Premier League preview

Mancini makes his City debut while Arsenal host high-flying Villa

By James Dall   Last updated: 26th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Premier League preview

Mancini: City debut

Click below for individual match previews and statistics
Saturday
Birmingham v Chelsea
Fulham v Tottenham
West Ham v Portsmouth
Burnley v Bolton
Man City v Stoke
Sunderland v Everton
Wigan v Blackburn
Liverpool v Wolves
Sunday
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Hull v Man Utd

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Roberto Mancini makes his bow as Manchester City manager on Boxing Day then 24 hours later Arsenal host Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.

The furore surrounding Mark Hughes' awkward exit has now just about died down, meaning attention turns to how City's newest recruit copes with the weight of expectation from the club's owners. Then, on Sunday, third tackles fourth, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.

Elsewhere on this festive weekend of footballing action, bottom two teams West Ham United and Portsmouth go head-to-head, league leaders Chelsea make the trip to Birmingham City, out-of-form Liverpool lock horns with in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers while Fulham meet London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

If Mancini can solidify Manchester City's defence - whether that be through tactical means or January signings - then he surely stands a good chance of achieving his top-four target. City's Achilles heel is apparent, with the club conceding three goals in each of their last three matches under Hughes. This is arguably an ideal debut fixture for Mancini, with Stoke City renowned for struggling on their travels. In fact, Tony Pulis' men, who sit 11th in the table, have won just three of 28 Premier League away games. Also, one would imagine that some of City's stars will play with a renewed vigour under Mancini, which will unquestionably toughen Stoke's test.

Arsenal versus Aston Villa is a fascinating match-up that can be watched live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. The clash sees the division's most prolific attack (44 goals scored in 17 matches) take on the division's meanest defence (14 goals conceded in 18 games). The Gunners are in decent form, but Villa head into the fixture in a better temper, having won four in a row - a fifth victory would equal a feat last achieved in 1998. Arsene Wenger's men will be wary of a Villa team that have never lost at Emirates Stadium - indeed, they were beaten by Martin O'Neill's charges in the corresponding clash last term. Such is the progress of Villa under O'Neill that another upset is far from inconceivable.

Bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth make the journey to West Ham looking to build on their shock scalp of Liverpool last week. The Hammers also enjoyed an impressive result of their own - reiterating the unpredictability of this season - as they battled for a draw against Chelsea. These two clubs actually met one another also on Boxing Day last campaign, and West Ham prevailed 4-1. Pompey's troubles this term have without doubt been a lack of firepower, specifically on the road, but Avram Grant's team can take heart from their opponents' leakiness at the back: Gianfranco Zola's side have not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League games at Upton Park, in that time they have shipped 25 goals.

Birmingham City welcome Chelsea to St Andrews with the former in better form that than the latter. The Blues have climbed to seventh in the table following a run of nine games without defeat. The table-toppers, though, have won just one of their last six fixtures in all competitions. The clash should make for intriguing viewing after Carlo Ancelotti indicated he could start 20-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge as he looks to pre-empt the loss of African Cup of Nations-bound Didier Drogba. Expect this to be a tight affair, with neither side conceding many goals this term. For Alex McLeish, the Scot will know he is just two games away from opening up his chequebook.

Liverpool will be hopeful of avoiding yet a further downward turn when they meet Wolves at Anfield. The visitors have managed three wins in their previous four games, whilst the Reds have mustered a meagre four triumphs in 17 matches in all competitions. What will make for interesting viewing will be the starting XI Mick McCarthy deploys. After rotating severely at Old Trafford, might McCarthy consider at least a point at the struggling Merseysiders far more achievable? With Rafa Benitez's Liverpool currently eighth in the standings, nothing but a win will suffice for a team that are the same amount of points away from Wolves as they are from the top four.

Fifth-placed Tottenham head to Fulham's Craven Cottage for the first of two London derbies in the space of 48 hours - they host West Ham on Monday. Back-to-back wins for Spurs have reaffirmed their top-four credentials, although Harry Redknapp will warn his team against complacency as they tackle Roy Hodgson's impressive outfit. The Cottagers are likely to be on a high after their superb defeat of the league's champions last weekend while they have lost just once in their last 11 league matches. Furthermore, Tottenham's only two away losses this term have come against fellow teams from the capital.

Sunderland's meeting with Everton is a massive game for both clubs. The former have struggled of late whilst the latter have stuttered for the majority of the campaign. The Black Cats have in fact managed just two triumphs - those coming against Liverpool and Arsenal - in their previous 11 games. Everton, meanwhile, have not won in six and are just two points above the relegation zone. These are troubling times for David Moyes, with his side's fall from grace, which can partly be blamed on a staggering injury list, quite head-scratching: at this stage last season Everton had won double the four league games they have succeeded in this time around.

Bolton Wanderers make the short trip to East Lancashire as they tackle Burnley. To date, the Clarets' home form has been their saving grace, but even their Turf Moor fortress has shown signs of crumbling. While Burnley have lost just one of nine Premier League matches at home, they have won just one of the last five and drawn the last three in a row. Furthermore, Owen Coyle's side have gone seven matches without a win or a clean sheet. Just three points now separate Burnley and their opponents Bolton, who have endured a torrid time of it in 2009/10. However, a hard-fought victory over West Ham, combined with an 11-day rest after Monday night's game was postponed, could be just the pick-me-up they need.

Lastly on Saturday, Wigan Athletic face Blackburn Rovers. Just a point separates these two lowly teams, who will be all out to record a much-needed three points. The two clubs are unlikely to be boasting all too much confidence as between them they have notched just the one win in their previous 13 top-flight matches. Goals have proved to be a major issue for Blackburn, with Sam Allardyce's team failing to score in five of their last six Premier League matches. But perhaps they have a golden opportunity of making amends for their limpness in front goal as they meet a side that have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league outings. As with all Wigan games this season, anything could happen.

The weekend action is concluded with Hull City's clash against Manchester United, which can be viewed live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. The champions are off the boil at present and their loss at Fulham last time out was their fifth of the campaign - no team who have lost five of their opening 18 Premier League matches have ever won the title. Hull are 17th in the standings and there must surely be a temptation for Phil Brown to 'do a McCarthy' and consider the game already lost, rest players and look to a six-pointer at Bolton on the 29th. Such a move, though, would cause a repeat of the recent outrage in Wolves' direction, plus, Hull are the home side and United have not travelled all too well this campaign.