EPL ~ December 26 to 30 - Game 19 & 20
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Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Barclays Premier League
Birmingham v Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Aston Villa.................. - Ch 27 - 9pm
Derby v Liverpool................... - Ch 22 - 11pm
Everton v Bolton................... - Ch 21 - 11pm
Portsmouth v Arsenal................... - Ch 27 - 3:45am
Sunderland v Man Utd................... - Ch 27 - 11pm
Tottenham v Fulham................... - Ch 22 - 9pm
West Ham v Reading................... - Ch 21 - 9pm
Wigan v Newcastle
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Man City v Blackburn................... - Ch 27 - 3:45am
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Birmingham v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle................... - Ch 27 - 11pm
Everton v Arsenal................... - Ch 27 - 1:15am
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough................... - Ch 21 - 11pm
Sunderland v Bolton
Tottenham v Reading
West Ham v Man Utd................... - Ch 22 - 11pm
Wigan v Aston Villa
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Derby v Blackburn................... - Ch 27 - 9:30pm
Man City v Liverpool................... - Ch 27 - 12am -
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE BRIEFING
Wednesday, December 26
Birmingham (16) v Middlesbrough (15)
Birmingham skipper Liam Ridgewell is back from suspension and poised to replace Radhi Jaidi. Mikael Forssell could be recalled alongside Cameron Jerome in attack. Defender Jonathan Woodgate is a concern for Boro after being substituted in three of the last four games because of cramp. Fabio Rochemback is available but Gary O'Neil (hamstring) is struggling and Andrew Taylor (foot), Chris Riggott (calf) and Mido (groin) are out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Birmingham L W L D L; Middlesbrough L D W W L
Top scorers: Olivier Kapo & Cameron Jerome (Birmingham) 5; Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough) 5
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
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Chelsea (3) v Aston Villa (8.)
Chelsea coach Avram Grant could be forced to turn to third-choice goalkeeper Hilario. Petr Cech sustained a side strain in yesterday's 1-0 victory at Blackburn, while Carlo Cudicini is out with a training ground rib injury. John Terry and Didier Drogba remain on the sidelines with foot and knee injuries respectively.
Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is pushing hard for a recall to the starting line-up. Petrov made his comeback as a substitute against Manchester City last weekend after missing the previous two games with a hamstring strain.
Last season: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0, Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 1
Last five league matches: Chelsea W W W L W; Aston Villa W L L D D
Top scorers: Frank Lampard & Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 9; Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 6
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
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Derby (20) v Liverpool (5)
Defenders Claude Davis (knee), Andy Griffin (calf) and Andy Todd (back) are all out for Derby while midfielder David Jones is sidelined with a groin strain. Captain Matt Oakley is again doubtful with a thigh injury. Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and defender Darren Moore have shoulder and back problems respectively.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is likely to shuffle his side. Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas are all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Derby L L L L D; Liverpool W W L L W
Top scorers: Kenny Miller (Derby) 6; Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 14
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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Everton (6) v Bolton (14)
Everton hope midfielder Mikel Arteta will have recovered from a bout of sickness. Leon Osman (foot), Leighton Baines (hamstring) and Alan Stubbs (calf) are all likely to miss out.
Bolton manager Gary Megson could be tempted to name an unchanged team. Gavin McCann and Jlloyd Samuel are both pushing for places in the starting line-up while Nicolas Anelka is aiming to improve on his 12-goal tally for the season.
Last season: Bolton 1 Everton 1, Everton 1 Bolton 0
Last five league matches: Everton W D W W L; Bolton W L W L W
Top scorers: Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 11; Nicolas Anelka (Bolton) 11
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
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Portsmouth (7) v Arsenal (1)
Portsmouth could welcome back defender Noe Pamarot (hamstring) as his injury is not as bad as feared. Pompey also wait on Sean Davis, who missed the Liverpool defeat following a knock in training but Linvoy Primus (knee) and Martin Cranie (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott has been struggling with a knee injury and is not expected to return. Emmanuel Eboue picked up knee and ankle problems last week but came through 74 minutes of the win over Tottenham at the weekend. Robin van Persie was not in the squad for the Spurs clash and may not be risked against Pompey.
