Betting and previews

Saturday August 27

Aston Villa v Wolves 12:00 UK
The first game of the weekend sees an early kick-off in the Midlands derby, between Aston Villa and Wolves. Aston Villa have had a decent start to the 2011/12 season, picking up 4 points in their first 2 games against Fulham and Blackburn. Their impressive performance against Blackburn last weekend was down to their imposing three-pronged attack in the form of Bent, Heskey and Agbonlahor, all of whom got on the score-sheet, most notably Agbonlahor, who scored his 50th goal for the club with an outstanding individual effort.

Wolves, much like their midlands rivals, have started the season in impressive form, being in the illustrious company of the Manchester clubs, as one of only three teams to maintain a 100% record in the early stages of this season. A convincing 2–0 win over Fulham last weekend, and a 4–0 demolition of Northampton in the Carling Cup midweek, will have Mick McCarthy’s men full of confidence, as they prepare Saturday’s match. Matt Jarvis seems to have continued the impressive form from last season that earned him an England call-up last season. Kevin Doyle is another who has started the season in fantastic form, which has lead to rumours of some of England’s bigger clubs, such as Liverpool, being linked with the Irish hitman.

It’s tough to try and separate these two teams for this coming fixture. Both have started well, and both will feel they can come away from this game with a win. Were this fixture at Molineux rather than Villa Park, you would probably have to give the advantage to Wolves. They are attacking with a lot more fervour this season, and unlike Villa, their defence looks very sturdy. However, with Villa having the home advantage here, I really expect this one to pan out as a score draw, but it really has potential for being one of the more exciting games of the weekend.

Prediction: 2 – 2
Aston Villa Key Man: Darren Bent
Wolves Key Man: Roger Johnson
 

Wigan v QPR 12:30 UK
Queens Park Rangers face a second consecutive away fixture this weekend against Wigan as they make the trip to the DW Stadium on Saturday. When these two teams face each other again in 2012, one could imagine the match taking on far greater significance as the spectre of relegation could well be looming large for these two teams as the season progresses. Wigan are yet to lose a game this season, but that is hardly a source for pride, with Roberto Martinez’s side scheduled to face the three promoted sides to the Premier League in the first three games. Last weekend’s draw against Swansea will be seen as a missed opportunity, as Swansea did not recreate the form they showed in the first half against Man City in their first game of the season. Lacking defensively, Swansea had to be bailed out by goalkeeper Michel Vorm’s penalty save. Wigan will see this game as a must win fixture, as they try to build momentum as they head towards some of the tougher periods of their campaign.

QPR got their first win of the season, taking advantage of an arguably under-prepared Everton side at Goodison Park last weekend. A single goal from Tommy Smith was enough to seal all three points in a game which will have given the London side new confidence after a humbling 4–0 welcome to the Premier League from Bolton on the opening day of the season. They will also be boosted by the signing of Joey Barton, who despite being one of the most controversial players in the Premier League today, will add much needed strength to their central midfield. With no new injury news for Neil Warnock’s side, there will be great belief they can return to the Capital this weekend with at least a point from this match with Wigan.

Prediction: 1 – 1
Wigan Key Man: Victor Moses
QPR Key Man: Adel Taarabt


Blackburn v Everton 15:00 UK
Both Blackburn and Everton start this game with no points on the board, after lacklustre starts to their respective seasons. Blackburn in particular have looked poor, losses to Wolves and Aston Villa in their first two games of the season have given their fans no real reason to think they can improve on last season’s mediocre showing. With this being said, the signing of Simon Vukcevic this week may give Rovers fans something to smile about, with the Montenegro star penning a 3-year deal at Ewood Park. Whether he is the person who can actually instil some vigour into the thus far lifeless Blackburn side is yet to be seen, but as it stands it seems likely that he could make his debut this weekend.

Everton were handed a wake-up call last weekend, when they were turned over by a stubborn QPR side who left Goodison Park with all three points. The Merseyside club started the match with key players Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini on the bench, both of whom were carrying slight injuries. This obviously did them no good at all, but both are poised to start this weekend after recovering from said injuries. It is important that Everton start the season well after a rough pre-season where the club’s dire financial situation was made public after a transcript of a board meeting was leaked to the press. However, it looks like they will probably hold on to most of their key players before the transfer window closes and they can focus on putting some points up on the board to retain their position as a staple of the top half of the Premier League.

