Defending Champions Chelsea are most likely to continue their dream start to the campaign when they host Tony Pulis's Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The way Carlo Ancelloti's Pensioners fired 6 goals past Wigan last week, the Blues seems to be an unstoppable force this season. Most of the experts would agree that they have the most in-depth squad in Europe at the moment. Not only do they have 3 sizzling forwards in Drogba, Anelka and Malouda but even bench-warmers like Kalou and Benayoun are capable of damaging the opposition in their roles as super-subs. This week EPL fans could also see the debut of new Chelsea midfield maestro Ramires-dubbed as the BLUE KENYAN in his native Brazil. He showed glimpses of his talent and relentless energy during the World Cup which makes him an ideal replacement for Michael Ballack who often got over-shadowed by Frankie Lampard during his Chelsea career. Ramires in Chelsea midfield is a bad news for rest of the premier league as it would give more freedom to the likes of Lampard and Essien to drive forward and join Drogba n Co. in terrorizing the opposition defenses. On the other hand, Stoke are yet to register a point after back to back defeats in their first 2 games. But on their day, Stoke are a tough team to beat and could sprung a few surprises with their direct approach and deadly set-pieces.
Roy Hodgson's honeymoon seems to be over after the 3-0 thrashing Liverpool got from Man City who are probably their direct competitors for that 4th Champions League spot. They are expected to win at Anfield against newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion but, Mascherano's transfer saga seems to affect Merseysider's preparations as they have run out of cover in the midfield after the season-long loan move for Aquilani to Juventus. Joe Cole would be serving second of his three game suspension and Fernando Torres is expected to start his second successive league game unless, he suffers from an eyebrow injury that could rule him out for a couple of months ;-)
Arsene Wenger's Gunners face a tricky away tie to Blackburn on the back of their 6-0 hammering of Blackpool last weekend. Ewood Park is one of those venues that Gunners have hated to travel for the past few years arguing that their kids don't get enough protection from the referee and ultimately succumb to the kick-boxing tactics of Big Sam.
Man United host the team everyone would love to face at the moment-West Ham United. The Hammers have been lacking quality all over the pitch and it seems they would end up fighting at the wrong-end of the table once again. Wayne Ronney would be eager to end his goal-drought against the most booed man in England at the moment, yes I am talking about Robert Green. But with Paul Scholes in the form of his life, goals are expected to come from all over the pitch.
Elsewhere new champions league entrants Tottenham would host Wigan at White Hart lane looking forward to repeat the 9-1 drubbing they gave to Roberto Martinez men last year who have reached a nadir after two successive home defeats and the sale of star-player Charles N'Zogbia. A few other 6-pointers are scheduled this week that would decide the second-half of the table at the end of the season.
Let us keep our fingers crossed for another high-scoring week in the most-competitive league in the world !!!
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