In a matter of hours the next round of EPL matches will be begin with a couple of superb match-ups on the docket. The defending champs look to right the ship after an embarrassing loss last week and 2 members of last year's "Big 4" square off in a battle for London pride.
Manchester United at Everton - 4 a.m. on Sportsnet World
After last week's 6-1 drubbing at the hands of cross-town rivals Manchester City, Manchester United will look to rebound in the Premier League with an impressive win over 13th placed Everton. United dumped Aldershot out of the Carling Cup with their B team during the week, but that was expected against the lower league minnows. The Red Devils will face a real test against Everton at Goodison Park in one of Saturday's early games. Sir Alex Ferguson's side are welcoming back Tom Cleverly, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans to the squad, while skipper Rio Ferdinand and all-world left-back Patrice Evra may be left out of the starting line-up after poor showings last weekend.
Everton, having been ousted in the Carling Cup by Chelsea during the week, hope to start a winning streak after a rough couple of weeks. Prior to beating Fulham at Craven Cottage by a score 3-1, David Moyes' men had been pummeled in their three previous league matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. But, Everton will hope former Manchester United striker Luis Saha can continue his good form, after finding the back of the net in each of the last 2 league matches.
Unfortunately, Everton will have not have chance in this match. They have the great misfortune of encountering the defending champions after one of the club's most lopsided losses in the team's storied history. You can fully expect Sir Alex to start all his big guns and have his team raring to go from the start, while Everton, who are tame on the attacking end on a good day, will have little possession and few chances. This could get ugly.
Prediction: Manchester United 4 - 1 Everton
Arsenal at Chelsea - 4:45 a.m. on TSN 2
In the second of Saturday's early matches, 3rd placed Chelsea takes on 7th place Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in a good old fashioned London derby. Chelsea hope to put their 1-0 loss to QPR last weekend behind them. In that match, Andre Villas-Boas' side had 2 players sent off and the Blues' captain John Terry was accused of directing racist comments at Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. After that hiccup, the West Londoners have recovered quickly as they dispatched of Everton in the Carling Cup during the week.
Arsenal finally seem to be on the rise after a dismal start to their season. The Gunners have won 2 straight in the league with wins over Sunderland and Stoke City, and have racked up wins in the Champions League over Marseille and Bolton in the Carling Cup over the last two weeks, respectively. The chemistry between summer signing Gervinho and captain Robin Van Persie seems to be growing by the minute with the Dutchman notching 4 goals in his last 3 matches. It appears that Arsene Wenger has instilled some much needed confidence in his young side just in time for a big tilt with Chelsea. A win for the Gunners would lift them into a tie for 5th place.
The Gunners may be improving, but they are still not up to the level of the big 3 at this juncture of the season. Even a fully fit Gunners defense leaks goals and expect Chelsea's world class strikers to exploit lack of composure at the back. It will be close, but expect Villas Boas' stars to sneak by the North Londoners.
Prediction: Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea
This Week's Gem From the Past
An absolute screamer from the 2009-2010 season from the feet of AC Milan's former midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo.
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