The Full English: Who Will Get Boxed Out Of The EPL Title Race - Arsenal Or Chelsea? - 7M sport

The Full English: Who Will Get Boxed Out Of The EPL Title Race - Arsenal Or Chelsea?



I have a say

Posted Sunday, December 26, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

You’rea mean one, Mr. Schedule Maker. That is if you support Chelsea, anyway.

Blessed with four super tricky matches in the heart of the holiday period - Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal, all in a row, the Blues have limped into Christmas like Grandma after she got run over by a reindeer.

Spared what could have been an ugly contest against the Red Devils, Carlo Ancelotti’s men now turn their attention to Arsenal, a side who won’t be in the giving mood this Boxing Day. Yes, for reasons unknown, the men with hearts that are empty holes decided that they’d put the tilt at the Emirates the day after the traditional day for Christmas time fixtures. Big money, big money.

That gaffe aside, we are given a number of other matches to take in while we slowly digest all that roast beast ingested on Saturday. We’ll travel north to the city of Manchester where the apprentice takes on the master and then to the seaside for a festive affair between two presents we’d like to return.

Of course, to fit the season, this entire column will be laden (sometimes obnoxiously so) with every holiday reference, phrase or Ernest quote I can muster from the depths of my merry little gullet. Ho-Ho-Ho!

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)

Arsenal vs. Chelsea

This is like the gift that got lost in the shuffle and you don’t discover until a day late. The whole footballing world should have their eyes on the Emirates as two of the top three teams in the league square off to see who will be hanging with Manchester United as the second round of holiday fixtures approaches the following day (more on TFE/FCS programming to come).

The Full English: Who Will Get Boxed Out Of The EPL Title Race - Arsenal Or Chelsea?

As we all know by now, Arsenal get scared pretty easily. Their captain Mr. Fabregas has made that quite clear. In this particular match, they should be most afraid of one Didier Drogba who has all the tenderness of a seasick crocodile when facing his London rivals.

Scoring basically at will against the Gunners, Drogba will (hopefully) be starting the match and should put pressure on the home side from the get go. His ruthless nature in front of goal has helped break Arsenal hearts for much of the last few seasons as Chelsea have been able to win the last five meetings between the sides.

I may have been a scrooge in the week and openly slated Arsenal against my counterpart and boss, Andrea Canales but I feel like I’ve been touched by the Christmas ghosts and have had an usual change in heart.

When you consider how poor Chelsea have been lately and the supposed lack of desire that the team has shown, Arsenal really have to be in with a shout. If I have to give the Gunners credit for something it is that they continually play their game, even when behind. If they can grab an early goal in this one, passing the Blues to death wouldn’t be out of the question, especially when you consider how mediocre Ancelotti’s midfield have been this campaign.

On the other side of that, Arsenal boast a cheeky little French nutcracker by the name of Samir Nasri and I think he’ll be ready for this match, even if Fabregas isn’t. His craftiness should cause the visitors fits if he can work his way into the right areas.

You can never count out Drogba and the rest of the Pensioners here, but my heart has grown three sizes this day and am officially, reluctantly, regrettably going with Arsene Wenger and the young lads in this one.

TFE Prediction: This is your one big present, Arsenal fans. I’m going 2-1 to the home side.

Manchester United vs. Sunderland (Old Trafford, December 26th, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

Steve Bruce returns to Old Trafford again and with every solid result his team gets, he gets closer and closer to the top of Manchester United’s wish list to lead them once Sir Alex decides to step down. Personally, I think I’ll be ready to retire before Ferguson decides it’s time to enjoy some time on the beach in Cyprus, so don’t hold your breath Brucey.

This match should be an exciting one though as Sunderland have been flying high so far this year and find themselves in an impressive 6th place. They’re actually tied for 5th with Spurs and have been pestering teams all season with their determined play. Me likey.

When you consider how good Sunderland have been playing this year, United have been at the pinnacle of the nice teams list sporting an unblemished record through 16 matches. They have a game in hand and are two points clear at the top. At Old Trafford, their storied sanctuary, they’re one draw from a perfect 9-0 record. The sign of champions right there.

