MANCHESTER City can close to within four points of its title rival Manchester United by beating Fulham tonight in the English Premier League.
United, which doesn't play until tomorrow night, has looked imperious in recent weeks, picking up 31 points from a possible 33 to establish a seven-point lead over second-placed City, which has let 10 points slip in the same period.
The Reds Devils visit Tottenham Hotspur, which has lost just once in 10 matches and won 3-2 at Old Trafford when the sides last met in September.
With third-placed Chelsea also preparing for a problematic assignment at home to Arsenal on the same day, City hopes this weekend marks the start of their fightback in the title race.
While United and Chelsea were in action mid-week -- United edging West Ham United in an FA Cup third-round replay and Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home to Southampton in the EPL -- City has benefited from a week off. Roberto Mancini's side has also been boosted by captain Vincent Kompany's successful appeal against the red card he was shown in last weekend's 2-0 win at Arsenal, which would have ruled him out of the home game with Fulham.
Although United shows no sign of slowing, City fullback Pablo Zabaleta says his colleagues have not lost hope and will draw inspiration from the way they pipped Alex Ferguson's men to the English crown last season.
"We know that we are up against a rival in United who are in a very good moment," he said.
"They have seven points more, but that is not much in this league. There is still a long way before the title is decided and there is still a margin to lose and recover."
Further down the standings, Liverpool hosts Norwich City, knowing that victory -- allied with a defeat for Spurs -- would take it to within six points of the Champions League places.
Brendan Rodgers's side went down 2-1 at United last weekend, but there was good news in the return from injury of Italian striker Fabio Borini.
An off-season acquisition from Roma, Borini broke his foot just five league games into his Anfield career, and after three months on the sidelines is desperate to make up for lost time. "All the memories of the last three months and the things I've been through went from my mind," said the 21-year-old of his comeback at Old Trafford. "My Liverpool career is actually starting now, I think."
Tonight could also be important at the other end of the table. Newcastle United, two places above the relegation places, hosts second-bottom Reading while Aston Villa will bid to arrest its worrying slide down the standings when it visits Midlands rival West Bromwich Albion.
AFP
No comments:
Post a Comment