Another weekend in the Premier League brings another mouth watering clash as London big boys Arsenal and Chelsea meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A Chelsea win would see the Champions go seven points clear of Arsenal in the first week of October, a comfortable distance early on. While the two teams stand in third and first respectively, the tantalizing early season test for Arsenal away from home could prove daunting.

While Arsenal have played some fine football through the first few weeks of the season, they’ll hope last weekend’s shock home loss to West Brom won’t set the tone for the encounter, a much tougher test. Arsenal rebounded midweek with a 3-1 win away to Partizan Belgrade in the Champions League, hoping momentum from the match will carry over to the league.

Chelsea too are coming off of a loss in the league, like Arsenal, their first of the season. As Chelsea rebounded also in the Champions League v Marseille, they’ll want nothing but three points to prove their strength, having lost their first real test of the season last weekend. Vulnerability is a dish best not served.

Although it’s debatable that Carlo Ancelotti got his formation and tactics wrong at Eastlands last gameweek, Chelsea’s impotence at creating numerous clear cut chances in the match may have been a direct result of Manchester City’s competence. While the 4-3-3- that blitzed everything in its path through the first five weeks was missing Frank Lampard, and while Lampard looks set to miss Sunday’s match as well, Chelsea remain favorites in the league because of their experience and ability to score goals.

Chelsea gained all six points on offer last year with a combined 5-0 scoreline. While neither team has changed enough over the summer to warrant a major turn in the likely outcome, the addition of Marouane Chamakh up front for Arsenal will look to test John Terry and Alex in the air. The emerging talent of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, should he play a part, makes him one to watch.

The Chelsea starting XI, minus last week, embodies a fluid attack. Through Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka as a forward three, they’ll look to press Arsenal high up the pitch and test a back four who conceded three goals last league match against a newly promoted side. Chelsea’s midfield will likely be made up of Mikel, Essien and possibly Yuri Zhirkov in to replace Ramires who looked off the place at Eastlands.

Zhirkov seems to have had a tough time settling into life as a Chelsea player and gaining regular first team football. He’s battled fitness and form over the last year, but he’s a decent enough left winger (who can also play left back), skilled and quick. Chelsea’s back line of Cole, Terry, Alex and Ivanovic (Cech in goal) has been incredibly solid this year conceding only two goals in six league matches.

Arsenal will have to meet Chelsea still without some key players. Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner will all miss with injury, while the in form Samir Nasri, Chamakh and Jack Wilshere will lead the attack. Defending against Chelsea’s capable attack will prove most challenging for Arsenal’s back line of Bacary Sagna, Sebastien Squillaci, Laurent Koscielny and Gael Clichy. Arsenal have let in seven goals this campaign to Chelsea’s two. The up and down Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Andrei Arshavin could occupy the remaining midfield and attacking roles.

The one glaring question that remains for Arsenal is goalkeeper. Besides saving a Chris Brunt penalty last weekend, Manuel Almunia had an outright stinker as he was directly responsible for a few goals. Lukasz Fabianski replaced Almunia during midweek with a fine performance having also saved a penalty. Time will tell whether or not Arsene Wenger will drop Almunia for the game v Chelsea, while if it’s not this weekend, it should be soon. Yet many Arsenal fans still debate that there’s a viable replacement currently at Arsenal that can do the job. Surely the North London side approaches January with the intent of securing another top keeper. Almunia’s form cost Arsenal at least a point in the game against West Brom, the kind of home matches they need to win if they’re to challenge for the title.

That form and those errors simply aren’t good enough for a top Premier League side who has realistic ambitions of capturing silverware. However, we’ve known this for some time. What we haven’t yet figured out is why Arsenal, specifically Wenger, elects to stick with Almunia while points slip away.

While both teams look to recover from a loss in the league last time out, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown on Sunday. On current form and results, Chelsea should be favored. Their ability to attack, both down the left and down the center through multiple avenues make them dangerous in possession and on the counter. As previously stated, or until they start leaking goals, they boast the best defense in the league.

To overlook Arsenal would be slightly silly. Arsenal, more than ever, are a team looking to prove themselves, win silverware and shed this tag they have of a team with no heart or the ability to get stuck in when it counts. Sunday’s match has the potential to be a coming out for Arsenal players like Marouane Chamakh, Jack Wilshere and the furthering of Samir Nasri’s evolution as a Premier League-caliber footballer.

Arsenal and Chelsea fans, feel free to leave your predictions, picks for starting XI’s and potential star performers in the comments section below.

With the Premier League season now done and dusted, there is no better time to look at the winners and losers of one of the most open and un-predicable seasons in history.

