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Thursday 26 August 2010
Premier League Week 3 Preview : Part 2
Man Utd vs West Ham
Back at Old Trafford, Manchester United will be aiming a backlash firmly towards pointless West Ham after last week's craziness at the Cottage. Wayne Rooney could be back though Paul Scholes may be rested. Nani may be made a scapegoat for last week's debarcle which may see Giggs or Park starting down the left.
Prediction - Man Utd 3 : 0 West Ham
Bolton vs Birmingham
Two sides who are traditionally very hard to beat (in fact, they both have 1 win and 1 draw so far this season). A win for either side may see them move as high as 3rd after 3 weeks of football which, for two sides who in truth are more concerned with avoiding relegation, would be dream territory. Nevertheless, I believe Birmingham have the slight edge over Bolton due to their consistency. Also, their impressive array of strikers have yet to click which may be ominous for Bolton.
Prediction - Bolton 1 : 2 Birmingham
Liverpool vs West Brom
West Brom are a full 4 places above Liverpool in the table at this stage - a fact that will enrage Liverpool fans. It seems like only a matter of time before Fernando Torres finds his form though, and West Brom should have little in the form of a threat - especially at Anfield. Expect Liverpool's season to start here.
Prediction - Liverpool 2 : 0 West Brom
Sunderland vs Man City
Sunderland have struggled to really get going so far this season whilst Man City have gelled a lot more than many experts expected. Sunderland conceded 2 at home to Birmingham so shouldn't really worry Title hunters Man City. Tevez has been impressive so far and Balotelli may make his League debut.
Prediction - Sunderland 0 : Man City 4
Aston Villa vs Everton
The two sides who used to be the 'other two' in the Premier League top 6. Of late, Man City and Tottenham have leapfrogged these two in the race to break the top 4. Aston Villa were picked apart by Newcastle while Everton haven't really started playing football yet. On paper, Everton have the edge. But at Villa Park, it may be different.
Prediction - Aston Villa 1 : 1 Everton
Back at Old Trafford, Manchester United will be aiming a backlash firmly towards pointless West Ham after last week's craziness at the Cottage. Wayne Rooney could be back though Paul Scholes may be rested. Nani may be made a scapegoat for last week's debarcle which may see Giggs or Park starting down the left.
Prediction - Man Utd 3 : 0 West Ham
Bolton vs Birmingham
Two sides who are traditionally very hard to beat (in fact, they both have 1 win and 1 draw so far this season). A win for either side may see them move as high as 3rd after 3 weeks of football which, for two sides who in truth are more concerned with avoiding relegation, would be dream territory. Nevertheless, I believe Birmingham have the slight edge over Bolton due to their consistency. Also, their impressive array of strikers have yet to click which may be ominous for Bolton.
Prediction - Bolton 1 : 2 Birmingham
Liverpool vs West Brom
West Brom are a full 4 places above Liverpool in the table at this stage - a fact that will enrage Liverpool fans. It seems like only a matter of time before Fernando Torres finds his form though, and West Brom should have little in the form of a threat - especially at Anfield. Expect Liverpool's season to start here.
Prediction - Liverpool 2 : 0 West Brom
Sunderland vs Man City
Sunderland have struggled to really get going so far this season whilst Man City have gelled a lot more than many experts expected. Sunderland conceded 2 at home to Birmingham so shouldn't really worry Title hunters Man City. Tevez has been impressive so far and Balotelli may make his League debut.
Prediction - Sunderland 0 : Man City 4
Aston Villa vs Everton
The two sides who used to be the 'other two' in the Premier League top 6. Of late, Man City and Tottenham have leapfrogged these two in the race to break the top 4. Aston Villa were picked apart by Newcastle while Everton haven't really started playing football yet. On paper, Everton have the edge. But at Villa Park, it may be different.
Prediction - Aston Villa 1 : 1 Everton
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Premier League Week 3 Preview : Part 1
Blackburn vs Arsenal
We all know how Blackburn play at home. We all know how Arsenal always play. We're in, therefore, for an epic clash of styles. Arsenal looked imperious last week and may have Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas fit to start this time around. Expect the Gunners to run riot.
Prediction - Blackburn 0 : 3 Arsenal
Blackpool vs Fulham
The honeymoon period seems to have been a short one for Blackpool and they will welcome a Fulham side which had the wake-up call it needed last week. Draws at Bolton and against Man Utd are nothing to be ashamed of but Blackpool are the sort of side the Cottagers must beat if they are to progress as a football club.
Prediction - Blackpool - 1 : 2 Fulham
Cheslea vs Stoke
Stoke have lost 2 in 2, Chelsea have won 2 in 2. Stoke have scored 2 and conceded 4, Chelsea have scored 12 and conceded 0. Stoke won 4 games on the road last season, Chelsea lost 1 at home.
Prediction - Chelsea 4 : 0 Stoke
Tottenham vs Wigan
Tottenham have been very impressive so far this season, qualifying into the next round of the Champions League as well as winning a tough away day at Stoke and domination the Manchester City millionaires. Wigan have lost 2 in 2 and have conceded 10 goals without reply. Will their be a repeat of the infamous 9-1?
