Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United will all be desperate to record a win this weekend.
Aston Villa
Alex McLeish’s Aston Villa side are under real pressure this weekend, from their own fans as much as the opposition. Without striker Darren Bent they face a trip to Blackburn Rovers. if Blackburn beat Villa then the midlands club will find themselves sucked into a relegation battle that they may not have the stomach or striking power to escape from. If Villa can get a win, it will not only be their first since mid-January, but it can propel them above the relegation battlers and ease their worries, not to mention the spirits of supporters. Lose, and they will be just five points above Blackburn.
Tottenham Hotspur
Half and hour into their trip to the Emirates life was looking as rosy as ever for Tottenham. Lose to Manchester United and even a third place they were beginning to take for granted could slip from their grasp. The knives are already being sharpened for Spurs among the tabloid press, who have a script pre-written about how Harry Redknapp’s turmoil over whether to take the England job could derail the club’s season. A win against United will change all of that, and keep them looking upwards for the rest of the season, rather than over their shoulders.
Manchester United
By the time United kick off at 4.10 on Sunday against Spurs, they could be five points behind City. Ferguson and Rooney have been banging on all week about how their experience will be vital in the title race, and this is such a time it will be crucial. It would be amusing for City fans to see United fall flat. If Spurs beat United and City go five points clear, this could be a pivotal moment in this season’s race for the Premier League crown.
Liverpool
This weekend’s clash with Arsenal is arguably as important as Sunday’s Carling Cup Final for the Anfield club. They are in a position where they can lay down a marker for a Champions League place charge, with a win over a key rival. Fail to win, and all the self-doubt over an inability to win home games will re-emerge. Arsenal have their tails up at present after the Spurs win, but a loss to Liverpool could badly dent the aspirations they have of finishing fourth. Liverpool have Chelsea to come at home, and a win here will boost their confidence for that clash too and set up some key momentum going into the season’s final stages.
Newcastle United
This season has been quite unbelievable for Newcastle, who would have thought they would be being talked about even as outsiders for the fourth Champions League spot in March. Lose at home to Sunderland on Sunday and that dream could be over, especially with a trip to Arsenal their next fixture. The Magpies were disappointed to lose to Spurs and draw with Newcastle in their last two games, and this is a chance to put things right, against their despised rivals Sunderland. A loss would really affect the confidence of supporters and players.
image: © k1ngk0ng
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