As ever, WinkBall are going to be at grounds up and down the country to guage your opinions about this weekend’s fixtures. They will be braving the treacherous conditions alongside you, so why not warm yourselves up with a heated debate about our ‘topic of the week’ . Or just get that warm, fuzzy, feeling inside from talking to us about your beloved club?
So long as the team’s allow the games to go ahead, we will be there to talk to!
Here are some match previews for just some of the games we will be covering this wintery weekend – but what do you think will happen in the football league this season, supposing your game goes ahead!?
The Emirates hosts Arsenal vs Fulham
Arsenal vs Fulham:
The Gunners play host to Fulham at the Emirates this weekend, looking to finally shake off their home demons – having lost to Newcastle, Tottenham and West Bromich Albion already this season. Arsenal will be hoping their opponents are as charitable with their performance, as they are being with their wages this weekend – donating a day’s wages to their charity of the season, Centrepoint.
Despite the absense of captain and midfield talisman, Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal are not short of creative flair in the middle of the park – as Nasri continues with his rich vain of form, surely Arsenal’s player of the season so far? There is of course also the boost of Robin Van Persie’s return to the starting line up in the midweek against Wigan. While the Dutchman is not yet fully fit, he still impressed in the Carling Cup victory and reminded spectators why his presence could be so crucial to The Gunners’ success.
Fulham will travel across London without an away win all season, and hoping to better a paltry point return in November; just 3 points from a possible 15. The side are crying out for a replacement for injured Bobby Zamora, upfront, as it is in front of goal where performances are appearing the most disappointing. Clint Dempsey is likely to be the biggest threat to The Gunners, as he is, in context, the Cottagers stand-out performer.
The City of Manchester stadium hosts Bolton
Manchester City vs Bolton:
Victory in this fixture could pull Bolton ever-closer to the European places; they are just three points behind City. This tail-chasing has potential to cause trouble for Mancini’s side, who have notably struggled against teams that go against them offensively. And Bolton look likely to do so, following their suprising and encouraging play this season. Owen Coyle’s side have earned three wins in five, still unbeated, matches. Their creative and more flowing style of play may, personally, work against Coyle if he becomes a victim of his side’s own success. Petrov’s goal is still a stand-out one from last week, so he will hope to have earned a start for this crucial tie. The same cannot necessarily be said for City’s Balotelli, who, despite a public call of praise from the manager, still flatters to deceive after having just two goals and red card to show for himself.
Stamford Bridge hosts Chelsea vs Everton
Chelsea vs Everton:
The title-race is still open after poor form has been shared between the usual candidates: Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. The Blues, knocked off the top last week by Arsenal and then Man United in the later kick-off, must win against Everton if they are to start to retain their ascendency. They stand equal with Arsenal, and two points behind United after taking just one point away from their match against Newcastle last week; playing in a manner far from the dominance that we are used to. They have, in fact, won only two in six games – a big dip for this stalwart side. They will welcome back influential skipper, John Terry, to the squad this weekend – replacing Alex; having a knee operation. Essien is also due to return, having missed the last four games – a double-boost that will not appease their opponents.
Everton enter this fixture on their own run of disappointing form, having lost a resounding 4-1 to West Brom last weekend. Things are not looking good for Moyes’ side, who are staring up at former glories from 16th in the table – just two points above the bottom three. Crucial captain, Arteta, will be missing for this difficult game, having been sent off last week. Frustration has lead to discipline problems for the Toffees, as his replacement is likely to be Fellaini, who has just completed his own disciplinary ban.
The DW hosts Wigan vs Stoke
Wigan vs Stoke:
Wigan’s form is as faltering as the weather at the moment. They start the game in the relegation zone following another disappointing loss against West Ham last week. The Lactics need a source of encouragement after even record signing, Boselli, is failing to justify his price-tag – still no goals, and a missed penalty since his arrival. They are another side needing to bolster their home fortress; scoring less and conceding more goals on home turf than any other Premier League side. Frustration is causing discipline to slip for Wigan too. They can welcome back their captain, Alcaraz, from his suspention – but Rodellega is still unavailable because of his ban.
Stoke scraped themselves through with a point against Man City, after Etherington’s injury time equaliser. Their goalkeeping situation seems precarious; Begovic has displaced Sorenson in the starting line-up, despite earlier in the season having requested a tranfer, and still not elluding any more about where his future lies.
Vicarage Road hosts Watford vs Leicester
Watford vs Leicester:
Just a point apart at the start of play, Leicester will travel to Watford – weather permitting – on the back of two losses and one victory in their last three away fixtures – all, incicidentally, 2-0 results. Recent managerial signing, Sven Goran Eriksson, has had a 50% success rate from his first ten games, having brought in some clever loan signings with Premier League experience. Their travelling form is not so encouraging; they have also conceded nearly twice as many goals as the eight that they have scored. Watford’s form is just as shady, managing two of each result in their last six games. They have broken-even with their goal difference, having scored and conceded nine over these six games. This looks likely to be a closely contested match.
We’ll also be covering Coventry vs Middlesbrough, Rochdale vs Charlton, and Bury vs Chesterfield – so if you are stalwartedly supporting any of these teams this weekend, make sure you look out for us there in the Yellow and the Blue!
And if you can’t make it to these, or any, games this weekend – you can still join in with the debate! Just send us a Wink from the comforts of your own house to www.winkball.com
Pursuit of Nattiness 