BPL Game Week 3 Preview: Part II

Three sizzling Sunday matches awaits as the three big teams that played last Sunday, will again play this Sunday in overlapping times. Let’s take a quick look at the three games and size up how each team should do.

Manchester City vs Manchester United

City has a 100% start to the season so far but against arguably lesser opponents. This is where the real test comes. A United side still looking for their first win of the season travel just a couple of miles to the City of Manchester Stadium in what is a familiar yet hostile environment will be out to kill. Other than the absence of Isaksson, Sven virtually has a full strength squad to choose from and looking at the past two matches, they will probably play a 4-5-1 formation without much change to the personnel on the pitch. We all know David Dunne is susceptible to pace and how he handles Tevez will determine whether City can hold on for a draw. Expect to see a goal contrived by Petrov and/or Bianchi and/or Elano, the backbone of City’s attack.

Manchester United’s cursed start to the season continues with Rooney out for extended periods and Ronaldo suspended for three matches. The team that is to be put out is still reasonable by United’s standards, but once again the question is can they score more than they will invariably concede? Tevez particularly would play in a big role in this game as I feel most of the pressure of not having Rooney and Ronaldo will rest on his shoulders. He will revel in being the focal point of attack and should create space for Scholes, Giggs and Nani to do their stuff. Ferdinand may find trouble handling the strength and presence of Bianchi and he should be thankful that he has Vidic by his side.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

Final Notes: The only reason why I think United will win this is the fact that if they do not, alarm bells will certainly start ringing. City though, could spring a surprise.

Blackburn vs Arsenal

Blackburn is a team whose pre-season started earlier as they were involved in the Inter-Toto competition. This could mean the team peaking earlier than the others and could put them in good stead against Arsenal. The challenge for Mark Hughes is to maintain the team’s performance throughout the season and not let them peak too early and die off late into the campaign. Bright starts from Derbyshire and Santa Cruz in the first game could see either or both starting in this match. They look reasonable in all departments so far and have a variety of options going forward. Pedersen should be running the show for them again tonight.

Arsenal’s youths came back from a goal down last week to clinch the game against Fulham but this is a different ball game all together. They will have to stay focused and disciplined throughout the game if they were to get any result from this fixture. Eduardo has yet to play and I believe everyone is excited to see him in action. Jens Lehmann needs to sort himself out and put in a sound and confident performance this week to make up for last week’s gaffe, and the same goes to the entire defense that looked shaky at times, making uncharacteristic mistakes.

Score Prediction: Blackburn 2-1 Arsenal

Final Notes: Blackburn is a team already in gear while Arsenal’s still trying to sort themselves out defensively. The Gunners are good for a goal and could force a draw, but I see Blackburn putting in a competent performance to clinch this one.

Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool sees this as a good chance to inflict a blow on Chelsea’s title challenge and proclaim their own as they face an injury-hit squad that looks suspect in defense, especially when Liverpool have the likes of Torres and Gerrard pushing forward. Terry’s possible inclusion will be a much welcomed sight. As much as I see Liverpool scoring, I also foresee that the Liverpool defense will not be able to handle Didier Drogba and he will cause a lot of problems for them.

Both teams have recent history against one another, and Benitez and Mourinho are not exactly the best of pals. I expect this to be a hot-blooded affair as a victory for either team will be a big step towards claiming the title. The one-on-one match ups of the night that will be interesting for the fans are – Lampard-Gerrard, Carvalho-Torres, Drogba-Agger pairings. Glen Johnson will have to contain an explosive Riise too if Chelsea were to get anything out of this game and the same goes for the Liverpool defense in handling the threat that Malouda poses.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Final Notes: I feel both teams will score, and the match will likely end up a draw. But I could not help but hope for a Liverpool victory to make the race for the title that little bit more interesting.

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Three big games in three time slots that overlap, how stupid. Oh well, we make the best of what we can and maybe what we can do is watch the game that interests us the most. So much for the promise of better quality for increased rates. Anyway, have a good night catching the games, and a good working week ahead. Melvin, out...