Football Fans Today 3rd Edition

TAKING YOU INTO THE

WORLD OF FOOTBALL

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Arsenal v Chelsea

Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates this Saturday for what should be a very entertaining London derby, both sides are looking to hold on to their unbeaten runs in the league after equally impressive starts.

Arsene Wenger and his men will have heaps of confidence going into the game, since the arrival of Steve Bould as assistant manager they’ve looked a much improved side at the back and have picked up 3 clean sheets in their opening 5 games. Yet the attack also deserves much praise, new signing Santi Cazorla’s performances have been a joy to behold so far. The little Spaniard’s delicious mixture of vision, creativity and skill is clearly top-class, and Chelsea will have to be at their best to stop him. Arsenal haven’t shown any real suffering from the departure of Robin Van Persie just yet, and getting a result against the European Champions will certainly prove that their new attackers can make up for the loss of last season’s Golden Boot winner.

Chelsea have started the season in great form too, 4 victories have put them top of the table, their only loss of points coming in the goalless draw against QPR. Arsenal will undoubtedly be their most challenging tie so far, and the European Champions will be entering the game with the opposition as favourites for the first time this season. This mainly rests on the fact that Arsenal are the home team though, no one would be too shocked if the Blues came away with all 3 points. The likes of Hazard, Mata and Oscar have been in great form and look to be the key components in a new style of football for Chelsea, their creativity will leave goal-hungry Fernando Torres with plenty of opportunities up front. They can also turn to Victor Moses, or new signing Marko Marin who has just returned from injury.

Match Predictions

Chelsea may just edge this one.

At the back, both sides look very solid and have kept quite a few clean sheets, so it’s hard to separate them in this area.

However, Chelsea have just a little bit more going for them in their attack and if Torres is having a good day, the home side will concede quite a few.

Score prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

Any of our bets on this game will just be for fun really as we will just sit back and enjoy the match like I imagine most of you will be doing!

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Everton v Southampton

Everton have started the season in great form, with three wins in their first five games, as well as only losing once in their last fourteen games. After beating Manchester United 1-0 they really haven’t looked back, with many people tipping them to qualify for Europe this season, and a few even tipping them to be challenging for Champions League football, they’ll want to make sure they beat newly-promoted Southampton at home.

They could be without Darron Gibson and ever-consistent Tony Hibbert, however they definitely have the back-up, in young Seamus Coleman and Leon Osman, who will be able to step in and do well.

If they want to win this game they’ll need Leighton Baines and Fellaini to be on song. Baines is the mot creative player in the Premier League creating 24 chances in five games this season, impressive for a ‘number ten’ player, never mind a left-back. If him and Pienaar can carry on how they’ve started, they’ll definitely cause young Nathaniel Clyne some problems down the wing. Fellaini will most likely play just behind the striker, where he will have to be an aerial menace again if Everton want to win this game, he’ll have to make sure he wins the air balls and brings team-mates into play, a job he did so well against Manchester United, and with Southamptons defence looking a little shaky in their opening five games, he probably should have a good game – as any defence finds it hard to defend against his aerial ability.

What about Southampton? After a tough start, conceding fourteen goals in four games, with games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United in their first four, they managed to get their first win last week with a great 4-1 win against Paul Lamberts Villa, which could help to kickstart their season.

Match PredictionsStriker Rickie Lambert has had a great start to his Premier League career, scoring four goals, including one against the two Manchester clubs, and has always looked a threat when he is on the pitch. Southampton will want to make sure they can give him good service and hope he takes the chances, as he probably won’t get too many at Goodison. To provide the service they’ll be looking to Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana, the latter having a great start to his Premier League career, earning himself an England call-up. While the former has enjoyed a good first start and substitute appearance, getting an assist and creating six chances, if Southampton do well this game and this season, they’ll need these three players to do well and really develop a good bond.

I’m personally tipping Everton to win this game, as much as I like Southampton and some of their players, at Goodison, against a newly-promoted side, I can’t look past Everton – especially after the way they’ve started the season.


Fulham v Man City

After winning their last two matches, Fulham find themselves in 6th position in the Premier League, one place above their opponents this weekend. Fulham had a rest midweek after being knocked out of the Capital One cup in the last round, so come into this game searching for their third consecutive win. Man City have had an uninspiring start to the season as they aim to defend their title. After not winning in four matches in all competitions and a surprise cup exit midweek at home to Aston Villa, they will be hoping to get back on track this weekend.

The arrival of Dimitar Berbatov at Craven Cottage seems to have lifted the spirits at the club and after two goals and an assist in his first two starts, he looks like a top signing for Martin Jol’s side. City’s problems seem to be stemming from the defence. What, last season, was the best defence in the league, conceding just 29 goals, is already joint worst in the top half this season, conceding 7 goals in the opening five matches.

