Five talking point to keep an eye out for in this weekend’s games.
The season is warming up nicely as the midway point approaches, this weekend’s latest round of matches is to throw up some interesting encounters that could provide us with more answers than questions. Here are five points we expect could be huge things to look out for.
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5. How will Pardew get on in his return to Upton Park?
It wasn’t long ago that Newcastle were the Premier League’s ‘crisis club’ and Pardew looked as though he was heading for the dole queue. However, he has since turned their fortunes around and the Magpies have won their last five games.
The Hammers are one point behind them, and after a mini-slump will be looking to get back on track. Will Chunks get one over on his former side, or will the Londoners prevail? This one has all the makings of a classic encounter.
4. Can the Saints keep the pressure on Chelsea?
The Saints have undoubtedly been one of the surprises of the season. They replaced quality with more quality, but nobody expected them to be playing so well this far into the season.
However, they were disappointing against Villa on Monday night, and the question of whether they can keep up this good form for much longer is being asked again. The Saints will take on champions Manchester City on Sunday, in what will be their first real test of where they’re at under Ronald Koeman.
3. Mourinho’s revenge
Last season Sunderland dealt a huge blow to Chelsea’s title hopes with a 1-0 victory late in the campaign. The defeat was Jose Mourinho’s first in 78 league games with the Blues as the Black Cats started their remarkable survival bid.
The result would have undoubtedly hurt and it’s a sure thing that Mourinho won’t have forgot about it either. With the Blues in such rampant form, and Sunderland consistently inconsistent, the Special One may order his troops to run riot on Gus Poyet’s men.
2. Who will come out on top at the bottom?
While Burnley have enjoyed something of a revival, fellow promoted sides QPR and Leicester are really struggling.
Both Burnley and Leicester face Aston Villa this week, who will fancy themselves after stopping their run of defeats and are now unbeaten in two games. As Chelsea march on towards the title it’s the battle to avoid the drop that will be more exciting this term.
1. Can Liverpool get themselves back on form?
As Liverpool embarked on an 11-game winning run last term, few could have predicted Brendan Rodgers’ job would be under pressure just six months down the line.
However, defeat to Palace last week, followed by their poor showing against Ludogorets midweek, a big performance this time out is needed if they are to have any hope of avoiding an all out nosedive.
But, do they have the heart?
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