Friday, 5 October 2012

Premier League Fixtures - 6/7th October


Manchester City V Sunderland


This one is the early kick off on Saturday and you can bet that will include some goals in this where it finished 3-3 last season with City still struggling to find fluent form and Sunderland getting stronger with each game it's hard to pick a result let alone a winner, If City click tomorrow they will want to issue a statement to the rest of the league but if it becomes another error strewn performance lacking intensity like midweek then it really could be an away victory despite City's dominance at home over the last year or so.

Players to watch - David Silva and Adam Johnson respectively

Predicted score - 2-1


Chelsea v Norwich


This one in my opinion will be the most simplest of results this weekend particularly with Chelsea at home and looking so good at the moment and off the back of a thumping 4-0 win midweek over European opposition it's hard to see Norwich getting anything even if Fernando Torres draws a blank. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Moses and co there's just too much firepower in this home side and despite Norwich's best efforts could be a long afternoon unless they get the basics right.

Players to Watch - Oscar

Predicted score 3-0


Swansea v Reading


How times have changed since these sides both met last time in the richest game in history. The championship play off final which Swansea won 4-2 will go down in history which is why tomorrow's fixture has a bit of spice towards it. Despite Reading going up the season after it still doesn't hide the fact that it was a dark day in Reading's history when they lost that faithful day so despite revenge not being on the menu i'm sure satisfaction will be. Swansea have lost 3 in a row whilst Reading haven't won at all this season which makes this game a massive game for both. Reading will be down there come the end of the season according to pundits and Swansea not far above them but I think Swansea need this result more just to boost morale if anything. Could be a long afternoon if the Swans plan A doesn't stick.

Player to watch - Michu/ Pavel Pogrebnyak

Predicted Score - 2-0 

West Brom v QPR


This on paper looks equal but the table will tell you different, West Brom are currently flying high despite losing their manager in the summer, Steve Clark has done a wonderful job and with the players he has right now they all want to work for him. As for QPR despite having talent they still have a weakness which West ham exposed almost at will on Monday night. QPR haven't registered an away victory since Mark Hughes took over and it doesn't like that's going to change this weekend. West Brom are full of confidence and that alone could see them through and if Romelu Lukaku gets his way then the visitors defence could be stretched again.

Players to Watch - Lukaku/Taarabt

Predicted Scoreline 2-1


Wigan v Everton


Just like the previous game I mentioned this again  you would think would normally be tricky to tell but the problem is that Everton once again have proved their credentials early on despite being known as poor starters and Wigan well always have their problems early on. Everton's start has attracted the headlines but it's the style they have portrayed which has admirers it's more adventurous and creative. It's simple to expect Everton to win with the left hand partnership of Baines and Pienaar complimented on the right side of Mirallas and Coleman which is blossoming. It's not expected to be just a simple win as Wigan are so unpredictable but you would put more emphasis on an away victory first and foremost.

Players to Watch - Mirallas/Di Santo

Predicted Scoreline - 2-3


West Ham v Arsenal


Another classic element of style v Substance with Andy Carroll setting the tone for West Ham this season along with players such as Vaz Te and Matt Jarvis gives them not only a game plan but an excutioner to convert it. Arsenal have looked solid defensively and promising attackingly but the setback by Chelsea last week means that the side will be keen to avenge that defeat and get back on track, it could be a long evening for the visitors if they don't get into their game early on and get a goal because West Ham will keep coming and crosses will be bombarded into the box.

Players To Watch: Matt Jarvis/ Lukas Podolski

Predicted Scoreline - 0-2


Sundays Fixtures

Southampton v Fulham


Southampton should be encouraged by their opening displays despite not having the points to promote that. The problem they have is at the back they just ship too many goals and it just looks generally unstable at the back proved by the mauling at Arsenal recently. This could be more of of an even fixture due to Fulham's inability away from home so here could be a chance for the opening win at St Mary's this Sunday. They need Rickie Lambert to be fit and firing for this one but must be aware of the technician Dimitar Berbatov at Fulham who has already showed that he is a shrewd acquisition. 

Players to Watch - Jay Rodriguez/Dimitar Berbatov

Predicted Scoreline - 1-1

Liverpool v Stoke City


Liverpool are on the up in my opinion and with some decent finishing and some consistency at the back they could well be troubling top 6 even the top 4 but this match here will really determine how far they have come. It's style versus substance in this one. Liverpool's short passing will come up against Stoke's lofty long ball devastation even at home so if Liverpool are going to find a way to win they need to do within their own style. It can only go one way this one despite Stoke's recent profit at home they still lack cohesion away from home and this will be a tight one but will go to the home side who have too much creativity at the moment.

Player to watch - Nuri Sahin

Predicted Scoreline - 3-1 


Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa



Spurs are slowly but surely starting to click under AVB which is a worry for their hosts particularly with their away form not only this season but last. Although the arrival of Benteke has given them spark up front. AVB fielded a strong side midweek away in Greece and it could come back to haunt them although they have till Sunday to shake off the Jetlag etc. Spurs have too strong a side to not impose themselves on this one it won't be as simple as they suggest with Villa slowly improving under Lambert but you can see the result heading home here. Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Clint Dempsey need to click properly to unlock the Villa defence.

Players to Watch - Jermaine Defoe/ Darren Bent

Predicted Scoreline - 2-0


Newcastle United v Manchester United


This fixture proved a statement of dominance that Newcastle were well and truly here. They easily dispatched Manchester United 3-0 with Cabaye's freekick the pick of the bunch although I don't think Phil Jones is going to argue that one. Newcastle haven't hit the heights of last season yet with only Demba Ba and occasionally Obertan really showing continued glimpses of quality with Cisse, Cabaye and many others struggling to get to where they were last season. Newcastle have 9 points on the board after 6 games but perhaps should have expected more after having a relatively simple start. United themselves are struggling particularly at the back where they are really missing Phil Jones and Chris Smalling with Evans/Ferdinand exposed vigitantly last week at home to Spurs where they were beaten 3-2 despite dominating the second half their defence looks short of confidence and cohesion along with quality. Could be a long afternoon for Sir Alex's men if they don't impose themselves early.

Players to watch - Demba Ba/Robin Van Persie

Predicted Scoreline - 1-2


Thanks for reading, Much Appreciated.
Dan

1 comment:

  1. HI DANI!!

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    ReplyDelete