Premiership Preview (11th & 12th November)
Man City v Newcastle (Saturday: 12.45 Sky Sports 1)
This fixture spelt the end of Graeme Souness’ reign when City triumphed 3-0 last season, and with only one Premiership win in ten, it’s difficult to see Newcastle exacting revenge. They’ve struggled to score goals or show any invention up front, which partly explains a solitary one point from 15. Duff is the only spark they can turn to, but will he handle the extra pressure now that Ameobi has joined Owen on the long-term injury list? With Dyer and Martins also on the sidelines, the Magpies will turn to ex-City reject Sibierski to repeat his goalscoring exploits of Tuesday. He’ll have a tough task on his shoulders - Stuart Pearce’s men haven’t conceded a goal at the City of Manchester Stadium all season. Despite losing to Charlton last week, it’s at home where they’ve picked up 11 of their 12 points and are unbeaten. Sporting Index expect them to keep that run going and shade this by 0.3 to 0.5 goals. Man of the moment Graham Poll has averaged nearly five yellow cards this season, but Sporting predict he’ll spare himself the column inches and book four players only.
Blackburn v Man Utd (Saturday: 17.15 PremPlus)
Rovers go into this game on the back of three straight defeats and welcome a red-hot United side gunning for a sixth consecutive Premiership win. Rovers’ woes are in front of goal, scoring just once in the last three league games, whereas United have found the back of the net 12 times in their last four games. They were ruthless away to Bolton, but lowly Southend showed that defeating them isn’t an impossible task. Blackburn will also take confidence from an unbeaten sequence against the Red Devils stretching over five games - including a double last year. Despite that recent good form, Sporting Index reckon Rooney and co. will emerge winners by a one goal margin. Ewood Park witnessed a 4-3 thriller last season, which makes it all the more interesting that Sporting are predicting only three total goals this time around. With Rio seeing red, and five other bookings in the same game, it could be a fiery affair. Mike Riley’s in charge and Sporting Index predict there’ll be six yellow cards.
Arsenal v Liverpool (Sunday: 16.00 Sky Sports 1)
The Gunners lost their seven match unbeaten run at Upton Park, and Arsene Wenger lost his head, although Wednesday nights Carling Cup win at Everton may have calmed him down somewhat. Arsenal’s home form has been indifferent, winning only two out of five at the Emirates. Liverpool on the other hand have the joint worst away record in the league, with just one point and one goal to show from their previous five away games. A scrappy 1-0 victory over Birmingham failed to paper over the goalscoring cracks, and the omens don’t look good with only one win in eight at Arsenal. However Benitez has his team on a run of five wins in all competitions, which has seen three consecutive clean sheets. However, will they be able to shut out Thierry Henry? He’s been their nemesis with six goals in his last eight games. Sissoko would’ve tracked his runs from midfield, but his shoulder injury sees him ruled out. The edge is therefore with the Gunners according to Sporting Index - they predict they’ll record a tight win by 0.3 to 0.5 goals.