Arsenal

Despite another trophy-less season there has been a considerable improvement with the Gunners, showing more fight and determination despite playing a majority of the season without any central strikers. However there are clear areas where key additions must be made, case 1: a goalkeeper, case 2: two central defenders, a central midfielder and a striker, which is more than likely to be Chamakh from Bordeaux.

Grade: B

Teacher’s Pet: Thomas Veremalen – without question the best buy of the season, at 8.5m from Ajax, has been solid in defence and knows where the back of the net is too.

Detention: Lucas Fabianski – in Arsene Wenger’s words, despite having talent lacks concentration.  Still will be there next season so Arsenal fans best get used to him.

Aston Villa

Without question one of the most improved teams in the Premier League yet another encouraging season after two Wembley visits and a solid 6th place finish. Have a strong nucleus of English players highlighted by the number of their internationals. Squad is still relatively small and could be bolstered by more firepower and extra protection in midfield.  They are very susceptible to the counter-attack because of the lack of protection given to Petrov due to their heavily attacking midfield of Downing, Milner and Young.

Grade: B

Teacher’s Pet: James Milner – fully deserved his Young Player of the Year award and is a definite for Fabio Capello’s squad if not starting 11.

Detention: Emile Heskey – Hasn’t started enough games or scored goals for Villa this season. In the World Cup squad largely due to his successful partnership with Wayne Rooney.

Birmingham City

Credit where credit is due, having been tipped to be one of the three teams to be relegated.  But with an unbeaten 15-game run and one of the most well organised defences in the country (with Scott Dann and Richard Johnson) The Blues more than deserve there highest finish in the Premier League. Cemented by picking up vital points at home against the original ‘big four’ of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Grade: A-

Teacher’s Pet: Joe Hart – fully deserves his call up to the England squad and if he had more full senior experience would be picked as the No. 1 keeper for the World Cup.

Detention: Christian Benitez – despite real effort and endeavour hasn’t set the Premier League alight and subsequently The Blues have decided not to purchase him.

Blackburn Rovers

Job done for Big Sam’s team, at the start of the season survival was very much the key for Blackburn.  They had a clear problem scoring goals but in the last few months of the season showed key wins against Arsenal and Aston Villa and draws against Man. United and Chelsea providing evidence that they have improved greatly.  Shopping List during the summer must be for a goal scoring striker.

Grade: C

Teacher’s pet: David Dunn – when he is fully fit, he is by far a class apart from any other at the club.  Special mention to Paul Robinson, who has proved his critics wrong with excellent performances this season. Should have been in the mix for a World Cup call-up.

Detention: The Blackburn Strike-force of Roberts, McCarthy (now at West Ham) and Di Santo has scored only 10 goals between them all season.

Bolton

I was one of the football public who originally questioned Owen Coyle’s decision to move from Burnley to Bolton. But it has clearly been the right decision finishing 14^th in the Premier League and never looking in any real relegation threat. Have tightened up defensively and next season expect Bolton to target a mid table place.

Grade: D

Teacher’s Pet: Gary Cahill, a huge cog in the defensive wheel who earned an England Call-up before getting injured.

Detention: Johan Elmander – no longer in the pecking order for playing up front alongside Davies, that honour goes to Ivan Klasnic.

Burnley

After a fantastic start to the season signs were starting to show that away form could be a problem if Burnley were to survive.   Losing Owen Coyle was undoubtedly a massive loss, but it’s defensively where Burnley has really struggled.  82 goals have been conceded by the Clarets and Blues this season, the most in the Premier League and the fewest away wins is a recipe that shows the trap door in any level of professional football.

Grade: F

Teacher’s Pet: Good individual season for Graham Alexander, who has been offered another one year contract extension at the age of 38.

Detention: Collectively the defence for conceding 82 goals.

Chelsea

Another season and more silverware in the cabinet! An historic double which wasn’t looking so likely after the defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League: where Chelsea were out-thought and out-schooled.  From that point forward Chelsea were simply magnificent, scoring goals for fun, 7 past Stoke, 8 past Wigan, an easy victory against Liverpool at Anfield but the biggest result may have been the victory at Old Trafford.  Still concerns over the ‘age’ of the squad and whether they truly have the ability to be the best in the Champions League.

Grade: A+

Teacher’s Pet: Frank Lampard, 22 league goals from midfield is a fantastic achievement: if he has a good World Cup, England will have chance to cause a few upsets.  Other Chelsea personnel who have had excellent seasons include Didier Drogba (another 30+ goal season) and Florent Malouda who has provided Chelsea with more width and another attacking goal threat, 12 goals for him this season in the Premier League.

Detention: Jon Obi Mikel – I can’t see what he brings to the Chelsea team, when Essein is fit, he the man who makes room.

Everton

A quality side hit by key injuries to key players in the early part of the season including Arteta, Yakubu and Jagielka to name a few. Since the return of the core squad Everton form had improved greatly.  Just a little too much to do in order to secure a European spot.  With a full squad next season they will be in the fight again for an Europa League place.

Grade: D

Teacher’s Pet: Tim Howard – Established goal-keeper, another solid season, and rightfully USA’s number 1 choice, likes saving penalties from England players (take note!).

Detention: Marouane Fellaini – has taken up a more defensive role this season, but a player who really lit the blue touch paper in 08/09, but this season has been an enigma.

Stay tuned as the likes of Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are still to come.

As the 2009-10 season comes to a close, let us take a moment to honor a manager who set himself apart from his peers, achieving a rare and historic feat that deserves to be recognized.

Yes, congratulations are in order for Brian Laws, who managed to get TWO teams relegated this season.

Laws started the campaign with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.  In December, on the heels of three straight home losses that saw the Owls fall into to the league’s bottom three, Laws left the club by “mutual consent.”  The team’s record stood at a dismal 4-11-6.

Despite his “resignation” from Wednesday, Laws was surprisingly named manager of Burnley in January. The Premier League side selected their former player over a host of other (some could say better) candidates after Owen Coyle left for greener pastures at Bolton.

To say Laws picked up right where he left off at Wednesday would be an understatement.  In 17 league matches at the helm, Laws posted an unsightly record of 2-1-14.  In addition, he lost his only non-Premier League match to Championship side Reading in the FA Cup.

Burnley’s Championship pedigree was confirmed in embarrassing fashion on April 3^rd, when they conceded three times inside of the first eight minutes at home to Manchester City on their way to a 6-1 defeat.  Several fans were seen heading for the exits after the first ten minutes.

After the defeat, Burnley midfielder Joey Gudjonsson offered up this gem:

“He lost the dressing room long ago. I think all the players have lost faith in him, the performances say all that has to be said.”

Burnley were officially relegated from the Premier League on April 25^th, after the Turf Moor faithful endured another home shellacking, this time a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

If Laws were to somehow stay on at Burnley’s head man next season, he won’t have the opportunity to square off against his former side, because, like his new club, his old club is also heading down.  Sheffield Wednesday and their new gaffer Alan Irvine were unable to avoid the axe and will be playing their football in League 1 next season.

Laws’ achievement is certainly historical, but amazingly, it does have some precedent.  And in three consecutive seasons no less.

In the 1985-86 season, Ron Saunders left Birmingham City to take over fellow First Division strugglers West Bromwich Albion.  Both teams were relegated at season’s end.

The following year, Billy McNeill started the season with Manchester City, but departed early doors to take the helm at Aston Villa.  Neither team could avoid the drop from the First Division.

The very next season, Dave Bassett turned the trick as well, leaving Watford of the First Division in midseason to take over Sheffield United of the Second Division, with both clubs heading south at season’s end.

If Burnley had any sense, they’d add Laws’ name to another dubious group: managers who have been sacked by two teams in the same season.

Who can handle their nerve in the final weeks of the Premier League?

Last weekend the Premier League was full of drama, the story of ‘when 3 became 2′ as finally, Arsenal’s legs went in the final stretch, United gained a ‘leg up’ and Chelsea looked as if they were start to roast theirs.  It all seemed to be going well for Arsenal, 2-0 up, looking comfortable and in control with Wigan not posing any real threat, but lack of concentration, professionalism and just old fashioned ‘grit and determination’ give Wigan an inch and then for them to take a mile.

Arsenal’s problems are all to clear to see. In the summer, Wenger (who will still be in charge) must buy a top class goalkeeper. If you look back at history, teams who have been successful have always had top class goalkeepers. United had Schmeichel, Liverpool had Grobbelaar, Everton had Southall and Arsenal had Seaman. In a nutshell Almunia and Fabianski are not in their league. Two centre backs are needed as Gallas, Campbell and Silvestre are all out of contract and up front as good a job as Bendtner has done over the last few months, Arsenal need another top class goal-scorer – someone who can score 25+ a season and work alongside Robin Van Persie. Could it be Chamakh? Only time will tell.

Up the M1 motorway it is a very different matter – Manchester United are still in the hunt following another late, late show in the Manchester Derby (that’s twice this season). In an un-enthralling match Paul Scholes squeezed a superb placed header in the 4th minute of injury time for three precious points.

A result that galvanised Tottenham and took the wind out of Chelsea’s sails. Why? Tottenham realised that with a win they would be two points clear of City in the race for fourth place, and all the pressure had been put back on Chelsea as the gap was down to a single point.

It clearly showed as Chelsea, as in midweek against Bolton, looked nervous and edgy, as for the first 45 minutes they were completely outthought and outclassed by a more determined Spurs side.

Now as we reach the climax of the Premier League season, get used to seeing a little ‘cat and mouse’ between Chelsea and Manchester United due to our friends Sky Sports showing all games live – each will be fighting to apply pressure to the other. First it will be United vs. Tottenham in Saturday lunch-time kick-off 12:45 BST. If United win the spot light, pressure on Chelsea (who play Sunday 4pm BST) will be magnified to an exponential level having looked odds on favourites.

With three games remaining, the key weekend could be when Chelsea plays Liverpool and United go to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland – one thing for sure is that this Premier League goose hasn’t cooked just yet.

Belief is an oft-used word by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, as he has belief in his team’s abilities to vie for the league and perhaps more.  There’s unquestionably great technical skill at the Emirates, but more often, at crucial moments, belief is what Arsenal lack.  The Gunners will relish their top spot in the league for a few days, and it’s deserved, in developing a bit more grit since a humiliating loss to Chelsea at home in November.  Belief should be in large supply in north London, after coming from behind to beat Bolton 4-2.

There was of course, a controversy unseen (but later apologized for) by Wenger, leading up to Fabregas’ goal,when William Gallas crunched into Mark Davies, that made one wonder if the big clubs do get preferential treatment from referees, no matter what Alex Ferguson says.  Alan Wiley certainly missed one on that occasion, but Owen Coyle’s fury should soon be dissipated with hosting Burnley, his last club only days ago, in less than a week’s time.  It’s certainly tough to take over the reins any time in the Premier League, but to start off with two against Arsenal is something the new Bolton gaffer will be glad to be done with.

If you were to look at the Gunners’ two games with Bolton (the first, a 2-0 Arsenal win at the Reebok last Sunday), spectators have gotten a decent return in their viewing.  Last night’s game was unquestionably the highlight, with Bolton putting two past Arsenal at the Emirates before a half hour had passed.  And that was the moment, just a shade before thirty minutes had elapsed, that you wondered if Arsenal would frustrate themselves, as they have done in the recent past.  Steady in attack, even resilient, the Gunners played on and Tomas Rosicky thumped home Arsenal’s first goal before the half, beating a flat-footed Jussi Jasskelainen at his near post.

The controversy came in the 52nd, when Gallas stepped on Davies’ ankle, and Arsenal played on, resulting in a Cesc Fabregas goal from such an acute angle, Robin van Persie would’ve been proud.  Tomas Vermaelen added Arsenal’s third after a scramble in the box less than fifteen minutes later, and a nicely-finished goal fromAndrei Arshavin in the 85th saw the Gunners go top.

It’s nearly impossible to not let  Gallas’ tackle mar Arsenal’s temporary perch above the Premier League, but it’s almost just as impossible to see how Arsenal don’t deserve at least a share of first or second place at this point in the season.  The league leaders have stumbled up to this point, and an extravagantly-assembled Manchester City and nose-diving Liverpool have seen the word “parity” bandied about in the league.  If there was a team to deserve a share of first place, the Gunners deserved it, getting it done without van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, and now Alex Song (arguably Arsenal’s most-improved player this season), off on African Cup of Nations duty.

Chelsea can easily reclaim the top spot against Birmingham next week, and Arsenal find a tough run of games coming up (Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool).  But it only takes a glance at where the Gunners were at this time next season to see a marked improvement to Wenger’s talented side.  If there was an Most Valuable Player award in the EPL, Fabregas would surely be a front-runner.  He’s the only player at the moment in Arsenal’s attack who can take control of and change a game.  Robin van Persie is that kind of player, but Gooners will be lucky to see the Dutchman sharp and fit before the season’s over.

Perhaps this is the best opportunity or Arsenal in five years to win the league.  The last time Arsenal looked a credible side to vie for the trophy was the season it all fell apart for them, after Eduardo’s horrific injury.  Perhaps that is what makes Gooners a little apprehensive to speculate on their team lasting the marathon.  And one only look at Eduardo now, who remains a good reader of the game, and clever on runs, but lacks some of the pace and finishing he had pre-injury.

One thing is impossible to deny.  The captain Fabregas and Arshavin are indispensable.  As long as they miss the deadliness of van Persie, the Gunners rely far too much on those two.  Of course you would look to those them when they’re fit, but Wenger’s side seem guileless and sometimes plodding when either are missing.  As much as it hurts to say, they are talismans.  There are questions about Manuel Almunia, the depth of Arsenal’s back line, and the squad’s ability to play well without the ball.  But if you want to talk about belief, it’s difficult to see how Arsenal can lack it at the moment.

[BBC Football, Just Arsenal]

Gooners should be forgiven for indulging in optimism.  With 36 goals in 11 matches, talk of Arsene Wenger’s gun slinging side has done much to impress, and you can sense the Frenchman is a few wins away from making some sort of bold prediction, ala the Invincibles.  To be five points from leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, and especially with such a heavily-populated injury list, the Professor must believe his seemingly eternally-young side has the best shot at a domestic title since the Gunners’ monumental collapse two years ago.

Two years ago, Eduardo’s injury, William Gallas’ tantrum and a successive streak of draws dismantled the North London side, and Arsenal fans were left with an empty, sick feeling in their stomachs, a bit like the minute Jens Lehmann got sent off against Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League Final.  Only, this time, there was the horrific nature of the Croatian’s injury and the realization that Arsenal were a young and callow team that crumbled to pieces.  Now, and the Gunners are playing some of their best football.  Robin van Persie has become more of the striker he was when he first became a first-teamer for Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas is a seasoned 22, and Andrei Arshavin can only be labeled a success, especially considering Wenger sold Kolo Toure for for about 2 million less to Man City.

36 goals in 11 games  is impressive, reminding us of the old Arsenal, just after “1-0 to the Arsenal” became ironic after Wenger’s arrival.  But the Gunners still seem a bit thin on the bench, especially in that back line.  Thomas Vermaelen has been more than excellent, as Gallas seems to maintain his level of play despite all the distractions of having a crap personality and age.  Once one of those two pick up an injury though, and Wenger is left to pick from Phillipe Senderos and Mikael Silvestere.  Perhaps Senderos picked up incredible knowledge and quickness while he warmed the bench at Milan, and perhaps Silvestere will defy age and the two will be able to pick up the slack at times for the rest of a long season.  Either way, the Gunners will have to keep scoring at will to catch Chelsea, who seem to be much tighter defensively, or at least don’t seem to fall asleep on set pieces as much.

It would be nice to see Arsenal regain a little bit of it’s luster, at least to break up the monotony of Manchester United and Chelsea.  With Liverpool their own worst enemy, and struggling with a thin bench, they’re seemingly out of the picture.  There’s very little staking-of-claims on the title going on between the Blues and the Red Devils, and the clash between them last weekend was akin to a pair of battering rams knocking each other senseless in the middle of the park, with a few little handbags thrown in.  A push into the top four by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur has seemed to have fizzled out, as the former spend their time performing in front of ownership in Qatar, and the latter deal with well, being Spurs.

The Gunners have yet to hold their own against a tough side.  The season’s only a third of the way through, and who knows how durable Fabregas and Arshavin will be all season long.  Perhaps we’ll know a bit more at the end of November, when Chelsea come to North London for a visit.  With Jose Bosingwa, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole out, now’s the Gunners’ best chance to make up a bit of difference and become a threat for the title.

Arsene Wenger likes to talk about being patient, letting his young team develop, all the while holding that belief is the central tenet to winning.  Gooners, do you have belief that your team can win the title this year?  Have they matured enough, and does Wenger have the right pieces to bring some silver back to North London?

Barcelona winning everything last season could have deeper repercussions for the Premier League beyond felling Manchester United in the Champions League. They’ve awoken the sleeping spending giant that is Real Madrid. Desperate to overtake the unstoppable Barça, Real Madrid have obliterated all transfer records and don’t look anywhere near stopping. The super nova has exploded and now every big English transfer prospect looks at risk of sliding into an Iberian black hole before United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, City can grab their targets by the shoestrings and heave them across the channel.

As EPL Talk’s Rory Tevlin reported here, Real have just scooped up Lyon’s Karim Benzema who had been a big transfer target for Manchester United. Real have also been linked with Maicon (wanted by City and Chelsea), Ribery (sought by Arsenal), and David Silva (believed a Liverpool target). Just about all the top talents who have been linked to Premier League clubs seem to be on Real’s radar. Except David Villa. He will supposedly only leave Valencia for Barcelona.

I know, I know… it’s Real Madrid (cue Death Star dirge). They are supposed to buy up all the best world talent. It’s not exactly a brand new modus operandi. Real are going to snatch up your Zizou, your Ruud, your Arjen. It’s what they do. But prior to the Benzema coup, they’ve already outdone themselves beyond belief this summer alone. They spent a reported £56m on Kaká and £80m on Ronaldo. Weeks later, I am still getting over the shock of such numbers.

And this is a club in debt.  A reported €500m (£429m) in the red. But the banks won’t say no to the Spanish sporting institution who only had €91m (£78m) to spend on players when Caldéron left. They still bought Kaká and Ronaldo. And, prior to buying Benzema, they said their aim was to pick up about five more players. This mad hatter’s financial tea party sounds familiar doesn’t it? Maybe AIG should get itself on the front of Los Galacticos‘ kits now that it’s been stripped off United’s.

So Benzema’s in. Ribery’s thinking about it. And Real president Florentio Pérez seems unwavering in his determination to lure Xabi Alonso from Liverpool. Liverpool have slapped a £35m price tag on the indispensable midfielder. My concern in Real may offer enough for Liverpool to dispense with him.

The ability to lure a pivotal player away from Merseyside shouldn’t come as a surprise. As we’ve learned from the Kaká and Ronaldo moves, there is a price for everything. But this is part of a deeper, more alarming trend than big Real spending in the past.

The real[sic] problem is Real are willing to spend so much and go after near everybody in their mad scramble to re-establish themselves as Spanish top dog, one fears what big names will be left after Madrid have made their moves. With their complicit lenders behind them, there’s no ceiling in sight for Real Madrid. Even if Madrid don’t win all their targets, they can sparked outrageous bidding wars and see the prices of the best players skyrocket beyond belief. For now £56m and £80m are brief spikes. But if these trends continue, Real may push the market into a new realm of ridiculous heights. The English clubs may wrest some of these targets from Real’s grasp, but at what cost?

This is a scary development in these tough economic times.

The final weekend is upon us. And with all the English Premier League fixtures kicking off at the same time, the age-old question arises: where the hell do I watch my match?

Stateside, where I live and watch, three channels will show live games. Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland, Chelsea, Hull and Manchester United fans need not worry. Your matches will be live on Fox Soccer Channel and the two Setantas. If you support West Ham, Middlesbrough, Arsenal, Stoke, Blackburn, West Brom, Man City, Bolton, Fulham or Everton, you’ll need to show a little patience. Your match is on delayed broadcast. Liverpool, Tottenham, Wigan and Portsmouth supporters: time to rent the van and organize that road trip. Setanta Sports Canada is the only one who has what you need. It’s on a delay as well, but you can use the extra time to stock up on fireworks and Cuban cigars.

These aren’t your only choices. Many will huddle around the old laptop and soak up a p2p stream. I can’t officially condone this. Not simply because it undermines the licensing agreements of the big broadcasters, but it looks like crap on my poor old Mac, and the constant wait while the buffering corrects itself is liable to make me toss my laptop out the window.

I myself am fortunate to be living in Boston, surrounded by a million Irish pubs who are willing to open their doors as early as 7am, sharing their satellite feeds along with eggs, toast, black pudding and pints of cold lager.  There are plenty of places to watch around here, and plenty of people crowded in, eager to roar, cheer, cry and moan right there with me.

Like many Americans, I’ve got FSC at home. Setanta has been tougher. For years, it was only available as part of satellite packages. But you could always go to Setanta’s US Website and use their venue finder to find bars and clubs in your area to catch a match.

Things are getting even easier as cable companies have started carrying Setanta. You can now enjoy it in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Arizona via regular cable. Between Fox and Setanta you’ll be able to enjoy more English top flight matches without a satellite package.

Even with the decent Stateside coverage, it is still a matter of which games get shown live. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United supporters are generally in good stead as the appeal of the “big four” holds sway. The broadcasters see the market for the big clubs and give them precident. The licensing rights can dictate which channel will show which match, but odds are the big four will be shown on one of these channels and probably live. Hull City fans have not enjoyed such consistent viewing luck this season.

In the final weekend, though, these channels have caught on to the undeniable appeal of the relegation battle. Mid-season, Liverpool v. Tottenham wouldn’t likely get the bump from Villa v. Newcastle, but the broadcasters realize seeing who plays in the next UEFA Cup or who secures second place isn’t as exciting for most viewers as watching a struggling side try to keep its head off the chopping block.

With all the advances in technology, I don’t understand why we still have these limitations. We should be able to see whatever match we want, in good quality, via the web.

I hope leagues soon see that offering their own, high-quality broadcasts through the internet would be the best way to slake the thirsts of fans worldwide. Premier League TV. Supporters could pay for a year’s subscription and watch all the EPL they want through their computer without the inconsistencies and poor quality of p2p streaming. Hell, the EPL and other leagues could save all the money they spend on legal battles over streaming, and fight the phenomenon with a better internet product. The leagues would control the rights, and advertisers would buy spots directly from the EPL, et al.. If they want to maintain the deals with the traditional television entities, they can always put a system in place to black out parts of their own direct feeds in areas when that particular match is available through Fox, Setanta, Sky or whoever. I don’t see the need, though. We can get the goods right from the source.

With all the advancements in modern media, supporters shouldn’t have to scour the land for a broadcast of their match. The demand is there. The technology is there. The providers need to make it happen.

There’s some debate over whether or not the Tyne-Tees Derby is actually a derby, as Newcastle fans point to the annual matches with Sunderland as the more important derby.

There’s no doubt, however, that Monday’s clash between the Toon Army and Middlesbrough at St. James’ Park is absolutely massive to the hopes of both teams’ Premiership survival.

Both teams are on 31 points, three back of Hull City, which is clinging to safety in 17th place. So, three points would be huge for either side.

History lesson – The two teams played to a scoreless draw back in November, and that result has been fairly common in recent matches between the two clubs. In fact, Boro has snatched a point in each of its last four trips to Newcastle.

Now or never? – West Brom may not be mathematically relegated yet, but Newcastle and Middlesbrough still have a good chance of overtaking Hull or Sunderland in the final weeks. But the Magpies host Fulham and finish away at Aston Villa while Boro will host the Villans before finishing up at West Ham. It certainly looks like a must-win game for either side.

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Arsenal vs. Chelsea

I wonder how the Blues will react after being gutted in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge against Barcelona in mid-week Champions League play. They won’t get much time to fret over it, as they have to visit the Emirates on Sunday.

Locked in - It’s possible for Chelsea to finish second. It’s also possible for Arsenal to overtake the Blues and finish third. Neither seems very likely, and you have to wonder what the team sheets might look like in this one.

Recent meetings – Arsenal won at the Bridge, 2-1, on Nov. 30 and Chelsea reversed that scoreline at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinals last month.

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Manchester United vs. Manchester City

United still owns a three-point lead with a game in hand over Liverpool, so the Red Devils – fresh off securing a place in Rome for the Champions League final in mid week – will have their eyes on the prize Sunday against their city rivals.

Recent meeting – United took a 1-0 win at City on Nov. 30. Last year in this fixture, City broke a 34-year drought at Old Trafford with a 1-0 win.

Not looking ahead - “We haven’t won anything this season,” Rio Ferdinand told the team Web site. “It’ll be a tough game. They’ve won their last couple of matches and are on a bit of a roll, so they’ll feel they can come and do a job on us. It’s up to us to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

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West Ham United vs. Liverpool

The Reds, still chasing Man U, will visit Upton Park Saturday, hoping to keep the pressure on the Red Devils.

Chasing Europa - West Ham is on 48 points, which would be good enough to get them into to next year’s Europa League. Three teams are a single point behind, so the pressure is on for both sides in this one.

Goals this time? – These two sides played to a 0-0 draw at Anfield back in December.

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West Bromwich Albion vs. Wigan

If the Baggies want to keep their flickering Premier League hopes alive, three points at home against Wigan on Saturday are an absolute must.

Last time – Wigan doubled up West Brom, 2-1, on Nov. 29.

An outside shot – With a game in hand on their nearest rivals, Wigan has a chance to get back into the race for a European spot. The fact that the game in hand is against front-running United makes the chance seem a bit smaller.

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Hull City vs. Stoke City

Another massive game on the schedule. If the Tigers can grab three points at home against Stoke on Saturday, West Brom will be all-but relegated while things will grow even darker in Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Back in November – The teams played to a 1-1 draw on Nov. 29 at the Britannia with Ricardo Fuller saving a point for the hosts on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.

Potters looking safe – Stoke City is on 39 points in 13th place. That point total may be enough, but the Potters can clinch survival with a win.

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Fulham vs. Aston Villa

The Villans invade Craven Cottage for a date with Fulham Saturday, hoping to hold off hard-charging Everton for fifth place in the final weeks.

Nothing doing - The teams played to a scoreless draw in their November 29 meeting.

Europe dreams – Fulham needs points to join Villa in the Europa League next season, as it sits one point back of West Ham for the final spot.

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Everton vs. Tottenham

No team has fallen as hard, then risen as high as have Spurs this season. They’ll hope to keep that up Saturday at Goodison Park against Everton.

Last time – Everton grabbed all three points at White Hart Lane with a 1-0 win back in November.

In the mix – Spurs are hoping to play in the Europa League with Everton next season. They are on 47 points and still very much in the hunt.

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Bolton vs. Sunderland

Two teams in the relegation scrum will look to climb out on Saturday at the Reebok Stadium.

Recent history – Bolton crushed Sunderland, 4-1, at the Stadium of Light in November.

In a tailspin – The Black Cats need to snap a two-game skid if they want to pull away from Newcastle and Middlesbrough, who are just four points behind. The Wanderers are winless in their last four, which has also left them within shouting distance of the bottom three.