Sunderland will have their work cut out for them as they come into this match facing an uphill battle. United’s defense is fit and in form and despite being an aggressive type forward, Asomoah Gyan will have trouble breaking them down. Darren Bent, too, if he’s in the starting XI.

With Wayne Rooney slowly getting back to his old self, United should really test a Black Cats’ backline that’s been resilient all season. The main goal for the home side will be to get the three points (no duh) because of the other fixture that will kick off the next day. Extending their lead atop the table before that one gets going will be huge.

Mark it down. No Christmas miracles in this one.

TFE Prediction: Manchester United do the job against the up-and-coming visitors en route to a solid 3-2 win.

Blackpool vs. Liverpool (Bloomfield Road, December 26th, 10:00 a.m. ET)

If you’re Liverpool, you’re dreading this one. To Reds fans, Ian Holloway’s brain is full of spiders. You know…garlic in his soul. If you don’t remember, the last time these two met, Blackpool marched into fortress Anfield and thoroughly embarrassed the Reds in front of the Kop. Not good.

In the return fixture, Liverpool will head to the stadium that could fit inside the mighty Anfield two times over and try to regain some pride that was stolen by those pesky little orange elves. Yeah, elves are green, but whatever, close enough.

I like Holloway and what he’s done with his team, but frankly, if Liverpool don’t get three points from this, Roy Hodgson will be out on his wrinkled bum. Not what should become of such a a-class fellow.

TFE Prediction: It’s closer than it should be, but in the end Liverpool edge it in a 2-1 contest.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL)

David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy: No re-gifting of this golden gift. My main mancrush has hinted that he’d be down for another loan excursion across the Atlantic with eyes on making England’s World Cup team in 2014. Don’t count on it this time, Becks. He’s returned from his loan worse for wear in each of the last two seasons and if the Galaxy want to make a legit run at the MLS crown next season, they’ll need all their ducks in order. The prized man in MLS, Landon Donovan, has already said he’d hang around, Beckham needs to do the same.

Mark Hughes, Fulham: Life hasn’t been good to Hughes since he took over for Roy Hodgson at the beginning of the season. Toiling in 17th place, the Cottagers have failed to build on their successful season a year ago and the Welsh gaffer could be facing the sack. Funny how Newcastle and Blackburn, teams who have been much better this year have already ditched their managers and Hughes is still employed. You just need to have a bit of patience as owners  these days. Don’t see it enough. Hopefully Hughes can turn it around soon or he could be spending the New Year in the unemployment line.

The Full English: Who Will Get Boxed Out Of The EPL Title Race - Arsenal Or Chelsea?

Edwin van der Sar, Manchester United: The Danish giant is set to hang up his boots after the season and it will signal a new era for the keeper situation at Old Trafford. It took the team so long to find a suitable replacement for Peter Schmeichel and when he finally came at a discount price with a ‘used up’ tag on his chest, not everyone was sure he was the guy. Five years later and nearly 175 appearances on, he’s been the value of the century. Like a nice can of who hash.

Leicester Update

One of the few matches that was played last weekend was Leicester-Ipswich. Useless affair that saw my Foxes get blanketed by snow and a 3-0 scoreline. We’re doing what we do best though, besides inconsistent football, and are moving on. Leeds is up next on Boxing Day and I think we’ll be up for a result. We better be or I’m going to cause quite a ruckus.

And Finally…The Christmas Pudding of the Week

Rafael Benitez, nojobsville: Well that didn’t take long. My favorite of the crazy managers has officially been booted as boss of Inter a mere six months on the job. Quite impressive Rafa. You even beat my expectations of a year in charge. Inter supremo Massimo Morratti is thinking to himself while he wears his Santa outfit…”well, I fixed the newel post.” Rafa being the wobbly, insignificant object that really just gets in the way. With former AC Milan boss Leonardo coming in, they’ll surely be playing up to their potential in no time. At least things couldn’t get any worse. They were on the threshold of hell, after all.

[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Since the EPL has decided to drop a bomb of fixtures on us, I’ve got to plan accordingly. We have midweek matches the next weeks with no real time for this top of the line scribe to think. Because of this, I’m going to take a pass on the first Tuesday-Wednesday set and go with the regular FCS nonsense. The following TFE will be a double to cover both matchdays. Enjoy and I hope you all have a lovely jubbly holiday season.



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