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Big weekend for the top four this weekend, they are all playing each-other! Hopefully both games will be good entertaining games and not dull disappointing ones which comes the odd time. Hard to know how they'll go, Liverpool have pressure on them this week to beat Marseille in te Champions League while Chelsea are without Didier Drogba. Arsenals loss this weekend to Middlesbrough could be a bad sign and they are missing some influential players, Utd are also without many of their players. I'd go for a Man Utd win and Arsenal v Chelsea draw. :-[

Two draws

Chelsea, draw.

Anyone got odds for these games yet?

Liverpool  8 - 5   
Draw  21 - 10   
Man Utd  7 - 4   

Arsenal  13 - 10   
Draw  21 - 10   
Chelsea  21 - 10   

Regardless of who wins which game lump your dough on United for the title by 5 points or more.  Easy money.

I am going for a Pool win and a draw...but it could be any combinations of things. I hear Wenger being vague on availability...I'd take a guess and say Helb, Flamini, and Fibreglass all available. Eboue may be suspended following the FA sanction.

Very hard to call.

I know it's only December, but this is last chance saloon for Liverpool and maybe Benitez. If they lose on Sunday, the title is gone for another year. I think they know this and will produce a decent performance. If they qualify for the CL R2 tomorrow night, Liverpool 2 Man Utd 1. If Liverpool go out tomorrow night 1-1.

Wenger is being vague. I can only see Flamini making it though RVP will be on the bench. Worryingly, Arsenal are conceding in every game: 3 v Seville, 1 v Villa, 1 v Newcastle and 2 v Middlebrough.

Arsenal (with any two from Hleb/Fibreglass/Flamini/RVP) 1 Chelsea 0
Arsenal (with last week's side) 1 Chelsea 2

Not that it needs much help, but the return of 'Cashley' for the first time to Arsenal will fuel this game immensely. If I was a non-Chelsea man I'd like a price on Mikel to be sent off, or for the game to have 2 or more red cards.

If Torres is fit, I think Liverpool might sneak it, as there is more at stake for them than United, plus they're at home. United will concede possession to Liverpool and hit them on the break with Ronaldo, so the first goal will be vital (as always!). Without Torres, Liverpool will struggle to score, as they did last season in the corresponding fixture, despite completely dominating possession.

I think Chelsea may be getting Arsenal at a good time, although if Wenger gets everyone back, I'd fancy them to win it.

After last weeks debacle, every game is now paramount for the gunners, but this is one of the ones that will test our mettle and send a serious message to the other contenders if we can shade it. Be great if liverpool can get a result too ;)

Heart says a United win and a draw. Head doesn't know which way it's gonna go. :-\

Think a lot depends on the scousers game tonight
If they fail to go through the pressure on them ( and Rafa) will be unreal come Sunday & I think this could spur them to get a draw or dare I say it even a win
If they qualify tonight I fancy Utd to win on Sunday

liverpool / manu draw. Arsenal to win . I think without drogba and essien we have good chance provided we have 1 of our midfield back and van persie on the bench.

Van Persie played for Arsenal tonight. United as expected played their subs and reserves along with Rooney as captain, who played 70 mins.

RVP showed some nice touches and an interesting understanding with Bentner. Diaby also came through well. Still need either Hleb or Fab to beat Chelski. Conceded again.

Any changes in predictions now after the midweek games?

Liverpool haven't beaten United at Anfield in the league since the 2001-2002 season (the game where Riise scored that rocket of a free). They haven't beaten United in the league at all since the end of the 2003-2004 season, when Neville brought down Gerrard at Old Trafford for a Danny Murphy penalty (in what was otherwise a complete non-event of a game, which is not that unusual). Liverpool's only win of any kind over United in the last three years then was the FA Cup game in early 2006, so they are due a win. If it goes like the game at Anfield last year, Torres could be the difference this time. On the other hand, United totally outplayed Liverpool in the Old Trafford game last year, so Torres might not matter. I can't see Liverpool lying down at Anfield like they did in that game though, at least not against United!

Only four us picked the right foreacast  :o

This definitely down to a 2 horse race with Man U as firm favourites...

