While the sexy match of the weekend, that of Manchester United and Liverpool, is currently underway in the early kickoff, there are plenty of other games taking place around England which could prove to have massive implications for teams trying to stay up and those dreaming of nights in Europe.
Survival starts now
Blackburn v. QPR: Blackburn would surely love to get that bitter taste of seven goals conceded to Arsenal out of their mouths this after noon, and at first glance the neutral fan would see a match at Ewood as the perfect elixir...that is until one bears witness to Rovers' abysmal home record at a stadium that until recent times was a bit of a fortress for visiting clubs. Yakubu's return from suspension should substantially bolster an attack that has rather misfired in his absence, but the loss of Gael Givet to his own suspension, thanks to a straight red in London, will do a porous defense no favors, especially in light of Chris Samba's drama having no end in sight.
QPR come in licking their own wounds after losing to relegation rivals Wolves at Loftus Road, and like Blackburn they too will be missing a player, newly signed striker Djibril Cisse, due to a red card picked up in the last round. That notwithstanding, Mark Hughes must be at least slightly relishing in the opportunity to travel to his old stomping grounds and take on a Rovers' side that is a mere shell of the club he steered to European qualification and cup semifinals in his tenure.
The Rovers fan part of me would love to say that they'll pick themselves of the mat in this one, but I'm perhaps too levelheaded and objective to allow such sentiment to creep in. It's hard to bank on a defense that has yet to keep a clean sheet.
Bolton v. Wigan
After looking quite listless for the better part of the first half of the season, Bolton have actually shown more life and defensive resolve in recent weeks; just ask Liverpool and Arsenal. American Tim Ream, newly transferred from New York, could make his debut today for a Bolton side looking to bounce back at home after losing away to Norwich.
I really do like Roberto Martinez, so it somewhat pains me to say that Wigan are probably the one team in the relegation battle that look to be done and dusted. They did pick up a fortunate point against Everton, due mostly to a howler from Tim Howard, but in propping up the bottom of the table, those points, even in the form of draws have been far too scarce. Martinez did guide Wigan to something of a great escape last year, but it's going to be too much to ask for that two years running.
The Golden Goose that is the Champions League
Everton v. Chelsea
After garnering but a point from a game they lead 3-0 against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea absolutely need to get three points from Goodison Park if they are to return to form and at least hold serve in the race for fourth place. Frank Lampard looks set to return, but they could unquestionably stand to have Didier Drogba back from the Africa Cup of Nations in order to replace the continually anemic Fernando Torres.
As one would expect form a David Moyes Everton team, they'll be a tough nut to crack at home, and they're more than capable of beating the top sides there, just as they recent did against Manchester City. If they are to pull off yet another upset at home, it may very well come through the efforts of the soon departing Landon Donovan, who has injected some much needed class and flair to and Everton side that sometimes lacks in attack.
Sunderland v. Arsenal
After hanging that seven spot on woeful Blackburn at the Emirates last weekend, Arsenal must be on cloud nine and swimming in self-belief. Robin Van Persie keeps scoring and staying healthy, Theo Walcott has been rounding into form, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been showing in potential as he continues to deputize for Gervinho. Arsenal will need these individual performances to continue if they are to pip Chelsea and Newcastle for fourth.
They must remember, however, that this trip to the Northeast will, in all likelihood, be much, much tougher than last week's outing. Sunderland will be buoyed by their defeat of old rivals Middlesbrough in the midweek. The Black Cats' form has been outstanding since Martin O'Neill took over--so much so that they've gotten from being in the relegation scrap to being firmly in the top half. Should Sunderland win, they would draw to within four points of Arsenal.
Tottenham v. Newcastle
What a week it has been for Harry Redknapp. In the last seven days, he has fended of tax evasion charges, become the popular pick to take the England job, and will manager a championship candidate in today's late kickoff. My life is quite boring by comparison.
Redknapp's charges will be without the ever influential Rafael van der Vaart, but the squad will be as dangerous as ever thanks to Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe shaking off hamstring problems. Spurs' outstanding home form (but one loss) would lead one to think, at first glance, that they could be well on their way to all three points.
The main reason Spurs' home record could go by the boards, however, is that Newcastle is coming in as just about the hottest team in the league, having amassed twelve points from their last five outings. The dynamic Yohan Cabaye will miss out again, but if the early indications are to be trusted, Newcastle just might be onto something with the strike partnership of Demba Ba and Papisse Cisse as they strive for their own European aspirations. It's hard to believe that Newcastle were ever relegated a couple of years back.
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