1. Kompany return huge for City
MAN CITY LOOK in need of a lift following their woeful performance in the 3-1 loss to Leicester at the Etihad last week.
Consequently, news that their influential captain Vincent Kompany is set to return from a long injury layoff will undoubtedly be welcomed by virtually everyone at the club (everyone apart from the reserve centre-backs perhaps).
Without Kompany, City look a different team and prone to the most basic errors at the back, with Martín Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolás Otamendi all struggling to convince in the absence of the influential Belgian international.
“We’ll see what the starting XI is — we’re not just thinking about one player and one game, we’re involved in a lot of competitions. Maybe we have a lot of criticism when we don’t play well but I’m happy with the squad over the whole season,” manager Manuel Pellegrini told a news conference, when asked about Kompany’s availability.
“You’ve seen Kompany play for so many years I don’t have to say what qualities he brings, he’s one of the best defenders in the league.
“Every player must play a game when they’re 100%. Vincent has worked for three weeks with no problems. He played 45 minutes in a friendly game against the U21s and I think he’s ready to play.”
City could certainly do with one of the world’s best centre-backs in their team on Sunday, as they prepare for a crunch tie against Tottenham, who sit one point above them in the league.
2. Leicester could take another giant leap towards the title
Leicester made a massive step in their improbable bid for Premier League glory last weekend, winning 3-1 away at Man City.
This week, Claudio Ranieri’s side could make another big statement as they prepare to face Arsenal at the Emirates.
It’s far from a formality, of course, but a win would put the current league leaders eight points clear of the Gunners. And with Tottenham and Man City facing off, a draw in that game would make life even easier for the Foxes.
Moreover, Ranieri’s side’s 12 remaining fixtures thereafter look eminently winnable, even if they face a tricky-looking final three games — Norwich, West Brom, Watford, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Sunderland, West Ham, Swansea, Man United, Everton and Chelsea.
3. What’s gone wrong for Christian Benteke?
It’s safe to say that Christian Benteke’s Liverpool career hasn’t gone entirely as planned thus far.
Despite producing nine shots in the game, the Belgian international went 120 minutes without scoring in the FA Cup tie against West Ham on Tuesday.
Moreover, the 25-year-old — who signed for a reported £32.5 million fee in the summer — has not started a Premier League game for Liverpool since the 2-0 defeat to West Ham on 2 January. In addition, he hasn’t scored in all competitions since the Reds’ 1-0 defeat of Sunderland on 30 December.
Having played all of the match midweek, it now seems unlikely that Benteke will figure against his old club Aston Villa from the start on Sunday.
It’s not as if the Reds have been producing especially encouraging performances without Benteke, however, having won just one of their last six league games.
Jurgen Klopp has in the past urged the striker to “run more” and Benteke will certainly need to show greater desire if he wants to win back a regular place for a Liverpool side that has often struggled for goals this season.
4. Can Man United build on momentum as they make unlikely top-four bid?
With speculation surrounding Louis van Gaal’s future intensifying in recent weeks, Man United have rallied around their embattled manager and finally put in a couple of decent performances.
Convincing wins over Derby and Stoke were followed by a 1-1 draw at Chelsea that they were unlucky not to win, and if results go their way, the Red Devils could find themselves just three points off fourth-place Man City by the end of the weekend.
They will expect their encouraging form to continue in Saturday’s early kick-off, as they face a troubled Sunderland outfit currently second from bottom in the league.
Wayne Rooney recently came second in a fans’ vote to decide January’s Player of the Month, while the inexperienced likes of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have also impressed of late.
Meanwhile, Will Keane, who scored five goals in one game for Man United’s U21 side recently, has been rewarded with a call-up to the senior side.
5. Will Chelsea continue improvement under Hiddink?
Since Guus Hiddink took over, Chelsea have been improving slowly but surely.
Having endured a dismal run under previous coach Jose Mourinho, the club are unbeaten since the Dutch manager took the reins, albeit many of the games in question have been draws.
One player in particular whose performances have improved immeasurably since the end of the Mourinho era is Diego Costa.
The Spain international has scored seven goals in his last nine games and is expected to face Newcastle this weekend despite breaking his nose in training.
After a resilient display to draw with Man United last week, the Blues will be confident of securing all three points against Steve McClaren’s struggling side.
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