Saturday, 2 November 2013

Jamie Redknapp: Suarez and Sturridge can stall Arsenal progress - SkySports

Arsenal and Liverpool have both made good starts to the season but when they meet on Saturday Night Football this weekend we'll learn a lot more about both sides - and the Gunners' title chances, in particular.

Hosts Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League but, despite some impressive performances, many people would have expected them to get the results they have done so far this season.

"This game will tell us a lot about each side's chances this season."

Jamie Redknapp

The only team they've faced in the league from last season's top five has been Tottenham, who they beat 1-0, while they've lost in the Champions League to Borussia Dortmund and in the Capital One Cup to Chelsea in the past 10 days.

Liverpool, meanwhile, defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their only game against a top five side from last season's campaign.

That's why this game holds so much fascination - it will tell us a lot about each side's chances this season.

Arsene Wenger's side have enjoyed a great run of form since their win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season and I've enjoyed watching them this year with new recruit Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud in great form.

The pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the back has also been key - but those two players face a really tough test this Saturday.

Liverpool have been blessed with some great striking partnerships over the years and Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez - although not a typical blend up front - have been combining brilliantly.

If you described them you'd say they were selfish players but their partnership is instinctive and it works. They look for each other if they can't score themselves and so far they've bagged 16 goals between them.

The system Brendan Rodgers is employing also helps. With three at the back Liverpool are able to get three in midfield and their best two forwards on the pitch. That's one of the reasons why Liverpool are performing so well this season - and why Sturridge and Suarez are producing the goals and assists to win games.

Prior to Arsenal's win at Anfield last September, I expected Mertesacker, because of his size and Suarez's low centre of gravity and style of play, to struggle against the Uruguayan. But he dealt with him really well.

The problem Mertesacker has this year is that in-form Sturridge will be playing, too. He's certainly going to have his hands full at the Emirates.

Battle

That will be the key battle on the pitch but Arsenal will also need Wojciech Szczesny to repeat the good form he showed against Crystal Palace last weekend, where he produced a number of top saves to keep Arsenal ahead.

However, Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini and, although Mikel Arteta will play, they will have to be extremely careful when they lose the ball.

Arsenal struggled to cope with Chelsea's quick transition from defence to attack in the League Cup on Wednesday, and, with Sturridge and Suarez up front, they will have to be extra cautious of being hit on the break by those two.

These are the challenges Arsenal need to face and overcome, though, if they want to be considered genuine title contenders this season.

There will be a few nerves around the Emirates if things don't go there way, following the disappointing results against Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, but the players need to find plenty of character and come up with a big performance.

With the different formations, strong attacks and talent on the pitch it should be a fantastic game - albeit one that's hard to predict.

Liverpool are fortunate Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski aren't fit because with their pace out wide they could have exposed their system - which players such as Ramsey or Jack Wilshere aren't likely to do when they come inside off the flanks - and I think they'll capitalise on that.

I'm going for a 2-1 win for Liverpool.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Newcastle v Chelsea: Latest team news and stats - Daily Mail

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St James' Park (Saturday, 12.45pm - BT Sport 1)

Newcastle team news:

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is unlikely to make Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea as he continues his recovery from injury.

The Argentina international is back in training after a groin problem but has no football under his belt, while fellow central defender Steven Taylor, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in training last week, is still some way from returning.

 VIDEO  Scroll down to see Newcastle boss Pardew on the challenge of facing Chelsea

On the mend: Fabricio Coloccini (right) hasn't featured for Newcastle since the start of October

On the mend: Fabricio Coloccini (right) hasn't featured for Newcastle since the start of October

Left-back Paul Dummett, who partnered Mike Williamson in the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland last weekend, is also out with a hamstring strain, meaning Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa are likely to pair up, as they did in midweek for the Capital One Cup tie against Manchester City.

Team from: Krul, Elliot, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Cabaye, Marveaux, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Bigirimana, Obertan, Vuckic, Cisse, Remy, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi.

Chelsea team news:

Jose Mourinho is poised to recall a host of first-team players for Chelsea's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle.

The Blues boss made 10 changes for the midweek Capital One Cup win at Arsenal so the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Fernando Torres are set to return.

Up and running: The in-form Fernando Torres is poised to reclaim his place in attack for Chelsea

Up and running: The in-form Fernando Torres is poised to reclaim his place in attack for Chelsea

Mourinho reported no new injury concerns so Marco van Ginkel remains the only absentee as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, Schurrle, De Bruyne, Hazard, Ba, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Eto'o, Bertrand.

Big match stats:

Newcastle have netted a joint-league-high five goals from outside the box this season.

Chelsea have averaged two goals per game in their last five Premier League trips to St James' Park.

Newcastle have failed to score in seven of their last 12 top-flight encounters with Chelsea.

Chelsea have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four Premier League games.

Fernando Torres has had five shots on target in the Premier League this season with three of them coming last weekend against Manchester City.

 

Torres has scored with 13 per cent of his Premier League shots for Chelsea (compared to 22% of his efforts when he was at Liverpool).

Chelsea have only kept three clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League away games.

Newcastle have taken just five points from their last seven Premier League home games (W1 D2).

