EPL Preview: Manchester United Looking for Records

Stoke City vs Sunderland

Tony Pulis will be hoping that the team’s great record over Sunderland will come to his rescue when both sides face off at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City looked like challenging for European places a few weeks ago, but two defeats in three matches has meant that Tony Pulis’s side has slipped into the bottom half of the table.

Sunderland, meanwhile, seemed to be coping well with the loss of Darren Bent as they have suffered only a single loss in their last five games before the midweek defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

Stoke City have a formidable record against Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium and have won their past three League meetings without exception. Even though Stoke and Sunderland were defeated in their respective matches in midweek, Sunderland were extremely good against Chelsea.

"The Potters" will be strengthened by the return of Ryan Shawcross, but they will be without Abdoulaye Faye after he injured himself during the match against Liverpool. Stephane Sessegnon had a good match against Chelsea and he is expected to deputise for Bolo Zenden. Kieran Richardson will be looking to build on his first goal after more than a year against Chelsea.


Aston Villa vs Fulham

Aston Villa's honeymoon period following the signing of Darren Bent came to an end against Manchester United in midweek. However, Darren Bent still managed to find the net for his new club and he will be looking to continue that impressive form once again against Fulham.

Fulham seemed to be completely over their early-season crisis and are looking to get into the top half of the table. They confirmed the end of their relegation fears by winning against a sorry looking Newcastle side in midweek, but the chances of them getting any points at Villa Park seem to be extremely low.

Villa have an extremely good record on home ground and it has been strengthened by the arrival of Darren Bent. Fulham, meanwhile, are very poor away from home and Mark Hughes will certainly be targeting a draw more than anything else.

However, there is a chance that, given their recent form, Mark Hughes could go for the victory. Fulham also have a terrible record against Aston Villa at Villa Park. They will also be missing Dickson Etuhu after he failed to recover from his injury. Villa have no new injury worries and they will be looking to field their full-strength squad.


Everton vs Blackpool

Three straight defeats have meant that Blackpool have slipped out of the top half of the table and Ian Holloway has admitted that they are now slipping fast into the position that everyone expected them to be at the start of the season. The situation does not seem to be improving any soon as they will be facing an Everton side at Goodison Park that has shown some signs of recovery after the initial struggles.

Keeping clean sheets has been a huge problem for Everton this season though and their failure to do so for their last six matches is a testament to it.

This situation is not any better for Blackpool after they too have conceded a goal every single match for the past five ones. It is spectacular considering that both sides have failed to win a single match in their past four matches in all competitions.

However, Everton will be hugely boosted by the return of Tim Cahill from international duty. Ian Holloway will be hoping that new signings Andy Reid and James Beattie will show some form that will finally help the club alleviate their poor results.


Manchester City vs West Brom

Manchester City's title challenge is fading pretty fast and Roberto Mancini will certainly have to win the match in order to prevent the season from falling apart. It is almost the same scenario for Roberto di Matteo, who finds his team just above the relegation zone. They were truly excellent against Wigan Athletic in midweek, but were left to rue their luck after failing to get past the Latics even with some fantastic play.

Mancini will be more concerned about finishing in the top four rather than the title because only five points separate them and Tottenham, with the Londoners having played a game less.

Mancini will have to contemplate for the victory without the services of Nigel De Jong, who will be missing after picking up an injury against Birmingham City in midweek. Micah Richards also suffered a concussion in the same game and could also miss the match against the Baggies. Peter Odemwingie was a doubt for the game, but he seems to have recovered sufficiently in time to face Manchester City.

City are already without Adam Johnson and the injuries to Nigel de Jong and Micah Richards is set to put more pressure from Roberto Mancini.


Newcastle vs Arsenal

Arsenal showed incredible resilience to come back from being a goal down at home to Everton. They will be hoping that the same determination and grit will guide them to victory at St James's Park, which has been deeply saddened and angered by the loss of Andy Carroll.

The loss of Andy Carroll has been added to the fact that Shola Ameobi will also be missing for Newcastle. It is the kind of injury situation that will put a huge doubt on the ability of Newcastle United to survive in the Premier League this season.

Also, Alan Pardew did not get to spend a penny of the £35 million transfer fee that he got for Andy Carroll. It is expected that Newcastle United will be lining up with Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best.

Alex song will be the major miss for Arsene Wenger's men, but they will be boosted by the return of Theo Walcott from injury. Sebastian Squillaci also returns to side after the completion of his suspension. All these are set to make Arsenal pretty strong against Newcastle and Arsene Wenger will be hoping to make the most out of it.


Tottenham vs Bolton

Tottenham finally managed to end their poor form that looked to seal their chances of qualifying for the Champions League once and for all. Their three draws on the bounce was finally broken with the one goal victory over Blackburn Rovers in midweek.

It was impressive considering that Tottenham managed to do it with a back four that was missing a number of key central defenders. Bolton, likewise, managed to win against Wolverhampton in a victory that also ended their poor run.

New signing Daniel Sturridge was able to come on from the bench to score the famous victory over Wolves that finally saw Owen Coyle's side stop the rot. The away match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane looks a bit difficult for Bolton Wanderers mainly because their visits to London have so far been unfruitful.

Following his incredible debut goal, Daniel Sturridge could be set for his first start for Bolton Wanderers. Similarly, Peter Crouch also scored the goal for Tottenham Hotspur and he is set to start along with Jermain Defoe. Michael Dawson is available for Harry Redknapp after he has served his suspension after his red card against Fulham.


Wigan vs Blackburn

Roberto Martinez will be kicking that his side could not hold on to the narrow one goal lead that they had against West Bromwich Albion. They conceded their lead and it was a game that brought only one point for the Latics. It was a result that did not improve their position at the bottom end of the table, but the Lancashire derby provides the perfect opportunity for him to raise the stakes.

Steve Kean will be surely hoping to avoid defeat in the derby, which would put him under serious pressure from the new owners, who seem to be in the mood for sacking everybody after recently doing away with the club's long-standing chairman.

Blackburn managed to climb to the lofty heights of seventh position in the Premier League table a few weeks ago, but they seem to have been brought down to earth and are currently in the ninth position.

Steve Kean will know that it does not take long before they are dragged into the relegation battle if results do not improve quickly. The team has suffered three defeats in their last four matches and they will be once again without loan signing Roque Santa Cruz for the match.


Wolverhampton vs Manchester United

Manchester United will be looking to continue their amazing run in the recent weeks that have seen them cement their position at the top of the table. Apart from continuing their unbeaten run, they have also been mightily impressive in every single match and the best of all came against Aston Villa midweek.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased to know that Wayne Rooney is back to form after he scored the first two goals against Aston Villa. It also means that he will be taking some pressure off Dimitar Berbatov, who has been the main goal scorer for Manchester United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have not been anywhere near that form. In fact, they have been dropping as flies after four consecutive defeats in the Premier League. A defeat against Manchester United will mean that they would have lost five on the bounce and it will seriously dampen any hopes of survival this season.

Their position has already become worse after they dropped to the bottom of the table following West Ham United's climb up. Mick McCarthy will certainly not have wished for a game against Manchester United at this stage of the season, but he will be looking to take on Sir Alex Ferguson in the best possible manner.


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