Good morning (to those of you who are up at this ungodly hour (6:20 AM here)) – here’s a quick preview of the weekend’s games, predictions and the inevitable question – will the football be as good as we remembered?
If last year’s opening day is anything to go by, I certainly hope it is. That day brought out frustration, anger and then tears of joy. I’ll settle for 3 points come Sunday night.
Saturday 11 August, 2007
Sunderland v Tottenham
Home game for Sunderland so you’d expect Keano’s boys to be bullish (can they ever be anything else?) and there will be a great degree of optimism at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland need to keep things tight and stick to their disciplined passing game. Tottenham, on the other hand, will need to settle in quickly in the first half (without King and Lennon it’s going to be a ‘bit’ jittery) and if they can manage that, you’d be hard pressed to look at anything else but a Spurs victory.
Soccerlens Prediction: Draw – The mind says Tottenham but the heart says Sunderland, so I’m going with a punt on the draw.
Bolton v Newcastle
No doubts in my mind that the Bolton players will up and running for this. I can see Bolton winning this, especially based on past matches between the two sides but there’s some hope for Newcastle this season (despite the injuries) and if they can put 11 fit men on the pitch (especially if Viduka and Smith start) they will score goals and I’m not sure that Bolton’s defence, shored up as it is, will be able to match them this early in the campaign.
Soccerlens Prediction: A Newcastle win as Big Sam walks the talk.
Derby v Portsmouth
Derby don’t have the squad to stay in the Premiership, but what the fans and pundits will be looking at is whether they can put up a good fight or not. A fighting spirit is what saved Wigan at the end of the season, and it could mean the difference between utter humiliation and grudging defeat.
Pompey must be chomping at the bit for this game – an away fixture will give the players an early test but against Derby this has (no offense intended) the air of a pre-season game and Portsmouth players will be wanting to kick the season off with a convincing win.
Soccerlens Prediction: Portsmouth win, no two ways about it (although, mind you, Sheffield United almost beat Pool at home last season, so anything’s possible).
Everton v Wigan
I’ve been impressed with Everton’s transfer dealings this season and even with the players Wigan have brought in they are not a match for Arteta and co. I’d expect Everton to run out comfortable winners, although if you hear what the new Wigan boss has to say they are aiming for a top-10 spot (ambition is always good) AND Wigan fought hard last season, so new players plus a good fight could give Everton some trouble.
Soccerlens Prediction: Everton win.
Middlesbrough v Blackburn
Middlesbrough’s have Woodgate, Huth and Pogatez out injured, and they will be susceptible in defence. While you expect Southgate to compensate for that in team strategy Mark Hughes is a smart man and McCarthy, Pedersen and Bentley could have a field day at Teeside if Boro were to falter even for a minute.
Not too convinced with Boro while Blackburn have tried to patch the few holes in their squad and this should a tough but credible win for the Rovers.
Soccerlens Prediction: Blackburn win, but only just.
West Ham v Man City
Both teams boast new signings and both are looking at a top-10 finish (isn’t everyone?). I’d bank on West Ham to pull this fixture as long as their defense holds out – they have always been decent going forward and the new signings AND the return of Ashton should add steel and sharpness to the side.
City are doing better than people think, but it’s all talk until you see the new players perform on the pitch. Optimism aside Sven couldn’t have fixed the problems pointed out with his management style during his spell as England manager (or has he hired cheerleaders to motivate the players?) and the play-safe philosophy may actually work in Manchester City’s favor as West Ham will be looking to get forward and will expose their defence from time to time.
Soccerlens Prediction: A high-scoring game, maybe a West Ham win.
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Like it or not, Torres will be amongst the goals this season and the only thing worrying me about Benitez is that he might give Crouch and Voronin games at the expense of Torres and Kuyt. At Villa Park though, T and K should start and if Gerrard starts behind them in central midfield, Reo-Coker, Barry and co. are in for a very harsh game.
Aston Villa have brought in quality players but Liverpool are a class apart and the only thing saving them here will be Martin O’Neill’s tactical nous as Villa will undoubtedly park the bus and defend first.
Soccerlens Prediction: Liverpool to win, if Rafa can get his team to break down attacks, that is.
Sunday 12 August, 2007
Arsenal v Fulham
Big game for Arsenal – they saw teams come to the Emirates and park the bus and effectively frustrate them, and hopefully Wenger has a plan to break such teams down this season.
