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The Full English: Congested Confusion
Do the EPL fixtures ever stop?! Not a chance and that’s just the way Goal.com’s Shane Evans likes it.
Dec 18, 2009 12:52:54 PM
By Shane Evans
This has been quite the week. Matches practically every day. Rumors flying about. All sorts of craziness going on in TFE/FCS land. Luckily, if there is a guy out there who can keep up with the wild world of football, it’s me.
So to complete the trifecta of TFEs this week, I give you today’s edition. As I mentioned in the special Tuesday incarnation, today’s column will be followed by a super duper extra special double “Fish & Chip Shots” on Tuesday next. Lovely!
I shudder at the amount I’ll have to recap, but I think I have it in me. Plus, my record has fared pretty well until now, so it should be mostly positive stuff. That is unless your name is Mark Hughes, then you get the kitchen sink coming your way.
No time to dilly dally so let’s get started, and for the first time in a while, we have Manchester United to get things going.
The Bacon (as in Bringing it Home)
Fulham vs. Manchester United (Craven Cottage, December 19th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Who remembers this fixture last season? Only days after beating the Cottagers in the FA Cup, United came to London and were shut down by a very stingy Fulham side.
Not only that, but Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney saw red in what would turn into one of the Red Devils’ four losses that season. Not a good day, for sure. Well, if you wear red with regularity.
This should be another entertaining encounter between the two teams as Fulham are coming into some good form, while United seemingly always find a way to get the job done.
You never like United coming off of a loss. Ask Wolves. You also never like them coming off of a big win, because then they have some confidence. Being Fulham helps though as once again they are among the league leaders in fewest goals allowed, fourth to be exact.
Sir Alex doesn’t play games either as his side are tied for first in said category only allowing 14 this season to Fulham’s 17. Those kinds of numbers can easily be altered though given United’s scoring ability and their defensive injury concerns.
Taking into account all the good things that Fulham have done this season and last and even considering that Bobby Zamora has realized he is a striker and not some misfit center back, you have to like United to keep the pressure on first-place Chelsea in this match.
TFE Prediction: The Red Devils are too strong, and I think Ryan Giggs will score again to celebrate his new contract. 3-1 bad guys.
Manchester City vs. Sunderland (Eastlands, December 19th, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
Could this be Mark Hughes last game in charge at Eastlands?! The potential is there if a result isn’t had in this one. A formidable opponent in Sunderland will provide a test for the Citizens, one that Hughes hopes his boys can pass.
Also struggling are the Black Cats who haven’t won a match since I killed them with karma following their victory over Arsenal last month. It’s been a rough spell for Steve Bruce and taking on a frustrated and more talented Manchester City side isn’t the answer.
It’s funny that in both cases that the expectations have been so high lately that this really should be considered a dreaded ‘must-win.’ Nothing against Mark Hughes, at least until Tuesday, but he only has two losses all season. That’s tops in the league. Yet, he’s been rumored to be on the outs for weeks. Football is a cruel mistress.
I doubt that there are any whispers of Bruce’s departure, but he is certainly feeling some heat following Sunderland’s severe dip in form following a hot start to the campaign. Road form isn’t their forte either having taken only four from 24 thus far.
It’s a battle of SAF’s coaching offspring and should take a very United-esque feel, but who is the better boss? Both have been spoken about taking Ferguson’s seat at Old Trafford one day, but right now they look more likely to take Darren’s. Wait…
If Robinho doesn’t play, I think City win it. Yes, that’s right, if he doesn’t play. Did you see his performance against Spurs? Completely rubbish. Selfish and isolated the entire night, Hughes would have been better off playing a parking cone and then maybe they would have scored. We’ll see if he makes the mistake again.
TFE Prediction: I want to say draw, but I think City will pull it out and add to Sunderland’s misery. I’m going 2-1.
Everton vs. Birmingham (Goodison Park, December 20th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Is there a team in the Premier League who are playing better than Birmingham right now? The answer is no, especially given their newly-promoted status.
