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Premier League fixtures: David Moyes returns to Goodison Park

Leon Smolski — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:02:46 +0000

David Moyes returns to Goodison Park for the first time since his switch to Old Trafford.

Everton, who beat United at Old Trafford last December courtesy of a late strike from Bryan Oviedo, are fighting for a chance to finish above Arsenal in a Champions League spot race. Roberto Martinez, who has been widely praised for introducing more attractive tactics to conservative Liverpool side, said he would welcome the Scot back to his old home, but will try to disappoint him on the pitch. Manchester United are now focused on reaching the Europa League and must finish above Tottenham Hotspur to secure participation in European competition, but also have a slight chance to finish above Arsenal and Everton should Gunners lose seven points in the last four matches. Pienaar, Traore, Oviedo, Kone and Gibson are long-time absentees in Everton side, while Jagielka and McCarthy are doubtful. Robin van Persie is the only certain miss for Moyes. Chris Smalling, Marouane Fellaini, Rafael and Wayne Rooney are doubtful.

Hull City host Arsenal in the FA Cup final drill. Steve Bruce still needs one win to fell safe and won’t let Arsene Wenger have an easy life at KC Stadium.

Leaders Liverpool travel to relegation-bound Norwich City as a rehearsal to crucial encounter with Chelsea at Anfield next week. Jordan Henderson will be missing through suspension.

Jose Mourinho must beat struggling Sunderland to stay in the title race, but needs his players fresh by Wednesday, when Chelsea host Atletico Madrid in Champions League semi-final.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham
Aston Villa vs Southampton
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
Newcastle United vs Swansea City
West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea vs Sunderland
Norwich City vs Liverpool
Hull City vs Arsenal
Everton vs Manchester United
Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion

Premier League fixtures. Merseyside derby, Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City and more

Leon Smolski — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:48:11 +0000

Who’s going to win the Merseyside derby? Can Spurs get revenge for November humiliation at Etihad? Will David Moyes start his latest signing Juan Mata? Watch Barclays Premier League Day 23.

Liverpool vs Everton
28.01.2014. Anfield
Referee: Martin Atkinson

First round derby at Goodison Park was one of the most memorable matches in current season with the sides producing vivid attacking display and dramatic ending with Daniel Sturridge equalizing one minute before time.

The Reds lie one point ahead in the table and have only lost one home match this season. Everton have not beaten their rivals in the last seven encounters. Both clubs progressed to the FA Cup fifth round last weekend, but The Toffees lost Bryan Oviedo for the rest of the season with broken leg. The good news is that prolific left back Leighton Baines extended his contract with the club for another four years. Lacina Traore, who arrived on loan from Monaco, could cover Romelu Lukaku. Roberto Martinez has serious defensive concerns with Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman doubtful for the night. Liverpool will have to go without Lucas Leiva and Glen Johnson.

Southampton vs Arsenal
28.01.2014. St. Mary’s Stadium
Referee: Lee Mason

Artur Boruc’s antics allowed Olivier Giroud score a brace in the first round at Emirates. Mauricio Pochettino will be looking for a better result this time around, but will not be able to count on suspended striker Dani Osvaldo, who is poised to leave the club in current transfer window, and injured Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramirez.

Arsenal won the last seven matches in all competitions and have only conceded two goals in the last eight. Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Vermaelen remain doubtful for the match.

Manchester United vs Cardiff City
28.01.2014. Old Trafford
Referee: Craig Pawson

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will probably get a standing ovation on his return to Old Trafford but both sides are in desperate need of points that ensures tough competition on the night. David Moyes will be able to use his latest record signing Juan Mata but there are concerns over Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie availability for the game. Nemanja Vidic is suspended following a red card at Chelsea last week. The Red Devils lost five out of six games since the start of the year and failed to get three points at Cardiff in November. Solskjaer has boosted his attacking options bringing in three Norwegian players in January and will be looking to disappoint his former club, where he had spent eleven years.

Chelsea vs West Ham United
29.01.2014. Stamford Bridge
Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Jose Mourinho has parted ways with Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, brought in Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah and got involved in yet another press-conference war with Arsene Wenger. Chelsea performance, however, is not that flamboyant as their manager is as The Blues only got a narrow FA Cup victory over Stoke City courtesy of Oscar free-kick last weekend. Sam Allardyce, however, has boosted his attacking option with latest loan deals for Italian duo Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello. Andy Carroll finally returned to full fitness.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
29.01.2014. White Hart Lane
Referee: Andre Marriner

The Spurs were thrashed at Etihad in November but a lot has changed at White Hart Lane since then. Andre Villas-Boas was replaced by Tim Sherwood and Emmanuel Adebayor returned to limelight ahead of the Spaniard Roberto Soldado and scoed six golas in the last eight matches. However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have not lost since 10 November at Sunderland and have already netted an incredible 63 goals in 22 matches in Premier League.
They survived some scare at Etihad in the FA Cup tie against Watford but managed to come from two behind to progress to the next round. Alvaro Negredo and Samir Nasri are out of the clash while David Silva is doubtful.

Barclays Premier League
Day 23

Norwich vs Newcastle United
28.01.2014. Carrow Road
Referee: Chris Foy

Swansea City vs Fulham
28.01.2014. Liberty Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver

Crystal Palace vs Hull City
28.01.2014. Selhurst Park
Referee: Roger East

Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion
29.01.2014. Villa Park
Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Sunderland vs Stoke City
29.01.2014. Stadium of Light
Referee: Robert Madley

photo: zimbio.com

Arsenal v Everton. Premier League fixtures

Leon Smolski — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 09:40:21 +0000

Premier League marathon goes on as clubs are set for a third match in the competition inside a week.

Arsenal vs Everton
The Gunners have won all but the first of their matches at the Emirates in current campaign and kept clean sheets in the last three games. The Toffees, however, did not concede in their last three matches on the road, including the visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger won 14 out of 17 last home matches against the Liverpool side. Arsenal continue their amazing start of the season and lie four points clear at the top with Everton among the chasing group. The managers have no fresh injury concerns and surprisingly Leighton Baines’ absence is not so disappointing with introduction of Costa-Rican Bryan Oviedo, who has been great at fullback and scored a late winner against United.

Manchester United vs Newcastle United
United must bounce back quickly after a disastrous start of the the season should they want to finish in the Champions League zone. Wayne Rooney’s 1-match suspension is a huge blow for David Moyes as the England international has been a main striking power for the Red Devils recently. Robin van Persie’s return to the roster is still doubtful. Newcastle have poor record at Old Trafford wining on none of their last twenty-nine visits. Mathieu Debuchy serves suspension and will not be able to help his club.

Southampton vs Manchester City
The Saints lost their last three matches in Premier League after an impressive start. On Saturday they host Manchester City who seem to have found their away form after a 3-2 victory over West Brom on Wednesday. Vincent Kompany is set for return from injury, while Mauricio Pochettino has many concerns in Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Clyne and Schneiderlin.

Manchester United v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Liverpool v West Ham United
Southampton v Manchester City
Stoke City v Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Everton
Swansea City v Hull City