Last season: Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 0, Arsenal 2 Portsmouth 2
Last five league matches: Portsmouth W D W L L; Arsenal W D L W W
Top scorers: Benjani Mwaruwari (Portsmouth) 9; Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal) 11
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent). -
Sunderland (18.) v Man Utd (2)
Striker Michael Chopra (heel) is hoping to be fit for Sunderland. Liam Miller completes his three-match ban, while Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), Kieran Richardson (back) and Russell Anderson (ankle) are closing in on returns.
Park Ji-Sung could make his long-awaited return to the Manchester United squad after knee surgery. Edwin van der Sar (groin) is definitely out while Rio Ferdinand (foot) and Owen Hargreaves (back) should be fit after missing the win over Everton. Ryan Giggs could be rested.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Sunderland L W L D L; Man Utd L W W W W
Top scorers: Kenwyne Jones & Roy
O'Donovan (Sunderland) 5; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 16
Referee: Uriah Rennie.
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Tottenham (13) v Fulham (17)
Tottenham are waiting on fitness updates on Darren Bent (hip), Ricardo Rocha (thigh), Michael Dawson (migraine) and Jermaine Jenas (ankle). Ledley King (thigh), Anthony Gardner (ankle), Gareth Bale (foot), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Didier Zokora (suspended) are out.
Fulham defender Elliot Omozusi (leg) is doubtful. Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard are both still sidelined with knee injuries.
Last season: Fulham 1 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 0 Fulham 0
Last five league matches: Tottenham D L W W L; Fulham D L L L D
Top scorers: Robbie Keane (Tottenham) 12; Clinton Dempsey (Fulham) 5
Referee: Andre Marriner.
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West Ham (11) v Reading (12)
West Ham striker Carlton Cole returns from suspension and James Collins (groin) and Luis Boa Morte (thigh) are back. Long-term absentees Calum Davenport (groin), Matthew Etherington (groin), Craig Bellamy (stomach strain), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), Lee Bowyer (groin), Bobby Zamora (knee), Kieron Dyer (broken leg) and Julien Faubert (Achilles) remain out.
Reading will check on Brynjar Gunnarsson (gashed knee) but have no other new injuries. Wingers John Oster (ankle) and Glen Little (heel) are still out.
Last season: Reading 6 West Ham 0, West Ham 0 Reading 1
Last five league matches: West Ham D L W L W; Reading L D W D W
Top scorers: Dean Ashton (West Ham) 5; Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt & Dave Kitson (Reading) 5
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
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Wigan (19) v Newcastle (9)
Wigan defender Mario Melchiot returns from suspension and Emile Heskey (ankle) is battling to prove his fitness. Jason Koumas (groin) is doubtful.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will make a late decision over England striker Michael Owen. The 28-year-old is ready to resume full training after a thigh injury and could be included in the squad, as could full-back Stephen Carr after a hamstring problem. Abdoulaye Faye (hamstring) is available once again.
Last season: Wigan 1 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 2 Wigan 1
Last five league matches: Wigan L D L W D; Newcastle L D W W D
Top scorers: Marcus Bent (Wigan) 8; Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 7
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Thursday, December 27
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Man City (4) v Blackburn (10)
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson is almost certain to miss the game with an abdominal complaint. Emile Mpenza did not train today with a minor muscle strain but should be fit while Stephen Ireland returns from a three-match ban.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is without three players through suspension. Robbie Savage, Stephen Warnock and Keith Treacy all find themselves on the sidelines. Centre-back Christopher Samba at least returns from his own one-match ban to strengthen the Rovers line-up.
