Here we are boys and girls, the time of the year is finally here. Weekends will no longer be uneventful as the new season heralds its arrival. For every game week, this space will preview (a maximum of) 3-4 games that I would call “Games of the Week”. The preview will include team news and updates, head-to-heads, possible lineups and score predictions.
To start off the season, we will ponder the fortunes of 6 teams, all of whom would be looking for a good start to European dreams, or survive the relegation nightmare.
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Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur
Team Updates:
Keano has made numerous purchases this pre-season but what he has in numbers, he lacks in quality. His best buy would probably be Kieran Richardson whose experience with WBA’s relegation battle a couple of seasons back would prove very useful indeed. Breaking the bank to purchase a goalkeeper, especially when the real need is quality in defense and up-front, leaves many perplexed. Being able to land Mido would be a major coup but one concern will be the relationship that would develop between the two of them. If he manages to rub off his winning mentality and no-nonsense style to the team,
Many have come out and predicted that this is the season where Spurs chances of a 4th place finish is at it brightest. Having a good mix of experience and youthful exuberance, I would have to agree. How Jol manages his team and keeping the talent in the team happy with his squad rotation will be vital to the club’s success this season. A real exciting force going forward, scoring goals will not be a problem. If Younes Kaboul forms a stiff partnership with King and justifies his billing; while Kevin-Prince goes royalty on opponents, there is no reason why Tottenham won’t do well this season. A good result in their first game will be an excellent morale booster for a club with a mission this season.
Sunderland Probable Line-up: Craig Gordon, Greg Halford, Paul McShane, Nyron Nosworthy, Ross Wallace, Liam Miller, Dean Whitehead, Kieran Richardson, Dickson Etuhu, Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra
Tottenham Probable Line-up: Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Rocha, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul, Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Darren Bent
Head-2-Head
English Premier
English Premier Tottenham 3-2
English Premier Tottenham 4-1
English Premier
English Premier Tottenham 2-1
Score Prediction:
Final Notes: I believe Spurs will dominate the game but will be only able to put one away as the gears are not fully oiled.
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West Ham vs
Team Updates
Sven is looking to add even more players as his pre-season transfer frenzy will only seem to only end when Thaksin’s wallet is empty. Mark Bresciano almost became his 9th signing but last minute disagreement between the clubs meant a collapse in the deal. Well I can tell you that guessing the first eleven for City is like throwing a dagger blindfolded. Sven is well-known for his tinkering style of management and you will never know what he has under his sleeve. The players he has at his disposal are a real exciting bunch, with Bianchi, Bojinov and Gelson topping the list. The impressive players on paper will take time to be a team and a draw here will be a good result for the Sky Blues.
Curbishley ain’t no dead-fish in the transfer window as well, adding 5 signings this season to his couple of others last season; Craig Bellamy, Freddie Lujngberg and Julien Faubert ranking in as his stellar purchases. His first eleven will however be slightly more predictable, especially in defense and midfield where squad rotation will only be done when tactically necessary. They look very dangerous going forward which will be vital as their defense looks untested, this we can wait and see.
West Ham Probable Lineup: Robert Green, Lucas Neil, Matthew Upson, Anton Ferdinand, George McCartney, Freddie Ljungberg, Luis Boa Morte, Scott Parker/Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington, Craig Bellamy, Dean Ashton/ Bobby Zamora
Manchester City Probable Lineup: Andreas Isaksson, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, David Dunne, Javier Garrido, Geovanni Deiderson Mauricio Gomez, Gelson Fernandes, Martin Petrov, Elano Blumer, Rolando Bianchi, Valeri Bojinov
Head-2-Head
English Premier West Ham United 0-1
English Premier
English Premier West Ham United 1-0
English FA Cup
English Premier
Score Prediction: West Ham 3-2
Final Notes: Will be a close affair with lots of goals as both defenses are unproven and relatively new playing together. I see the Hammers edging in front because of home ground advantage.
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Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Team Updates
Martin O’Neil is still looking for a couple more signings to add to his worryingly thin squad, especially in defense. He possesses quality that would need to stay fit throughout a grueling season in order to launch a serious League or Cup run. I suspect he is looking at reaching
The perennial League underachievers the past decade, Benitez has no excuses this season. His heftily assembled squad smacks of quality all round and it is about time they make a real challenge on the League title. The array of talent in the squad this season is arguably as good as what Manchester United and
Aston Villa Probable Line-up: Stuart Taylor, Wilfred Bouma, Olof Mellberg, Gareth Barry, Gary Cahill, Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew, Patrick Berger/Luke Moore
Liverpool Probable Line-up: Pepe Reina, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt
Head-2-Head
English Premier Aston Villa 0-0
English Premier
English Premier
English Premier Aston Villa 0-2
English Premier
Score Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2
Final Notes: Villa’s quality going forward should be able to come up with one goal, especially when their pace gets behinds the defense.
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The other matches for this game week will see Sam Alladyce kicking off his time at Tyneside at the club he left for
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