Our regular Friday feature takes a look at some of the crucial encounters on the agenda ahead of gameweek eleven. Junior Hoilett will be looking to torment Jose Bosingwa at Ewood Park, a battle of the attacking full-backs is on the menu when Liverpool host Swansea and there’s a potentially explosive midfield encounter on the cards when Sunderland travel to Old Trafford.
Jose Bosingwa vs Junior Hoilett
While Chelsea are clear favourites for the trip to Ewood Park, their defensive woes show no sign of abating. After a strong attacking start to the season, the wheels have come off the Jose Bosingwa bandwagon, with the right-back particularly culpable when it comes to nullifying opponents.
Having picked up a red card in his last away game with the trickery of Shaun Wright-Phillips proving his undoing, Bosingwa could be on shaky ground. Reports today suggest he’s in line for the chop with Branislav Ivanovic set to take over, though this could be dismissed as mere speculation. Blackburn will look to test Bosingwa’s frailties again, though, and with the pace and skill of Junior Hoilett flying down the flank, Andre Villas-Boas may decide for a reshuffle.
Hoilett has been the one positive in a miserable start to the season for Steve Kean’s side. His versatility has seen him fielded on both flanks as well as up front for Blackburn so far, though with Ashley Cole far more solid defensively, you would think Kean will target the Chelsea right-back position as his best chance of success. Coming into the game on the back of a goal and 3 bonus points last week, Hoilett’s in the type of form to take advantage of the visitors’ obliging back-four.
Jose Enrique vs Angel Rangel
Swansea may have picked up their first away point of the season last time round at Molineux but a trip to Anfield is a trickier test. Enrique has settled into life at Liverpool seamlessly- his left-flank raids have quickly become a regular feature of the Reds’ play this season and he’ll be looking to bomb forward and support his side’s attacking ploys throughout, as Liverpool look to record their first home win in three attempts.
Rangel is similarly attack-minded and while Swansea’s home form is more suitable to his style, gaps left at the back have been exploited on their travels. Supported by the speed of Nathan Dyer ahead, it may well be he’ll have to curtail his forward raids if the visitors are to prosper. Two assists in his previous game offer a sign of his form, but Rangel could prove to be a weakness at the back tomorrow afternoon.
Wayne Rooney vs Lee Cattermole
A somewhat speculative one, perhaps, but with injuries to others playing a part in both managers’ thinking, it’s more than a possibility. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he’s been fielding Rooney in a deeper role due to injuries to others and with Anderson a doubt after picking up a knock in United’s midweek Champions League game against Otelul Galati, Rooney could feature once again as a central midfielder. With Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov affording plenty options up front, Rooney is a strong option to step in alongside Darren Fletcher for the home clash with Sunderland.
With David Vaughan a doubt due to a groin problem, Black Cats skipper Cattermole is in line for a recall. Cattermole’s presence in the middle of the park will no doubt add a little edge to the encounter- hardly an angel, his tenacious ball-winning ability could be pitted against the equally- competitive Rooney. Sparks could fly, cards produced, it’s shaping up to be a no-holds barred head-to-head between these two- perfect fodder for Guy Fawkes day.
