A Very Excited Week Four Preview

By: Rob | September 12th, 2008

After the distraction of England getting thier mojo back, we’re back in EPL action – and what a fantastic week it promises to be. Not only do we have the massive Liverpool vs Man United North-West derby, Gianfranco Zola will be watching his first game at West Ham (he’s not going to formally be manager), Newcastle are managerless, and a plethora of players will make thier debuts at clubs, including James Milner at Villa, Berbatov at Manchester United and of course Robinho at Manchester City. We also have the battle of the billionaires to look forward to. Lets have a look at what we can expect. Full Preview comes after that there jump.

Blackburn Rovers vs Arsenal

A game that promises to be a good one. Blackburn have been all over the place so far this season, stuffed by West Ham last time out, they will need to bounce back. Arsenal started well, but looked uninspired without Cesc Fábregas, but he was back to inspire an easy 3-0 win over Newcastle.

Team News: Robbie Fowler has signed for Rovers on a pay-as-you-play deal and he’s in the squad. David Dunn and Andre Ooijer are still out for the home team.
Mikael Silvestre and Samir Nasri are still doubts for the Gunners, while Theo Wallcott might be rested.

Fun Stat: Robin Van Persie has had more shots off target than anyone else in the league.

Expect: Arsenal should get the points, but it should be an open attacking game.

Fulham Vs Bolton

Fulham will go into this game knowing they have never lost to Bolton at Craven Cottage since the former got up to the top league in 2001. Bolton won 3-1 in thier opener against stoke, but have failed to find the net since. Both teams will really want the three points here.

Team News: Fulham have no fresh worries after the international week, Bolton will give a late test to Ricardo Gardner.

Fun Stat: Kevin Davis has commited 11 fouls this season, and is yet to get a Yellow Card.

Liverpool Vs Manchester United

The biggest game of the week – arguably the biggest of the season. The two clubs with the biggest historys in the league face off in one of the tensest derby matches of the season. Check back here because I’ll have a liveblog up.

Team News: Suspisiously, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been announced fit for Liverpool. So effectively all Gerrard did was miss England games? Guess we know where his priorities lie. United will give a debut to Berbatov, Hargreaves and Ronaldo are still out.

Stat Attack: Liverpool last won this fixture in 2001, thanks to a Michael Owen goal.

Expect: Fireworks. Both teams have looked below par so far this season, but they will be fired up for this one. I think Man United will edge it.

Manchester City vs Chelsea

When I did my last preview I wouldn’t have thought of this match as the battle between the two richest clubs in the world, and yet here it is, exactly that. Manchester City’s new multi-billionaires will want to give Red-Rom a bit of something to think about I imagine.

Team News: Benjani, Richards and Vassell are all out, Banksy wannabe Robinho will be in the squad for City. Chelsea are without Essien, Drogba and Ballack face late tests. Joe Cole should be ok to play after his head injury in midweek.

Fun Stat: The last home goal Citeh got against Chelsea was scored by Nicky Anelka from a pen.

Expect: City will dig in, but the best they can hope for really is a draw.

Newcastle United Vs Hull City

Newcastle have been making all the news the last few weeks. They still sit managerless, so maybe there is a chance for plucky Hull to make the most of that. Hull started well in the season with 4 points, but got thumped by Wigan last time out.

Team News: Enrique, Duff, Viduka, LuaLua all out for Newcastle, Alan Smith and Martins will face late tests. Not fit enough for Don Fabio, but Owen will play. Hull are without George Boatang.

Fun Stat: Michael Turner has made more defensive clearences than anyone else at Hull, with 17.

Expect: This could go either way, it depends on how Newcastle respond to thier off-field trauma, and Hull respond to that 5-0 thumping.

Portsmouth vs Boro

Portsmouth picked up the big win last time out against Everton, finally starting to score goals. Mid-table specialists Boro meanwhile have picked up six points from the first three games, which is thier best start in the league for years.

Team news: Kranjcar is out for the home side, Kanu and Nugent face late tests. Arca, Bates and Jones are all out for Boro.

Expect: Depends which Pompy turn up really.

West Brom vs West Ham

New manager Gianfranco Zola will watch the match from the stands, having only met his new team this morning. He will be hoping to watch his side continue thier recent run against Albion, who have only won one game out of the last five against the Hammers.

Team News: Craig Bellamy will take a late fitness test for the Hammers, Teixeira still out for the Baggies.

Fun Stat: Gianfranco Zola’s first win as a player at Chelsea came against West Ham.

Expect: A good game, but West Ham to want to impress Franco too much for the Baggies to handle.

Wigan vs Sunderland

Wigan come off a big win against Hull to face Sunderland at the JJB. The Black Cats have thus far struggled to find any form, A loss to Liverpool, a win at Spurs and a defeat against Manchester City has been thier season so far.

Team News: Kilbane and Taylor out for Wigan, while Anton Ferdinand will have a late test for Sunderland.

Fun Stat: Sunderland have commited 45 fouls, more than anyone else in the league.

Expect: A draw.

Stoke City Vs Everton

Stoke have already conceeded nine goals in the Prem this season, and will be desperate not to add to that tally as they entertain an inconsistant Everton side. Everton have beaten Stoke in thier last 4 visits in all competitions.

Team News: Davis and Faye out for the home side, while Pienaar and Hibbert will miss out for the Toffees. Saha is fit to make his debut.

Stat: This is the first league meeting between these sides in 23 years.

Expect: Everton to grab the win.

Tottenham Vs Aston Villa

Spurs have completely underperformed this season, but they picked up a valuable point against Chelsea last time out. Villa are fresh from a 0-0 draw at Liverpool but the corresponding fixture last season finished 4-4.

Team News: Ghaly and Hutton are out for Spurs, Bouma is out for Villa and Steve Sidwell will take a late test. Milner looks set to make his debut.

Fun Stat: All four scorers for Spurs in last years 4-4 are no longer at the club.

Expect: A high score draw again.