Last season you would probably have stuck Man City straight in your accumulator as a banker, but this season, I will be leaving this one out. Fulham haven’t beaten Man city in the last 6 games between the two, but three of the last six have ended up as a draw and we wouldn’t be surprised to see another this weekend. Fulham are on a strong home run, winning their last four matches, a stat which only adds to our belief that City might not win this one.

We expect a City side similar to the one that played against Arsenal, with Dzeko perhaps retaining his place after an impressive game. Likewise with Fulham, after their win against Wigan, it would be strange to see any changes that weren’t forced due to injury.

Match Predictions

As was mentioned in the preview, we think this may end in a draw so will take a risky bet and add this as a draw into our accumulator. This could be one of those games where Man City prove everybody wrong and win about 6-0 so we will probably looking silly!

In seven of the last eight matches between these two sides there have been three goals or more so we will be taking over 2.5 in this game.

Berbatov has been on fire since he arrived so we’ll be backing him to score another this weekend. The Man City goals depends on who they start, Tevez has been on form so far this season so if it’s him, we’ll back him.


Norwich v Liverpool

Norwich City welcome struggling Liverpool to Carrow Road on Saturday where there is everything to play for.

Both sides are without a league win so far this season and will be desperate to change that. The hosts are currently hovering just above the relegation places with just three points, whereas Liverpool are sitting in 18th place with a miserable two points.

The two sides will be going into the game on a high however, having both picked up midweek Capital One cup victories. Norwich overcame Doncaster 1-0 and Liverpool defeated West Brom 2-1 thanks to two goals from on loan midfielder Nuri Sahin.

Both side’s problem this season has been scoring goals. Norwich haven’t found the back of the net in the league since September 1st and have scored just two league goals. Liverpool have managed four goals but what is perhaps more worrying for them is the form of summer signing Fabio Borini. Brendan Rodgers splashed out £11m on the Italian striker who he worked with at Swansea, but so far he has failed to live up to expectations. The Reds have reliedheavily on Luis Suarez for goals and he will surely need some of the pressure lifted from him. Borini must start performing if Liverpool are to rescue their season.

Norwich have their own striking problems however. Last year Grant Holt enjoyed a wonderful season, finishing as the club’s top goal scorer. Sadly for him and Norwich, he has looked a shadow of his former self. The Canaries turned down a transfer request from Holt in the summer so they will be keen for him to prove he still has a role to play at Carrow Road.

This promises to be a fascinating game and isn’t one to be missed.

Match Predictions

After Liverpool’s cup win, we think they should have gained enough confidence to go on and record their first win of the season here.

While we do expect a Liverpool win, neither team have been prolific in front of goal this season so we think it will be a low scoring affair.

Due to the amount of shots he has, we will take Suarez to score again this week. If Liverpool are to do well this season, they will be looking to Suarez to start finishing a lot more chances.


Reading v Newcastle

Reading are back at home this weekend, and will hope to get their first win of the season but face a tough task against an improving Newcastle side. After a draw with Stoke to start the season and a good performance against Chelsea, Reading’s season is still yet to get going, losing their last three Premier League matches. Newcastle have had an up and down start to the season, mainly down to the injury of key players. The positives have started coming though, with Demba Ba scoring three in his last two matches and a win over Norwich last weekend.

The Royals continued their cup run midweek with a late win over QPR, which should give them confidence coming into this home fixture. Pogrebnyak was on the scoresheet to get his third goal in all competitions, which should give him a personal boost. Newcastle also played midweek but lost to Man Utd. A goal for Cisse, who came off the bench, will give him a huge boost of confidence coming into this game and is likely to start alongside Ba.

Reading are still expected to be without keeper Adam Federici but will have Jimmy Kebe available to start this weekend after playing in the cup midweek. Newcastle are almost back to full strength now with Coloccini and Tiote both fit again, but Taylor, Simpson and Krul all remain sidelined.

In our opinion, Reading will have to wait another week for their first win of the season. Newcastle have both strikers scoring once again and if both are on form this weekend, they may record a convincing win. The home advantage is something Reading will look to take advantage of and they will probably try and keep possession but the quality in the Newcastle side should see them through this one.

Match Predictions

You can get quite a decent price on a Newcastle to win and as we mentioned we think they will record a comfortable win this weekend.

If you fancied a risky bet, why not give Newcastle HT/FT a go, in their last three matches against Reading the bet would have won, could they continue the record? 3/1 seems a decent price.

Demba Ba or Papiss Cisse, take your pick in terms of who will score! We wouldn’t be surprised if both did, so if you will be going into the anytime scorer market, we will be picking whichever gives us better odds on the day.