Just some observations....

Man U

Played well below their standard, Ronaldo was again anonymous on the big stage, he's just a bully, Rooney wasn't far behind and seems to be get away with murder, he was too wound up and this affected his whole game, this lack of composure was very evident with his chance near the end. Anderson is a gem, best player on the pitch and himself and Hargreaves are two very effective players. Question for Man U fans, why can't Ferdinand raise his game like that every week?

Liverpool

No creativity in midfield, Alonso is a big absence there. And can some one explain why with 20 minutes to left, with Torres, the heir apparent to Henry still on the pitch, did Liverpool resort to long balls, it was disappointing to watch and bread and butter for Ferdinand, Vidic and Brown....

Chelsea

Drogba and Essien were massive losses, Chelsea were very poor. No wonder the English national team is so poor when players like Lampard and SWP get their game. Mikel Obi, what is his purpose?

Arsenal

Not as sharp as early season but this win will give them massive belief, Flamini has become a fixture and Clichy was fantastic and although Ashley Cole was excellent for Chelsea he was still only the 2nd best left back on the pitch....

All in all it really is Man U's title to lose....

Quote from: Dinny Breen on December 17, 2007, 10:13:49 AM
Only four us picked the right foreacast  :o

This definitely down to a 2 horse race with Man U as firm favourites...

Just some observations....

Man U

Played well below their standard, Ronaldo was again anonymous on the big stage, he's just a bully, Rooney wasn't far behind and seems to be get away with murder, he was too wound up and this affected his whole game, this lack of composure was very evident with his chance near the end. Anderson is a gem, best player on the pitch and himself and Hargreaves are two very effective players. Question for Man U fans, why can't Ferdinand raise his game like that every week?

Liverpool

No creativity in midfield, Alonso is a big absence there. And can some one explain why with 20 minutes to left, with Torres, the heir apparent to Henry still on the pitch, did Liverpool resort to long balls, it was disappointing to watch and bread and butter for Ferdinand, Vidic and Brown....

Chelsea

Drogba and Essien were massive losses, Chelsea were very poor. No wonder the English national team is so poor when players like Lampard and SWP get their game. Mikel Obi, what is his purpose?

Arsenal

Not as sharp as early season but this win will give them massive belief, Flamini has become a fixture and Clichy was fantastic and although Ashley Cole was excellent for Chelsea he was still only the 2nd best left back on the pitch....

All in all it really is Man U's title to lose....

Agreed with most Dinny.

Ronaldo def wasn't himself and seems to perfom better against the weaker teams - but he put that one on a plate fopr Rooney near the end!! Anderson def seems to be turning into a good player but I thought the best player on the pitch was Ferdinand. He had Torres in his pocket the whole game.

Quote from: Dinny Breen on December 17, 2007, 10:13:49 AM
Chelsea
Drogba and Essien were massive losses, Chelsea were very poor. No wonder the English national team is so poor when players like Lampard and SWP get their game. Mikel Obi, what is his purpose?

Agree with most of this Dinny.  The England players for Chelsea, with probably the exception of Cashley Cole, where very poor.  I think Sheva looks a lot happier man now that Jose is gone and he seems to be developing a bit of confidence again.  Dont think Chelsea are out of it, they are a very hard team to beat and Arsenal probably owed them one considering they had not beat them for a few years.

Think you are being a bit harsh on Jon Obi Mikel, i rate him quite highly, big, powerful, wins tackles and uses the ball well.  The real problem in the centre midfield yesterday was Lampard, he was not at the races.

QuoteThink you are being a bit harsh on Jon Obi Mikel

Maybe but I just thought he was poor mans Essien yesterday. The African Nations Cup is the reason why I'm ruling Chelsea out, they will drop points I don't think they can afford to drop during that tournament.

Quote from: Dinny Breen on December 17, 2007, 10:13:49 AM
Only four us picked the right foreacast  :o

This definitely down to a 2 horse race with Man U as firm favourites...

Just some observations....

