Gameweek 5: Preview

As all the international games wrap up. We head into week 5 of the premier league, where two games stands out from the rest. Both games involve a London team (Tottenham and Arsenal) and a Manchester team (City and United). Both games present interesting match ups.

MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL


Manchester City, with their new multimillion dollar star studded team face their first real challenge in last seasons forth place Arsenal. City have won their last three games on the trot and look inform heading into this game at The City of Manchester Stadium, City will look to exploit Arsenal's weakness in set pieces with the imposing figure of ex-Arsenal striker Adebayor. The Togolese striker has had a terrific start to life at Manchester and has scored in all three games City has played.

Arsenal welcome back club captain Cesc Fabregas, who scored in Spain's World cup qualifying game against Estonia. Fabregas who started the season in blistering form comes back after injury ruled him out of a crucial match with Manchester United.

Punters have given Arsenal the favorites tag, but with both teams so evenly matched I wouldn't be surprised if the game ended in a draw.

Key match ups:

Cesc Fabregas VS Gareth Barry
William Gallas VS Emmanuel Adebayor
Andrey Arshavin VS Kolo Toure


TOTTENHAM VS MANCHESTER UNITED


The weeks other intriguing fixture has to be the game involving inform Tottenham hosting champions Manchester United. Spurs head into this match high on confidence with a four match winning streak (Their best in over 30 years). They have goal-scoring machine Jermain Defoe (having scored 10 goals in 7 games for club and country), inform Aaron Lennon having two goals this season (both late winners) and a fantastic man of the match display against Croatia where he set up two goals and almost came close to adding his name to the score sheet. Spurs other top performer Luka Modric was injured in his last game with a broken leg and is not expected back for another 7 weeks, Redknapp was quick to sign a replacement in Modric's international compatriot Niko Kranjcar, both of them play in the same position and have similar attributes.

Manchester United having come out of a victory against Arsenal in the last fixture will look to exploit Tottenham's frail backline, with prolific striker Rooney getting on the score sheet in his game for England, Spurs will have an extremely difficult task in containing him. The Red Devils will also welcome back experience duo Ferdinand and Vidic to sure up the backline. Defoe will face stiff challenges from the physical back line of United, and will have to work extra hard if he is to score.

Punters have tipped The Red Devils to take the three points away from White Heart Lane (Last season Manchester United drew twice and won twice both with 1-0 score lines). But it will definitely not be a stroll in the park this time round and the Londoners will fight for every tackle.

Key match ups:

Jermain Defoe VS Rio Ferdinand
Aaron Lennon VS Patrice Evra
Sebastian Bassong VS Wayne Rooney


OTHER GAMES:
- Blackburn will take the points away from the Wolves
- Liverpool entertain high flying Burnley, Liverpool look set to take all three points with inform Gerrard.
- Bolton will look to bounce back from an undeserved loss to Liverpool and will take the points away from rebuilding Pompey
- Stoke host Chelsea at the Brittania Staduim, Chelsea will come away with the win but don't bet on Stoke going easy.
- Will be a tight game between Sunderland and Hull, good chance things will end in a stalemate.
- West Ham will take the points away from the Latics
- Aston Villa travel to Birmingham in a derby match. The Villians are favorites to take the points off their bitter rivals.
- Tough match for Everton at Craven Cottage, where the points will be shared.