The South Wales Derby is just one of many interesting matches this week with the 10th round of the Premier League coming up!
Newcastle United v Chelsea
St James Park
02-11-2013 @ 12.45
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Tioté, Sissoko, Cabaye; Gouffran, Ben Arfa, Remy.
Injuries: Jonás Gutiérrez (Personal reasons), Ryan Taylor (Knee). Doubts: Fabricio Coloccini (Groin).
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Hazard, Oscar, Shürrle; Torres.
Injuries: Thomas Kalas (Leg), Marco van Ginkel (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Chelsea won against Arsenal yesterday with a reserve packed team, saving some of the profiles for the important match against Newcastle United on Saturday. Meanwhile, Newcastle is playing against Manchester City tonight, why it is hard to predict how the lineup will be for the Toons for the match.
NUFC lost against Sunderland in the local Derby last week and could well go into another defeat this weekend against a Chelsea in form. However, it is worth mentioning that the Toons won the last meeting between the two sides on St James Park. Mourinho's men are unbeaten in their last 5 matches and seems unstoppable at the moment why they are the favorites for this match.
West Bromwich v Crystal Palace
The Hawthorns
02-11-13 @ 15.00
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-1-1): Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Yacob, Mulumbu, Anichebe; Sessegnon, Anelka.
Injuries: Ben Foster (Foot), Scott Sinclair (Hamstring). Doubts: Morgan Amalfitano (Knee), Zoltán Gera (Knock). Bans: None.
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Speroni; Ward, Mariappa, Delaney, Moxey; Dikgacoi, Guédioura, Jedinak; Bannan, Chamakh, Thomas.
Injuries: Jack Hunt (Ankle), Glenn Murray (Knee), Jonathan Williams (Ankle). Doubts: Patrick McCarthy (Lack of match fitness). Bans: None.
The statistic shows that Crystal Palace actually have an overtake against West Bromwich with three wins in ten matches to WBA's two wins. However, two of those matches was played in the Championship, and this is the Premier League. The Hawthorns have Anelka back in front for Saturdays match hoping he can put a couple in the back of the net after last week's 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. The previous meetings between West Bromwich and Crystal Palace have not been goal festivals why we should have to high expectations to this match. Fact is that three of the last four meetings have ended in a 1-1 draw while Crystal Palace won the fourth 1-0.
West Ham v Aston Villa
Upton Park
02-11-13 @ 15.00 UK
West Ham (4-3-3): Jääskeläinen; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Rat; Morrison, Nolan, Noble; Diamé, Vaz Te, Downing.
Injuries: Andy Carroll (Foot), James Collins (Hamstring), Alou Diarra (Knee). Doubts: Ricardo Vaz Te (Shoulder). Bans: None.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan; Bacuna, Clark, Vlaar, Luna; Westwood, Al Ahmadi, Delph; Weiman, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Injuries: Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles), Jores Okore (Knee). Doubts: Gary Gardner (Back), Antonio Luna (Knock).
Both sides are well positioned in the tight mid table both with the possibility to move up with a win. West Ham is trying to find their form after losing to
Manchester City and drawing against Swansea while Aston Villa haven't won in their three last matches. However, Villa won the last meeting between the two sides with a 2-1 win on Villa Park last February, and will hope to copy the same result on Upton park this week. In fact, Aston Villa have won five of the last ten matches against West Ham, but with this being a season of transition for Paul Lamberts young men nothing is taken for granted. West Ham, given their form and routine are favorites against Villa on Saturday.
Stoke v Southampton
Britannia Stadium
02-11-13 @ 15.00 UK
Stoke City (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Palacios, N'Zonzi, Arnautovic; Ireland; Crouch.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Glenn Whelan (Calf injury), Andy Wilkinson (Knee), Wes Brown (Lack of match fitness). Bans: None.
Southampton FC (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Lallana, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Rodriguez; Lambert; Osvaldo.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Steven Davies (Knock), Pablo Osvaldo (Knock). Bans: None.
Southampton keeps their position as a sub top team in the Premier League after last week's win against Fulham and are now unbeaten in their last five matches. The home side, Stoke City, is in a total other position with their goalscorer as the only lifeline keeping them above the relegation spots. However, the Potters did win against Manchester United last week and might be able to use the result as momentum before the match against Southampton. That said, the Saints are in a terrific form at the moment and are moving forward as a train without brakes. I would like to see Stoke stop it!
Manchester City v Norwich
City of Manchester Stadium
02-11-13 @ 15.00 UK
Manchester City (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Javi García, Clichy; Nasri, Touré, Fernandinho, Silva; Aguero, Negredo.
Injuries: Vincent Kompany (Thigh). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Martin, Bassong, Turner, Olsson; Tettey, Howson; Snodgrass, Fer, Pilkington; Hooper.
Injuries: Elliott Bennett (Knee). Doubts: Nathan Redmond (Hip), Robert Snodgrass (Head), Alexander Tettey (Ankle). Bans: None.
The last two meetings between the two sides were very tight and quite goal worthy, with Norwich winning the latest match 3-2. However, that was last season when Norwich surprised everyone with their good play, but this season is something complete different.
Norwich is currently 18th in the table with eight points while their opponent for Saturday, Manchester City is 7th with double as many points. There is no doubt, when comparing the two sides current form that even though Manchester City have lost some highly surprising matches, they are favourites when they welcome Norwich to City of Manchester Stadium.