Man Utd

Played well below their standard, Ronaldo was again anonymous on the big stage, he's just a bully, Rooney wasn't far behind and seems to be get away with murder, he was too wound up and this affected his whole game, this lack of composure was very evident with his chance near the end. Anderson is a gem, best player on the pitch and himself and Hargreaves are two very effective players. Question for Man Utd fans, why can't Ferdinand raise his game like that every week?

Ferdinand has been immense all season

In fairness Ferdinand has been a lot more disciplined this season, but I still think he's twice the player when Vidic is around.

Quote from: Dinny Breen on December 17, 2007, 10:13:49 AM
Only four us picked the right foreacast  :o

Was it not 11?

Chelsea

Drogba and Essien were massive losses, Chelsea were very poor. No wonder the English national team is so poor when players like Lampard and SWP get their game. Mikel Obi, what is his purpose?

As stated Chelsea lack creativity at times, and this is their weakness. Joe Cole and SWP just don't do it often enough. Lampard was poor yesterday, but he's usually left to carry the creativity baggage allone. Mikel? He was my man of the match!



All in all it really is Man U's title to lose....
Agree.

It may be Utd's title to lose but Arsenal will put in one hell of a fight to prize the title away from Old Trafford.

From my barstool yesterday a few observations, I could not believe that Liverpool had no one earmarked (apt) to mark Rooney at all set plays.  That is basic tactics from Sunday league to the top level, always pick up the danger men and it is a fact that Rooney/Scholes always lurk at the edge of the box for most corners.  Sums Liverpool up, they just do not look solid enough when it matters, Gerrard just tries too hard sometimes but you cannot fault him, that is what you get with him tons of effort.  When Fergie saw the team sheet yesterday I am certain he rubbed his hands with glee, Kewell, Benayoun, Kuyt just not of enough class for the level Liverpool strive for and all three were ineffective.  Liverpool are still a handful of players away from a really serious title challenge, Torres is a different class, granted he was well shackled yesterday but that is when you rely on other players (like the aforementioned trio) to step up to the plate and sadly for Liverpool that is what they lack.  
Ronaldo was quiet yesterday so I am sure Dunphy will go to town on him for that, thought Hargreaves and Anderson bossed the midfield and both complement each other very well.

Arsenal Chelsea was a great game to watch, some rough tackles and late challenges but was always going to be like that.  

Everone talks about the great run Chelsea have been on but when you consider that their two defeats have been against Man U and Arsenal that sums it up for me.  These are the games that the top four need to win and to lose twice this season already (and being humbled by the mighty Villa) means Chelsea have a lot of work to do to win the league.

Staggering Statistic from the BBC

Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats to Manchester United
than any other club (16), and conceded more Premier League goals against
them than to any other side (44).

Think about how many sh*te sides there have been in the Premiership?

Now realise that *no one* has done worse against United than Liverpool.

Quote from: under the bar on December 17, 2007, 01:55:31 PM
Staggering Statistic from the BBC

Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats to Manchester United
than any other club (16), and conceded more Premier League goals against
them than to any other side (44).

Think about how many sh*te sides there have been in the Premiership?

Now realise that *no one* has done worse against United than Liverpool.

The only other teams that have played the same number of games as liverpool against utd in the premiership are Arsenal, Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs.

Fair play to all the posters who voted after yesterdays matches  ::)

Quote from: stiffler on December 17, 2007, 05:55:40 PM

Quote from: under the bar on December 17, 2007, 01:55:31 PM
Staggering Statistic from the BBC

Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats to Manchester United
than any other club (16), and conceded more Premier League goals against
them than to any other side (44).

Think about how many sh*te sides there have been in the Premiership?

Now realise that *no one* has done worse against United than Liverpool.

The only other teams that have played the same number of games as liverpool against utd in the premiership are Arsenal, Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs.

Utd always beat villa and usually by quite a few, can this statistic be right?

Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 17, 2007, 07:03:11 PM
Fair play to all the posters who voted after yesterdays matches  ::)

for what LL?

Quote from: Square Ball on December 17, 2007, 09:12:23 PM

Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 17, 2007, 07:03:11 PM
Fair play to all the posters who voted after yesterdays matches  ::)

for what LL?

Just think voting in a poll after the event has taken place is a bit silly...I was being sarcastic Square Ball