England

The Full English: Top Of The Pops

If you had to ask Goal.com’s Shane Evans what the EPL’s best matchday of the season so far is...it’d be this one. Read up!

Nov 27, 2009 11:41:53 AM

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By Shane Evans

What a fitting day to write a TFE such as this. Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for. Yeah, you’ve got the three F’s: family, friends and food, they are great. But what really gets me all appreciative and sappy is the other F in my vocabulary: football.

Not that barbaric American throwball football that has become a Thanksgiving tradition, no certainly not. I’m talking about everyone’s favorite beautiful game. I am thankful that it exists, that someone innovated the wheel and made it a ball and that Paul Scharner apparently gets his hair cut by a blind man. These are the things I’m thankful for.

To make it better, and in this case, better is an understatement, the EPL football gods have bestowed upon us the greatest of matchdays that I could barely fathom in my wildest dreams.

Stevie & Rafa | Two Merseyside sad sacks.

I don’t throw the phrase “the best ever” around very often as I like to keep things in context, but I have to say that this weekend has a line-up of matches that would rival any thing the remainder of the season has to offer.

Three derbies, the return of a manager to his old home, a clash of ‘would-be big fourers’ and even an all claret and blue affair. Sheesh. I don’t even know where to begin. I’m very tempted to make this a double edition of sorts, but all that turkey in my belly is telling me otherwise.

After taking a quick Twitter poll over what match should come first, we’ll start with the Merseyside Derby, which has now been aptly renamed the Merseyslide Derby by a close Evertonian friend of mine. Ready? BEGIN!

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)

Everton vs. Liverpool (Goodison Park, November 29th, 8:30 a.m. ET, Setanta Sports)

I think even at this earlyish stage in the year, we can officially call the season a wash for those on Merseyside. Not typical of the region, the brand of footy that has been played so far this campaign has been, to put it simply, lacking.

The Reds are out of the Champions League, the Toffees are nowhere near it. The Reds are out of the title race, the Toffees are near the relegation zone. They both boast injured Spaniards, among others. The dreary dip has even gone so far that the two bitter rivals have considered building a new stadium that the two of them would share. Share. I don’t even share things with my sister and she’s my sister. That would just be wrong.

Hull City | Hull can celebrate?

So what better way to fix things and get the final two-thirds of the season off on the right foot then by beating your crosstown foes? I don’t think there is such a way. Here’s your chance boys…

Looking at form, you can’t say either have been lighting up the nets lately. Instead of looking at who has been better, it’s a bit easier to examine who has been less awful. I think Liverpool have to win this one solely based on the fact that Everton got beat midweek by Hull 3-2. Let the record state that Hull were up 3-0 at halftime.

You have to give the injury edge to Everton as well as they are as banged up as any team in the league right now. Outside of Arteta, I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t fielded a full squad once this year. Liverpool have their concerns as well given that Stevie G or Fernando Torres pick up a new niggle every week.

Both teams are in a bad way right now, and because of this, it’ll come down to which side wants it more. I say this sometimes when you just get the feeling that talent isn’t the issue, it’s drive. The whole city of Liverpool will be watching, who will rise to the occasion?

My gut tells me a passionate draw. Going with that.

TFE Prediction: It’s a battle, but I don’t see either say landing the killer blow and it’ll end 2-2.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Emirates Stadium, November 29th, 11:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

Unlike the first match we talked about, this is a bout between two in-form sides. Sitting nicely in the top three, Chelsea and Arsenal will renew their London derby vows on Sunday afternoon, with quite a bit to play for.

If I had to pick my least favorite big four fixture, this could very well be it. Sorry all you Londoners out there, this just reaks of boredom. There will be some chances and a few goals, but there is just something about it that gives me stomach trouble (and no, that’s not the turkey).

Arsenal | Just like on the playground…

One could assume that the two of these teams are ranked first and second in goals scored this season that we could see a shootout in this one. Don’t count on it though, as I doubt this one will stretch further than a 1-0 or if I’m feeling clever a 2-0 scoreline.

Despite their relative position in the league, these clubs couldn’t be any different. Chelsea field a team of hardened veteran players who play with concentrated style and efficiency, knowing how to shut the door on the big match. Arsenal on the other hand are full of spirited youngsters who take the pitch playing with a certain fluidity and grace that many seem to love.

What we’ve seen with Arsenal this season, and most recently as last week, is that their ability to play from behind isn’t exactly the best part of their game. If Chelsea are able to take an early lead in the match, despite it being at the Emirates, will Wenger’s young guns be able overcome the odds and pull back? I’m not so sure. That is why the first goal in this one is imperative for both sides.

