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The two that might not appear this week
Last weekend saw some crazy results in the Premiership and the start to the new season has finally gotten underway. Many fans were starting to worry that Chelsea were going to run away with the title but that all came crashing down in Manchester.
Chelsea and Arsenal both lost last weekend in the English Premiership, making this weekend's match at Stamford Bridge crucial for both sides. The reversal at Eastlands was Chelsea's first loss of the season after racking up 5 league wins in a row. The Blues still have a three point lead at the top of the league but the air of invincibility has been lost from Ancelotti's men. A home win over Arsenal will blow away those fears and doubts quickly for the Kings of Kings Road but a failure to take the three points will cause the champions to have a wobble or two.
It is probably lucky enough that Chelsea will be facing a side that are having a crisis of confidence as well. Without Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal look a far weaker side and the injury the Spanish player picked up against Sunderland has damaged their season. When Fabregas went off injured, the Gooners were leading 1-0 with a goal from Fabregas but a late equaliser prevented Arsene Wenger' s side from taking all points. Arsenal are coming into the game against Chelsea on the back of a 3-2 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion. Given that West Brom were 3-0 up at one point, Arsenal are definitely failing to hit form at the moment.
In this regard, anything can happen on Sunday but when it comes to the big games between Chelsea and Arsenal, one man tends to grab the headlines. Didier Drogba may have been subbed against Manchester City after a poor performance but when it comes to putting the ball into the Arsenal net, there is not many players better. If Chelsea are going to bounce back after the Manchester City defeat, it is likely that the Ivory Coast striker will be the one doing the damage.
That is the top of the table clash this weekend in the English Premiership but there are a number of exciting clashes for fans to look forward to.
At the bottom of the league, the appearance of Everton is quite a shock but with only 3 points from 6 games, the Merseyside club are still waiting on their first league win of the season. A home draw against Manchester United has been the high point of a slow start for Davie Moyes' side and a trip to the Midlands to face Birmingham City is not an easy trip for any side. Birmingham City have been unbeaten at home for over a year, which means that Everton have no right to travel to St Andrews with any great confidence.
A 0-0 draw with Wigan was hardly a fantastic score line that will send shivers down the spine of many clubs but the fact that it cements a long unbeaten run shows the consistency of the team. Boss Alex McLeish is more of a lucky boss than a good boss but this home form certainly deserves shouting about. Of course, given the way that English football works it wouldn't be a big surprise to find Everton were the team that finally defeats Birmingham.
Things are bad for Everton at the bottom of the league but their city rivals Liverpool aren't doing much better. A penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Northampton was one of the most disappointing results in the Anfield clubs history and a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland wasn't much fun for the Liverpool fans either. In all honesty, Liverpool were given a helping hand for their opening goal but despite the complaints from Sunderland, it was a perfectly valid goal.
Liverpool are at home again this weekend against Blackpool and if they need luck and good fortune to overcome the Tangerines then Liverpool will be in an extremely bad way. Liverpool are actually behind Blackpool in the league at the moment with the newly promoted club having 7 points compared to the meagre 6 that Roy Hodgson's side have. If Ian Holloway can inspire his boys to grab something from Anfield, things may hit a new low for Liverpool fans.
Sunderland are still moaning about the draw against Liverpool and the fact that they face Manchester United this weekend gives them another large task to overcome. With a point from Arsenal and Liverpool, the Stadium of Light club will have absolutely no fear in facing one of the bigger clubs and United are struggling away from home this season. Draws away to Fulham, Everton and Bolton have seen the United fans suffer frustration after frustration this season and there is every chance that there could be a let down for Alex Ferguson's team this weekend as well.
Darren Bent remains in fine goal-scoring form and the decision to omit Bent from the English squad is surely one that must rankle with Fabio Capello. It is not to say that Bent would have made a difference to the outcome for England in South Africa but as the top English goal scorer in the country, the omission of Bent was a strange decision.
One man who had a nightmare World Cup was Robert Green and the season hasn't started too well for the West Ham United goalkeeper either. A match-winning performance in the game against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend may be the turning point for Green and perhaps his club. The Hammers are at home to Fulham this season, so a London derby will bring its own passion and excitement to Upton Park. Fulham remain undefeated in the league so far this season with one win and five draws so new boss Mark Hughes has got off to a fine start at Craven Cottage.
This is a lot more that can be said about Avram Grant at West Ham but the win over Spurs may well be the opportunity for the manager to get West Ham up the table. A home win would likely take Grant's side out of the relegation zone but with the season still in its infancy, getting points on the board is more important than placing. With only six games gone of the season, no one should really be worrying or getting carried away with their team's performance but points won or dropped now could make the difference come May.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
