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So, will he or won’t he?
Will Landon Donovan, now on loan at Everton, get on the field at the Emirates this weekend?
He’s easily the most polarizing figure in American soccer and the debate on whether he’s the best player ever to pull on a national team shirt or a&nbsp;spoiled kid&nbsp;that doesn’t care about the game enough to reach his full potential can be saved for another post.
But will he play?
Hard to say.
Tune in to Setanta, assuming it’s still on the air Saturday, to find out.
<a title="TV schedule" href="http://epltalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule" target="_blank">Here’s the complete TV schedule</a>
Hull City vs. Chelsea
Assuming&nbsp;they can work around the artic weather, the Tigers will entertain front-running Chelsea in the first match of the weekend.

Table watch: Chelsea is in first place on 45 points while Hull is down in 19th on 18 points.
Striking options: With Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou away at the African Cup of Nations, the return of French International Nicolas Anelka from a hamstring injury couldn’t be more welcome for the Blues.
Trimming the bill: Mired in relegation territory, you wouldn’t think that the Tigers would be worried about cutting player salaries. But they are. Chairman Adam Pearson has told manager Phil Brown to the wage bill, accorinding to Sky Sports.
“I can’t do anything else but accept it. He is the man in charge and if that is the deal I will try and get on with it. We have got some good players here. Every manager wants a big squad that can compete at this level and cope with two or three games in a week. You need a big squad but there has been interest in a number of players at our football club and we are considering each interest on its merits.” – Brown, to Sky Sports
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Arsenal vs. Everton
The Gunners will look to keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester United when the Toffees roll into London.
Table watch: Arsenal is in third place on 41 points while Everton is in 12th place on 22 points.
So, will he?: David Moyes isn’t in the habit of revealing his team sheet 48 hours before a match, so no one’s quite sure if Donovan will play any sort of role. For what it’s worth, he sounds ready.
“This is the middle of the season, they have a few injuries and need immediate help so I have to be ready and that helped me prepare,” he told the team’s Web site. “The reality is I’m here to do a job and help the team win. I’m not just here to have fun for a few months. What I’m good at is creating chances and that is what I’ll try to do here.
“I just like to be a danger to the other team and I think most sides can use a player like that – now I have to prove I belong and help score some goals.”
Staying tough: Arsenal has stuck in the title race, thanks to a recent run of good form.
“The biggest test was the mental strength and solidarity of the players. That has been tested. We have a great hunger — it doesn’t mean Chelsea and Man United don’t — and great team spirit,” manager Arsene Wegner told Reuters.
“We are a team who have grown up together, we want to achieve things. We haven’t won anything yet together and that makes us hungry for success.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Burnley vs. Stoke City
The Owen Coyle saga provides the backdrop – and a potential distraction – as the Clarets host Stoke City.
Table watch: Burnley is in 14th place on 20 points while Stoke City is in 10th place on 24 points.
Who’s in charge?: While Coyle is in paperwork limbo between Turf Moor and Bolton, Steve Davis is the caretaker for the Clarets and chairman Barry Kilby hopes to have a new boss in place before the Jan. 16 game with Manchester United.
Looking ahead: Stoke City manager Tony Pulis isn’t expecting a disinterested effort from Burnley this weekend. ”
“The most important thing is you should always try and affect things you can affect,” he told the team’s Web site. I can’t affect what Burnley or Steve are going to do, or what the players are going to be like. The only thing I can affect is how we will be and our attitude and approach to the game.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Fulham vs. Portsmouth
After letting in three goals against Stoke City, Fulham will try to return to its stingy ways at home against Pompey.
Table watch: Fulham is in ninth place on 27 points while Portsmouth is in 20th place on 14 points.
Money talks: Between being late paying its players’ wages, having its TV money garnished to pay off debts to other clubs or still facing a transfer ban because of past transfer squabbles with other clubs – all the financial news on the south coast has been poor of late.
Picking up the slack: Bobby Zamora with his 11 goals on the season is out with a broken collarbone, but Andy Johnson is looking to pick up the flag for Fulham.
“That was a massive blow for the team,” said Johnson. “He’s been fantastic and in the form of his life. His confidence was flying so it’s up to me, Erik (Nevland) and Diomansy Kamara to carry on what Bobby’s been doing. He’s been fantastic and he’s going to be missed. The boys have got to step in now.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Sunderland vs. Bolton Wanderers
