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During the 1400s in England, the Wars of the Roses were brewing between the White and Red Roses. Wars for influence, thrones, and titles. For power and the right to be called King and rule the Kingdom. The war that lasted for more than thirty years was full of memorable battles, fateful fights, and a huge desire to win.
Even nowadays, battles are also taking place in England. But here, they are not fought with swords and daggers. In sports, the main ammunition becomes feet and a ball. Battles for titles. For the title of the winners of the English Premier League. The main contenders are already preparing their weapons and their strengths for serious battles. Battles with eternal rivals.
So, this weekend promises to be exciting in the Premier League. Not because decisive battles for crucial points are taking place. Not because the name of the champion will be ultimately decided. Although there are still 15 rounds ahead, this weekend is particularly special and promises two big matches.
You can analyze statistics for a long time, study team combinations and tactics, delve into past results or current bookmakers' forecasts. However, there is one essential thing – teams that have been fighting year after year, battles that generate huge excitement and interest. Yearly opponents fighting for the highest awards, having deep traditions and a beautiful history. And most importantly – they have known each other for a long time. Can they surprise each other with something new and unexpected? Maybe. But determination and the desire to defeat them, that old rival, that good acquaintance, are the strongest. Does anyone accidentally have the gift of foresight? Not me.
On the first Saturday, "Liverpool" and "Chelsea" will strap on their weapons and clash with each other. What can we expect?
Will "Liverpool", who suffered defeats in the past weeks against "Arsenal", want to, be able to, and can they rehabilitate themselves in front of their fans? Rafael Benitez's team might have the desire. But is that enough when facing the champions? This season's experience often shows that it might be.
The stumbles of "Chelsea" against lower-skilled teams show that anything can be expected. "Chelsea" for the first time in three years met the New Year not in the first position on the league table. The rays of glory from the past two years might still blind, but the light is dimming. Internal disagreements, rumors of coach changes, disagreements between the club owner and the head coach, injuries, one dangerous striker, a leaky defense, and open gates - that's what "Chelsea" is dealing with now.
Adding to the fire in the "Chelsea" squad are the twists and turns of the great triangle. Between Jose Mourinho, Andriy Shevchenko, and Roman Abramovich. Jose does not trust Andriy. Roman does not trust Jose because he does not trust Andriy. The latter is ready to play against the Liverpudlians. But he was ready to play before as well. However, Jose didn't see that, and Andriy was left on the bench. If Jose lets Andriy onto the field - maybe he will find peace with Roman, but will violate his personal policy and his personal (but as a head coach) stance. If he doesn't - tense relations with the club owner can become tragic. Roman has already declared that he will not go to "Anfield", although he always tried not to miss any of his knights' battles.
So, how to find time among the great twists to prepare tactical maneuvers against Liverpool representatives?.. And if last season, teams placed in the middle or at the bottom of the table ran onto the field against "Chelsea" just to play and maybe hope for a draw - this season, it has become usual that the fight against "Chelsea" becomes a fight for honor. A fight for everything. To die or to live. And if a year ago the London team did not even allow thinking about such things, this year everyone fights against them as if it were the last game. In general, the last games. And often, this attitude brings success. True, not always in the form of points on the league table. But isn't it also good to lose to the champions in the last minutes of the match?
But "Liverpool" is not a team that is "sitting" in the middle of the table or fighting for survival. The club is famous for its trophies, history, and achievements. A club that always sets high goals for itself and achieves them. Two seasons ago - Champions League winners, last season - FA Cup winners. Honorable. However, like in the case of "Chelsea", that's the past. The fight must be fought now. Do two consecutive painful defeats against a London team mean that "Liverpool" is unable to compete with the leaders this year? Do this season's defeats for the current leaders also indicate the team's weakness? There is no definite answer.
Let's keep it simple. The team currently holds the third position. This season, they have already lost to "Manchester United", "Chelsea", and "Arsenal" away. But they will still host these three clubs on their field. The possibility to recover what they lost is there. However, the trend is visible. When you lose to your main competitors - can you expect to be above them?
Again, let's keep it simple. "Chelsea" is currently in second place. They have drawn with "Manchester United" and "Arsenal", and defeated "Liverpool". Logically thinking, the Londoners are stronger than the Liverpool representatives before this weekend. But there is one "but." But the victories were achieved before the crisis.
What can "Arsenal" brag about today? Fourth place in the table, victories against "Manchester United" and "Liverpool", a draw with "Chelsea". And "United"? The first position, a loss against "Arsenal", a draw with "Chelsea", and a victory against "Liverpool". Totally confusing.
It's obvious that "Manchester United" is stronger than last year. What has changed? Practically nothing. The players are the same, the coach is the same. Ryan Giggs doesn't age, doesn't want to give up, and neither does Paul Scholes or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Add improving Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Plus defense and a goalkeeper. The essence of the team is the same, but better teamwork, improvement of young players, stability, and the absence of injuries - all this allows "Manchester United" to be in first place.
What can "Arsenal" boast about? Young and enthusiastic players like Philippe Senderos, Francesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, experience - Thierry Henry, William Gallas, and a promising player - the revealing Julio Baptista and the young talent Theo Walcott. The coach is no worse than the opponents, a synthesis of experienced and young players. So why is "Arsenal" fourth? Injuries? Perhaps. But the biggest problem lies in the team's instability. While "Manchester United" marches without major stumbles, "Arsenal" wastes its chances left and right, loses to those they really shouldn't, and gifts their opponents points and victories.
However, there are days when "Arsenal" looks better than anyone else combined. This is evidenced by the older Londoners' victory against the same "Manchester United", and completely fresh wins against the favorites at "Anfield".
What Sunday will dawn for Arsene Wenger's team? And will the team's success again depend on the cycle of black and white days? But we return to what we talked about regarding "Chelsea" and "Liverpool" - you can play badly, you can play very well, but you meet eternal rivals. And you have to win regardless of anything. You must win.
So, what is it - revenge on the enemy's territory or a challenge that not all points have been accumulated yet? We will find out on Sunday. And my forecast is simple - the stronger one will win for now. Is it the stronger based on recent week results or stronger based on the league table? The answer is clear.
Sometimes I ask myself - what makes football so interesting? Goals, beautiful strikes, impressive passes, tactical decisions, fans' songs, million-dollar contracts, or ninety minutes without commercials? No. Passion, determination, and a fight. That's what this weekend should be all about.
Show off your televisions. They are going into battle.
