It’s Super Sunday in English football
Arsenal and Spurs are keen to erase memories of heavy defeats to Manchester clubs
THE final destination of the Premier League title could become a little clearer this weekend with four of the current top five facing each other.
Manchester City, three points clear of Manchester United at the top, are at home to Tottenham Hotspur, two points further back in third, while United travel to fifth-placed Arsenal.
For City, it’s another chance to dent the hopes of one of their title rivals, with Spurs having lost ground last weekend when they could only draw at home with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
City Manager Roberto Mancini said his side’s 1-0 win at Wigan on Monday was a good result, considering they have a number of injuries and that Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
“We have a lot of players injured, we have a big problem and for this reason it is not important maybe to play very, very well, but important to get a good result,” he said. “(Sunday) is a big game because Tottenham are having a fantastic season. “They are a big team and it will be a great match.”
Emmanuel Adebayor, on loan at Tottenham from City, will not be eligible for Sunday’s match, leaving manager Harry Redknapp to choose from Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavyluchenko.
Defoe has admitted his Weekend fixtures TOMORROW Norwich City v Chelsea Everton v Blackburn Rovers Fulham v Newcastle Queens Park Rangers v Wigan Stoke City v West Bromwich Sunderland v Swansea City Wolverhampton v Aston Villa Bolton v Liverpool SUNDAY Manchester City v Tottenham Arsenal v Manchester United frustration at being pushed down the pecking order, but said he would be ready to give his all, if picked.
“As it stands I’m a Tottenham player and, if I do play against Manchester City, I’ll be fully committed,” he said. “I’m sure everyone knows that at the club.”
Spurs will be out to make amends for the 5-1 home drubbing by City early in the season and Arsenal also have something to prove against United after crashing 8-2 in the first meeting at Old Trafford.
But United cannot afford the gap between themselves and City to widen.
Defender Rio Ferdinand is doubtful through concussion and, with Nemanja Vidic out for the rest of the season, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have to use his defensive cover.
Paul Scholes could start the game in midfield after returning from retirement, while Arsenal have doubts over Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry.
Any slip-ups above them and fourth-placed Chelsea will be looking to take advantage, even if they are 11 points behind leaders City.
Manager Andre Villas-boas will have new signing Gary Cahill available and he is likely to be thrown straight in alongside captain John Terry in the centre of defence.
Cahill said he had joined Chelsea to play Champions League football and was determined to help them secure a top-four spot, at least.
“You want to play at the top level and the Champions League is the top level,” he said. “I’ve only played in Europe when I first moved to Bolton. (Atletico) Madrid away, Sporting Lisbon, teams like that. It’ll be a new experience for myself and I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against the top players in the world.”
Only one point separates Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool. Alan Pardew’s Newcastle are away to Fulham, and Liverpool travel to secondbottom side Bolton.
Bottom side Wigan are away to third-bottom Queens Park Rangers, while Blackburn, sitting just above the relegation zone, travel to Everton.
Stoke City host West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland entertain Swansea, and Wolves meet Aston Villa in a midlands derby. – Sapa-dpa