The two top Premier League games of the weekend are derby games. In the early kick-off on Sunday the two out-of-form Merseyside clubs Everton and Liverpool go head to head at Goodison Park. The later game sees table topping Chelsea visit Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Vital three points
Both of these games are about more than just the local bragging rights. The three points are vital for all four clubs. For Everton and Liverpool though a win could turn their faltering seasons around. Arsenal needs a victory to try and get back them back into the title race.
The Gunners are currently eight points behind the Blues in the Premier League table. However they do have a game in hand which could prove vital for Arsene Wenger’s side. A Chelsea win would keep Carlo Ancelotti’s men right on course for the Premier League title.
Mersey struggles
Liverpool was expected to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season. Yet the club are struggling in 7th place 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea. Their early Champions League exit hasn’t helped the clubs morale or belief.
Faith in manager Rafa Benitez is starting to fade and a defeat to their struggling neighbours would make the calls for his head even louder. There is already many Liverpool fans wanting him to quit or for the club to sack the Spaniard.
It’s all doom and gloom at Liverpool on and off pitch with the clubs perilous financial position also concerning most Reds fans. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world but at the moment they are looking like a poor shadow of themselves.
They don’t have the squad to challenge for the league. Also if results carry on in the same vein as recently then they could even fail to qualify for next seasons Champions League. That would mean even bigger financial problems which could lead to the sale of star striker Fernando Torres. That would be the straw that broke the camels back of the Anfield faithful.
Everton currently have more injuries than the A+E. The treatment room has more impressive names than the teamsheet at the moment with the likes of Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta all injured.
Those three players seem to provide the heart of the team. The worrying thing about the Everton squad is the apparent lack of fight and team spirit. These qualities have epitomised David Moyes Everton teams.
The lack of those qualities has seen the remaining fit players looking like they couldn’t win a raffle. If results keep going against the Toffee’s we could actually be dragged into an unthinkable relegation fight.
Brighter picture
It’s a much brighter picture for the two London sides. Chelsea look like they could run away with the league under Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian has brought a greater consistency to Stamford Bridge. He has turned the team from underachievers last season to top dogs in a few short months at the club. There should be a note of cautious for the Italian and the Chelsea fans. The note of caution is the start that former boss Felipe Scolari made before his side fell away and the Brazilian got the sack.
However under Scolari I don’t think Chelsea ever looked as strong as now. A Chelsea victory in the derby clash could send out another signal of intent that Chelsea really do mean business this season.
Arsenal on their day is the most attractive team to watch in the Premier League. They’ve had a decent season so far but their soft underbelly has been exposed on a few occasions this season. However this season they have been looked stronger and look likely to put up a stronger challenge for the league title.
Maybe it’s the fact that Arsene Wenger’s young side are a year older and more mature or maybe it’s the fact they have toughened up slightly. Something has changed in the Arsenal setup but I still don’t think they will be good enough to challenge for the league this season.
All these facts add up to a very interesting few hours of football. These two games could be key fixtures for the four teams involved. These clashes are why millions of viewers from around the world tune in to the Premier League each week and I’ll be one of those people watching with intense interest.
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