Posted on 20 Aug 2010 at 16:02 PM by
Formex
Wigan were humbled by
new boys Blackpool 4-0 in a humiliating defeat at the DW Stadium on the opening
day of the new season and things are unlikely to get much better this weekend
when champions Chelsea come visiting.
Latics boss Roberto
Martinez is now hot favourite to be the next manager to go and unless he is
able to turn things around quickly Wigan will be in serious trouble. Chelsea
continued their fantastic home form of 2010 with a 6-0 cruise against West Brom
with Golden Boot holder Drogba scoring another hat-trick. Blues fans will expect more of the same at
the DW and it would be folly to bet against the champions.
Blackpool, who had
waited 39 years to play in the top flight, celebrated in style following their
outstanding victory at Wigan but could come back to earth with a bump when they
visit the Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal on Saturday. Tangerines boss Ian
Holloway described the thought of playing the Gunners as ‘scary’ and he feared
they could be embarrassed by Wenger’s side. Well they will certainly arrive
with confidence but Arsenal, who dominated Liverpool for long periods in their
opening 1-1 draw at Anfield, have a tremendous home record and it would be a
monumental performance from Blackpool to get anything from the game.
Man United got off to
a fine start with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Newcastle on Monday night and
although they have been tripped up by Fulham at Craven Cottage in the recent
past they should maintain their 100% record in Sunday’s encounter. This one has
an added edge as United old boy Mark Hughes is now the Fulham boss.
The weekends main
event takes place on Monday night when Liverpool travel the short distance to
Eastlands to play big spending Man City. With more cash being splashed almost
daily by their super rich owners and James Milner the latest acquisition,
joining from Villa, the spending spree has topped $200m and nothing less than a
win will do for Roberto Mancini’s side.
City didn’t look world
beaters in their opening draw with Tottenham and they will need to show much
more adventure to get near Chelsea or Man United. Getting their high quality
individuals to achieve in the early days of the new campaign is a big ask but
if they are to challenge for honours they need to get something from this game.
Liverpool played
better following the dismissal of Joe Cole against Arsenal last weekend and a
repeat of their second half performance will pose questions for City. Cole will
miss the game but with Gerrard, Torres and at present Mascherano staying at the
club they are a more cohesive and spirited side than the Citizens at this
stage. This isn’t a game to get heavily involved with and although rather
predictable a draw would be a decent result for both sides.
Elsewhere Birmingham,
who were moderate at Sunderland on the opening day, will do well to stop a
rampant Blackburn who beat Everton last weekend. The Toffees need to get back
on track at home to Wolves who made Stoke look very ordinary and played some
creative stuff.
Finally West Ham need
to get something from their home game with Bolton as they are already in a
relegation fight.