Great Dane Football Blogs first Wednesday Update in 2014 is ready! A lot of interesting matches are taking in the Premier League in the weekend with Manchester looking for revenge against Swansea as one of them.


Hull v Chelsea
KC Stadium
11-01-2014 @ 12.45 UK








Hull City (3-4-1-2): McGregor; Bruce, Davies, Chester; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Figueroa; Meyler; Koren, Sagbo.

Injuries: Sone Aluko (Achilles), Robert Brady (Groin), Joe Dudgeon (Knee). Doubts: Matty Fryatt (Hamstring). Bans: None. 

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.

Injuries: Ryan Bertrand (Knock), Branislav Ivanovic (Knee), Tomas Kalas (Leg), Frank Lampard (Muscle), Marco van Ginkel (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None. 

Hull are keeping a firm grip in their mid-table position and are playing well in the Premier League this year. After beating Fulham with a convincing 6-0 victory, they got their feets back on the ground losing 0-2 to Liverpool on the 1st of January. Despite the defeat, Steve Bruce could stick with his XI with Koren in support of Sagbo up front. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 5 Premier League matches and is 3rd in the table. José Mourinho will have to look away from Frank Lampard due to a muscle injury why Ramires and Mikel are likely to be paired in his absent. Despite the fact that Chelsea have had a problem with some of the lower-table clubs, they are favorites against Hull. The last 6 matches between the two sides have been won by the Londoners, and they should get their 7th in a row.


Fulham v Sunderland
Craven Cottage
11-01-2014 @ 15.00 UK









Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riis; Parker, Sidwell; Dejagah, Taarabt, Dempsey; Berbatov.

Injuries: Matthew Briggs (Hernia), Brede Hangeland (Leg). Doubts: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ankle). Bans: None.

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Mannone; Celustka, Brown, O'Shea, Bardsley; Cattermole, Colback; Larsson, Ki, Giaccherini; Fletcher.

Injuries: Carlos Cuéllar (Hip), Keiren Westwood (Shoulder). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Since Rene Meulensteen took over in Fulham, the Cottagers have moved up in the table. However, they are only 2 points away from the relegation zone before meeting Sunderland. The Black Cats won against Manchester United midweek and are hoping the win will boost them against Fulham on Saturday. However, Fulham won the last match between the two sides and are favorites for the win. Maarten Stekelenburg will return and replace David Stockdale for the match which could help the Fulham defends become stronger.


Tottenham v Crystal Palace
White Hart Lane
11-01-2014 @ 15.00 UK









Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Chiriches, Rose; Lennon, Capoue, Dembélé. Eriksen; Adebayor, Soldado.

Injuries: Younes Kaboul (Thigh), Paulinho (Ankle), Sandro (Calf), Jan Vertonghen (Ankle). Doubts: Erik Lamela (Thigh), Kyle Naughton (Ankle), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Calf), Roberto Soldado (Knock). Bans: None. 

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Parr; Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bolasie; Jerome, Chamakh.

Injuries: Adléne Guédioura (Rib), Jack Hunt (Ankle), Glenn Murray (Knee), Jerome Thomas (Groin). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

After years in the shadows of other managers, Tim Sheerwood is showing he deserves the trust from the board, despite losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Spurs are 6th in the Premier League with 37 points only 1 point behind Everton. Crystal Palace is still struggling in the relegation zone with 17 points for 20 matches. However, Tony Pulis' men are only 1 point from Cardiff 16th in the table. That said, they should not expect to get three points with them from White Hart Lane as Spurs should be able to win on Saturday. 


Southampton v West Bromwich
St Mary's Stadium
11-01-2014 @ 15.00 UK









Southampton (4-2-3-1): Davis; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin; Lallana, Davis, Ramírez; Rodriguez.

Injuries: Artur Boruc (Hand), Gilherme Do Prado (Knee), Victor Wanyama (Leg). Doubts: Rickie Lambert (Leg). Bans: Pablo Osvaldo.