Lawrie Sanchez has been talking the talk pre-season but I doubt that they have the players to trouble Arsenal and his focus was, predictably, on the supposed gap between Arsenal and the top two. I’d recommend that if Sanchez wants to keep his job and more importantly, if he wants Fulham to stay in the Premiership he will have to figure out a way to win matches without sacrificing the odd goat to the Premier League gods.
Soccerlens Prediction: A tubthumping win for Arsenal.
Chelsea v Birmingham
Injuries be damned – a back four of Ferreira, Carvalho, Ben Haim and Ashley Cole is good enough to keep out the Birmingham attack and in midfield and up front Chelsea’s players are heads and shoulders above the Brum players.
Add to this the fact that this game is being played at Stamford Bridge and you’ve got to feel for Steve Bruce.
Like Derby and Sunderland (and also Fulham, incidentally), the most important thing for Birmingham will be to prove to themselves that they can fight for these matches and give Chelsea a run for their money. A goal ought to do nicely, thought I wouldn’t bet on it.
Soccerlens Prediction: Chelsea win.
Man United v Reading
I would be tempted to sacrifice a beautiful virgin girl at the altar of the Premier League gods if United can manage a start similar to last season (when they thrashed Fulham – oh, the memory!). 3 points will do though.
Soccerlens Prediction: Manchester United win.
I’ll follow up on Monday with a quick look at the midweek games – I’m thinking of altering the format from last season so if you guys have any suggestions to improve the previews, let me know here.
thanks for waking up so early to post this Ahmed…its about 19:30 over here and its nice to read these predictions before going out and drinkin w/ the lads (however i have to wake up and head to the pub by 7:00am to watch the games tomorrow morning!)…my money is on pool and chelsik drawin, but i tend to loose money when i think w/ my heart rather than my head. and im not too sure u’ll need to sacrifice the virgins just yet, look for roon and ron to get on the score sheet along w/ nani and anderson!
Maybe the mind and the heart need to be told Tottenham and Spurs are the same 🙂 Or is it because it’s 6:20 AM?
JAJAJAJJA
Aaarrggghh
Sunderland, Sunderland, fuck.
Thanks Red.
Except I didn’t ‘wake up’ mate, I stayed up 🙂 Still up, you’ll notice. Fucking energizer bunny, I am, until I crash and then miss the whole day’s worth of matches 🙂
You bloody loser Ahmad, Staying up all night on a Footy blog, Geez youre whorse than the jap who died playing WarCraft for like 100 Hours!
Kyle, for the last fuckin time, it’s Ahmed, not Ahmad!
And I was on the phone all night, dammit, not on SL 🙂
shiat i wouldn’t blame you…at least u dont have worry about wakin up so goddamn early to catch the games. i know this is totally off topic, but what do you think about beckham joinin the la galaxy, you reckon the mls will be quality league in about 10years? right now its total rubbish and personally i think becks isnt goin to last too long in the england squad playin over here.
Becks does bring a lot of attention to the MLS but more importantly his move will encourage other clubs to bring in more players from Europe, and once that starts to happen the MLS will start improving. The fact that only ‘have-beens’ will be going to the MLS will slow things down, but it should improve in the next decade, definitely.
To be honest his chances in the england squad depend on how badly everyone else plays in the next couple of qualifiers, not on how well he plays.
So excited 🙂 cant wait yipeee!
Sunderland are playing awesome man.You wont have seen this team playing so good after a long time.Keano looks damn smarter than SAF.I wont be suprise if they finish in the top half or i think top 7:D
liverpool fans no need 2 get exicted just cause u had that money and bough new players ur not title contenders u wont win a trophy
spurs 4 4th ur havin a laugh they r playin shit os faaar gainst sunderland
Having watched 3 live matches on tv yesterday, and now the 4th one, i wondered if anyone noticed most players are wearing this yellow wrist band either on their left or right hand. I don’t have a clue what is it exactly. Anyone care to enlighten the ignorant me? Thanks!
Is that a bit of jealousy i sense 🙂 it alright though i dont h8 ayour team or your fans i just dont like you lol.
Th big 4 didnt do too well but im happy with 3 points unlucky United. Reading had 11 men behind the ball. Im so happy to see Liverpool on the attack we must have had a shot every 2 minutes 🙂 the bad luck with away form seems to be over!!!! ITS ON!!
Chelsea = 3 pts
Arsenal = 3 pts
Liverpool = 3 pts
Man Utd = 1 pt
Is this how the top 4 table will look at the end of December? One can only hope! 😉
heh.
predictions watch: got 6 results right out of 10. hmmm…
So lol the top four on december will have 10 points between them? 🙂