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A big mid-week in the EPL

Published by Ian John on April 21, 2009

With the international fixtures, followed by the Champions League quarter finals last week, the last two mid-week fixture lists have alread provided plenty of high drama. However things at the top of the Premier League table could become an awful lot clearer after Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Tonight Liverpool take on Arsenal at Anfield in what should be an open and entertaining clash. The Reds have been in fine goalscoring form of late and last weeks effort, although eventually futile, at Stamford Bridge should give the home side confidence ahead of the clash, even knowing that talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard will not be fit. Arsenal on the other hand come straight from Wembley and the knowledge that with their first choice defence, and most importantly goalkeeper, they looked more than capable of defeating Chelsea. While the defeat will have dampened spirits for the Gunners, Arsene Wenger’s men still have the Champions League to strive for and while I don’t see Arsenal resting players for the game tonight, I am sure Arsene will have one eye on the forthcoming semi final with Manchester United. The problem for Arsene is that both Everton and Aston Villa are still capable of catching Arsenal, and with games still to come in the league against all of the top three, starting with Liverpool tonight, it looks like being a tough run in for the Gunners. So Arsenal need the points too. It promises to be a big night at Anfield. Arsenal’s have been boosted by the return of Walcott and Fabregas in recent weeks so will be strong in an attacking sense, but as Chelsea showed at the weekend, defensively they look suspect and Liverpool, even minus Gerrard, will be hoping to take full advantage.

On Wednesday the focus switches to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford. At the Bridge there is a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup Final as Chelsea take on Everton. The scenario here is pretty much the same as at Anfield. Everton chasing fourth need the win, as do third place Chelsea who need the points to keep on the heels of United and Liverpool. It is hard to see either Gus Hiddinck or David Moyes making too many changes at this point. Hiddinck knows the league is a priority for Chelsea fans so to rest key players in this game, even with the FA Cup Final and Champions League Semi Final ahead of them, would not go down too well. Moyes simply doesn’t have that option with the small squad he has.

Incidentally, I may have given the Everton and United teams and players some stick in my previous article, but I have to take my hat off to David Moyes. Considering he has reached the FA Cup final with a team that has, by and large, played the entire season with just one or two fit strikers, many times with no fit strikers with the financial restrictions he has and the depth of squad available, is frankly outstanding. Also since Manchester United, disgracefully in my view, opted to play their reserve team for the FA Cup Semi Final, I was more than delighted to see Phil Jagielka tuck away that final spot kick. I had to laugh about Ferguson complaining about the pitch. Of course it was that which saw United lose, not his laughable team selection.

United meanwhile have two seemingly relatively straightforward homes games one after the other. Portsmouth visit Old Trafford on Wednesday and while Pompey need the points in their relegation battle, it is hard to make a case for them securing a win like they did in the FA Cup last season. Tottenham then visit Old Trafford on Saturday in what looks likely to be a tougher test, but again, it is hard to see Harry Redknapp’s side getting anything from this one.

So by Saturday evening, if results go their way, United could well have the title race wrapped up once again. If they don’t then then Liverpool or Chelsea could well be back in with a very real chance. It promises to be an interesting few days!

Incidentally, the Decipher Soccer Result Machine is in for a service. Of course, we hadn’t calibrated it for the fact that Sir Alex would cheapen the FA Cup still further and pick his reserve team for one of the biggest matches in the English calendar. It drives me mad when teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd do this. Chelsea, to be fair, tend not to. I can just about put up with it in the earlier rounds against weaker opposition, but when it is a prestige game with millions watching, you cheapen the whole occasion and the competition.

The FA Cup needs two things. A big sponsorship deal to drastically increase the prize fund, and a Champions League spot taken from the team that finishes 4th in the league given to the winners of the FA Cup. Then I think we’d see fewer reserve teams played in games and the competition would get the prestige it deserves. Take nothing away from Everton or Chelsea however, at least we know we are going to get a final that will feature the first teams.

Picture Courtesy of ***toksuede *** at Flickr.com

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