Liverpool is even money at home on Monday against Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s Super Bowl weekend in the states. What better time for an English Premier League match to make its debut on a major American television network, right?
FOX has decided that Super Bowl Sunday is a proper time to debut the EPL on its big network instead of the lesser-viewed FOX Soccer Channel. And with Manchester United and Chelsea the featured attraction, why not?
There will be plenty of EPL footy on TV in states over the weekend, including another match on Monday when Tottenham Hotspur head north to Anfield for a crucial battle vs. Liverpool.
First, let’s look at the Sunday match in South London, where Man United and Chelsea renew their hostilities at Stamford Bridge. English wagering outlets have this one rated close to a toss-up, with win prices on Chelsea at 6/4 and Man U at 15/8. The draw rates an interesting 23/10. Kickoff time will be 11 a.m. (ET), and as mentioned earlier, it will be shown in the states on big FOX.
A quick look at the EPL table indicates the importance of the matchup, as the Red Devils have pulled level with crosstown Man City on top of the pile with 54 points; only goal differential separates them now. Chelsea have fallen off the title pace on 42 points and in fourth place, good enough for the last Champs League qualifying spot for next term but still only three points up on fifth-place Liverpool.
This is a rematch of a September 18 game at Old Trafford, won comfortably by United, 3-1, as the Red Devils scored all of their goals in the first half. United had a chance to extend the margin in the 57th minute, but Wayne Rooney missed a second-half penalty shot.
Chelsea, however, still remains alive in the Champions League, beginning knockout round play on February 21 vs. Napoil. As for Man U, it has to settle for Europa League duties after being KO’d from UCL group play action in December. Moreover, United in now out of FA Cup as well after being eliminated by Liverpool last week.
But the Blues are not hitting February on song, winning only twice in their last eight EPL matches since a rousing win over Man City in early December revived title hopes at the Bridge. Moreover, it has been a rough go lately for defensive ace John Terry, out with a knee injury but also subject to disciplinary action for reported abusive comments to QPR’s Anton Ferdinand from a match in October. Expect the Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas to soon give a look on the back line to recent transfer window addition Gary Cahill from Bolton.
The Blues’ recent form was confirmed in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at lowly Swansea City, when the Swans gifted Chelsea a point in the closing seconds on an own goal by Neil Taylor.
Goal-scoring has been a problem lately, as the Blues have scored only eight of them in their recent eight-game slump. Moreover, striker Didier Drogba is on African Nation’s Cup duty with Ivory Coast and won’t be available until later this month, and Fernando Torres is still waiting to settle, his goal drought now on 1074 minutes. He’s only scored in three out of the 32 EPL matches in which he has participated for Chelsea since his move from Liverpool.
For the moment, it seems up to young Daniel Sturridge, on nine goals, to provide whatever fireworks Chelsea can muster. Midfielder Frank Lampard, tied with Sturridge for the team lead with nine EPL goals, is questionable as he deals with a calf strain suffered two weeks ago vs. Norwich.
Likewise, Man U is not hitting the Bridge in the best of shape, either. A recent spate of injuries, including knocks on the ankles of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, has thinned Sir Alex Ferguson’s available ranks that have also been minus Nani and Ashley Young. Midfielder Paul Scholes, recently pulled out of retirement, started for the second time in four days against the Potters.
Ferguson was also recently down both of his keepers when Anders Lindegaard went out with a sprained ankle in a practice session, joining David de Gea on the sidelines. In a pinch, Ferguson had to give 21-year-old Ben Amos his first start in Tuesday’s game vs. Stoke, and the youngster delivered in a 2-0 win.
Meanwhile, there’s more action on Monday when Spurs face Liverpool. European wagering outlets have priced a Liverpool win at even money, while backing Spurs to succeed will get you 14/5. The draw price is a tempting 12/5. Kickoff time will be 3:00 p.m. (ET), with ESPN2 providing TV coverage stateside.
Tottenham continues to hang on the periphery of the title race, sitting five points adrift of both Man City and United and in third place on 49 points, seven ahead of fourth place Chelsea. Liverpool is in fifth spot and only three points behind Chelsea for the final Champs League qualifier slot.
Kenny Dalglish’s side is looking for revenge after getting whipped by a 4-0 count at White Hart Lane back on September 18, with Emmmanuel Adebayor scoring twice for Tottenham in the romp.
Dalglish seemed content with the current composition of his roster, so much so that Liverpool enjoyed a rather quiet transfer window. Talk of a swap with Man City involving Andy Carroll and Carlos Tevez were nothing more than wild rumors, as were the whispers that Dalglish might be targeting Spurs’ striker Jermaine Defoe.
Instead, "King Kenny" seemed satisfied that with a relatively healthy Steven Gerrard and Carroll finally in a positive patch of form, the Reds did not have a crying need for upgrades at the window.
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp was slightly more active as the window closed at the end of January, adding striker Louis Saha from Everton at the last minute and also picking up New Zealand international defender Ryan Nelsen from Blackburn.
The Spurs hit Anfield with some momentum, losing just once in their last nine matches and off a stylish 3-1 win over Wigan at midweek in which Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale was narrowly denied a hat trick. The concern for Redknapp at the moment is the fitness of midfield linchpin Rafael van der Vaart, who limped off the field on a half hour against Wigan, with his status up in the air for Monday’s match.