Arsenal are strong at home and should put up quite a fight in front of nearly 60,000 screaming Gooners. It should be noted that the last team to win inside that lovely stadium was Chelsea back in May. Interesting.

What is more interesting is the fact that if Arsenal want any chance of winning the title this season, they cannot lose this match. A draw would be OK, but when it comes down to it, you can’t let Chelsea take any points at all.

I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but for some reason I’ve got the kids in this one.

TFE Prediction: It’ll be a close, most likely boring match, as they usually are with this pair, but in the end Arsenal take it 2-1, with an Arshavin screamer being the difference.

Wigan vs. Sunderland (DW Stadium, November 28th, 10:00 a.m. ET)

If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m enamored with Steve Bruce. I never really rated him as a manager before this season, and since then, I’m beginning to see why people are suggesting he may be Sir Alex’s replacement at Manchester United.

Taking nothing away from Roberto Martinez, as he has his virtues as a manager, but you can see how different Wigan are this season without Bruce in charge. Yes, Wigan lost a heapload of players that made Bruce’s job a bit easier, but at the same time, he made them better.

Now with Sunderland, Bruce has put together a side that can hang with the big boys and that puts on a show every week. Against the Gunners last weekend, they played some quality shutdown football against an extremely formidable opponent.

They’ll be up against a team who is fresh off the worst beating I’ve seen in some time. I think you know the one I’m talking about. That kind of play won’t happen again and I’m sure they’ll put up a considerable amount of resistance in this match.

Wigan have strong home form having not lost at the DW since August, while Sunderland haven’t won on the road since the first match of the season. Steve Bruce won’t allow a loss to his old side, so I’m going Black Cats this time around.

TFE Prediction: Sunderland stick it out thanks to a sprightly return from Kenwyne Jones.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL)

Avram Grant, Portsmouth: Like the man who preceded him as Pompey manager, I’m a big fan of Grant. The former Chelsea boss was thrown into that job as quickly as he was chucked from it. Guiding the Blues to a Champions League Final, that they should have won mind you, Grant did a lot right as their manager and then was disposed of like yesterday’s garbage shortly thereafter. Things will be different at Fratton Park, but he’s been charged with keeping them in the top flight. If he isn’t able to do so things could be pretty rough on the south coast. Best of luck to ya.

Clint Dempsey | Raisin' the Cottage roof...

Clint Dempsey, Fulham: Is there a man in the league who is playing better football than Dempsey? Five goals in his last five matches, the Cottagers winger is primed to play further up the pitch against Bolton this weekend given that strikers Johnson, Kamara and Zamora are all injury concerns. Should suit Clint just fine as he’s been as lethal as any player on Roy Hodgson’s squad this year. If this form carries over to the summer, the USMNT would look a lot more dangerous than they do now.

Sergio Aguero, Atletico Madrid: News broke this morning that Chelsea are readying a £100 million package for the young Argentinian forward. That’d certainly help solve their youth problem, but it would also put a big dent in Roman Abramovich’s purse. Will it happen? It appears quite likely. Is it crazy? Absolutely. If Ron Ron is only worth £80 million, then this proposed deal is as daft as my dream to get straight A’s in grad school.

Leicester Update

Big bounce back win for the Foxes last weekend. It may have taken a while (Andy King scored in the 94th minute of a 1-0 match), but they are back in promotion contention as they sit third in the Championship. Looking at the other recently promoted teams from League One, Scunthorpe, who we play tomorrow are 21st, while Peterborough are currently dead last in 24th. I’ll say this again, a year in League One was a blessing in disguise.

Philadelphia Union Update

The expansion draft has come and gone and the Union finally have players. Some shrewd selections begin a few months of wheeling and dealing before the 2010 season begins. Still waiting on a number of players to join, through free agency or trades, we’ve got a long way to go. I’m still holding out hope for a big-money DP though. Viera anyone?

And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week

World Cup Trophy | So beautiful. Do not ruin it, Sepp. Just don't.

FIFA: By the time my next edition of TFE comes around, that is next Friday, the landscape of the World Cup could be quite different. My main man Sepp Blatter and co. have scheduled an emergency meeting for next week with emphasis on possible match fixing and strange betting tendencies during the WCQ playoffs a few weeks back. Hmm. I wonder what will come of it? I’ll say this much, every Irishman this side of the Guiness factory have their fingers crossed.

Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shanEvans

For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!

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