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The Next Six Matches For The Top Three
- Monday, 23 January 2012
- Written by Merlin
Week 1: Spurs-Wigan; Everton-City; United-Stoke
Everton always give City a challenge, but this season Everton are simply way off the pace, languishing in 14th place. City has struggled away from home, with a sequence of 4 away matches without a win halted with an important win against Wigan. This match will see the return of our talismanic captain Vincent Kompany, so another away win may be expected of the league leaders.
Wigan are holding up the whole table, so must be a strong team. There's no doubt that Spurs are a much better side, and being at home anything other than a home win would be extremely unexpected. But Wigan are scrapping for survival...
Remarkably, United have lost at home more than away this season, which is uncharacteristic of them. Therefore the visit of 8th place Stoke isn't going to be the easiest of games for them, but you would expect United to win this one.
Week 2: City-Fulham; Chelsea-United; Liverpool-Spurs.
Now this is an incredibly interesting week. Earlier in the season City squandered a 2 goal lead at the Cottage to leave with a draw, but this time at home the smart money would be on a City win.
Chelsea against United is a big game in any season, and of all the teams in the league Chelsea are good enough to beat United, particularly at the Bridge. Fingers crossed.
Spurs has a tough away game at Liverpool, and with Liverpool fighting for Champions League football, this will be a tough encounter. Expect this one to be a draw.
Week 3: Villa-City; United-Liverpool; Spurs-Newcastle.
Whilst our competitors battling for European football, City face middle of the table Villa. Although away, City are a much better team than Villa, and Aguero should be able to run rings around Dunne. And Yaya and Kolo may be back.
United-Liverpool is the ultimate rivalry, so this encounter won't be easy for either team.
Spurs and Newcastle have surprised the pundits this season, although admittedly, Newcastle has dropped off the pace. However, as they showed against United, they are good enough to beat Spurs. Furthermore, Ba should be back from ANC.
Week 4: City-Blackburn; Norwich-United; Arsenal-Spurs
Blackburn are staring at relegation, so there is a clear gulf in talent between City and Blackburn, and with City being at home this must surely be a City win. But playing desperate teams is always difficult, particularly if they set out to defend.
It is hard to imagine that Norwich will stop United, but they have surprised a few teams this season, and anything is possible.
Arsenal-Spurs is an enormous derby, and Wenger will be desperate to find a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing season.
Week 5: City-Bolton; Spurs-United
Well, City at home versus Bolton must be a home win banker.
But the clash of Spurs versus United is the really interesting match, because one or both are going to drop points, guaranteed. A Spurs win is what most City fans will be praying for.
Week 6: Swansea-City; United-WBA; Everton - Spurs
Swansea is being lauded as one of the Premier League's most entertaining teams, but in all fairness City should beat them.
United face WBA, and this should be a straight forward win for them.
And again, expect Spurs to beat Everton.
So there you have it. The next 6 games may shape the title race, with our main rivals all facing each other whilst we quietly jog along (hopefully).
Join in the debate here.
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