Normal service will resume with Premier League back in action this weekend after the break last time around due to FA Cup matches. There will be many things to look forward in this weekend’s round of matches as Chelsea look to maintain their lead at the top and Manchester City chasing them hot on their heels.
New managerial appointment might lift Aston Villa and what is next for the team battling for Top 4 spot and relegation. All of this and plenty more to look forward as we bring you the top 5 things to look out this weekend in Premier League.
Wilfried Bony’s Manchester City debut
Wilfried Bony will be hoping to make his Manchester City debut after completing his £28 million move from Swansea. Since his transfer, Bony has been away on International Duty with Ivory Coast. Bony starred for Ivory Coast as they won the AFCON 2015.
Bony would expect to carry the same form and momentum he had in the league before leaving for AFCON. Manuel Pellegrini saw his side play their best football when Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo played together up front. With Bony’s arrival we could see City switching to a 4-4-2 and use two strikers up front.
There will be many questions relating to Bony’s partnership with Aguero as the Ivorian is a different player than Negredo. At times, a partnership looks mouth-watering on the paper but doubts remain if it will work out on the pitch.
Boos for Balotelli
Mario Balotelli has had a difficult start to his Liverpool career and he did himself no favours after snatching the spot kick from Liverpool captain on the night Jordan Henderson. Many of the current and ex-football players have spoken foul about Balotelli’s attitude and labelled the striker’s act as disgrace.
Perhaps the most telling remark was made by Steven Gerrard, who criticized Balotelli’s decision of taking the penalty kick away from Henderson. Such remarks from Gerrard will turn Liverpool’s loyal fans against Balotelli when Brendan Rodgers’ side goes to St. Mary to face Southampton.
I expect many of the Liverpool fans to give Balotelli a hard time if he starts alongside Daniel Sturrdige on the night.
Time’s up for Falcao, he will be benched
Manchester United’s FA cup tie against Preston could be the last chance Falcao gets to impress the manager and United fans, and after that it will be safe to conclude he blew it big-time. Falcao was taken off on the hour mark despite United losing the match 1-0 and Ashley Young was sent to do the rescue job and unfortunately for Falcao, Young did just that.
Time is running out for Falcao and he will be benched for United’s next game away against Swansea. Van Gaal has given Falcao enough chances to prove himself but the Colombian has failed to do so by missing number of chances to score.
United’s expected Line up against Swansea
Diego Costa to re-ignite Chelsea’s form
Chelsea have not been themselves lately. Their league position might tip them to be the best team in the country but it is anything but the best on show from Chelsea. Mourinho’s men have fumbled on the pitch way too much for their fans’ liking.
For the last two games (away against Villa, at home against Everton), Chelsea have scrapped to victories by 1 goal margin. Jose Mourinho will have Diego Costa back available for selection after his 3 game ban for a dirty foul on Liverpool’s Emre Can.
Diego Costa has scored 17 goals this season and Mourinho would hope that his star striker can turn his side’s form and run riot against a Burnley side who can be very tough and unpredictable to play against.
Advantage to Arsenal in the Top 4 battle
There are 5 teams fighting for the 2 vacant spot for a Top 4 finish in the Premier League this season. Manchester United, Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all involved in this exciting race.
This weekend fixture list sees Manchester United play away at Swansea, Arsenal play Crystal Palace, while Spurs battle West Ham and Southampton take on Liverpool.
Seeing the list of fixtures, one expect United to hold on to their 3rd spot in the league but there will be a new entry in the Top 4 of the league and it remains to be seen who from the other 4 sneaks in. I expect Liverpool to beat Southampton and hand Arsenal the chance to seal the 4th spot with a victory against Crystal Palace. These standings will change many times during the remaining weeks, but after GW26, I expect Arsenal to be in Top 4 of the Premier League.
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