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There
will be shades of Burnley in this one after the West Ham hammering. In
the second game of the 2009/10 season, United lost to newly promoted
Burnley 1-0, and Michael Carrick lost a penalty. Also the last times
that Blackpool and United have played, the two encounters ended 1-1.
United are still unbeaten in the league and the 4-0 embarrassment in
their last cup match should bring out the resilience of the Red Devils.
Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and
Patrice Evra will all be re-installed in the line-up at Bloomfield Road
– the smallest stadium in the Premiership. Normally, when United take
over the lead, they are almost always the first to cross the finish
line in May. United scored seven against Blackburn, and Blackpool
haven’t kept a clean sheet at home, with only Blackburn having stopped
them from scoring twice at home. Blackpool have also allowed their
opponents more shots, 102 on their goal, than any other team; while
Manchester United have allowed the fewest shots on target against them
than any other side, 50. Portuguese winger, Nani, is the leader of goal
assists with eight to his name so far and will be trying to provide the
ammunition for Berbatov and Rooney. The English international will be
seeking to score a league goal since the last one, a penalty goal he
got against West Ham on August 28.

Arsenal have to keep the momentum

After holding their
nerve at Villa Park and getting the 4-2 win, Arsene Wenger’s team know
that any slip up by United can be capitalised on with a win over London
neighbours, Fulham. The Gunners will be buoyed by the fact that Fulham
have failed to score in four of the last five Premier League games
against Arsenal, and the Cottagers have won just three of their 43
Premier League London derbies away from home and none of the last 32.
Arsenal will be looking to become the only team to win the Premier
League having lost three times at home, as the Arsenal team did in
2001-02. Mark Hughes needs to get his team playing on the road as they
have not won any of their last 25 Premier League away games. Cesc
Fabregas is still out, and Wenger has said he will not be rushed back
to action, so Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri should continue their
partnership in the midfield supported by Alex Song. Nasri has scored
six goals in his last 10 league appearances. Arsenal needs to watch the
corners and free kicks around the box as a quarter of Fulham’s goals
have been headers, a higher proportion than any other side in the top
flight.

The Blues are on the ropes

Chelsea have the
highest shots on target ratio in the league and their next shot on
target will be their 100th for the season, more than any other team in
the Premier League. Chelsea have been the most accurate passers in the
top division this season, finding a team-mate with 85% of their passes;
but all that fine statistics has just counted for four points in five
previous matches. Though Chelsea got a much needed draw last weekend
away at St. James’ Park, today’s opponents, Everton, were hammered 4-1
at home by West Bromwich Albion. Chelsea have slipped to second place
on the table on account of a very bad November. Five of the last seven
league meetings between Chelsea and Everton have ended as draws with
one win apiece; and another draw could be on the cards on Saturday.
Didier Drogba will want to continue his healthy goals’ haul against
Everton, having scored six goals in nine league appearances against
Everton. Louis Saha has scored three goals in his last two matches
against Chelsea and seven against the Londoners in 12 league matches
overall. The Pensioners haven’t lost two consecutive league home games
since May 2002; they have drawn four of their last five league away
games and the last three in a row. Everton’s highest goal scorer, Tim
Cahill’s last 19 goals in the league have had 11 assisted by left back,
Leighton Baines.

Wounded Real egos face Valencia test

Real Madrid must
show Mourinho character as they face fifth-placed Valencia in Liga on
Saturday. The 5-0 drubbing in ‘El Clasico’ was Madrid’s first loss
under Jose Mourinho, but the absolute capitulation was a surprise to
all watchers. Mourinho was then given a one-match Champions League ban,
while four players were fined on Tuesday by UEFA over allegations that
Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso deliberately provoked red cards in a match
against Ajax last month. “Our pride in the shirt and the club’s badge
has been hurt, especially as we know many Madrid fans are still
suffering from the defeat,” said Ramos. “We need to pick ourselves up
and stop feeling sorry for ourselves. Not to do so would be a mistake.
On Saturday we have an important game against rivals who are having a
good season.” Real will be without Ramos and Ricardo Carvalho, who is
also suspended. They will be replaced by Raul Albiol and Alvaro
Arbeloa. Cristiano Ronaldo is also a doubt as he recovers from a
bruised right ankle.