Five wins in their last five puts Brum at the top of the form table, something no one expected to see. They are tied on points with Liverpool. That’s right, many people’s precious Liverpool are playing as well as Birmingham. Amazing.
They don’t score many goals (only 18 to their name), but they get the job done. Alex McLeish has to be up for manager of the year if this continues. We saw something like similar last season with a team managed by one Phil Brown. We know what happened after that.
I’d like to see Birmingham keep it up, but we’ll see. Going up against an Everton side who cannot lose a match like this is going to be tough, but all their matches have that feel.
If I was a betting man, I’d have to go with Everton in this one. Losing at home to Liverpool is something people can get over, but not Birmingham. I say must-win a lot. This is the biggest one yet. Serious problems if they don’t, Landy Cakes or no Landy Cakes.
TFE Prediction: Everton take it 1-0 in a scrappy match.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Champions League Fodder Edition
Porto (vs. Arsenal): Always a tricky side to face in the Champions League, Arsenal will have their work cut out for them against the Portuguese champions. They’re a well put together side and could be trouble for the Gunners, but if Arsene has a full compliment of players, RVP withstanding, they should, and I say should quite intentionally, be ok.
Inter Milan (vs. Chelsea): Jose Mourinho returns home to the place where he is loved! How this tie can be anything but Mourinho-centric is beyond me. Hopefully he’ll come here, lose both matches, and just never go back to Italy. England needs him, almost as much as he needs England. That being said, I still think Chelsea advances.
AC Milan (vs. Manchester United): Like we needed anymore fuel to the ‘this-draw-was-absolutely-fixed-and-if-you-think-otherwise-you’re-as-clueless-as-Rafa’ fire, we have Manchester United and AC Milan. Gone is Kaka, in is David Beckham, who will most likely play in the ground he used to call home once upon a time. Crazy how that works. Still, I’d rather have Kaka (if I were Milan) and United should go through.
Leicester Update
Not much to update since Tuesday. We need to beat Cardiff. Simple as that. I’m part Welsh, which is fine, but we still need to beat Cardiff. Badly. Legitimacy is huge in the league these days, and knocking off a perennial Championship power (scoff away) is a must if we seriously want to consider promotion. Do it, lads, just do it.
And Finally...the Black Pudding of the Week
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal: This one’s for you Arsene. As the title suggest, things are a big stuffed up at the moment. Lots of fixtures, lots of matches. That’s just how it goes, friend. If you want to be one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, you have to play often, and with that comes injuries, poor fitness, exhaustion, all the fun stuff. Three words for ya: suck it up. You’re a great coach, that much is obvious, but unfortunately, you’re a better complainer. Good luck to you.
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, follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
This has been quite the week. Matches practically every day. Rumors flying about. All sorts of craziness going on in TFE/FCS land. Luckily, if there is a guy out there who can keep up with the wild world of football, it’s me.
So to complete the trifecta of TFEs this week, I give you today’s edition. As I mentioned in the special Tuesday incarnation, today’s column will be followed by a super duper extra special double “Fish & Chip Shots” on Tuesday next. Lovely!
I shudder at the amount I’ll have to recap, but I think I have it in me. Plus, my record has fared pretty well until now, so it should be mostly positive stuff. That is unless your name is Mark Hughes, then you get the kitchen sink coming your way.
No time to dilly dally so let’s get started, and for the first time in a while, we have Manchester United to get things going.
The Bacon (as in Bringing it Home)
Fulham vs. Manchester United (Craven Cottage, December 19th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Who remembers this fixture last season? Only days after beating the Cottagers in the FA Cup, United came to London and were shut down by a very stingy Fulham side.
Not only that, but Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney saw red in what would turn into one of the Red Devils’ four losses that season. Not a good day, for sure. Well, if you wear red with regularity.
 Wayne Rooney | No red cards please, sir! |
You never like United coming off of a loss. Ask Wolves. You also never like them coming off of a big win, because then they have some confidence. Being Fulham helps though as once again they are among the league leaders in fewest goals allowed, fourth to be exact.