Hull v Sunderland
KC Stadium
02-11-2013 @ 15.00 UK
Hull City (4-4-1-1): Harper; Elmohamady, Rosenior, Davies, Figueroa; Koren, Huddlestone, Livermore, Brady; Boyd; Sagbo.
Injuries: Sone Aluko (Calf), James Chester (Hamstring), Danny Graham (Knee), Allan McGregor (Thigh). Doubts: Faye (Calf). Bans: None.
Sunderland AFC (4-4-2): Westwood; Bardsley, O'Shea, Cuéllar, Dossena; Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson; Altidore, Fletcher.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Wes Brown (Lack of match fitness). Bans: None.
Sunderland took their first three points of the season against the rivals from Newcastle last week, and will be hoping to add three more against Hull on Saturday. However, Hull have taken the Premier League with storm and is currently 10th in the table with 11 points. However, Hull has lost their last two matches and against Tottenham and Everton and might still be morally down. That said, Sunderland migth have won against Newcastle, but the teams still looks awful at this stage of the season.
Fulham v Manchester United
Craven Cottage
02-11-13 @ 15.00 UK
Fulham FC (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Richardson; Parker, Sidwell; Ruiz, Berbatov, Kasami; Bent.
Injuries: Matthew Briggs (Hernia). Doubts: Brede Hangeland (Leg), Hugo Rodallega (Groin). Bans: None.
Manchester United (4-3-2-1): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Jones, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick; Nani, Rooney, Kagawa; van Persie.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Darren Fletcher (Lack of match fitness), Danny Welbeck (Knee). Bans: None.
Fulham haven't won a match against Manchester United since 2009 where they won with five goals over two matches. Since then,
Manchester United has more or less cleared the table with seven wins and one draw, before going to Craven Cottage on Saturday. United are back in form and are big favorites against a Fulham team still struggling to find theirs and losing their last two matches. However, Manchester can still be shaken so Fulham will have the possibility of at least a draw.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Emirates Stadium
02-11-2013 @ 17.30 UK
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Sczzesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.
Injuries: Abou Diaby (Knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Knee), Lukas Podolski (Hamstring), Yaya Sanogo (Back), Theo Walcott (Pelvic). Doubts: Mathieu Flamini (Groin), Serge Gnabry (Ankle), Gedion Zelalem (Lack of match fitness).
Liverpool (3-4-1-2): Mignolet; Touré, Skrtel, Sakho; Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Cissokho; Coutinho; Suárez, Sturridge.
Injuries: Iago Aspas (Thigh), Sebastián Coates (Knee). Doubts: Phillipe Coutinho (Shoulder), Enrique (Knee). Bans: None.
Arsenal might have lost their Capital One Cup match last night, but they are still in the lead of the Premier League. However, Liverpool is the first real contender for the title visiting Emirates. Both teams have been in good form the last couple of week's, and there is hope that this match could be a classic. Liverpool has only won one of the last ten meeting between the two sides and that was on Anfield, why Arsenal are favorites for the match. However, this season Liverpool can not be underestimated. This might be one of the best matches this round.
Everton v Tottenham
Goodison Park
03-11-2013 @ 13.30 UK
Everton (4-3-3): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barkley, McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Lukaku, Pienaar.
Injuries: Darron Gibson (Knee). Antolin Alcaraz (Lack of match fitness), Johnny Heitinga (Muscle), Arouna Koné, Apostolos Vellios (Knock)
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Chiriches, Vertonghen; Sandro, Paulinho; Townsend, Holtby, Lennon; Soldado.
Injuries: Etienne Capoue (Ankle), Danny Rose (Ankle). Doubts: Younes Kaboul (Knock). Bans: None.
Everton can with a win at Goodison Park take over
Tottenham Hotspurs in the table in Sundays early match. However, Spurs are in great form winning their last two Premier League matches and a single Europa League match. That said, Everton have shown to be one of the surprises this season and especially Lukaku and Mirallas seems to be working well together. The last ten matches between the two sides have ended in three wins for both sides, and four draws, why it is hard to predict how this match will turn out. That said, my favorite for this match is Tottenham, simply because they look stronger when comparing the players.
Cardiff v Swansea
Millenium Stadium
03-11-2013 @ 16.00 UK
Cardiff (4-3-3): Marshall; Théophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Kim Bo-Kyung, Medel, Mutch; Odemwingie, Campbell, Whittingham.
Injuries: Andreas Cornelius (Ankle). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Swansea (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Taylor; De Guzmán, Britton; Dyer, Michu, Routledge; Bony.
Injuries: Ben Davies (Ankle), Alan Tate (Hamstring). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
So far Cardiff haven't been able to copy their biggest rivals first season in the Premier League and are currently a part of the relegation battle being 16th with nine points for nine matches. The Bluebirds have only won one of their last five matches, against Newcastle earlier this month. Their opponents on Sunday, Swansea City, is currently ninth in the Premier League after their draw against West Ham in the weekend. The Swans have only lost one of their last five matches against Southampton on the sixth of Oktober. The last ten matches between the rivals have been in the Championship and the Capital One Cup. Cardiff has won two of the derby's while two have ended in a draw and Swansea have taken 3 victories