Barclays Premier League 26th August: PREVIEW
Posted in Arsenal, Barclays Premier League Preview, Liverpool, Manchester City, Stoke City
RATIBA:
03:30 Stoke City VS Arsenal-Brittania Stadium
06:00 Manchester City VS Liverpool-Anfield
2nd Match: Manchester City VS Liverpool: Anfield
The reigning champions visit Anfield without last season's top scorer, Sergio Aguero, as they hunt down an eighth consecutive Premier League win and continue their title momentum
Brendan Rodgers opted to rest several key figures for Thursday night's Europa League qualification clash against Hearts in anticipation for the visit of the Premier League champions.
Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson should all be recalled to the Reds’ starting XI. Jose Enrique could also be back in contention after missing the opening game of the season due to a knock sustained in training.
Daniel Agger serves a one-match suspension after his red card against West Brom, while both Andy Carroll and Joe Cole (hamstrings) are unlikely to feature.
Roberto Mancini will have to make do without the services of Sergio Aguero (knee) for a month after the striker was stretchered off last Sunday against Southampton. Mario Balotelli is likely to have recovered sufficiently from conjunctivitis to step in to partner Carlos Tevez up front.
Gareth Barry (hernia) and Micah Richards (ankle) continue to be absent for the visitors, meaning that Jack Rodwell should be able to build upon his debut last week, with another run out at Anfield.
1st Match: Arsenal VS Stoke
Tony Pulis has few injury worries to contend with after the opening week of the season, with just Jermaine Pennant a slight doubt. However, he will be without midfielder Dean Whitehead who was sent off against Reading last week and serves a one-match ban.
Wilson Palacios and Rory Delap will be fighting to replace him while Jamie Ness could also come into contention. Jonathan Walters may play in a slightly deeper role than he did against the Royals solidifying the Stoke midfield leaving Peter Crouch as the lone frontman.
Arsene Wenger saw his side struggle to break down a stubborn Sunderland side last week but he may stick with a similar team that drew 0-0 with the Black Cats.
Despite his miss in that game Olivier Giroud could make his first start, replacing Gervinho, with Lukas Podolski dropping to the left-hand side of a three-man attack.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the squad after missing last week but Laurent Koscielny (calf) has not recovered in time. Jack Wilshere (ankle), Emmanuel Frimpong (knee), Tomas Rosicky (thigh) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.
03:30 Stoke City VS Arsenal-Brittania Stadium
06:00 Manchester City VS Liverpool-Anfield
2nd Match: Manchester City VS Liverpool: Anfield
The reigning champions visit Anfield without last season's top scorer, Sergio Aguero, as they hunt down an eighth consecutive Premier League win and continue their title momentum
Brendan Rodgers opted to rest several key figures for Thursday night's Europa League qualification clash against Hearts in anticipation for the visit of the Premier League champions.
Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson should all be recalled to the Reds’ starting XI. Jose Enrique could also be back in contention after missing the opening game of the season due to a knock sustained in training.
Daniel Agger serves a one-match suspension after his red card against West Brom, while both Andy Carroll and Joe Cole (hamstrings) are unlikely to feature.
Roberto Mancini will have to make do without the services of Sergio Aguero (knee) for a month after the striker was stretchered off last Sunday against Southampton. Mario Balotelli is likely to have recovered sufficiently from conjunctivitis to step in to partner Carlos Tevez up front.
Gareth Barry (hernia) and Micah Richards (ankle) continue to be absent for the visitors, meaning that Jack Rodwell should be able to build upon his debut last week, with another run out at Anfield.
1st Match: Arsenal VS Stoke
Tony Pulis has few injury worries to contend with after the opening week of the season, with just Jermaine Pennant a slight doubt. However, he will be without midfielder Dean Whitehead who was sent off against Reading last week and serves a one-match ban.
Wilson Palacios and Rory Delap will be fighting to replace him while Jamie Ness could also come into contention. Jonathan Walters may play in a slightly deeper role than he did against the Royals solidifying the Stoke midfield leaving Peter Crouch as the lone frontman.
Arsene Wenger saw his side struggle to break down a stubborn Sunderland side last week but he may stick with a similar team that drew 0-0 with the Black Cats.
Despite his miss in that game Olivier Giroud could make his first start, replacing Gervinho, with Lukas Podolski dropping to the left-hand side of a three-man attack.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the squad after missing last week but Laurent Koscielny (calf) has not recovered in time. Jack Wilshere (ankle), Emmanuel Frimpong (knee), Tomas Rosicky (thigh) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.
0 Maoni/comments: