I hate summer. Let me rephrase that: I hate summers without football. If there's not a World Cup, European Championships or *shudder* Olympic tournament to care about then the summer becomes three months of unrelenting tedium. I have nothing to distract me from the alternating rain storms and heatwaves. I try to get into cricket but to no avail, it's just too damn boring. I'd rather shove a watermelon in my brown-eye than watch tennis. Golf is a great game to play but as interesting to watch as a royal wedding. Nothing works.
So it's with great joy and relief that the new Premiership season kicks off tomorrow. The best league in the world is back, and it threatens to be a true classic. How will Man Utd fare without their Portuguese wonderboy? Will Man City's billions break up the hegemony of the top four? Will Burnley be an even bigger embarrassment than the 2007-08 Derby side? Will Phil Brown learn to shut the fuck up? We just don't know, but I can't wait to find out. Here are my predictions for this weekend's top flight matches.
Aston Villa Vs Wigan
Villa haven't really strengthened but have youth and pace to burn. Wigan have only managed to attract inexperienced lower league players to match their inexperienced lower league manager. Martinez will struggle all season and will never match the achievements of Steve Bruce, who took the club as far as they could go. Home advantage will be key here.
Prediction: Villa win relatively easily.
Blackburn Vs Man City
This will be a game of dogged defending against a rampaging attack. Blackburn will be hard to break down, a sign of any Allardyce team (except Newcastle), but City's multi-million pound attack will cause them some real problems. Rovers' physical style will cause City problems of their own, and their players reaction to it will determine the outcome.
Prediction: I'm going for a narrow City victory.
Bolton Vs Sunderland
This won't be one for the ages. Sunderland look a lot stronger than in previous years, with Steve Bruce bringing in some real quality. Bolton are a solid team at home who score very few but concede less.
Prediction: Tough to call, but I think they'll cancel each other out.
Chelsea Vs Hull
This is what scientists refer to as a 'no-brainer'. It's the second best team in the league, on home soil, versus arguably the worst. Chelsea have a squad of such depth and quality that they could field their reserve team and still smash Hull off the park. Hull have essentially the same team as last year, which will cause them major problems, and not just against big boys like Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea will win at a canter. I think we'll see a minimum of 4 goals in this match.
Everton Vs Arsenal
This promises to be a very interesting encounter. Everton have been pushing the top four for some time now, and Arsenal are undoubtedly the weakest of that elite group. Everton have regained some of their strikers whereas Arsenal have lost one of theirs. Both sides have strong defences and the addition of Vermaelen to the Arsenal back line should see them become even tougher to breach.
Prediction: Another tough one. Everton will threaten but it'll end in a stalemate.
Portsmouth Vs Fulham
I'd put money on this being the last game on Match of the Day. Portsmouth have a useless manager and have lost their best players without replacement. Fulham were surprisingly good last year and have the talent at the front and back to ensure a repeat.
Prediction: Fulham win by the odd goal.
Stoke Vs Burnley
Clash of the titans. This will not be pretty, but it'll be full blooded and honest. Burnley are a better footballing side than they're given credit for but Stoke only play one way and won't be moved. Neither side has strengthened much over the close season, so I expect the experience of Stoke to shine through.
Prediction: An ugly but interesting encounter will end with the first taste of Prem defeat for the visitors.
Wolves Vs West Ham
Wolves have some real goalscorers in their team, specifically Ebanks-Blake and Doyle. They don't necessarily have the same quality in the middle and at the back though. West Ham, like Fulham, did superbly on limited resources last season and reproducing that would be seen as a success. Without the ever-injured Dean Ashton they lack firepower and it's hard to see where the goals will come from.
Prediction: Wolves will be the only promoted side to get all three points this weekend.
Man Utd Vs Birmingham
Another one that's easy to call. Even without Ronaldo United are the best team in the league. They have the deepest squad and the best tactics. Birmingham have greatly improved their squad over the summer which makes them almost an unknown quantity, but even this won't be enough to surprise United on their own turf.
Prediction: United win with ease and Owen opens his account.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool
The Spurs faithful think Harry Redknapp is the man to finally lead them back to the big time and they expect a real push for Champions League football this year. I think it's a season too early for that. Liverpool have lost some key players and failed to sign any big names, and Sunday will come too soon for their growing list of injured players
Prediction: Liverpool will miss Gerrard this week, but I think they'll just edge it.
