 |
|
English Premier League Preview: Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
Blackburn hosts Newcastle in a matchup that sees Graeme Souness’ return to Ewood Park after leaving Blackburn more than a year ago.
BACKGROUND
Sunday’s match will also see Souness reunited with Craig Bellamy, the player whom Souness for all intents and purposes kicked out of Newcastle after a series of altercations between the two last season.
And though the plot behind this weekend’s fixture has been made all the juicier with Bellamy returning to the starting eleven after overcoming an injury suffered in the season opener against West Ham, the real focus for both sides will be on claiming the three points available as both clubs have endured stuttering starts to the season.
Newcastle in particular will be hoping to kick-start their season after amassing a measly two points from their first five fixtures. As one of only two Premiership clubs yet to win a game, Souness’ side would like nothing better than to turn the corner against Blackburn.
The expectations are high now amongst the Newcastle faithful after the capture of Michael Owen and a failure to claim maximum points from this fixture will certainly cast more concern upon Souness’ ability to successfully manage the Magpies.
Blackburn’s lack of quality strikers has been clearly exposed at this early juncture of the season. Manager Mark Hughes has stated that his club have lacked that “cutting edge†needed at this level and that it’s expected that Bellamy’s return will remedy that. The lively Welshman would certainly like nothing more than to put one over on his former club.
It should be quite the affair on Sunday at Ewood Park - expect a rather tense afternoon of football. With both teams having targeted European qualification before the season, only a victory would place either side back on the course to achieving that goal. And Souness may have extra incentive for a win, ensuring that he keeps his job for the foreseeable future.
CURRENT FORM
Blackburn LWDLD
Blackburn began the season with a 3-1 loss to West Ham before bouncing back to record a 2-1 win over Fulham. That has proven to be their only win of the season thus far as the last three matches have produced two draws (against Tottenham and Blackburn) and one defeat to Aston Villa.
Newcastle LDLLD
Only Sunderland have begun the 2005/05 Premier League season worse than Newcastle. Newcastle are currently in 19th place out of 20 and have been far from impressive in any matches thus far. The club have scored only one goal this season, that in last weekend’s match against Fulham. Newcastle have also lost both of the away fixtures they have played thus far.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Blackburn
Hughes can welcome back Bellamy to the line-up and the Welsh striker should be partnered up front by Paul Dickov who is recovering from a back injury. Andy Todd remains suspended for this match, while Lorenzo Amoruso and David Thompson are ruled out through injury.
In other news, goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a new contract with the club. The deal will keep the American at Ewood Park through 2008.
Newcastle
While this match could be considered must-win for the club, Newcastle will have to do it without a whole host of first-team players. The real dilemma concerns the middle of the park where Newcastle will be without the services of midfielders Nolberto Solano (suspensions), Scott Parker (suspension), Emre (hamstring), and Kieron Dyer (hamstring). Add to this the longer term injury (10 weeks) of new signing Albert Luque and Newcastle clearly have more than a few headaches in the injury department. There is some good news and that is Shola Amoebi’s return after a calf injury.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Blackburn (from): Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Emerton, Savage, Mokoena, Reid, Pedersen, Bentley, Jansen, Kuqi, Bellamy, Enckelman, Tugay, Dickov.
Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Babayaro, Elliott, Bramble, Boumsong, Taylor, Ramage, Bowyer, N'Zogbia, Clark, Faye, Brittain, Shearer, Owen, Ameobi.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Blackburn
Craig Bellamy: One of the major talking points leading up to this match is Bellamy’s return to the pitch against his former club. The fiery Bellamy is a match for anyone on his day, though critics suggest his temper can get the best of him.
A player with loads of pace and a good finish to boot, Bellamy’s skills are much needed by Rovers, a team who have had a fair bit of trouble scoring so far. Some goals on Sunday could instantly make him a favourite amongst the Blackburn supporters.
Newcastle
Michael Owen: While Bellamy will get lots of attention because of the storyline between him and Souness, many observers will be more interested in how Michael Owen performs in his second full match as a member of Newcastle.
Owen showed glimpses of his ability last week against Fulham and will hope he can go one better this weekend by notching his first goal for his new club. One of the most consistent goalscorers in Europe, Owen combines lightning speed with superb finishing. Should his partnership with Alan Shearer begin to click, Newcastle will soon be scoring goals and climbing up the table.
George Tsitsonis
News headlines from around the world.