Premiershp: Five to watch at the weekend
The weekend before the international break is always an important one in the Premiership as the clubs to try to put themselves in the best possible position before the break. Although it is early yet, the league table is starting to take shape and thee is certainly a lot of jostling to be done as there has been just enough time to make the table meaningful, but not enough to really separate the teams.
The early stage of the season means that the results this week can still change the table pretty sharply and both the complexion at the bottom the top could look very different by the time the players go on international duty. Only two points separate Everton who are in a rather surprising second and West Ham United who are in a rather surprising seventh in the top half of the table. And at the other end Liverpool are trying to fight back after their horror start, but even from the 14th spot in the table they are still only two points above Norwich City in the relegation zone.
Although every match at the weekend will have some importance, it's so early in the season that there are no meaningless matches, there are five which stand out above others. Not only are they important to the current and immediate future of the table, but they will possibly have ramifications later in the season and are indicative of what can be expected of the teams going into the winter.
Manchester City v Sunderland - Saturday 12.45 BST/06.45 CDT
Last year's Champions have not yet lost in the Premier League this season, but they currently sit in fourth having won only three times out of six. Their opponents, Sunderland are also undefeated this year although with only one win from five matches and found considerable success against Manchester City last season including a 3-3 draw at Eastlands.
The match presents an interesting contrast as well. City have been poor in defence this year, but very good in attack to compensate. Sunderland have got their undefeated record in the exact opposite style, however. In five matches they have scored five times and conceded four. The big question this match will answer is whether City have the firepower to break down a fairly good defence. But whether Sunderland can exploit a weakness in their opposition will also say a lot about how far they can go this season.
Wigan Athletic v Everton - Saturday 15.00 BST/09.00 CDT
Everton find themselves in the very unusual position of second in the Premier League at a late enough date that it is meaningful. They are three points behind Chelsea for the top spot though and very much want a win to make sure they at least stay in touch. Wigan Athletic are off to a slow start even by their standards and have just four points from the first six matches of the year and have already conceded eleven goals this season.
Everton will be strong favourites and are playing a very fluid attacking football at the moment. They have scored twelve goals in six matches and it could have easily been more, so Wigan will have their work cut out for them. They very much need to find a way to pull off something remarkable and try to get at least a point out of this match. Last year they left their recovery until very late and although they have ample time left in the season they certainly do not want to leave themselves as much to do this time around.
West Ham United v Arsenal - Saturday 17.30 BST/11.30 CDT
Not only is this a London Derby, but the newly promoted West Ham United are actually two points above Arsenal after six matches. The Hammers have had the benefit of some fairly straightfoward fixtures, however, and playing Arsenal will likely be their toughest test so far this season. But Arsenal are beset by injuries and they have had what is for them a very poor start to the season.
Arsenal may have had injuries, but they have still been solid at the back conceding only four goals this season. One expects that West Ham will have to really push forward to try to break them down, even if it leaves them exposed. A start for Andy Carroll may be on the cards.
Liverpool v Stoke City - Sunday 15.00 BST/09.00 CDT
It has been a horror-start to the season for Liverpool. Although they put in very good performances against both Manchester clubs and were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point against Manchester United, they have still not been consistent enough overall and far too profligate in front of goal again. (The five they put past Norwich City notwithstanding.) Liverpool have also been very wayward in defence and the absence of Martin Kelly to injury will not help that. Although they have not exactly been scoring goals for fun, Stoke City certainly have the resources to exploit that weakness.
It is an important game for both sides in the table as well. Liverpool are looking for their first win at home this year and need to build on the good match they had last week at Carrow Road. Although Stoke have lower expectations than Liverpool, they are still in a perilous position with four teams possibly able to catch or go past them if they do not win on Sunday.
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Sunday 16.00 BST/10.00 CDT
Usually a very good match, Manchester United travel to St James' Park needing a good result to keep in touch of Chelsea at the top of the table. Last season Newcastle United won 3-0 and they need a similar result here. After an excellent season last year they are barely in the top half of the table this year and are fortunate to be even there. They've not exactly had trouble scoring goals this year, but they've not been blowing away opposition either and although Manchester have conceded a fair few one expects that Newcastle will have to be at their best to get three points from this match.
Howard Webb is the referee, which will add to Newcastle's problems. Expect Manchester to get an undeserved penalty and maybe for a Newcastle player to be sent off.