As for this weekend, again, seems like a draw is on the cards, both sides are looking particularly vulnerable at the moment, and with no real reason to believe that either side should produce an impressive performance this weekend, we shouldn’t be expecting fireworks at Ewood Park come Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: 0 – 0
Blackburn Key Man: Simon Vukcevic
Everton Key Man: Mikel Arteta
 

Chelsea v Norwich 15:00 UK
Chelsea’s start to the season on paper seemed fairly comfortable, with Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and now Norwich being their first set of opponents. However, based on the first two fixtures, ‘comfortable’ is anything but the word one would use to describe how Chelsea have found it. After being held to a goalless draw by Stoke at the Brittania Stadium, Chelsea had to fight remarkably hard to defeat a resilient West Brom side who will have felt they could have not only drawn, but won the game based on their first half domination at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were caught off-guard by a keen West Brom side, leading after 5 minutes, and nearly being 2 – 0 up before half time were it not for a misjudged pass from the impressive Shane Long. Chelsea however, did show character and Villas Boas will have been buoyed by his sides second half comeback to win the game.
The issue of Fernando Torres still burns for Chelsea, with the Spaniard still yet to come remotely close to recapturing his form of seasons past, but the acquisition of Juan Mata from Valencia could potential be the the key to unlocking Torres’s potential. Juan Mata is a fantastic talent, with bags of technical ability ranging from creative passing, to downright audacious footwork, and Chelsea will hope that he will bring fresh verve to a side that has lacked that spark from the midfield in the first two games this season.
 
Norwich remain unbeaten after their first two games of the seasons with draws against Wigan and Stoke leaving the Canaries believing that they have a real chance of survival this season. They do however run the risk of a real dose of reality at Stamford Bridge this weekend as they are set to have their defence tested in a way it has not yet faced. New signing Daniel Ayala suffered a knee injury in their midweek 4 – 0 loss to MK Dons midweek, and with Wes Hoolahan doubtful with a hamstring problem, Paul Lambert is going to have to come up with a plan to try and containt a Chelsea attack force with something to prove.

It seems like the game at Stamford Bridge is going to be a particularly one sided affair, with Chelsea keen to slam claims that they are looking less potent in attack this season than in the past. With Juan Mata likely to be handed a debut, not only do I expect Chelsea to win this game comfortably, I anticipate Fernando Torres getting on the scoresheet this weekend possibly starting a change in the form of the much maligned Spaniard.

Prediction: 4 – 0
Chelsea Key Man: Juan Mata
Norwich Key Man: John Ruddy


Swansea v Sunderland 15:00 UK 
Swansea have a second consecutive game at home this weekend as they are paid a visit by Sunderland. Last weekend was a game that many felt Swansea could potentially win, but a rather quiet performance from the Swans left fans slightly disappointed. This weekends opposition is without doubt tougher than Wigan were last week, and Swansea will feel that they will have to improve on their performance if they are to stand a chance of getting a point from the game, let alone all three. Swansea are likely to be without their captain Garry Monk who stays sidelined with a foot injury, and will have to rely on the attacking pace of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer to try and get their first goal of the season.
  Newcastle v Fulham 13:00 UK
Sunday’s first game sees Fulham make the long trip up north to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle. It has been a very good start to the season for Alan Pardew’s side, with 4 points from their first two games, after a home draw to Arsenal, and a win away to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby. The loss of Joey Barton to QPR this week might, however, slow down their momentum.

Fulham, renowned for their poor away form, may see this as one of the better opportunities for them to start picking up points on the road. Newcastle aren’t exactly scoring goals for fun, and are have lost yet another one of the key players that not only ensured their return to the Premier League, but also their survival last season, in Joey Barton. If Fulham can turn up, and match Newcastle physically, their superior striking power may mean that they can get a draw. However, I feel that due to the momentum Newcastle are carrying at the moment, and how poorly Fulham travel, you have to feel that the points will go to Newcastle this weekend.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Newcastle Key Man: Jonas Gutierrez
Fulham Key Man: Clint Dempsey


Tottenham v Man City 13:30 UK
Sunday’s fixtures continue with big spenders Manchester City arriving at White Hart Lane for the Tottenham’s home opener. It’s another week, another major acquisition for the blue half of Manchester as they welcome creative midfield Samir Nasri into the fold. Fresh off another intimidating attacking display, this time against Bolton, City are in great form with even the likes of Edin Dzeko showing the reason why so much money was spent on bringing him to the Premier League. His partnership with striking sensation Sergio Aguero looks ready to dazzle in what will arguably be City’s first real test of the season.