Sir Alex doesn’t play games either as his side are tied for first in said category only allowing 14 this season to Fulham’s 17. Those kinds of numbers can easily be altered though given United’s scoring ability and their defensive injury concerns.
Taking into account all the good things that Fulham have done this season and last and even considering that Bobby Zamora has realized he is a striker and not some misfit center back, you have to like United to keep the pressure on first-place Chelsea in this match.
TFE Prediction: The Red Devils are too strong, and I think Ryan Giggs will score again to celebrate his new contract. 3-1 bad guys.
Manchester City vs. Sunderland (Eastlands, December 19th, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
Could this be Mark Hughes last game in charge at Eastlands?! The potential is there if a result isn’t had in this one. A formidable opponent in Sunderland will provide a test for the Citizens, one that Hughes hopes his boys can pass.
 Mark Hughes | Losing the spark, if you will |
It’s funny that in both cases that the expectations have been so high lately that this really should be considered a dreaded ‘must-win.’ Nothing against Mark Hughes, at least until Tuesday, but he only has two losses all season. That’s tops in the league. Yet, he’s been rumored to be on the outs for weeks. Football is a cruel mistress.
I doubt that there are any whispers of Bruce’s departure, but he is certainly feeling some heat following Sunderland’s severe dip in form following a hot start to the campaign. Road form isn’t their forte either having taken only four from 24 thus far.
It’s a battle of SAF’s coaching offspring and should take a very United-esque feel, but who is the better boss? Both have been spoken about taking Ferguson’s seat at Old Trafford one day, but right now they look more likely to take Darren’s. Wait…
 Robinho | My guess: he preferred being the only star |
TFE Prediction: I want to say draw, but I think City will pull it out and add to Sunderland’s misery. I’m going 2-1.
Everton vs. Birmingham (Goodison Park, December 20th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Is there a team in the Premier League who are playing better than Birmingham right now? The answer is no, especially given their newly-promoted status.
Five wins in their last five puts Brum at the top of the form table, something no one expected to see. They are tied on points with Liverpool. That’s right, many people’s precious Liverpool are playing as well as Birmingham. Amazing.
They don’t score many goals (only 18 to their name), but they get the job done. Alex McLeish has to be up for manager of the year if this continues. We saw something like similar last season with a team managed by one Phil Brown. We know what happened after that.
I’d like to see Birmingham keep it up, but we’ll see. Going up against an Everton side who cannot lose a match like this is going to be tough, but all their matches have that feel.
If I was a betting man, I’d have to go with Everton in this one. Losing at home to Liverpool is something people can get over, but not Birmingham. I say must-win a lot. This is the biggest one yet. Serious problems if they don’t, Landy Cakes or no Landy Cakes.
TFE Prediction: Everton take it 1-0 in a scrappy match.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Champions League Fodder Edition
Porto (vs. Arsenal): Always a tricky side to face in the Champions League, Arsenal will have their work cut out for them against the Portuguese champions. They’re a well put together side and could be trouble for the Gunners, but if Arsene has a full compliment of players, RVP withstanding, they should, and I say should quite intentionally, be ok.
 Jose Mourinho | Love him or hate him... you gotta love him |
AC Milan (vs. Manchester United): Like we needed anymore fuel to the ‘this-draw-was-absolutely-fixed-and-if-you-think-otherwise-you’re-as-clueless-as-Rafa’ fire, we have Manchester United and AC Milan. Gone is Kaka, in is David Beckham, who will most likely play in the ground he used to call home once upon a time. Crazy how that works. Still, I’d rather have Kaka (if I were Milan) and United should go through.
Leicester Update
Not much to update since Tuesday. We need to beat Cardiff. Simple as that. I’m part Welsh, which is fine, but we still need to beat Cardiff. Badly. Legitimacy is huge in the league these days, and knocking off a perennial Championship power (scoff away) is a must if we seriously want to consider promotion. Do it, lads, just do it.
And Finally...the Black Pudding of the Week
 Arsene Wenger | Turn that frown upside down, Arsene! |
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, follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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