Five things to keep an eye out for this weekend.
Last weekend certainly threw up some surprises and if we are lucky this time around will be no different. We still have Arsenal crumbling at the seams, Liverpool struggling to fire them in and a tasty clash between Chelsea and Manchester United to look forward to. All that and more will build up to make it another unforgettable weekend in the English top flight. Here are a few things to look out for.
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5. Will Big Sam continue with the champagne football?
After wanting him out over the summer, West Ham fans have had to eat a big slice of humble pie as their good start to the season has seen them sat in the top four and Allardyce heading towards a new contract. However, facing the defending Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend will present them with somewhat of a dilemma. Will they go toe-to-toe and try to show that they can mix it with the best, or will they revert back to old ways and attempt to frustrate them? Either way it’ll be a roller coaster of an afternoon.
4. Sunderland’s bouncebackabiliy
After succumbing to an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton last weekend, and the big question will be just how will they handle that? Gus Poyet undoubtedly has some talented players at his disposal, and they will have been working hard in training, but how is their confidence? Reports over the course of the week has suggested that Poyet will stick with a number of his beleaguered stars, including goalkeeper Vito Mannone, so it will likely depend on how confident they feel and how determined they are to get a result.
3. Lambert’s time to shine
Surely with all of the negative press surrounding the club this week, and particularly striker Mario Balotelli, the kindest thing Brendan Rodgers can do is take the Italian out of the firing line. Furthermore, Rickie Lambert is most certainly worthy of a chance now. Rodgers signed him for more than just 5-10 minute cameos at the end of games and being a boyhood Reds fan the incentive is there for him to do well.
2. RVP must take his chances
United’s front line is fearsome…on paper, but apart from Wayne Rooney they’ve struggled to really get going. However, it won’t be long before Radamel Falcao finds his feet and really begins to push Van Persie for a starting role next to the ‘undroppable’ England international. The Dutchman will be given a golden opportunity to take this chance with both hands as United play host to a dominant Chelsea side. A few good attempts against the Blues will stand him in good stead for a continued starting role in the future.
1. Can Chelsea cope without Costa?
Jose Mourinho is rightly keeping his cards close to his chest over whether Costa will be available to take on the Red Devils. With hamstring problems and a mystery illness to contend with, there’s a chance that the Spaniard will be in no fit state to play this weekend, and if he can’t Mourinho must decide on who his best outlet to lead the line will be, and more importantly, are they as dangerous without him as with him.
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