Coming off the back of a demoralising 3-0 drubbing from City’s Manchester rivals, Tottenham will look to get their season off the mark with another tough fixture. After last year’s European exploits, Harry Redknapp’s side will still feel they have the ability to take on anyone on their day, particularly at the Lane, which has played host to a number of memorable wins in recent years. Spurs, lacking a serious goal threat, have been boosted by the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor, although he is unable to play against his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement.
The other major transfer news (or lack thereof) concerns Luka Modric, with the transfer saga looking set to go on for at least another week. Tottenham will be desperate for the Croatian to make his first start of the season and provide some of the direction and inspiration that they sorely missed at Old Trafford.

Whilst Tottenham are certainly no pushovers at home, the Citizens are showing the kind of form that makes them many people’s picks to challenge for the title this season. The attacking prowess shown in recent weeks bodes well for what could be an open an enthralling fixture. This is, however, provided that City manager Roberto Mancini has really turned the corner, as many believe, and called an end to the shut-up-shop mentality so characteristic of many of City’s big games last season.
Prediction: 1 - 2
Tottenham Key Man: Luka Modric
Man City Key Man: Edin Dzeko

West Brom v Stoke City 15:00 UK
Two of the League’s most improved teams meet at The Hawthorns on Saturday, as West Brom play host to Stoke City. Stoke’s opening games have given a couple of accomplished displays, and their miserly backline has conceded only one goal. With the Summer acquisitions Jonathon Woodgate and Matthew Upson adding to some of the leagues meanest centrebacks, Stoke manager Tony Pulis is certainly building from the back. More new arrivals have been promised, with a striker top priority in what is fast becoming a very competitive team. After a Friday spent watching the Europa League draw, it is certainly an exciting time to be a Potters’ fan.

The fixture list certainly wasn’t the most welcoming to West Bromwich Albion this year. Successive games against Man Utd and Chelsea to kick off the season have seen the Baggies give two convincing performances with nothing to show for it. They will hope to get off the mark against Stoke, with Irish striker Shane Long on top goal-poaching form. Last year’s sensation Peter Odemwingie has signed new contract and ended speculation over his future. He looks set to line-up in what has the makings of an exciting partnership.
Having undergone a revival under Roy Hodgson, WBA can knuckle down into what will likely be a year of blissful midtable mediocrity It seems that the days of the ‘Boing Boing’ Baggies bouncing between leagues could well be over.

West Brom certainly look ready to get points on the board and, with some much needed luck, they should be more than capable of a home win against Stoke. They will have to rely on the trickery and guile of their forwards though, if they are going to break through Stoke City’s stubborn backline.
Prediction: 1 - 0
West Brom Key Man: Peter Odemwingie
Stoke City Key Man: Jonathon Woodgate



Man Utd v Arsenal 16:00 UK
The final fixture of the weekend, and the biggest, is the 16:00 kick off at Old Trafford, where Arsenal square off against their long-term rivals Man Utd. In seasons gone by this fixture has been somewhat of a titanic clash, between two inevitable title contenders when the season reaches its climax, however, it would seem that this will not be the case this season. Man Utd have started the season well, as one would expect.
The acquisition of Ashley Young seems to be paying dividends early, with three instrumental displays already under his belt in a Manchester United shirt, the third of which came against Spurs at Old Trafford on Monday, where scintillating second half display from the champions saw off a mediocre Tottenham, with goals from Danny Welbeck, Anderson and of course Wayne Rooney. The inclusion of Welbeck and young Tom Cleverley has been a talking point of United’s early season fixtures, with both player, in particular Welbeck, receiving rave reviews from Sir Alex, and their team-mates. However it is speculated that Fergurson may opt for more experience, in the form of Michael Carrick over Cleverley, and the returning Hernandez to replace Welbeck, to ensure a steady performance in an often tumultuous fixture.

Even in the first few weeks of Arsenal’s campaign have been a rollercoaster to say the least. The loss of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, and now Samir Nasri to Man City, and a failure to win either of their opening two fixtures, in which no goals were scored, have dampened spirits at the Emirates. Wenger will hope that a vital midweek win against Udinese that secured Arsenal’s safe passage into the champions league, and with it a £20 million cash injection, may help to generate enthusiasm amongst the fans and the players alike.
However, even against Udinese, the vulnerability of Arsenals team was evident. Defensively, they are very frail, having to rely on inexperienced youngsters in huge games is something that will cause them difficulties, and big name players such as Andrei Arshavin, continue to play like they do not really care. Arsenal need to sign players, and quick, but no new names will be in place prior to Sunday’s kick-off at Old Trafford, and this Arsenal squad, ravaged by injuries and suspensions, stand little chance of getting anything from this game against a Man Utd team who may smell blood and really go to work on Wenger’s youngsters.
Prediction: 3 – 1
Man Utd Key Man: Wayne Rooney
Arsenal Key Man: Robin Van Persie