Prediction - Tottenham 2 - 0 Wigan
Wolves vs Newcastle
A classic 6 pointer or two lower mid-table teams battling it out for pride? Either way, both have made fine starts to the season and will want to reach the theorised 40-point safety mark ASAP. In this type of match, I'd usually give a narrow edge to the home team or maybe call it a draw but Newcastle man for man just have too much class.
Prediction - Wolves 1 - 3 Newcastle
We all know how Blackburn play at home. We all know how Arsenal always play. We're in, therefore, for an epic clash of styles. Arsenal looked imperious last week and may have Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas fit to start this time around. Expect the Gunners to run riot.
Prediction - Blackburn 0 : 3 Arsenal
Blackpool vs Fulham
The honeymoon period seems to have been a short one for Blackpool and they will welcome a Fulham side which had the wake-up call it needed last week. Draws at Bolton and against Man Utd are nothing to be ashamed of but Blackpool are the sort of side the Cottagers must beat if they are to progress as a football club.
Prediction - Blackpool - 1 : 2 Fulham
Cheslea vs Stoke
Stoke have lost 2 in 2, Chelsea have won 2 in 2. Stoke have scored 2 and conceded 4, Chelsea have scored 12 and conceded 0. Stoke won 4 games on the road last season, Chelsea lost 1 at home.
Prediction - Chelsea 4 : 0 Stoke
Tottenham vs Wigan
Tottenham have been very impressive so far this season, qualifying into the next round of the Champions League as well as winning a tough away day at Stoke and domination the Manchester City millionaires. Wigan have lost 2 in 2 and have conceded 10 goals without reply. Will their be a repeat of the infamous 9-1?
Prediction - Tottenham 2 - 0 Wigan
Wolves vs Newcastle
A classic 6 pointer or two lower mid-table teams battling it out for pride? Either way, both have made fine starts to the season and will want to reach the theorised 40-point safety mark ASAP. In this type of match, I'd usually give a narrow edge to the home team or maybe call it a draw but Newcastle man for man just have too much class.
Prediction - Wolves 1 - 3 Newcastle
2 Weeks In : What you could have guessed and what you probably couldn't......
So, 2 weeks into the season some things are most unsurprising...
Chelsea look unstoppable, Arsenal look promising and West Ham and Wigan have done nothing to dismiss their title of Relegation Candidates. Everton fans will smirk at the fact that their team is 16th and still above Liverpool whilst Manchester United fans will be Roo-ing their sides squandered points at Fulham (who, Hodgson or not are still something special at home). Oh, also, Didier Drogba leads the goal-scorers chart.
Now the not so predictable stuff...
Drogba is tied at the top with team-mate Florent Malouda, the underachieving Theo Walcott and the Championship standard Andy Carroll. Bolton are 5th, Wolves are unbeaten, Blackpool are well above the relegation zone and Dimitar Berbatov has played back-to-back games.
Chelsea look unstoppable, Arsenal look promising and West Ham and Wigan have done nothing to dismiss their title of Relegation Candidates. Everton fans will smirk at the fact that their team is 16th and still above Liverpool whilst Manchester United fans will be Roo-ing their sides squandered points at Fulham (who, Hodgson or not are still something special at home). Oh, also, Didier Drogba leads the goal-scorers chart.
Now the not so predictable stuff...
Drogba is tied at the top with team-mate Florent Malouda, the underachieving Theo Walcott and the Championship standard Andy Carroll. Bolton are 5th, Wolves are unbeaten, Blackpool are well above the relegation zone and Dimitar Berbatov has played back-to-back games.
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Serie A Transfer Update : Part 3 (Boateng, Hernanes)
Kevin-Prince Boateng (From Portsmouth to AC Milan, Loan)
The financial details of this deal are still unknown but it looks likely to be a loan deal with an option to buy. Regardless, Boateng has gone from the Championship to the Champions League via the World Cup - a meteoric rise for a guy who's talent was never in doubt though their are still question marks over his consistency and his attitude when the chips are down. The opportunity is now before Boateng to prove himself to be the real deal at one of the World's most famous clubs.
Hernanes (From Sao Paulo to Lazio, £10m)
Once considered amongst the brightest young talents in football, Hernanes made no impact Internationally and all of his accomplishments in Brazil have been taken with a pinch of salt. It will be interesting to see how the playmaker adjusts to the Italian league as Lazio coach Edy Reja has hinted at giving Hernanes a deeper role saying, "he will give us depth in midfield, he can play in all three midfield roles, I think he'll adapt easily." Hernanes must add goals to his game before the games Elite clubs take a serious look at him.
The financial details of this deal are still unknown but it looks likely to be a loan deal with an option to buy. Regardless, Boateng has gone from the Championship to the Champions League via the World Cup - a meteoric rise for a guy who's talent was never in doubt though their are still question marks over his consistency and his attitude when the chips are down. The opportunity is now before Boateng to prove himself to be the real deal at one of the World's most famous clubs.
Hernanes (From Sao Paulo to Lazio, £10m)
Once considered amongst the brightest young talents in football, Hernanes made no impact Internationally and all of his accomplishments in Brazil have been taken with a pinch of salt. It will be interesting to see how the playmaker adjusts to the Italian league as Lazio coach Edy Reja has hinted at giving Hernanes a deeper role saying, "he will give us depth in midfield, he can play in all three midfield roles, I think he'll adapt easily." Hernanes must add goals to his game before the games Elite clubs take a serious look at him.
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