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4 things to look out for this weekend

By on November 7, 2014

Liverpool still suffering from Gerrard slip as Chelsea loom
Whether Liverpool’s failure to win the league title did lead to Luis Suarez leaving the club of not, one thing is clear Steven Gerrard’s slip which is largely accredited with ending Liverpool’s strong title bid last season, took their momentum away. And with the departure of Suarez, their problems have multiplied, that affect has been multiplied tenfold. But where Liverpool lost their momentum abruptly last season, they can regain it again tomorrow with a much needed win against Chelsea. The question is, will they be able to get it?

Just by looking at their form of late, the answer is no. They have lost to Real Madrid, though there is no shame in that, and Newcastle recently, while drawing Hull City. Their momentum since Gerrard’s slip has plummeted. Chelsea’s on the other hand, skyrocketed. The Blues are top of the table and six points clear of title rivals Manchester City. But then again, when one result can affect a club like Liverpool’s last meeting Chelsea did, it can happen again in reverse with a win.

Aston Villa drought worsens with loss of Benteke

Had Christian Benteke not been on form last season, scoring ten league goals, it is very likely Aston Villa could have been relegated. Last season, Paul Lambert’s side finished just five points clear of the relegation zone – but would have been desperately short of goals and perhaps not able to stay up without Benteke, who contributed more than a quarter of their goals. This season, they have been hit with the dilemma of not having Benteke on form or even on the pitch most of the time – this weekend, they will lack him via suspension, though he has hardly contributed so far this season, lacking a league goal or assist after missing the first two months of action via an injury. Villa haven’t yet been able to cope. Even with Benteke back last month, they scored just one goal in their past six games – picking up not a single point in the same period.

Lambert is yet to find himself in desperate trouble, and Villa are not in the relegation zone, but with another loss at the weekend to West Ham United things could go from bad to worse. West Ham have been on good form of late, sitting in fifth place, having bested Manchester City two weeks ago. However, they let two goals in against Stoke City last weekend, and if anything their biggest flaw has been allowing too many goals. Lambert, certainly, needs to knick one off them. Where that will come from, though, is debatable. Tom Cleverly isn’t exactly a goal scoring midfielder, and neither is Gabriel Agbonlahor on reliable form. Charles N’Zogbia and Ashley Westwood, both expected to start against West Ham, are not exactly reliable goal scorers either, though they do chip in a few. It’s clear that while Benteke is not on form he will still be dearly missed as Villa’s biggest presence up front.

Manchester United out for blood
Manchester United have undoubtedly stepped up to the challenges of facing Chelsea and Manchester City in their last two league fixtures, and with just one point, albeit a good one, from those games they should be able to take three away from Crystal Palace if they maintain their spirit.

Newcastle can prove their worth
So, Newcastle United. Alan Pardew was so often in this column for all the wrong reasons in October, until they suddenly turned it around. In the last two weeks they have beaten Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool. And while that has gotten the club and Pardew out of trouble, only a win over West Bromwich Albion this weekend will indicate that they really have gotten back on track, and improved. Three results, even as incredible as theirs were, can be a fluke. Four, against all different levels of opposition puts past most possibilities of a lucky streak, however.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.