Last season: Man City 0 Blackburn 3, Blackburn 4 Man City 2
Last five league matches: Man City W D L W D; Blackburn L W L L L
Top scorers: Rolando Bianchi & Blumer Elano (Man City) 5; Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) 11
Referee: Howard Webb. -
Rafa to shuffle his Reds pack again
Rafa Benitez is likely to shuffle his side for the trip to Derby on Boxing Day with an away trip to Manchester City on the horizon next Sunday. Benitez has already made 223 alterations to his sides this season, on a match-to-match basis, and used 77 substitutions, making it a remarkable 300 changes in player personal in 28 matches so far.
And there will be more of the same at Pride Park, with Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kewell, Babel, Lucas, Sissoko, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje. -
Wednesday, 26 December 2007 - Full time results:
Chelsea 4 - 4 Aston Villa
Tottenham H. 5 - 1 Fulham
West Ham U. 1 - 1 Reading
Birmingham C. 3 - 0 Middlesbrough
Derby County 1 - 2 Liverpool
Everton 2 - 0 Bolton W.
Sunderland 0 - 4 Manchester U.
Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Newcastle U.
Portsmouth vs Arsenal - 3.45 am -
Portsmouth v Arsenal................... - Ch 27 - 3:45am
Why so late
zzz
one more hr -
now i thinking whether to watch anotOriginally posted by pierre^^:Portsmouth v Arsenal................... - Ch 27 - 3:45am
Why so late
zzz
one more hr
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Wednesday, 26 December 2007 - Full time results:
Chelsea 4 - 4 Aston Villa
Tottenham H. 5 - 1 Fulham
West Ham U. 1 - 1 Reading
Birmingham C. 3 - 0 Middlesbrough
Derby County 1 - 2 Liverpool
Everton 2 - 0 Bolton W.
Sunderland 0 - 4 Manchester U.
Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Newcastle U.
Portsmouth 0 - 0 Arsenal -
Champions Manchester United begin the second half of their Premier League title defence at the top of the league on Saturday but manager Alex Ferguson will be hoping for better luck at West Ham United. United were imperious in a 4-0 thrashing of Sunderland on Wednesday to move a point above Arsenal, who could be four adrift by the time they begin their match at Everton later in the day.
Third-placed Chelsea know they can ill afford many more dropped points as they host Newcastle United while Liverpool and Manchester City battle for fourth place on Sunday.
United were beaten home and away by West Ham last year despite the Hammers spending most of the season in the relegation zone and Ferguson has suffered several disappointments against them in the past. Carlos Tevez, the man who inspired West Ham to a remarkable escape from the drop last season, including a final-day winner at Old Trafford, will no doubt get a warm welcome from the Upton Park faithful.
Tevez has now become a favourite at Manchester United since his move north and has struck up a lethal combination with Wayne Rooney. After being rested against Sunderland, the Argentine will be raring to go in the second of United's holiday fixtures.
MID-SEASON DIP
Arsenal have looked vulnerable in recent weeks. A defeat at Middlesbrough was followed by a fortunate 2-1 victory over Tottenham and a Boxing Day stalemate at Portsmouth. With several players, notably Kolo Toure, heading off to the African Nations Cup next month, manager Arsene Wenger will be worried about a mid-season dip in form.
Sixth-placed Everton have been in tremendous form of late with last weekend's defeat by Manchester United a rare blip. They hit back with a 2-0 victory over Bolton on Wednesday and will be relishing getting their teeth stuck into Arsenal.
Last season, Chelsea's form over Christmas which resulted in three draws, de-railed their title defence and coach Avram Grant's hopes of winning the Premier League in his first season will be fading fast if the Londoners do not beat Newcastle.
Quite who will be playing for the Blues in another matter. Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko limped out of their amazing 4-4 draw with Aston Villa to join John Terry, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele and Florent Malouda on the injured list.
With Ricardo Carvalho suspended and possibly Ashley Cole too after their red cards against Villa, even Chelsea's glittering resources are looking a little threadbare.