This week’s Premier League preview deals almost exclusively with events at the top and the bottom of the table. Forget all that boring middle ground stuff.
Can the Black Cats bring bad luck for City?
It seems ages ago now, but the first time that most people saw that James McClean was a star in the making was when he tore the Manchester City defence a new one at the Stadium of Light back on New Year’s Day. It was one of the first times that City looked vulnerable all season, but they have exhibited similar fragility in the time since, with recent games against Swansea and Stoke standing out.
For all the talk about Man United’s experience, they have been feeling the pressure too and if it weren’t for an incredibly dodgy penalty decision on Monday night, they wouldn’t be in the position they are now. Like Fulham, Sunderland could prey on City’s vulnerability and spring a surprise this weekend, although it should be pointed out that they will have to become the first team to come away from the Etihad with even a single point this season if they are to do so.
Just like old times at St. James’ Park?
There are a number of reasons for fans heading along to Newcastle on Liverpool on Sunday to be a tad nostalgic. Football fans over the age of 20 will remember the two memorable clashes between them at Anfield in the mid 1990s, while Andy Carroll will be forgiven for thinking that it was all so much easier here when he steps onto the ridiculously-named arena’s turf for the first time since his move south last January.
The reason behind Carroll’s move and the reason why Liverpool emerged on top on both of the aforementioned occasions is that the Reds have generally been in a stronger position than their opponents on Sunday. Should Alan Pardew’s ever-improving outfit grab all three points, however, the gap between the two will move out to a fairly significant 11 points, further widening the chasm between the top six and the chasing pack and providing further ammunition for critics of King Kenny.
Wigan on a woll
Speaking of Liverpool, last weekend’s defeat to Wigan was greeted with uproar by their fans, but as putrid and all as the Reds were at Anfield, a big win like that had been on the cards for Wigan. Because of the pretty sizeable defect that they couldn’t actually put the ball in the net, Wigan have looked destined for the drop all season, but they have picked up some much needed momentum of late and look like they might just pull off yet another last-ditch escape act.
Have you been watching, Trap?
They were well deserving of victory at Anfield and you know things are going your way when Gary Caldwell of all people scores in front of the Kop with a turn and finish that any striker would have been proud of.
More encouragingly from an Irish perspective, James McCarthy is really flourishing in the middle of the park, even if it probably still won’t be enough to get him on the plane to the Euros in the summer.
Sh*t or bust for Wolves
It seems mad to think that despite picking up only four points out of a possible 27 that Wolves still have a fighting chance of beating the drop. Blackburn, who currently sit in 16th, are only six points ahead and the other three prime relegation candidates are all within four points or less.
It is clear for all to see now that the sacking of Mick McCarthy without a ready-made replacement was a crazy decision, but there’s no need for the players to start feeling sorry themselves, as they have appeared to have been doing at times since his departure. On Sunday, they face Bolton at home in what is the quintessential six-pointer. If they win, all is most certainly not lost. If they lose, quite frankly, they’re doomed.
Blackburn Kean on yet another shock
Considering the mess Blackburn were in at the start of the season, anyone who suggested that Rovers could do the double over Manchester United would rightly have been accused of talking absolute poultry. The anti-Kean brigade have been conspicuous by their lack of a vocal presence in recent weeks, however, as Blackburn have taken 10 points from a possible 18 in the last six games, not brilliant but not quite relegation form either.
That run has taken them two places clear of the relegation zone and an albeit unlikely win against the champions this weekend would further ease the pressure on a team who seemed like dead certs to go down earlier in the season. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility either.
United have drawn on their last two visits to Ewood Park and Fergie will not need reminding of what happened when the two sides met in December. Fulham proved an unexpectedly tricky proposition for the Red Devils last Monday night and Blackburn just might do the same a week on.
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