Chris Maduewesi
Member
Week after week it becomes more glaring that the English Premier League title is destined to be won by either Manchester City or Chelsea.
They are the pacesetters and it is a no-brainer that other teams are playing catch-up for Champions League qualification places.
With nine points being the gulf between second and third positions on the log, it is hard seeing how it will not be between Chelsea and Man City.
Just two points separates Chelsea and City and any blip could see the other team capitalizing and steering clear.
Last week, Chelsea dug deep like they have done most of this season to see off Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
This week they travel to Wales to play Swansea City, and could go five points clear before City take to the pitch on Sunday.
Swansea is never an easy team to play especially at the Liberty Stadium, and it has never been rosy for Chelsea while playing there in recent seasons, so who says there could not be an upset on the card?
Chelsea have the firepower to secure all three points, but Swansea won't line up just to be rolled over.
Garry Monk's team might have lost Wilfried Bony to Man City(now on international duty with Ivory Coast) but they remain a threat to any team coming to their home.
Meanwhile the biggest game of the weekend no doubt will be the fixture between Man City and Arsenal.
In this game last season, Arsenal were humiliated, losing by one of their biggest margins, 6-3 at the Etihad stadium.
But there is low probability that such will be the case this time around.
In Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger's team have a man in form, shouldering the burdens of lifting his side out of trouble.
Wenger will be wondering what he has to do to get his players all fit. Just this week, both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy were ruled out with varying injuries for three months.
City on their part have Sergio Aguero back from injury and his capabilities are never in doubt. The Argentine remains the highest goalscorer in the league and on his good day can tuck away four in a match.
Manuel Pellegrini's team might go into the match under pressure to respond if Chelsea wins their game, and it could weigh in on them.
Will goals flow in this game? Certainly. At least the first leg that ended 2-2 at the Emirates suggests so.
So, below we have chronicled the press conferences of the top managers with regards to their weekend games.
*Arsenal
With Arsenal facing City on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has insisted that last season's 6-3 result will not affect the psyche of his team.
"The history will not play a big part. The performance on the day will play the only part," he said.
On the injury front, he said that Debuchy was left "destroyed" after suffering a shoulder injury in the game against Stoke City.
"He's destroyed because he just wants to play," said Wenger.
Wenger also chipped in some words on the Ballon D'Or award : "I'm totally against it," he said.
"I'm a team player and a specialist of somebody who loves teamwork. I'm totally against that. I would not vote anybody."
*Manchester United:
Manager Louis Van Gaal said that Robin van Persie is a doubt for the game against QPR with a "minor injury", adding that "You have to wait and see," when responding to questions if he would make the trip.
Van Gaal admitted that QPR's "long-ball" style could cause his side some problems at Loftus Road.
"I think the players will do everything to beat Manchester United. I think it is always the same, because Manchester United is a big club," says the Dutchman.
"Every player and every team want to beat Manchester United. QPR have a playing style that is difficult for us, we have seen that already. They play a lot of long balls, they have strong strikers and we have to beat them in spite of that."
On the reason why Radamel Falcao has not been featuring, he added that the Colombian will have tp prove himself.
"If a player costs £95million or £5,000, it doesn't make any difference. You have to prove yourself," Van Gaal said.
And he admitted that they might not be buying new players this transfer window, contrary to reports.
"I do not think we shall be very active. Not many players at the correct level are available," he added
Van Gaal was realistic when he admitted that they will be aiming to qualify for the Champions League next season.
"Of course we want to be the champion but our goal from the beginning was to finish in the top four. That is still our goal."
*Chelsea:
Jose Mourinho might have missed his press conference last week, but he was in the mood on Friday when he faced journalists as he had a lot to say.
"Now I am in conditions to control myself and a week ago I couldn't control my words so to avoid bigger problems I stayed away.
"I am not interested in the FA misconduct charge, I just ignore it and get on with my job.
"We are not against the referees, their job is not easy. I'm happy to admit my mistakes, so when I spoke with Kevin Friend and, realised it was my mistake and not his, I apologised.
"The reality is that every decision is going against us and the results are affected by that. But I want to put any doubts about the honesty of people beyond us totally."
Speaking about the game against Swansea, Mourinho revealed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is fit to play, but could start from the bench: "Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois should be fit tomorrow, he might not be 100% but how many players are through the season?
