The International Break is over and the passion for success at the club level is heating up again.
Fans are getting ready for a scorching month of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup action. The strategies are being drawn by the top managers in the world and now it is up to the players to use their craft to perfection.
Time to get wins, gain positions at the top of the table before busy festive period arrives.
That said, the first step is always a tricky one. It can set the pace, boosts the confidence or spurs demotivation and results in slump.
Gameweek 8 of Barclays Premier League brings to our rivals some tricky fixtures to look forward to.
Apart from Arsenal who play Norwich City at the Emirates, all other title rivals including Manchester United who play high flying Southampton at the Old Trafford, Manchester City who face West Ham away at Upton Park, Liverpool travel to St. James Park to play Newcastle United and Villa Park host Totenham Hotspurs on Sunday, have daunting features to come through.
Lets break down each of them and analyze what Chelsea can get from these games.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
Gameweek 8 kicks off with Liverpool facing Newcastle at St. James Park. This game is truly a goal fest as 3 strikers who are in top form will battle it out to bang in goals. Loic Remy, who surprises goalkeepers with his early shots on goal, has scored 5 goals in last 3 games. While former Chelsea man, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are making waves all over with their deadly partnership.
Looking at the stats, this game has always been reaping goals. Since the start of the Premier League, 122 goals have been scored in this fixture, which is 2nd most, behind North London Derby, yeilding 125 goals. Keeping in mind, last season Liverpool’s 6-0 demolition of Newcastle.
For us, this game is surely one to keep a key eye on. Liverpool just sits above us in the Premier League table and equal on points with table toppers Arsenal, just behind on goal difference. While Newcastle, are in desperate need to turn their fortunes around for good with one win and two losses in their last three games.
With a win, Liverpool will top the table for atleast 2 hours, while Newcastle will move up to 7th just behind Totenham.
Last year Chelsea lost at St. James Park. Considering Newcastle will need to up their antics and perform exceptionally against high flying Scousers, we can expect Liverpool to slip a few points this week.
Arsenal vs Norwich
Table toppers Arsenal Football Club host Norwich City at the Emirates, with an objective of retaining the number 1 spot at the end of the week before they face daunting clash against Borrusia Dortmund in Uefa Champions League.
Since opening day loss to Aston Villa at Home, Arsenal have won both home games against Totenham and Stoke, conceding just one goal on the way.
Norwich on the other hand, are completely different team away from home then they are at the Carrow Road. Chris Hughton’s team is dangling just above the relegation zone at 16th place and are in serious need to stop the slump. Considering their away form, they have lost 2 against Hull City and Totenham Hotspurs and won one against Stoke.
For us, this game will be a sail through for Arsenal. They are up on confidence and with Santi Cazorla back in contention for selection, they are geared up for some big games ahead. However, an upset can help us top the table at the Weekend.
Manchester United vs Southampton
The lowly Manchester United after getting out of jail against bottom of the table club, Sunderland, now face high flying Southampton at the Old Trafford. This season is more like a transition for Manchester United, since ever present Sir Alex has retired. While, David Moyes is yet to find his feet and make his impact on the squad.
United have obtained 4 points out of possible 9 at Home this season, with a 0-0 draw against Chelsea in Gameweek 2 and a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace. However, loss to West Brom at home this season has been a low point .
Southampton are pretty impressive away from home, collecting 6 out of possible 9 points including wins against West Brom and Liverpool, while Nathan Redmond’s wonder goal denied them any points at the Carrow Road.
Judging by the forms, Southampton look favorite to earn some points today, however Manchester United can get back to winning ways if they get their defence sorted out, which is under performing as compared to Southampton’s.
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Late fixture on Saturday, brings us to Upton Park where poor away outings of Manchester City will face poor home form of West Ham United. Fresh from recording wins against Everton at the Etihad and Spurs at White Hart Lane, both teams would like to keep the trend going.
Manchester City face CSKA Moscow in crucial Champions League game, the coming week means they might rest some of their star players for their trip to Russia. Certainly encouraging for us, since this may end up City loosing some ground.
Aston Villa vs Totenham Hotspurs
Sunday sees the only fixture where Paul Lambert’s young guns face shocked vistors from North London. AVB has the striker problem to address since apart from two penalty kicks from Soldado, he has nothing to praise about.
On the other hand, fresh from prolific display for England and signing a new four year deal with Spurs, Andros Townsend is ready to unleash against Aston Villa defence.
Villa will welcome, Christian Benteke back in the squad and would like to build on the last home win against Manchester City by pushing Spurs away from Champions League places.
Conclusion
Chelsea have to get all three points against Cardiff, while we can expect title rivals to suffer a little setback, easing our position with bigger challenges to look forward to.
Hope this week brings to us, goals galore, three points and happiness in the end to rave about.
#KTBBFH