Stoke v Swansea

In what many will consider a fairly low-key clash at the Britannia on Saturday, the game between Stoke and Swansea will have plenty to throw up for us to see come kick off.

With the infamous ‘long ball’ tactics implemented by Stoke City manager Tony Pulis, coming face-to-face with totally opposite, slick style of possession football brought to the pitch by Laudrup’s Swans, it should turn out to be an intriguing tactical battle for many neutrals.

Starting with Stoke, and after 4 draws and one defeat from the first five games of the season, Pulis’ men will no doubt believe that they need the all-important first win of the season to come fast; preferably before October. However, in Peter Crouch, they have a man in-form and a player high on confidence too, which will definitely relieve the pressure of his fellow attackers. Another vital player tomorrow for Stoke is Charlie Adam. With the way Swansea are set to play, Charlie Adam’s distribution in midfield will have to be of the highest standard if Stoke want to get any service to the front men.

Swansea are on a downward spiral. Having started so brightly, they’ve now gone their last three games without a win, and Michael Laudrup’s team know that it is crucial to stop the rot before it gets out of control. The problem is, however, that when in bad form, the worst possible trip, is to Stoke City. Their physicality, and aggressive approach will shake Swansea up, and it makes Seung Yeung-Ki’s role in keeping the ball vital. If the midfielders lose composure under big tackles, it’ll ruin Swansea’s whole philosophy. I also think that Danny Graham will score a goal. He’s had a slow start to the season, but give him a chance and there’s no doubting that he’ll take it.

Match Predictions

Stoke have drawn their last five home matches and as this is a game where both sides will really not want to lose, we think this could be number six.

Neither team has been on form just recently, another reason why this will be a fairly cagey game, leading us to think that under 2.5 goals will be a good bet for this one.

I don’t think we will be bothering with a goalscorer in this match, nobody really sticks out apart from Michu for Swansea, so if we were to choose anybody it would be him.


Sunderland v Wigan

This Saturday see’s the Black Cats take on the Latics at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland’s last league outing saw them make a 1-1 draw away to West Ham. Martin O’Neal will be looking for his first league win. The Black Cats have drawn all four of their opening Barclays Premier League games, becoming only the second team since the league’s formation in 1992 to do so. However, they do have a game in hand.Wigan go in to the game with four points, having beaten Southampton and drawing with Stoke while losing their other three Premiership fixtures, including both of their last two outings. Like Sunderland, the Latics have been successful in both Capital One Cup games so far, and have progressed to the fourth round this week.

Last season the Latics took all three points with a 2-1 victory. Martinez has been forced to contend with the departures of key men Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses, who joined Fulham and Chelsea respectively, who played a key role in keeping Wigan in the Premiership.

Roberto Martinez will be without defender Antolin Alcaraz who is still out with a groin injury picked up whilst on international duty with Paraguay. Franco Di Santo has returned to training this week in his bid to overcome a calf injury suffered against Manchester United, and will face a fitness test before the match. Martinez will look towards Kone who could play a key part in this fixture and will be looking to increase his goal tally from two league goals so far.

Sunderland’s victory mid week against MK Dons came at a price, as a number of injuries will force Martin O’Neill into a number of changes. On top of this O’Neill’s captain Lee Cattermole starts a three match ban, and will miss playing against his former club.

Match Predictions

Another game which could go either way now, Sunderland are still looking for their first win of the season but have their best chance at home to Wigan this weekend so we will be backing them to win here.

We do think Sunderland will be made to work for it, and wouldn’t be surprised to see both teams scoring or over 2.5 goals, so we will probably back whichever has the best odds.

Fletcher has started his Sunderland career brilliantly, scoring four goals already, this is why we will be backing him to score another this weekend.


Man Utd v Tottenham

Sunday sees AVB’s Tottenham visit Old Trafford for what should be an entertaining clash. AVB registered his first home win as Tottenham boss versus Queens Park Rangers last weekend, and he will be looking to add to his away record, too. Spurs have managed one win in two away from White Hart Lane, and against an in-form Manchester United, it will be a difficult afternoon for them.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils come off the back of a 2-1 away victory against fierce rivals Liverpool in dubious style. Manchester United were awarded a penalty which perhaps shouldn’t have been, and Jonny Evans found himself escaping a potential red card. Nonetheless, Manchester United have won both their home fixtures, scoring seven goals and conceding two in the process.