Another caretaker, Chris Evans, will lead Bolton to the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The compensation deal for Coyle, according to The Daily Mail, isn’t quite worked out yet.
Table watch: Sunderland is in 11th place on 23 points while Bolton is in 18th place on 18 points.
Put out: If Bolton didn’t have enough going on, the supporters association is angry at Arsenal for what it believes was a late decision to call off the mid-week match due to the wintry weather.
On the other hand: Things aren’t exactly perfect for Sunderland, either. The Black Cats are rumored to be selling Kenwyne Jones to Birmingham City and manager Steve Bruce is up on an improper conduct charge after his post-match comments after last month’s 4-3 loss to Manchester City.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Wigan Athletic vs. Aston Villa
The Latics will try to put some distance between themselves and the trap door when Villa visits on Saturday.
Table watch: Wigan is in 16th place on 19 points while the Villans are in sixth place on 35 points.
Rolling downhill: A recent FA Cup win over struggling Hull City is little tonic for a Wigan club that’s winless in its last five league games. But Wigan did clip Aston Villa, 2-0, at Villa Park on the opening weekend.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Birmingham City vs. Manchester United
Fresh off a shock home loss to Leeds United, the Red Devils hit the road to take on surprising Birmingham City in the last game on Saturday.
Table watch: Birmingham City is in eighth place on 32 points while Manchester United is in second place on 43 points.
Match facts: From our friends at Eurosport – The last three Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Birmingham have all ended as 1-0 wins for the Red Devils. … Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in five Premier League starts for Man Utd against Birmingham. … Birmingham have failed to score in nine of the 11 Premier League meetings with Man Utd. … United have won 16 and drawn six of the last 22 meetings in all competitions since Birmingham’s last win, a 5-1 triumph at St Andrews in November 1978.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Two teams looking to climb away from the bottom three square off at Upton Park on Sunday.
Table watch: West Ham is in 17th place on 18 points,&nbsp;two spots and one point&nbsp;back of Wolves.
They said it, part one: “The weather has made things a little difficult this week and it has snowed a lot but it hasn’t changed anything in terms of our focus. The players have been positive and up for it and I’m expecting a lot from them on Sunday. We can take heart from last weekend against Arsenal. If we maintain the attitude we showed we will see the benefit in the next few games. We will have important players and the luck will change.” – West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, to The Guardian
They said it, part two: “Everyone makes a lot of my team selection but I pick a team to win the games. If we have got a game Saturday, Tuesday in a cup replay and a big game the following Saturday I might change my view on that. I might think about the (league) game like all these big-name managers do who never seem to be disrespecting any competition – only me… what a load of tosh that is, eh?” – Wolves’ boss Mick McCarthy, to Sky Sports
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur
If the Reds are serious about maintaining their Champions League status, then a Sunday home win over a Spurs side that’s currently occupying the fourth and final slot would be a fine start.
Table watch: Liverpool is in seventh spot on 33 points while Tottenham is in fourth place on 37 points.
Not mincing words: Liverpool striker Fernando Torres knows how important this match is for his side.&nbsp;“It’s similar to Aston Villa. We need to win and we have got to win,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “A draw would be a bad result for us because we need to win to get close to the top four again. But I am sure we can do it.&nbsp;The performance of the team is always much better against the top sides in England and I’m sure that we can get three points. We have confidence, even though we know it will be a really difficult game.”
Not so fast, my friend: Spurs’ defender Michael Dawson has other ideas, telling Sky Sports that “hopefully we can keep this run going. We’re four points clear of Liverpool at the moment and hopefully we’ll make it seven by Sunday. We’re striving for the top four, Liverpool as well.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Manchester City vs. Blackburn Rovers
The Roberto Mancini era rolls on as Man City welcomes Blackburn to Eastlands for a Monday clash.
Table watch: Manchester City is in fifth place on 35 points while Blackburn is in 13th place on 21 points.
New blood: City is expected to welcome midfielder Patrick Vieira into the fold from Inter Milan soon, according to multiple reports.
Three’s a magic number: In his three matches since taking the reins from Mark Hughes, Mancini has guided the Sky Blues to three wins and three clean sheets. Those nine points helped re-ignite the squad’s Champions League dreams.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2430/09_01_2010/Hull_City_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>