West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt; Anelka.

Injuries: None. Doubts: Victor Anichebe (Groin), Billy Jones (Head). Bans: None. 

While Southampton started the season in great form West Brom, had their problems. This seems to have changed now as Southampton have lost their place in the top of the league and is falling down through the table losing their last two matches. At the same time,  West Brom are unbeaten in their last 4 matches before visiting St Mary's Stadium. Southampton are still favorites, but given West Bromwich's current form I could see them take at least one point.


Cardiff  v West Ham
Cardiff City Stadium
11-01-2014 @ 15.00 UK








Cardiff (4-3-3): Marshall; Théophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, John; Gunnarsson, Medel, Mutch; Noone, Campbell, Whittingham.

Injuries: None. Bans: Craig Bellamy (Knee), Jordon Mutch (Hamstring), Andrew Taylor (Knock), Kévin Théophile-Catherine (Knee). Bans: None.

West Ham United (4-3-3): Jääskeläinen; Demel, O'Brien, Diarra, McCartney; Diamé, Collison, Noble; Downing, Maiga, Jarvis.

Injuries: Andy Carroll (Ankle), Winston Reid (Ankle), Ricardo Vaz Te (Shoulder dislocation). Doubts: James Collins (Calf), Mark Noble (Knock), James Tomkins (Groin). Bans: Kevin Noble.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær is ready for his debut as manager in the Premier League after taking a win against Newcastle in the FA Cup last Saturday. West Ham lost 0-5 to Nottingham Forest in the weekend, and their current form will get them in trouble against Cardiff. The question is if a loss against the Welsh will result in Big Sam leaving the club. However, should The Hammers take 3 points they can bring themselves out of the relegation zone and save Sam Allardyce some time.


Everton v Norwich
Goodison Park
11-01-2014 @ 15.00 UK









Everton (4-3-3): Howard; Coleman, Alcaraz, Stones, Baines; Barkley, McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Lukaku, Pienaar.

Injuries: Gerard Deulofeu (Hamstring), Darron Gibson (Knee), Phil Jagielka (Hamstring), Arouna Koné (Knee). Doubts: Leighton Baines (Back), Sylvain Distin (Hamstring). Bans: None.

Norwich (4-3-2-1): Ruddy; Martin, Turner, Bassong, Olsson; Fer, Johnson; Snodgrass, Hoolanhan, Redmond; Hooper.

Injuries: Elliott Bennett (Knee), Anthony Pilkington (Hamstring), Alexander Tettey (Ankle). Doubts: Sébastian Bassong (Knock), Wes Hoolahan (Knock), Jonathan Howson (Back), Bradley Johnson (Knock), Michael Turner (Hamstring). Bans: None.

Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas are likely to return to the starling line up for Everton after being left out against Stoke adding some extra attacking possibilities for Roberto Martinez. The last three matches have given Everton two victories and a draw before meeting Norwich who are in a crisis at the moment. The Canaries have not won in their last 4 matches and are 15th in the table only 3 points from the relegation zone. Everton normally have a good take on Norwich, and are expected to take all three points at Goodison Park.


Manchester United v Swansea
Old Trafford
11-01-2014 @ 17.30 UK









Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick; Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj; Welbeck.

Injuries: Jonny Evans (Back), Marouane Fellaini (Wrist), Nani (Hamstring), Robin van Persie (Thigh), Ashley Young (Shoulder). Doubts: Jonny Evans (Back), Rio Ferdinand (Knee), Phil Jones (Knee), Wayne Rooney (Groin). Bans: Fabio.

Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Tremmel; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; De Gúzman, Cañas; Routledge, Shelvey, Pozuelo; Bony.

Injuries: Michu (Ankle), Garry Monk (Knee), Michel Vorm (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Both teams are in need of three points, so one of the two sides will stand back in this match. Despite the result from last week and the Sunderland match, United should be favorites, especially given Swansea's current form. They might be struggling with injuries, but on paper the squad is still better than Swansea. That said, the Swans came back last night and will be eager to take two wins in a week at Old Trafford. I expect Manchester to be the dominant side in this match while Swansea will be living on counter-attacks.