Eden Hazard has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Premier League this season (19).

Newcastle have conceded the joint-most headed goals this season (five, along with Fulham).

Jose Mourinho has won only two of his last nine Premier League away games (D5 L2).

*Stats supplied by Opta

Toon comeback: in the side's last meeting, a Moussa Sissoko double helped Newcastle come from behind to defeat Chelsea 3-2 at St James' Park back in February

Toon comeback: in the side's last meeting, a Moussa Sissoko double helped Newcastle come from behind to defeat Chelsea 3-2 at St James' Park back in February


Chelsea and Man City preparing pre-contract offers for PSG's Blaise Matuidi - Express.co.uk

Reports suggest that Matuidi is in negotiations over extending his stay at PSG until June 2018, and a deal could be signed as early as November 4, but negotiations over a salary increase are ongoing.

And, if Matuidi does not get the pay rise he is seeking, PSG could be forced to agree to sell him in a cut-price deal in January or risk losing him for nothing in the summer.

Matuidi was one of Europe's most sought-after prospects when he left Saint-Etienne for PSG back in 2011 and both Chelsea and Manchester City would be more than happy to accommodate the player if an agreement is not able to be reached in Paris.

Cesc Fabregas: I love Arsenal and would like to return from Barcelona to the ... - Telegraph.co.uk

"Sol [Campbell] is there now. Arsenal help a lot with the formation of coaches. [Dennis] Bergkamp also went there two, three times a week when he was doing his coaching badges. In that sense it's a lovely club and there might be the chance to do something with them."

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League after eight games, and Fabregas believes this may well be the season Wenger's men end a trophy drought which stretches back to 2005 - although he predicts the festive fixtures will be key.

"I really hope so," he said. "They've started very well. They look very strong; let's see how they last.

"In the Premier League you can be going well and then you lose two games and you slip away quickly. It's very sudden.

"A lot gets decided over Christmas: the team that hangs in there best, that can resist the best, will take the title."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set to give youth a chance in Capital One Cup tie ... - Mirror.co.uk

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is expected to rotate his squad for the visit of Chelsea tomorrow night in the Capital One Cup.

The Gunners continued their fine start to the season by beating Crystal Palace at the weekend and Wenger will hope to keep the momentum going against the Blues.

Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen has found his opportunities limited this campaign, such has been the form of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny but he is expected to start against Jose Mourinho's side.

Wenger has traditionally used the competition to blood his youngsters into the first team and their third round win at West Bromwich Albion was no different.

Winger Serge Gnabry, who recently put pen-to-paper on a new deal, is in line to start tomorrow night, with Thomas Eisfeld and Nicklas Bendtner also expected to feature.

Mathieu Flamini is a doubt with a groin problem while captain Mikel Arteta is a definite absentee after his red card at Selhurst Park, although he was expected to be rested anyway.

Jose Mourinho claims Capital One Cup organisers are 'helping Arsenal win a ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Mourinho insisted the friction between him and Arsene Wenger are in the past, unless the Arsenal manager contributed to the scheduling of the match.

Mourinho was critical of Wenger during his first spell as Chelsea boss - at one point calling the Frenchman a "voyeur" - but on his return to Stamford Bridge revealed any differences had been ironed out.

"We have no problems," said Mourinho, before smiling when he added: "Unless you tell me that he had an influence on this. If you tell me that..."

The fixture schedule means Chelsea, playing their fourth of five games in 15 days, will be without the players who featured in the thrilling 2-1 win over City.

Initially, following the draw, Mourinho suggested he would pick a youth team. The reality is the Chelsea boss will select a side similar to the one which won the previous round at Swindon.

That side included World Cup winner Juan Mata and is far from weak as the Blues go to the home of the Premier League leaders.

Chelsea discussed fielding a youth side, but opted against it. Mourinho added: "It's not the plan. We have to respect also our fans.

"We discussed that in the club. [But] we have to protect our players. We are going to try to do our job and we will do our job the best we can."

Chelsea fancy Ross Barkley transfer in January.. but buying Everton starlet ... - Mirror.co.uk

Jose Mourinho wants Chelsea to make a £20million January bid for Ross Barkley – but has been told he must sell first if he wants to land a major mid-season purchase, writes Dave Kidd in the Sunday People.

The Special One wants Everton's England new boy to add dynamism to his midfield, and it is believed that Juan Mata's future at the Stamford Bridge club is still far from certain.

But a move to Chelsea would put Barkley on a collision course with England boss Roy Hodgson, who sees him as a potential World Cup starter.

Hodgson is keen for the teenager to remain at the Toffees, where he is guaranteed first-team football.

Barkley, 19, is under contract until 2016 at Goodison Park and Everton boss Roberto Martinez wants him to agree a pay rise to extend his current deal.

But Chelsea could offer him a more lucrative salary if Mourinho decides to move for the player in January.

David Moyes had been linked with a move to take Barkley to Manchester United, but it is understood that he has reservations about the player he used to manage at Everton.

And despite being a huge favourite with members of the club hierarchy and Chelsea supporters, Mata could make way for Barkley if Chelsea receive an offer of more than £20m.