Will Arsenal be able to claw their way back into the title race? That is the biggest question to be answered this weekend in the English Premier League. The Gunners currently sit third in league standings, just six points behind Chelsea, and Arsene Wenger’s club is making the trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend. If Arsenal is going to have any chance at winning a league title this season, they have to win this match. It will not be easy; however, as Arsenal have already lost to Chelsea 3-0 at home earlier in the season.
Possibly making matters worse for Arsenal is the fact that Chelsea will enter Sunday’s match still smarting from a mid-week draw with lowly Hull City. Chelsea had an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and their competitors with their game in hand, but the draw leaves Manchester United just two points back, and Arsenal six points behind the league leaders. Manchester United should come away with a victory this weekend when they play host to last place Portsmouth. Arsenal has struggled against their title rivals in recent years, but an upset victory would make the title chase very interesting.
The race for fourth spot has been an interesting one all season. With four teams separated by just four points, and two of the hottest teams in the league trying desperately to join the fight this race promises to go right down to the wire. The race for fourth will be highlighted this weekend with a pair of very compelling matches. Tottenham Hot Spurs, who currently find themselves in fourth, will play host to Aston Villa. Villa currently sit just two points behind Spurs in the table, so a win would propel them ahead of Tottenham. Winning at White Hart Lane is never easy, but earning points there has become a little easier this season. Tottenham have already dropped a number of key home points, so winning this Saturday’s contest is a must.
While Chelsea and Arsenal are grabbing all the headlines, the best match-up could take place at Anfield Saturday. Two of the leagues hottest teams will take to the pitch when Everton travels to Liverpool. Earlier in the season you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that would have predicted this match would be one between two hot teams with something to play for, but both Liverpool and Everton have been very good in the new year. Liverpool is just one point out of fourth as they try to chase down Tottenham and fulfil Rafa Benitez’s guarantee that his club would qualify for the Champions League. Meanwhile Everton is just trying to climb their way into the fight. While finishing in fourth is probably unrealistic for this squad, chasing down a top seven finish and qualifying for European competition is still within reach if Everton can continue their good form.
The pressure will be on Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Everton to win because the other two clubs involved in the chase will have very favourable match-ups this weekend. Manchester City will be on the road to face Hull City, and Birmingham will play host to Wolverhampton. Hull City shocked everyone mid-week with their draw versus Chelsea, but they will be hard pressed to equal that result against red hot Manchester City. Birmingham, on the other hand, will be hoping to find the win column once again after going winless in their previous three matches. The Blues are coming off a somewhat disappointing transfer period, but they were one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the transfer period, and maybe they will be able to regain their form with all of the rumours surrounding the club now put to rest. With so many important matches on the slate this weekend, it should make for some fantastic football.
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures even offer a vital match for those who are following the relegation fight closely. Burnley, losers of four in a row and have not won since Halloween, will face West Ham United, who have clawed their way out of the relegation zone with three straight draws. Turf Moore was a fortress early in the season, but Burnley have now struggled to win at home, and have dropped to second from the bottom in the table. Meanwhile, the Hammers may only be one point out of relegation, and have only won one time in their previous six matches, but their is reason for optimism. West Ham is now under new ownership creating stability off the field which should help the product on it.
These matches will receivethe lion’s share of the focus this weekend in what should be a fantastic weekend of footy. Every team in the league has something to play for, but none more then Arsenal. The Gunners high hopes this season are resting on a victory this weekend over Chelsea, which should make for a very exciting match. Wenger will have his squad ready to play for this one, but will they have the ability to execute the game-plan. Enjoy!