Premier League Preview &#8211; Jan. 9-11

Premier League Preview - Jan. 9-11 - World Soccer Talk

Premier League Preview – Jan. 9-11

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Have a look at the table.
Go on, have a look.
It’s always interesting to glance at a Premiership table and see Tottenham at the top while Manchester United sits mired in 10th.
Take heart, Red Devil fans. The season is still very young.
On the tube
Don’t miss the <a title="TV schedule" href="http://epltalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank">weekend’s TV schedule,</a> which is, of course, subject to the whims of guys in suits who don’t know a back heel from a back door
Now, on with the previews:

Arsenal vs. Portsmouth
It’s hard to choose two teams that have looked any more different than the Gunners and Pompey so far this season.
A new resolve?
It’s easy to write off Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Celtic as a piece of very good fortune, but winning those type of fixtures is what separates above average teams from great ones. It’s early days, but that result has to be encouraging.
Shaking off disappointment
While Arsenal was celebrating a Champions League win in Glasgow in mid-week, Pompey was losing at home to newly promoted Birmingham on an injury-time penalty.
A sure thing?
It’s hard to imagine any other result that a thrashing at the Emirates for Pompey, who could really use some of that Middle Eastern money to bolster their squad.
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2025/22_08_2009/Arsenal_Vs_Portsmouth.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Birmingham vs. Stoke City
Their late heroics at St. Andrews gave them three points, and now Birmingham will welcome the Potters to town on Saturday.
Up and down
We’ve mentioned Birmingham’s triumph in mid-week, but Stoke City must somehow recover from a 4-0 beating at Anfield at the hands of Liverpool on Wednesday.
On the road
Stoke City picked up 10 points in their travels last season, so they’ll be looking for something this weekend.
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2026/22_08_2009/Birmingham_City_Vs_Stoke_City.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Hull City vs. Bolton Wanderers
The Tigers find themselves pointless after two matches, a condition they’ll be looking to change when Bolton visits on Saturday.
Where’s Jozy?
Work permit issues and H1N1 concerns have delayed U.S. International Jozy Altidore’s Hull City debut. Could this be the weekend? <a title="Jozy on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/JozyAltidore17" target="_blank">His Twitter account</a> provides no answer at press time, so stay tuned…
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2027/22_08_2009/Hull_City_Vs_Bolton_Wanderers.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Sunderland vs. Blackburn
Blackburn is still seeking its first points of the campaign as it strolls into the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
A fast start
The Black Cats were on dream street with an early goal against Chelsea, but the Blues rallied for a 3-1 win on Tuesday. Blackburn hasn’t played since its 2-0 loss to City last weekend.
Still adding?
Despite a busy summer for new boss Steve Bruce, Sunderland is still looking to add Lyon defender John Mensah to the squad.
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2028/22_08_2009/Sunderland_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
City hopes to continue its high scoring start to the campaign when it hosts Wolves.
An impressive result
City nabbed a 1-0 friendly win at Camp Now over Barcelona on Wednesday in a contest in which both sides fielded something less than full-strength squads.
“I’ve been able to give some young players the opportunity to play in the Nou Camp, a night they will never forget,” Hughes told the team’s Web site.
Wolverhampton also had a win in mid-week, notching a 1-0 result at Wigan on Andy Keogh’s header.
Not worried about the bulletin board
“I don’t think that expecting them to win the league when they have just bought a team is realistic. They might make a push for it. But I just don’t think it is realistic to expect them to win the league when others have got a settled team” – Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, to the Birmingham Mail
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2030/22_08_2009/Manchester_City_Vs_Wolverhampton.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United
United, fresh off a disappointing 1-0 loss at Burnley, will look to bounce back at Old Trafford against Wigan.
Hot and cold
Both teams have split their first two games, with the Red Devils winning 1-0 against Birmingham in the opener before falling on Wednesday while Wigan won at Aston Villa in the opener before stumbling at home against Wolves.
Scoring punch
