As I write this no Premier League matches have been cancelled and I'm still coming to terms with Arsenal drawing Barcelona in the Champions League - YES, AGAIN! But here's the matches to look forward to this weekend which includes another Midlands derby.
ARSENAL v STOKE
After their loss to unbeaten Manchester United last week here's hoping the Gunners can dust themselves down and get a well needed three points at home to Tony Pulis' men. After his substitute appearance last week Theo Walcott could start in place of the frustrating Andrey Arshavin. This is a key match for Arsenal, if they cannot win against the big guns then they have to collect points against teams siting lower in the league. Wojciech Szczesny is likely to continue in goal as Lukask Fabianski struggles to recover from a hip injury and Manuel Almunia has injured a tooth or some other body part.
Much of the pre-match media will surround Ryan Shawcross and his return to the ground where he was involved in Aaron Ramsey's leg break. This may be the ammunition Stoke need to make sure they show they are more than a physical long ball team. I doubt Arsene Wenger will underestimate a team who sit 12th in the table and who have won three of their last six matches. Stoke have missing Mamady Sidibe missing through injury but otherwise Pulis should have a full squad to choose from.
KEY MAN: Theo Walcott - Deserves to start ahead of the Meerkat.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
BIRMINGHAM CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Geordies made a great start under new manager, Alan Pardew but I doubt they will have it so easy against a resilient Birmingham side who need a win to propel them up the table. They have drawn nine of their 17 matches which has left them at the wrong end of the table, while a win could leave them siting more comfortably around 13th. Alexnder Hleb and James Mcfadden are still out with injury.
Pardew has said he will give his fringe players a chance before he spends in January so Peter Lovenkrands may make an appearence from the bench. He no longer has defensive issues with Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini both back from suspension. Steve Harper is pushing for a return although Tim Krul form may give the youngster the upper hand.
KEY MAN: Kevin Nolan - When he plays well, the Geordies play well.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
BLACKBURN ROVERS v WEST HAM UNITED
So the new owners shocked the world of English football in the week when they sacked Manager Sam Allardyce and team affairs have been taken over by Steve Kean. Apparently he has a few months to stake his claim on the job and it would be a good start to get a win against the league's bottom club. Kean definitely has his work cut out if the owners want him to lead Rovers into the top five. No, seriously they do!
Avram Grant has been given three matches to save his job starting with this trip up north. Captain fantastic Scott Parker's return is much welcomed and Grant will be looking to him to rally the troops. The weeks trauma at Ewood Park may give the Londoners a much need three points that would help their fight to stay in the Premier League.
KEY MAN: Scottie Parker - Come on, who else could I pick?
BLACKPOOL v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (Sunday)
I hope 'Arry and boys don't underestimate Blackpool or they could get badly beaten here! Blackpool sit five spots and points behind Spurs and I could see that many goals at Bloomfield road on Sunday as both teams love to attack and at times forget how to defend. It will be interesting to see how they will cope with Gareth Bale
Tottenham welcome back Rafael Van der Vaart, Wilson Palacios and Younes Kaboul while Ledley King is still recovering from the Christmas Party. Charlie Adam is missing through suspension while Marlon Harewood and chris Basham are still out.
KEY MAN: Jermain Defoe - Blackpool's open attacking play should give him various chances.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UNITED (Sunday)
Stamford Bridge can breathe a sigh of relief as Carlo Ancelotti has said Frank Lampard will start against the leaders. It will be his first start in three and a half month and will restore some much needed experience to the Chelsea team that has been floating along during his absence. Alex and Jose Bosingwa still sit on the injury list, while they will need Didier Drogba and Slorent Malouda will need to find their early season form against a United side hitting their -annual- impressive Christmas form.
Paul Scholes is still out. joining Michael Owen and Rafael on the sidelines. Rio Ferdinand and Vidic held the line well against Arsenal although this will be a more physical test. Wayne Rooney may be taken off penalty duty after his Row Z miss on Monday but he seems to be recapturing his form, a fact that will please Sir Alex as they aim to secure their place at the top of the league.
KEY MAN: Nemanja Vidic - The Serbian is clearly thriving since getting the captain's armband and he will need another good performance here.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
LIVERPOOL v FULHAM
This match already had an edge to it with Roy Hodgson's first match against his old team since leaving in the summer. That fire has been stocked with comments allegedly made Paul Konchesky's mother. Fernando Torres should be back on the pitch following his no-show in midweek while Pepe Reina is looking to make his 200th league appearance for the club. Stevie G should also be back for the Scousers.
Fulham should go all out to win this match with manager Mark Hughes keen to get a win against an erratic Liverpool team. Carlos Salcido looked lively in the draw against Sunderland and if he can get a few balls into the box, who knows what they could achieve at Anfield. Andrew Johnson may start as he continues his return to match fitness.
KEY MAN: Fernando Torres - If he actually starts playing well he may get the transfer away that he so clearly wants.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
MANCHESTER CITY v EVERTON (Monday)
Admittedly City won last week but following Carlos Tevez' transfer request and subsequent media circus the fans must be wondering what is going on. This is a perfect opportunity for the players to show their fans they can cope without the miserable Argentinian.
The Toffees continue to disappoint as much as City continue to confuse and they may not relish their trip to the City of Manchester stadium. Everton need to start winning asap before they get dragged deeper int the mire and Monday will be as good a time as any.
KEY MAN: David Silva - Time for the other big names to come out and play.
SUNDERLAND v BOLTON WANDERERS
Steve Bruce will not be feeling the Christmas cheer as he is without three defenders, as Anton Ferdinand joins Titus Bramble and Michael Turner on the crock list. Craig Gordon returns after a hamstring problem. I would also like to congratulate Asamoah Gyan who has won the accolade of BBC African Footballer of the Year, well deserved in my opinion.
Mark Davies is suspended so Fabrice Muamba should return to the starting line-up while Owen Coyle has no new injury worries. This match may be decided on who has the best defense with both sides having lively forwards.
KEY MAN: Gary Cahill - Will have his work cut out with Darren Bent and Gyan up front.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (Sunday)
If any game is gonna be a 0-0 then I get the feeling this would be it even if it is another Midlands derby. Top scorer Peter Odemwingie is a doubt as he hasn't trained for a week with calf and groin problems. Midfielder Graham Dorrans should return to the squad after illness.
Mick Mac has eight players missing through injury although he will be able to welcome back Matt Jarvis and Christophe Berra. Although Mick's job is said to be safe he knows his team could do with a comprehensive win against their more impressive local rivals.
KEY MAN: Somen Tchoyi - Looking increasingly like a future Premier League star.
*THIS MATCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED
WIGAN ATHLETIC v ASTON VILLA
Ali Al Habsi needs another good game to encourage Roberto Martinez to splash the cash on him come January. Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa are both serving one-match bans while Gary Caldwell hopes to start on the bench after featuring in a friendly during midweek.
Ashley Young, Fabian Delph and Nigel Reo-Coker are all out although Gabby Agbonlahor should return. Gerrard Houllier will be hoping another win can increase the love between him and the fans. Spending too long in the bottom half of the table will not help matters.
KEY MAN: Gabby Agbonlahor - Needs to hit the ground running.
*THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED
Thank you for reading and feel free to comment.
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