Newcastle v Manchester City
St James Park
12-01-2014 @ 14.05 UK









Newcastle United (4-3-2-1): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Williamson, Santon; Tioté, Anita; Sissoko, Cabaye, Gouffran; Remy.

Injuries: Ryan Taylor (Knee). Doubts: Yohan Cabaye (Achilles), Fabricio Colloccini (Knee), Tim Krul (Shoulder). Bans: Mathieu Debuchy.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Kompany, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.

Injuries: Sergio Aguero (Calf), Stevan Jovetic (Illness). Doubts: John Guidetti (Knee), Jack Rodwell (Hamstring). Bans: None.

The match between Newcastle and Manchester City is not just a battle between two clubs; it is also a battle between Yaya Touré and Loïc Remy sharing a third position on the top scorer list with 10 goals. Newcastle was going through a good streak but have lost their last two Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 9 matches, in the league, and are only one point behind Arsenal in the table. Looking at the history of the two sides meetings, City should get 3 points at St James Park as they have won the last 9 matches against Newcastle.


Stoke v Liverpool
Britannia Staium
12-01-2014 @ 16.10 UK









Stoke City (4-2-3-1): Sørensen; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Whelan, N'Zonzi; Walters, Adam, Arnautovic; Crouch.

Injuries: Asmir Begovic (Head), Robert Huth (Knee), Andy Wilkinson (Foot). Doubts: Thomas Sørensen (Achilles). Bans: None.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Cissokho; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Suárez, Coutinho.

Injuries: Joe Allen (Groin), Sebastián Coates (Knee), Enrique (Knee), John Flanagan (Hamstring), Mamadou Sakho (Hamstring). Doubts: Daniel Agger (Calf), Glen Johnson (Calf), Daniel Sturridge (Ankle). Bans: None.

Daniel Sturridge is expected to return to the Liverpool squad for the Stoke match, but will probably not start at Britannia Stadium. For Stoke, Jack Butland can be given his first full debut as Asmir Begovic is out while there are doubts about Sørensen. The two sides are known to play some very tight matches, and out of the last 10 meetings Stoke have won 3 while Liverpool have 4 wins on their account. However, Luis Suarez is on fire with 20 goals so far, and he will be a mouthful for the Stoke defends.


Aston Villa v Arsenal
Villa Park
13-01-2014 @ 20.00 UK









Aston Villa (4-4-2): Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Weimann; Benteke, Agbonlahor.

Injuries: Libor Kozák (Broken leg), Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles), Jores Okore (Knee). Doubts: Nathan Baker (Muscle), Joe Bennett (Back). Bans: None.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Arteta, Wilshere; Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.

Injuries: Nicklas Bendtner (Ankle), Diaby (Knee), Kieran Gibbs (Calf), Aaron Ramsey (Thigh), Yaya Sanogo (Back), Theo Walcott (Knee). Doubts: Olivier Giroud (Illness), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Knee). Bans: None. 

After the surprising loss against Sheffield United in the FA Cup, Aston Villa welcomes to league leaders from Arsenal to Villa Park. The home side are currently 11th in the Premier League with 23 points, after winning against Sunderland last round. Paul Lambert will have to look away from Libor Kozák and Jores Okore as they are out with long-term injuries while Charles N'Zogbia is still struggling with his Achilles injury. However, Ciaran Clark is set to return for Villa after his suspension against Sunderland. Arsenal, on the other hand, is struggling with injuries among the strikers. The last week, Wenger has lost both Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott why he only has Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski left. Despite being out with an illness, Giroud is expected to start against Aston Villa, in a match where Arsenal are the favorites. Their current form should be enough to overcome an Aston Villa team still shocked from their exit of the FA Cup.