"Cesar Azpilicueta is less bad than we thought and he was intelligent to stop when he felt that the big injury was coming. He will train with the team next week I think."
On the title race, Mourinho played down suggestions that they are favourites to win the competition.
"We are not favourites. We are candidates. We will fight for the title until it is mathematically possible."
The Portuguese then took a swipe at Manchester City for signing Wilfried Bony.
"Well done. He is a good player and a good striker.
"If they have the money and can spend the money and have no problems with Financial Fair Play, well done.
"They can only play with 11 though, unless the rules are different and they can play with 12. The rules are different for them in some areas, but not this one.
"If Bony plays and Dzeko is on the bench then I am happy with that. But to have Aguero, Jovetic, Bony and Dzeko is magnificent.
*Manchester City:
After spending huge money to sign Bony from Swansea, Manuel Pellegrini admitted that they could still spend on new players.
"We will see. At the moment we are not thinking of that," says the Chilean.
"I always say that the transfer window is open to the end of January so we will see what happens in future. But I think we have the squad for the rest of the season."
However, Pellegrini denied that the acquisition of Bony will seem Stevan Jovetic leave, saying that the Ivorian was bought to replace Alvaro Negrodo.
"Bony is replacing Alvaro, not Jovetic. Stevan is a very important player for us. " said Pellegrini.
"We sold Alvaro because he had personal problems and did not want to continue here."
Ahead of his side's clash with Arsenal, the Chilean praised his compatriot, Alexis Sanchez who adapted quickly to the Premier League.
"I think Alexis is a very good player, he is having a very good season in England. It is not easy for a player in his first season here to score so many goals.
"Alexis is repeating what he did in the last two seasons at Barcelona and scoring a lot of goals.
"I am very happy for him because he is a young player and very enthusiastic player and improving. But I don't want to compare with Sergio."
*Fixtures
Saturday January 17, 2015
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
Leicester vs Stoke
QPR vs Manchester Utd
Swansea vs Chelsea
Tottenham vs Sunderland
Newcastle vs Southampton
Sunday January 18, 2015
West Ham vs Hull
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Monday January 19, 2015
Everton vs West Brom
They are the pacesetters and it is a no-brainer that other teams are playing catch-up for Champions League qualification places.
With nine points being the gulf between second and third positions on the log, it is hard seeing how it will not be between Chelsea and Man City.
Just two points separates Chelsea and City and any blip could see the other team capitalizing and steering clear.
Last week, Chelsea dug deep like they have done most of this season to see off Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
This week they travel to Wales to play Swansea City, and could go five points clear before City take to the pitch on Sunday.
Swansea is never an easy team to play especially at the Liberty Stadium, and it has never been rosy for Chelsea while playing there in recent seasons, so who says there could not be an upset on the card?
Chelsea have the firepower to secure all three points, but Swansea won't line up just to be rolled over.
Garry Monk's team might have lost Wilfried Bony to Man City(now on international duty with Ivory Coast) but they remain a threat to any team coming to their home.
Meanwhile the biggest game of the weekend no doubt will be the fixture between Man City and Arsenal.
In this game last season, Arsenal were humiliated, losing by one of their biggest margins, 6-3 at the Etihad stadium.
But there is low probability that such will be the case this time around.
In Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger's team have a man in form, shouldering the burdens of lifting his side out of trouble.
Wenger will be wondering what he has to do to get his players all fit. Just this week, both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy were ruled out with varying injuries for three months.
City on their part have Sergio Aguero back from injury and his capabilities are never in doubt. The Argentine remains the highest goalscorer in the league and on his good day can tuck away four in a match.
Manuel Pellegrini's team might go into the match under pressure to respond if Chelsea wins their game, and it could weigh in on them.
Will goals flow in this game? Certainly. At least the first leg that ended 2-2 at the Emirates suggests so.
So, below we have chronicled the press conferences of the top managers with regards to their weekend games.
*Arsenal
With Arsenal facing City on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has insisted that last season's 6-3 result will not affect the psyche of his team.
"The history will not play a big part. The performance on the day will play the only part," he said.
On the injury front, he said that Debuchy was left "destroyed" after suffering a shoulder injury in the game against Stoke City.