Spurs fans have struggled to warm to André Villas-Boas after his failure at Chelsea, and a win or even a point at Old Trafford will calm some of the Tottenham faithful’s nerves. Tottenham certainly have the nucleus of what could be a threatening side with the likes of Dembélé and Dempsey who haven’t played to their full potential so far. ‘Keeper Brad Friedel is playing well enough to keep France number one Hugo Lloris out of action and their defence is starting taking shape with Vertonghen, Gallas and Walker flourishing.

Defoe’s counterpart RVP is also on scintillating form, notching five goals in five games, so the Tottenham defence must be wary. Antonio Valencia will almost certainly miss this much anticipated fixture after pulling out of a training session earlier on in the week. Midfielder Darren Fletcher could play a part after he played the last twenty in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Match Predictions

Man Utd have a very good record against Tottenham, undefeated in their last 26 matches in all competitions, and will be expected to add to this record, with another win at home.

Tottenham certainly have the quality to get a goal themselves, so we will be adding them to our both teams to score coupon.

Rooney is back for Man Utd so it will be interesting to see how Sir Alex fits him in with RVP if he does at all. If RVP does play, we will back him to add another to his tally. For Spurs, it has got to be Defoe. The confidence AVB has shown in him has done him the world of good.


Aston Villa v West Brom

A win in extra time against Man City will certainly give Villa the confidence they so badly needed coming into this match with their Midlands rivals. West Brom also played midweek but were knocked out of the cup by a young Liverpool side. Neither team will be as fresh as they would like to be coming into such a big game and the extra time Aston Villa had to play, gives West Brom a slight advantage.

Aston Villa are keeping us guessing this year, with a draw against Newcastle and a win against Swansea, we thought they had hit a bit of form and they would be off and running for the season. Then came Southampton. A mad half an hour, saw Villa go from 1-0 up to eventually lose 4-1. They then played Man City away, a game we all thought they would lose, and showed spirit to come from behind twice and eventually win the game. So which Villa side turn up this weekend is anybody’s guess!

West Brom got back to winning ways last weekend with a win over Norwich and find themselves back up in the Champions League places. With a few key players doubtful for this game, Steve Clarke will be hoping he can get as many of them fit as possible. On the list are Ridgewell, Morrison and Steven Reid, all who could play if they are fit in time.

As is the same with most derby matches, either team could win this one. With Agbonlahor and Bent both scoring this week (Bent in the league, Agbonlahor in the cup) we would expect there to be goals but in the 12 matches between these two sides in the Premier League, neither side has ever scored more than two goals.

Match Predictions

As we mentioned, this is a really tough game to call and could go either way. History proves this as well with Aston Villa just edging the H2H in the last six between these two sides.

With Villa only winning once in their last 15 matches, West Brom or Draw looks like a good bet for this match.

Five out of the last six matches between the two, have finished 2-1, so if you fancy a really outside bet, back 2-1 to the team you think are going to win this one and see what happens!


QPR v West Ham

QPR entertain West Ham Utd Monday night. QPR are 19th in the league, while West Ham are ten places higher than their London rivals. Following the disappointment of exiting the Capital One Cup to Reading this week, Mark Hughes will be looking for a better performance this time out against Big Sam and West Ham. QPR will be looking to put things right and take the positives from the performance against Reading and put things right before Monday’s Premier League clash.

QPR have taken the lead in their last two games and have ended up losing both of these fixtures. JI-SUNG Park admits that QPR need to improve on their concentration levels when taking the lead.Rangers were beaten 3-2 at home by Reading in the League Cup despite going ahead in the 14th minute through new signing Junior Hoilett.

Mark Hughes’ men also led at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday before going on to suffer yet another defeat. Park said: “After taking a 2-1 lead [against Reading], we lost concentration and conceded two late goals. We must not repeat this again. “We scored twice and conceded straight away both times. If we want to win games, we have to be better after scoring goals. This is a big game for Rangers; they haven’t won a league game this season. So the pressure will be on Mark Hughes and his men.

West Ham go in to this fixture on the back of a 4-1 drubbing by Wigan Athletic. The Hammers had a good percentage of the possession and had more shots than Wigan, but failed to make this count. With two league wins, two draws, and one defeat so far this season, Big Sam will be looking to continue his side’s steady start to the campaign.

The Hammers were given a boost this week when Mark Noble pledged his future to the club by signing a new long term deal. The 25 year old is a firm favorite with the fans and is the clubs longest serving player in the first team squad.

Match Predictions

Two teams on fairly poor form and another match that really could go either way. I think anybody would struggle to pick a winner from these two but with both sides needing to win, I expect an open game.

We think this will lead to a few goals in this one and again we will pick either both teams to score or over 2.5 goals, depending on which offers the better odds.

One player who sticks out for a goal is Cisse, after a goal midweek, he will be expecting to start and may get chance to add to his tally.


Football Fans Today 3rd Edition

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