Two league matches against newly promoted sides have netted just two goals for Man U, which may still be adjusting a bit to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Hopefully we get as many (chances) on Saturday. “Michael Carrick had what I thought was the best chance when the ball was squared to him in the box but he decided to take a touch on the ball and lost the opportunity. Michael Owen missed a great chance in the first half, Ryan Giggs had one in the second half and Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances. 
“Our players are all disappointed, it was a bad result for us. But I’m sure we’ll get a response.” – United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, after his team’s loss to Burnley
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2031/22_08_2009/Wigan_Athletic_Vs_Manchester_United.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs are sitting atop the league table, but if they want to stay there, they’ll have to navigate a trip to Upton Park on Sunday.
Getting offensive
Harry Redknapp’s club has scored seven goals in their first two games, three of which came from Jermain Defoe in Wednesday’s 5-1 win at Hull City.
Lying in wait
West Ham hasn’t played since its opening round win over Wolverhampton.
Injury worry?
Tottenham’s Web site reports that starting keeper Heurelho Gomes has a groin injury. David Button has been recalled from Crewe Alexandra for insurance purposes.
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2032/23_08_2009/West_Ham_Vs_Tottenham.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Burnley vs. Everton
After a famous win over the reigning champions, Burnley welcomes Everton to Turf Moor on Sunday.
What’s going on?
A 6-1 loss to Arsenal in the season opener coupled with Julian Lescott’s want-away mindset has the Toffees in the news for all the wrong reasons.
“You deal with it and you move on so we’ll look it at it and try to do better next time. … We have to pick ourselves up quickly. … There’s no positives you can take out. We didn’t play well today and we have to take the blame. …We’ve had pre-season problems but mainly because we haven’t been able to get players playing.” – Everton gaffer David Moyes, to the BBC
Staying hot
Burnley keeper Brian Jenson credits the Turf Moor faithful for the team’s recent success:
“The fans weren’t only our 12th and 13th man on Wednesday, they were our 13th and 14th too. They were absolutely brilliant, I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve been here seven years now. We need them, it’s vital. We don’t want them on our backs. We want them to get on the oppositions backs, regardless of what happens. 
“We played well which makes it easier for them but, there will come a time here this season when we will be in trouble and that’s when we will need them the most.” – Jenson, to the team’s Web site
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2029/23_08_2009/Burnley_Vs_Everton.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Fulham vs. Chelsea
One of the better games of the weekend sets up on Sunday as the Blues pay a visit to Craven Cottage
Fact sheet
In each of the last three seasons, Chelsea has won one game and drawn the other against the Whites in league play. … Fulham has gone nine games without a home draw. … Didier Drogba has been busy, leading the league in shots on target (6) while drawing yellow cards in each of his first two matches.
Clogged fixture list
Chelsea rallied from a 1-0 deficit at the Stadium of Light to get a 3-1 win in mid-week while Fulham had a Europa League qualifier at home on Thursday.
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2033/23_08_2009/Fulham_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Villa’s stuttering end to the 2008-2009 season seems to have carried over into this year’s Premier League campaign, and Martin O’Neill’s side will be hoping to change that at Anfield on Monday.
Rising and falling tides
Liverpool shook off its week one loss at Spurs by walloping Stoke City 4-0 earlier this week. Villa, having lost at home to Wigan to start the season, followed that with a 1-0 loss at Rapid Vienna in Europa League play on Thursday.
They said it
“This season you will be playing double headers. Every team you will play twice in the group stages, like in the Champions League, so it will be more games. That’s why the manager is trying to make sure we have enough players to cope with this year in domestic cup games, Europe and the Premier League as well. 
“Other teams in Europe have big squads and we must do that as well. I think before the window shuts we will have a few more signings. I hope so.” – Stiliyan Petrov, to Sky Sports
<a title="Predictor" href="http://predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2033/23_08_2009/Fulham_Vs_Chelsea.aspx" target="_blank">Predict the winner on the EPL Talk Predictor</a>

Premier League Preview &#8211; Aug. 22-24

Premier League Preview - Aug. 22-24 - World Soccer Talk

Premier League Preview – Aug. 22-24

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Premier League Preview – Jan. 9-11

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Premier League Preview – Aug. 22-24