EPL Preview: Arsenal's Search for a Victory Continues at Bloomfield Road

Blackpool vs Arsenal

Arsenal's bid for the Premier League title looks to be in a disastrous state after their draw with Blackburn last weekend. If Arsenal don't win a trophy this season, then it would be their sixth consecutive season without silverware.

However, Arsene Wenger does not seem to be too mindful of the fact, but there is going to be extreme pressure on him to deliver a trophy sooner rather than later. He will definitely know that a victory against Blackpool is of prime importance for this purpose, since they need to keep up with Man United, even though the gap between the two sides might have increased to seven points.

Even though Arsenal do have a game in hand, it is going to count for nothing if they do not win against Blackpool on Sunday. Blackpool also have targets to achieve this season and the most important among them has to be Premier League survival.

Blackpool could be cut off from the rest of the relegation strugglers if they do not win this weekend, which will make them count their home advantage more than they would normally do.


Aston Villa vs Newcastle

Ever since Gerard Houllier took over Aston Villa, they have been good only for a few matches. The majority of the matches that have been presided by Houllier have turned out to be extremely poor. The initial response that Darren Bent had with the Villa team also seems to have disappeared.

Even though they took a point away from home last weekend against Everton, Houllier will clearly know that solitary points are not going to help Villa at this stage of the season. It is only three points that will be saving his side and he will be targeting the match against Newcastle, who will probably be lacklustre after the Wolverhampton result that almost confirmed their Premier League safety.

With a massive seven points separating them from the team placed in the 17th position, Alan Pardew's men looked more than comfortable at the moment, which could work in the favour of Aston Villa.

The home match against Newcastle will also provide the perfect opportunity for Houllier to get revenge for the thrashing that Newcastle handed out to the Midlands team earlier in the season. Kevin Nolan is suspended for Newcastle, while Ciaran Clark will be returning from suspension for Aston Villa.


Liverpool vs Man City (Monday, April 11, 2011)

This round's Monday night match will be Man City against Liverpool, with both sides still searching for their best form at the moment. Even though Man City comfortably beat Sunderland last weekend, many do not consider that match to be the factor on which Man City should be judged this season.

Sunderland have been extremely poor in recent months, so Liverpool will be providing a suitable opposition to judge Man City's Champions League hopes this season.

The qualification for the Champions League looks to be beyond Liverpool and they are set to miss the second consecutive season without participating in the Europe's elite competition. However, it is not going to prevent them from hampering the same hopes of Man City.

Both sides come into the match with two defeats in their last five, which never really goes well for sides looking to qualify for the Champions League. Steven Gerrard will be unavailable for Liverpool as he has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng will be the casualties for Man City in the match against Liverpool. It will be the first of two difficult features of Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish will be hoping to clear out the first one with a victory.


Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores