Spurs’ Redknapp Revival Faces Stern Test
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Tottenham Hotspurs’ revival under coach Harry Redknapp will face its sternest test yet when champions Manchester United head to North London on Saturday evening.
The match will see former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov return to White Hart Lane for the first time since his move to the Red Devils earlier in the season, while it will also be the visitors’ last outing in the Premiership before heading off to Japan to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The early kick-off on Saturday sees Arsenal travel to Middlesbrough in search of their third successive league win. Aston Villa, just one point behind the Gunners, will fancy their chances of picking up three points at home to Bolton, while Manchester City will be desperate for a victory over Everton to ease the growing pressure on coach Mark Hughes.
Liverpool should maintain their leadership of the league when they host Hull City, though the Reds would do well not to take the rookies, who ended Arsenal’s long unbeaten run at the Emirates Stadium, too lightly.
Two of the bottom three will meet in a relegation scrap when Sunderland host West Brom. The Baggies, bottom of the Premier league, can draw level on points with the Black Cats and possibly leapfrog them on goal difference if they win at the Stadium of Light.
Paul Ince’s job could well be on the line when his team, Blackburn Rovers, take on Wigan Athletic away from home. A return to form for Wigan’s Amr Zaki could perhaps spell the end of the former Man United midfielder’s tenure in charge of Rovers.
On Sunday, Portsmouth will host Newcastle United before Chelsea and West Ham do battle in a London derby. The Blues have traditionally had the better of the Hammers down the years, and it’s difficult to imagine anything other than a positive result for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s charges.
English Premier League fixtures:
13/12/08 Middlesbrough vs Arsenal
13/12/08 Aston Villa vs Bolton Wanderers
13/12/08 Liverpool vs Hull City
13/12/08 Manchester City vs Everton
13/12/08 Stoke City vs Fulham
13/12/08 Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion
13/12/08 Wigan Athletic vs Blackburn
13/12/08 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
14/12/08 Portsmouth vs Newcastle United
14/12/08 Chelsea vs West Ham United
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