22 Apr 2011 12:46:00
Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly series, where we introduce you to the Goal.com UK reporters who will be travelling the length and breadth of the country to bring you all the action from the grounds.
This weekend kicks off with Manchester United looking over their shoulders at Chelsea, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side having leapfroged over Arsenal into second spot in the table.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who will be back in the dugout having completed his five-match ban, will be demanding three points against Everton before the Stamford Bridge side take on strugglers West Ham in the evening kick-off.
So with nine matches on offer, here are the predictions of the Goal.com UK team…
Greg Stobart says…
The key to this game could be how Sir Alex Ferguson tinkers with his Manchester United side ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Schalke.
United have a crucial run of games ahead and Ferguson will be eager to make sure his players are fresh after the hard fought goalless draw against Newcastle in midweek.
I expect United to make as many as five changes to that side and the likes of Antonio Valencia and Dimitar Berbatov will have to be right at the pace of the game from the first whistle.
Everton are in good form but, like many others, have a psychological barrier to overcome at Old Trafford – and it’s unlikely to happen this weekend with the paucity of their striking options.
United will know that Everton will make them work hard, but an early goal should settle the nerves and set them on their way for a comfortable three points.
Mark Fordham says…
Oh how football can change in a matter of days. Three weeks ago, Aston Villa fans were heckling fron the stands while Stoke City were heading serenely for their highest ever Premier League finish. Now Villa are looking upwards in the league table with a confidence that comes from winning your two previous games.
Stoke, however, have teams scrapping for survival breathing right down their necks and at present they need a win to settle any nerves.
A confident Villa can only be a good thing for the game, as when at their fluent best the boys from Brum play some fantastic football and with Ashley Young and his supporting cast they can cause Tony Pulis’s men all sorts of trouble.
Stoke should have all the confidence in the world though, their annihilation of Bolton Wanderers at Wembley goes to serve how far the club have come under Pulis’s stewardship. Difficult to pick a winner, a score draw seems most likely.
Jon Birchall says…
With only two wins since the start of the year, Blackpool’s campaign has gone the way of the Big Dipper in the second half of the season, leaving opposition fans relishing a trip to the seaside for more than a stroll down the pier and a stick of rock.