23.11.2013. This weekend see’s the return of Premier League after the International break, with a few interesting fixtures in prospect:
Everton vs Liverpool on Saturday, 23rd November at 12:45pm
Everton and Liverpool renew rivalries this Saturday as the 221st Merseyside derby looks to be yet another exciting affair with both teams enjoying a good start to the season. Second in the table, Liverpool, performed excellently against in their last game against Fulham, seeing them off by four goals to nil. Another win would see them put pressure on leaders Arsenal who sit just two points in-front. Liverpool will be hoping Star striker Luis Suarez will be feeling no ill effects following his long trip home to help Uruguay book a place at the World Cup Finals in Brazil next summer. The striker has scored eight goals in 6 appearances this season and will look to add to that tally in this match.
Everton too are going well this season and are three points behind their local rivals ahead of the game at Goodison Park. Under Roberto Martinez Everton have only lost one game in the league this season, and have not conceded in over 5 hours of football, the last time coming on October 19, in a 2-1 victory over Hull. Liverpool have enjoyed the better of the results in the Derbies of recent years winning 7 of the last 13 meetings against their local rivals.
Fulham vs Swansea on Saturday, 23rd November at 3:00pm
A lot has changed for Fulham over the international break. Rene Muelensteen was appointed as head coach last week to improve performances on the pitch that has seen Fulham slide down the table of late. Muelensteen, a former Manchester United coach has been brought in to work alongside manager Martin Jol, who while in solo charger has seen his Fulham team to lose 7 of their opening 11 Premier league games, the last of which being a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
Fulham’s home form has been one of the poorest in the league this season, with just one win, so will be up against it this Saturday. They will continue to be without Brede Hangeland for this match due to a sciatic nerve problem. Damien Duff will also miss the game against Swansea and Sascha Riether remains banned.
Swansea themselves are struggling of late and are only two points better off than Fulham. The Swans are without a win in just over a month. having drawn four of the last five in all competitions. They will welcome back keeper Michel Vorm following a one-match suspension, but will still be without influential striker Michu who has an ankle injury. Pablo Hernandez will also miss the game with a thigh strain.
West Ham vs Chelsea on Saturday, 23rd November at 3:00pm
West Ham will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s result in this fixture when they face Chelsea on Saturday. The hammers ran out 3-1 winners that day and will be looking to cause an upset once again this Saturday evening.
Jose Mourinho won’t want a repeat of the 2-0 defeat in Chelsea’s last away fixture at Newcastle, and will make sure his side is at the races in the fixture. He will be without Fernando Torres once again, as he continues to recover from an abductor muscle injury.
West ham have endured a poor start to the season, and could see themselves fall in to the bottom three if they lose this fixture. Their only league at home this campaign was on the opening day, with three defeats and a goalless draw since. West Ham defender Winston Reid will miss the match having undergone ankle surgery. Razvan Rat is a doubt with a hamstring injury he sustained on international duty with Romania. This is the 100th meeting of the clubs in all competitions. Chelsea have won 44 times, West Ham 37 and there have been 18 draws.
