Most of our Suspension Tightrope protagonists were on their best behaviour last weekend. While Ashley Williams and Ramires fell foul of the referee’s wrath, both will now serve their respective one-match bans in the Capital One Cup – for a certain Spaniard on the other hand, there’s still time for that to change prior to next weekend.
Michu remains on four yellows and continues to pick up vast numbers of new suitors after notching another double against Norwich, though a caution in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Middlesbrough would earn him a one-match ban for the Swans’ trip to Tottenham next Sunday. Ashley Williams misses out in midweek for the Swans after picking up his fifth caution, while Chelsea’s Ramires will skip the Blues’ cup showdown with Leeds on December 19 for the same reason. Villa pair Ciaran Clark and Fabian Delph both balance precariously prior to tomorrow’s cup clash at Norwich.
Fulham’s home game with Newcastle this evening has a trio of players sitting on four yellows – Steve Sidwell for the hosts and Jonas Gutierrez and Cheick Tiote for Alan Pardew’s visitors. The Magpies also have a couple of players on three cautions apiece, Davide Santon and Mike Williamson.
Only one player moved onto the Suspension Tightrope last weekend, then – Everton’s Leon Osman shifted onto four yellows after picking up a booking in the 2-1 home win over Spurs yesterday, while former Toffee Wayne Rooney is now on three yellows, just two away from a one-match ban, after his caution in the Manchester derby.
Luis Suarez is available for Liverpool this weekend after serving a one-match suspension in yesterday’s win at West Ham, while Stoke welcome back Charlie Adam after the midfielder sat out their draw at Villa. Wigan pair Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa also return to bolster the Latics’ backline for Saturday’s visit to Norwich.
Finally, John Obi Mikel is in the middle of a three-match ban received for foul and abusive post-match language and behaviour relating to Chelsea’s game with United back in October. With the Blues away on World Club Championship duty this coming weekend, Mikel will miss the Capital One Cup game against Leeds on December 19 in addition to the league game at home to Villa four days later.
