cup games and with Spurs desperate to maintain their to four lace I can see that run being extended.
Man City v Liverpool - 4pm ko at the Etihad. Undoubtedly the game of the weekend, sees Luis Suarez and co visit the Etihad, a much quieter place now that 'Super' Mario has departed for home. City are actually a little short at the back with Kompany out and Maicon and Micah Richards still not back from injury although centre back Nastasic could return and City could certainly use him against Liverpool's prolific striker Luis Suarez who can't stop scoring goals. New Reds signing Coutinho will not play in this fixture. Liverpool dominated much of the game at Arsenal but ultimately they couldn't hold on to their lead. City are a much more organised team and they are unlikely to give the Reds as many chances as did Arsenal. They also have better strikers despite Balotelli's absence. City should win to keep the gap behind Utd to seven points.
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