So there we are, my first Prem predictions of the year. I'll recap how accurate I was when I write my weekend round up in a couple of days. I can't be any less accurate than this twat.
So it's with great joy and relief that the new Premiership season kicks off tomorrow. The best league in the world is back, and it threatens to be a true classic. How will Man Utd fare without their Portuguese wonderboy? Will Man City's billions break up the hegemony of the top four? Will Burnley be an even bigger embarrassment than the 2007-08 Derby side? Will Phil Brown learn to shut the fuck up? We just don't know, but I can't wait to find out. Here are my predictions for this weekend's top flight matches.
Aston Villa Vs Wigan
Villa haven't really strengthened but have youth and pace to burn. Wigan have only managed to attract inexperienced lower league players to match their inexperienced lower league manager. Martinez will struggle all season and will never match the achievements of Steve Bruce, who took the club as far as they could go. Home advantage will be key here.
Prediction: Villa win relatively easily.
Blackburn Vs Man City
This will be a game of dogged defending against a rampaging attack. Blackburn will be hard to break down, a sign of any Allardyce team (except Newcastle), but City's multi-million pound attack will cause them some real problems. Rovers' physical style will cause City problems of their own, and their players reaction to it will determine the outcome.
Prediction: I'm going for a narrow City victory.
Bolton Vs Sunderland
This won't be one for the ages. Sunderland look a lot stronger than in previous years, with Steve Bruce bringing in some real quality. Bolton are a solid team at home who score very few but concede less.
Prediction: Tough to call, but I think they'll cancel each other out.
Chelsea Vs Hull
This is what scientists refer to as a 'no-brainer'. It's the second best team in the league, on home soil, versus arguably the worst. Chelsea have a squad of such depth and quality that they could field their reserve team and still smash Hull off the park. Hull have essentially the same team as last year, which will cause them major problems, and not just against big boys like Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea will win at a canter. I think we'll see a minimum of 4 goals in this match.
Everton Vs Arsenal
This promises to be a very interesting encounter. Everton have been pushing the top four for some time now, and Arsenal are undoubtedly the weakest of that elite group. Everton have regained some of their strikers whereas Arsenal have lost one of theirs. Both sides have strong defences and the addition of Vermaelen to the Arsenal back line should see them become even tougher to breach.
Prediction: Another tough one. Everton will threaten but it'll end in a stalemate.
Portsmouth Vs Fulham
I'd put money on this being the last game on Match of the Day. Portsmouth have a useless manager and have lost their best players without replacement. Fulham were surprisingly good last year and have the talent at the front and back to ensure a repeat.
Prediction: Fulham win by the odd goal.
Stoke Vs Burnley
Clash of the titans. This will not be pretty, but it'll be full blooded and honest. Burnley are a better footballing side than they're given credit for but Stoke only play one way and won't be moved. Neither side has strengthened much over the close season, so I expect the experience of Stoke to shine through.
Prediction: An ugly but interesting encounter will end with the first taste of Prem defeat for the visitors.
Wolves Vs West Ham
Wolves have some real goalscorers in their team, specifically Ebanks-Blake and Doyle. They don't necessarily have the same quality in the middle and at the back though. West Ham, like Fulham, did superbly on limited resources last season and reproducing that would be seen as a success. Without the ever-injured Dean Ashton they lack firepower and it's hard to see where the goals will come from.
Prediction: Wolves will be the only promoted side to get all three points this weekend.
Man Utd Vs Birmingham
Another one that's easy to call. Even without Ronaldo United are the best team in the league. They have the deepest squad and the best tactics. Birmingham have greatly improved their squad over the summer which makes them almost an unknown quantity, but even this won't be enough to surprise United on their own turf.
Prediction: United win with ease and Owen opens his account.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool
The Spurs faithful think Harry Redknapp is the man to finally lead them back to the big time and they expect a real push for Champions League football this year. I think it's a season too early for that. Liverpool have lost some key players and failed to sign any big names, and Sunday will come too soon for their growing list of injured players
Prediction: Liverpool will miss Gerrard this week, but I think they'll just edge it.
So there we are, my first Prem predictions of the year. I'll recap how accurate I was when I write my weekend round up in a couple of days. I can't be any less accurate than this twat.
0 comments:
Post a Comment