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Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth

It’s another matchup of two teams trying to make reservations for next year’s Premiership as Pompey visits Blackburn Saturday.

Last time - Portsmouth took a 3-2 win over Blackburn back in November.

Safety first - A draw would likely suit both sides, as Blackburn and Portsmouth are six and seven points, respectively, ahead of the bottom three.

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Fans of the English Premier League need little reassurance that the English top flight consistently provides excitement and interest that is matched by no other domestic league.  Any dissenters or doubters just had to tune into some EPL coverage over the weekend to be rewarded with a full slate of action packed games which, in several instances, featured late game drama that had considerable impact, particularly at the top of the table. 

A quick review of the Saturday timeline:

(Note the match between Hull and Arsenal was the late game but the goals have been included in the timeline as it is based on the 90 minute game clock of the Saturday action)

4 mins:  WBA take the lead against Middlesbrough courtesy of Chris Brunt to get them on their way.
11 mins:  Danny Collins scores for Sunderland at home to in-form Villa.
30 mins:  Emmanuel Adebayor gives a rejuvenated looking Gunners side the lead at the KC.

HT:  All other games goalless which meant Man Unt were being held at Bolton and Chelsea were tied at home to Stoke.

52 mins:  Pablo Zabaleta scores for Man City at home against Wigan to relieve a little of the Eastlands pressure.
54 mins:  Richard Dunne gets sent off making the task that much harder for City.
54 mins:  Robert Koren adds to Gareth Southgate’s problems as WBA take a 2-0 lead.
60 mins:  James Milner pulls Villa level at the Stadium of Light.
60 mins:  Rory Delap gets in behind the Chelsea defense and Stoke, yet to win away this season, take the lead at the Bridge.

61 mins:  Benny McCarthy scores from the spot and Blackburn grab the advantage against Big Sam’s ex-team.
62 mins:  From bad to worse at the Hawthorns for ‘Boro as Didier Digard sees red.
65 mins:  After being denied a penalty shout, Hull equalize through Daniel Cousin and Arsenal appear to be on the back foot.
66 mins:  Jason Roberts doubles Blackburn’s lead against Newcastle.
67 mins:  Koren gets his second and Brom’s third, and Boro’ are well beaten.
72 mins:  Villa star Ashley Young is sent off with the match still locked at one each.
80 mins:  Gareth Barry scores from the spot and short-handed Villa grab the lead.

82 mins:  Arsenal get back in front at Hull through Samir Nasri as they look to avenge their defeat at The Emirates.

 
83 mins:  Nicky Butt gets his orders at Ewood Park ending any unlikely Newcastle comeback.
86 mins:  Roberts gets another and Big Sam’s vengeance is complete.
86 mins:  Nicklas Bendtner finishes a sweeping Arsenal attack and there’s no way back for Hull.
88 mins:  Juliano Belletti, minutes after fluffing a free-kick opportunity, nods in an equalizer and Phil S. breathes a huge sigh of relief.

90 mins:  Dimitar Berbatov heads in a last gasp winner for the defending champs and they are back on top of the table.

90 mins:  Frank Lampard hits a ferocious drive and, despite a valiant effort, Stoke will leave the capital empty handed.

Seven goals in the last 10 minutes and all four of the top five teams that were in action left it late before securing victory.  The strikes by Berbatov and Lampard, though similar in terms of the manner in which they secured the points, appeared to have somewhat different ratifications.  United’s goal was reminiscent of typical title contending squads in securing a game that they were expected to win.  In contrast, Lampard’s late score brought massive relief to both the Chelsea faithful and Phil Scolari alike.  Some of the home fans were headed for the local even before Belletti equalized assuming that Stoke had secured their first away victory of the season at their expense, as the Blues had appeared to be out of ideas.  But, the team continued to battle and after the comeback the manner in which Lampard and his mates headed to the bench to celebrate with Big Phil seemed to be a direct statement to dispel recent reports that the relationship between Scolari and his players had soured.

This past weekend was another example of the ongoing excitement and drama that can be found around the English Premier League on any given week, even during the grinding winter months of the fixture list. This appears to be more evident in the 2008-09 season as the league is packed tighter than it has ever been this late into the calendar. 

Saturday’s action was followed by an intriguing matchup at White Hart Lane on Sunday as Harry welcomed his former club but watched in frustration as Pompey earned a deserved point.  West Ham continued their recent revival as they dispatched Fulham 3-1 behind an inspired performance by Carlton Cole; and the first of two Merseyside derbies in the space of a week is still to come.  Bring on the drama, and as always feel free to comment and record your thoughts on the weekend action.  Cheers!