"He's destroyed because he just wants to play," said Wenger.
Wenger also chipped in some words on the Ballon D'Or award : "I'm totally against it," he said.
"I'm a team player and a specialist of somebody who loves teamwork. I'm totally against that. I would not vote anybody."
*Manchester United:
Manager Louis Van Gaal said that Robin van Persie is a doubt for the game against QPR with a "minor injury", adding that "You have to wait and see," when responding to questions if he would make the trip.
Van Gaal admitted that QPR's "long-ball" style could cause his side some problems at Loftus Road.
"I think the players will do everything to beat Manchester United. I think it is always the same, because Manchester United is a big club," says the Dutchman.
"Every player and every team want to beat Manchester United. QPR have a playing style that is difficult for us, we have seen that already. They play a lot of long balls, they have strong strikers and we have to beat them in spite of that."
On the reason why Radamel Falcao has not been featuring, he added that the Colombian will have tp prove himself.
"If a player costs £95million or £5,000, it doesn't make any difference. You have to prove yourself," Van Gaal said.
And he admitted that they might not be buying new players this transfer window, contrary to reports.
"I do not think we shall be very active. Not many players at the correct level are available," he added
Van Gaal was realistic when he admitted that they will be aiming to qualify for the Champions League next season.
"Of course we want to be the champion but our goal from the beginning was to finish in the top four. That is still our goal."
*Chelsea:
Jose Mourinho might have missed his press conference last week, but he was in the mood on Friday when he faced journalists as he had a lot to say.
"Now I am in conditions to control myself and a week ago I couldn't control my words so to avoid bigger problems I stayed away.
"I am not interested in the FA misconduct charge, I just ignore it and get on with my job.
"We are not against the referees, their job is not easy. I'm happy to admit my mistakes, so when I spoke with Kevin Friend and, realised it was my mistake and not his, I apologised.
"The reality is that every decision is going against us and the results are affected by that. But I want to put any doubts about the honesty of people beyond us totally."
Speaking about the game against Swansea, Mourinho revealed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is fit to play, but could start from the bench: "Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois should be fit tomorrow, he might not be 100% but how many players are through the season?
"Cesar Azpilicueta is less bad than we thought and he was intelligent to stop when he felt that the big injury was coming. He will train with the team next week I think."
On the title race, Mourinho played down suggestions that they are favourites to win the competition.
"We are not favourites. We are candidates. We will fight for the title until it is mathematically possible."
The Portuguese then took a swipe at Manchester City for signing Wilfried Bony.
"Well done. He is a good player and a good striker.
"If they have the money and can spend the money and have no problems with Financial Fair Play, well done.
"They can only play with 11 though, unless the rules are different and they can play with 12. The rules are different for them in some areas, but not this one.
"If Bony plays and Dzeko is on the bench then I am happy with that. But to have Aguero, Jovetic, Bony and Dzeko is magnificent.
*Manchester City:
After spending huge money to sign Bony from Swansea, Manuel Pellegrini admitted that they could still spend on new players.
"We will see. At the moment we are not thinking of that," says the Chilean.
"I always say that the transfer window is open to the end of January so we will see what happens in future. But I think we have the squad for the rest of the season."
However, Pellegrini denied that the acquisition of Bony will seem Stevan Jovetic leave, saying that the Ivorian was bought to replace Alvaro Negrodo.
"Bony is replacing Alvaro, not Jovetic. Stevan is a very important player for us. " said Pellegrini.
"We sold Alvaro because he had personal problems and did not want to continue here."
Ahead of his side's clash with Arsenal, the Chilean praised his compatriot, Alexis Sanchez who adapted quickly to the Premier League.
"I think Alexis is a very good player, he is having a very good season in England. It is not easy for a player in his first season here to score so many goals.
"Alexis is repeating what he did in the last two seasons at Barcelona and scoring a lot of goals.
"I am very happy for him because he is a young player and very enthusiastic player and improving. But I don't want to compare with Sergio."
*Fixtures
Saturday January 17, 2015
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
Leicester vs Stoke
QPR vs Manchester Utd
Swansea vs Chelsea
Tottenham vs Sunderland
Newcastle vs Southampton
Sunday January 18, 2015
West Ham vs Hull
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Monday January 19, 2015
Everton vs West Brom