The Full English: The Fun Begins

Here I am thinking the last international break was the last international break. Obviously, I couldn’t have been more wrong. But as do, they all come and go, however slowly, and it’s time to get back to some quality domestic action.

Again, feeding our need for quality matches upon its triumphant return to our central lobe, the EPL has a set of lovely encounters on the docket for us all to take in and enjoy.

Life is good.

Not only that for all you footy fanatics out there, the very lifeblood that you yearn for to keep going has returned, that is, this column. Both TFE and her sister column FCS took a week break, due to the league’s lack of action and some very tricky grad school work, but do not fret, they are both back and stronger than ever.

Three solid matches to cover, so let us begin. It’s been too long…

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)

Liverpool vs. Manchester City (Anfield, November 21st, 7:45 a.m. ET, ESPN2)

There are must-win games, and then there are must-win games for both teams. That doesn’t happen that often. Liverpool desperately need a steadying win in the league, while Manchester City have drawn an amazing five straight matches.

Alberto Aquilani | He just looks like a footballer, doesn't he?

These two teams are perplexing. Sitting six and seven in the table, Manchester City and Liverpool have two of the most talented squads in the whole league. They should be winning games easily, particularly some of the ones they’ve played lately. Not the case.

So when everything is thrown aside and you pit two teams who need a result against each other, what do you get? My first impression was that a stalemate would ensue, but out of nowhere I had this overwhelming feeling that this one is going to be a real slobberknocker (to quote J.R.). I could see five goals splitting the sticks, yeah, that could happen…

With Liverpool buoyed by the news that some of their key players will be back in action, namely one captain fantastic, Steven Gerrard, they should do well to make Anfield a scary proposition for the visiting Citizens. I would like to see Alberto Aquilani get on the pitch for the full 90 minutes as he has had nearly two weeks to get fully fit since his league debut.

Playing the Italian will be a boost for Rafa’s XI, but he’s not Xabi Alonso, and I have concluded that he is, outside of the injury problems, the main reason Liverpool have suffered this season, if it wasn’t obvious enough by now.

His influence was much more than him taking up space on the pitch. The vision he showed in spreading the ball around and his ability to play box-to-box really took some of the pressure off of Javier Mascherano who is doing most of the work himself this season. Lucas has stepped in and played well at times, but he isn’t half the player Alonso is and I doubt he ever will be. The worst part about all this, particularly if you’re a Scouser and have a little soft spot for Alonso: he’s not even being utilized properly at Real Madrid. Brilliant.

Gareth Barry | All that could have been…

As for City, they signed the one man who could have potentially filled Alonso’s shoes and was heavily considered by Liverpool a year ago. Of course, I’m talking about none other than Gareth “Don’t Call Me Gary” Barry. An Aston Villa lifer, Barry moved on from the sunny pastures that is the Midlands and now resides, much more lavishly, in the industrial city of Manchester. My hollow gripes aside, Barry has played well for Mark Hughes and should be fit enough to take the field on Saturday morning.

After writing that spiel, I still think goals, and I’m going with the Reds. Praise me!

TFE Prediction: Liverpool begin to right all their horrible wrongs and win a barnburner (to quote J.R. once more), 3-2.

Manchester United vs. Everton (Old Trafford, November 21st, 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

It’s been a rough few weeks for Manchester United and it’s players. First, they had to claw their way back to tie CSKA Moscow at home. Then a loss to Chelsea at the Bridge. Switching to more global thought, Sir Alex had to see his Scot brothers fire their manager because of another terrible World Cup qualifying run. To top it off, United’s Irish contingent, Darren Gibson and John O’Shea got screwed out of a place in the World Cup. Oh, and SAF has a touchline ban. Nice.

It goes without saying that their morale needs a little boosting. Their ego a little stroking. Their back a little patting. You get the idea. Luckily, Everton is coming to town and United like that. Winners of the last three meetings at OT, Fergie has karma on his side.

Sir Alex | Where's that classic smile, Fergie?

Then you add the fact that Everton’s physiotherapist could be up for the hardest working man in England award, if there is such a thing, you’ve got a recipe for Toffee disaster. The main man missing will be Tim Cahill, who is basically their rock. Without him, and still minus one Mikel Arteta, Everton aren’t as imposing as they have been previously.

Their form this season has also been poor. Strong at times, but horrendous at others, the Merseysiders have suffered through a bit of the aptly named (well, I just named it) Elevator Syndrome. You know, it has it’s ‘ups and downs.’ Laugh a little, go on.

Having three losses already this season, United cannot afford a fourth this early and you know that Sir Alex will fume at a draw. I expect the Red Devils to come out strong and will truly benefit from the 12 days or so they had to calm their domestic tribulations.

TFE Prediction: United take a close one, 2-1.

Stoke City vs. Portsmouth (Britannia Stadium, November 22nd, 11:00 a.m. ET)

Stoke is one of the those teams that you simply cannot hate. I can scarcely even think of anything negative to say about them. An honorably supported club from a small city in the West Midlands, this club has built on their strong holdings of last season and are now in the thick of things this campaign.

The shame of it all is that it goes mostly unnoticed. Not an attractive team any way you look at it, Stoke go under the radar most of the year and don’t get the attention they deserve. This suits them just fine, and I bet if you asked manager Tony Pulis if he prefers this, I’m sure he’d say something along the lines of “abso-freakin’-lutely.”

Their season hasn’t been the greatest over the first three months or so, but they are in 9th place and have plenty to play for as the table continues to get more crowded. Playing determined and passionate football, Stoke are the type of team you recommend to that poor shlub who isn’t a soccer fan, but appreciates hard work.

Hindered by a relatively low bank account and the aforementioned unattractive quality that some may label them with, the Potters have made their own way in their two years in the EPL and should continue to make life good for their fans this weekend.

Coming off a tough loss to Phil Brown’s Hull before the INTL break, Stoke will be ready to go having gotten two weeks of Pulis’ tutelage under their belts. Their opponent, Portsmouth, are dead last in the league, and haven’t been playing well. A win would see them near the exit of the relegation zone, so anything is possible for Paul Hart, another manager who has my respect.

TFE Prediction: Will be a close one, but I think Stoke have the minerals to see off a brave Pompey. 2-1 is my score. Mark it down.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Breaking Down The Break Edition

Guus Hiddink, Russia: So the Russkis got knocked out of the World Cup thanks to some stingy play by Slovenia, thus setting up the unfortunate tongue-twister of June’s World Cup…Slovenia and Slovakia. Not confusing at all, right? Anyways, Hiddink, the mastermind that saved Chelsea’s season last year is currently sitting in his Moscow office, or wherever it is, thinking to himself, I need a team to coach. People say that France would be a good fit, and they’re right, the French (however despicable they are) could soar to new heights under Hiddink’s guidance. It’s like replacing street artist with Leonardo Da Vinci. Thing is: Hiddink likes a challenge. Russia, Australia, South Korea, to name a few have been tough teams to manage. If he’s in South Africa this summer as a coach, expect similar.

English National Team: They played Brazil. They lost. No one cares. As I said before the break, it was a cash cow-type match and neither side really seemed up for it. Consider me not worried. I have a good feeling about the Three Lions going into the World Cup, and that is quite the rare feeling on my part. In a random somewhat unrelated note, I wonder what their away kit will look like for the tournament. Surely Umbro will produce one that fits the style of the home strip. Surely.

Robin van Persie, Arsenal: Tough luck, Gunners fans. Sometimes these things happen. I wish it didn’t though as RVP is one my favorites and is as good a striker as there is in the league today. I won’t say that Giorgio Chiellini’s tackle was a dirty one, because it wasn’t, but this was a friendly match and you have to think it was a bit strong for that type of environment. The guy has a mean streak, that much is obvious, and now Arsenal will pay the price. Eduardo, it’s your time to shine…

Leicester Update

Well, I think my last Foxes update showed that karma never ever works in my favor. Ever. Getting a bit noisy with my word selection, I had Leicester strolling into their match against West Brom and taking a result. I was wrong. Call it hubris, I don’t care, I love my team. The loss was a good one though, as the recently-relegated Baggies taught us a thing or two about top flight quality football. Lesson learned. Up next is a date with Plymouth, who are flirting with the relegation zone. Let’s turn this around, Foxes!

And Finally…The Black Pudding of the Week

ROI National Team | See what you did, France?

France, Wherever There Are Frenchies: I was going to make this about Thierry Henry. We all know what he did. We all know it was wrong. He admitted he cheated, and called for a replay. What other French player, coach, politician agreed? None that I have heard. If it was me in that situation, say if I was Karim Benzema or Yoann Gourcuff, I’d be sick to my stomach knowing that we qualified for the world’s biggest football tournament because we cheated our way there. In reality, France shouldn’t have even been in that position, given the talent gap between the two sides, but they were, and now they have to sleep at night knowing that their qualification is a lie. Hope you’re all happy.

Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shanEvans

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