EPL: Searching for a league fillip

With Man City and Arsenal licking their wounds after chastening Champions League defeats, it’s back to far easier tests this weekend.

While the Premier League is rightly lauded as the most exciting in the world, there is no doubting its top teams are not currently at the same level as the likes of Barcelona and, in particular, Bayern Munich.

There are second legs to come, of course, but the class of those two in establishing 2-0 leads over City and the Gunners respectively was difficult to ignore.

Red cards went against the English clubs but, quite frankly, they were both results of being outwitted by sharper and  more incisive opponents.

If the midweek games were like being caught in a vortex of pace and movement, Stoke (for City) and Sunderland (for Arsenal) should be the equivalent of a morning stroll through the Botanical Gardens — reinvigorating and, hopefully, spirit-lifting. 

TOMORROW

All 11am unless stated

Chelsea v Everton

8:45am

Toffees fans will expect their side to test Jose Mourinho’s Blues.

Everton have Lacina  Traore ready for his second start and journalists can thank him for the reintroduction of the Peter Crouch-inspired adage ‘good touch for big man’.

At home, though, Chelsea should edge it.

Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal v Sunderland

It’s hard to ignore the Black Cats’ resurgence under Gus Poyet. They now have a great chance to avoid the drop, which is some achievement given the fallout from the chaotic reign of Paolo Di Canio.

For the Gunners, it’s vital they get back on the horse swiftly after the Bayern defeat.  

Prediction: 2-0

Cardiff v Hull 

Ole Gunnar Solskjær —  that’s working out, isn’t it? The folly of getting rid of Malky MacKay just looks even more obvious as time passes. Cardiff don’t look like a team ready to scrap it out down the bottom. Scrap, of course, is what Steve Bruce has done his whole career. 

Prediction: 1-2

Man City v Stoke

1:15am

Lionel Messi or Jonathan Walters? Think City will be quietly relieved the former is now out of the country.

Can’t see anything other than a convincing home win to get some of the frustrations from midweek out of their system.

Prediction: 3-0

West Brom v Fulham

Felix Magath has some task on. The club’s third manager in under four months, the German has 12 games to inspire a wretched Fulham team to safety.

Longer training sessions are already in force and Magath has a reputation as something of a maverick. Should be fun. 

Prediction:  1-1

West Ham v Saints

How the Front Street did the Hammers get up to 11th? A few players back and Kevin Nolan staying on the pitch are a couple of answers.

Fair play for not chucking manager Sam Allardyce when things got tough. Sometimes it pays not to panic — on the outside at least. It looks like they will be rewarded with at least another season in the Premier League.

Prediction: 2-2

Crystal Palace v Man Utd

1:30pm

With all the talk of Rooney getting a whopping new contract, it’s about time he started earning his future corn.

This should be an away win but Palace will sense a chance here and United do not inspire any confidence at the moment. Juan Mata out on the left again, anyone? Thought not.

Prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY

Liverpool v Swansea

9:30am

Odds-on this game will have the highest number of completed passes in the Premier League this weekend. The Reds have been awesome at home and not even the galvanizing effect of new boss Gary Monk can stop that here.

Luis Suarez to break his goal drought in style.

Prediction: 3-0

Newcastle v Aston Villa

9:30am

Three defeats in the past four games for Alan Pardew’s Magpies and the fans are getting even more  restless.

Villa need Christian Benteke to rediscover his goalscoring touch fast if they are to have any  impact in the final part of the season.

Prediction: 1-2

Norwich v Tottenham

12pm

The Canaries have scored four in the past 10 league games. That will see them relegated. Spurs are flying at the moment and I expect a convincing away victory. 

Prediction: 0-3