Barclays Premier League Match Previews : 17/18/20.08.2013

[FernandoTorres]

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Premier League Preview: Swansea v Manchester United
16 August 2013

Manchester United begin their first Premier League campaign without Alex Ferguson with a tough trip to Swansea City on Saturday.

Ferguson elected to bring his 27-year reign at Old Trafford to an end at the conclusion of a title-winning 2012-13 season, and played a part in David Moyes' appointment to the unenviable task of following in his footsteps.

The former Everton boss will be given no easy introduction, however, as United make the daunting trip to the Liberty Stadium.

The reigning champions were held to a 1-1 draw at the Welsh ground last season, with Patrice Evra's opener cancelled out by a goal from bargain attacker Michu.

But Moyes boasts an impressive record at the Liberty Stadium since Swansea's promotion, having led Everton to a 3-0 win there last season and a 2-0 victory in 2011-12.

The Scot's chances of repeating those feats are somewhat harmed by a lengthy injury list, though.

Michael Carrick (eye) and Javier Hernandez (thigh) both missed out on midweek international duty after picking up injuries, while Nani and Ashley Young (both minor knocks) did not feature in the recent 2-0 Community Shield win over Wigan.

Wayne Rooney is seemingly unlikely to feature having missed almost the entirety of United’s pre-season, although he managed to play over an hour of England’s midweek friendly win over Scotland.

Uncertainty remains over a return date for Darren Fletcher as his battle with ulcerative colitis continues. Rafael, meanwhile, will serve the final game of his three-match ban for a red card received against Chelsea in May.

Swansea currently have just one injury concern, with Jonathan de Guzman ruled out of the fixture after picking up a head injury during training with the Netherlands.

But that blow is unlikely to dent the hosts' chances too severely, with the likes of Wilfried Bony, Jonjo Shelvey, Jordi Amat and Jose Canas all available as a result of a productive transfer window.

Despite the positivity over the many arrivals, however, manager Michael Laudrup has urged caution over expecting too much from the new recruits.

"Everyone has talked a lot about the transfers," said Laudrup. "We need to see a few games and go past the transfer window first before I can talk about the season ahead.

"Everybody wants someone who can score goals. They are difficult to find and are often very expensive.

"Goals are the most important thing in football. Goals mean points, and points mean you can reach your targets.

"Overall, my target would be to consolidate Swansea as a mid-table team. If we could do that it would be absolutely fantastic."

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: Liverpool v Stoke
15 August 2013

Liverpool face an early progress test when their second season under Brendan Rodgers kicks off against Stoke on Saturday.

The Merseyside club finished a disappointing seventh last term, but lost just three games in the second half of their Premier League campaign and will hope to extend that form into 2013-14.

Stoke have failed to register a single Premier League goal in five visits to Anfield, but have taken points on three occasions courtesy of 0-0 draws - including in both of the last two seasons.

The challenge they pose to Rodgers' men this time around will be vastly different, however, following the dismissal of former boss Tony Pulis and arrival of Mark Hughes in his stead.

The Welshman has allowed several stalwarts of the Pulis era to leave, with Rory Delap, Matthew Upson and Dean Whitehead all released upon the expiry of their contracts.

And he has put his own stamp on the squad with the acquisitions of Marc Muniesa and Erik Pieters.

Liverpool are also likely to field an unfamiliar line-up, having brought in Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure and Luis Alberto during the transfer window, while Jamie Carragher's absence is sure to be keenly felt following his retirement.

The hosts will be without Luis Suarez as the striker serves the remainder of his 10-match ban for biting, and have doubts over the fitness of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel ahead of the game, although Rodgers expects the central-defensive duo to be available.

However, Daniel Sturridge is likely to command a starting berth having proven his fitness with a brief friendly appearance against Celtic and a behind-closed-doors outing against Newcastle earlier this week.

And Rodgers has no doubts that the forward can deliver following the ankle injury he sustained while on international duty with England in May.

"He's worked tirelessly with the medical group. As a team, they've got him back. He's not 100 per cent fit yet, but for me Daniel Sturridge is a player that even if he's 70 or 80 per cent fit, he'll be right up there as one of the top strikers," the manager said.

By contrast, Stoke have just one injury worry ahead of their opening fixture, with Brek Shea sidelined by a leg injury.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: Sunderland v Fulham
15 August 2013

Paolo Di Canio begins his first full season in charge of Sunderland when they welcome Fulham to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Italian ensured his side narrowly avoided relegation courtesy of a 17th place finish last season, after he replaced Martin O'Neill at the back end of March.

Di Canio believes his side needed a "revolution" during the close-season and went about reshaping his squad with no less than 11 new signings ahead of the new campaign.

And the 45-year-old has been impressed with the application of his new charges and is eagerly anticipating the start of the season when they welcome Martin Jol's side.

"The fans are all excited, it is the first season for a few years they feel excited to see the new team because there are many changes," Di Canio told the club's official website.

"This year we brought in 11 players. It won't be like that all the time but it was needed because we needed a revolution.

"I can't wait I am curious to see my team. I'm very excited because it's the first game where you play for points."

Sunderland head into the game without suspended duo Craig Gardner and David Vaughan, while injured trio Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley and Steven Fletcher will all miss the game and Lee Cattermole remains a major doubt.

They have 21 wins to Fulham's 16 in their league head-to-head record, but were held to a 2-2 draw at home by the Craven Cottage outfit on March 2.

Fulham captain Brede Hangeland is focusing on achieving safety as early as possible in the Premier League, despite investment into the club from American billionaire Shahid Khan over pre-season.

The Norwegian defender believes the London club have overachieved in the top-flight considering the vast sums of money spent by rival sides.

“My concern every year is to get 40 points as early as possible,” he told The Fulham Chronicle.

“It might be a lack of ambition to say it, but I’m happy just to stay in the league because so many teams are investing constantly.

“We’re punching above our weight, and having been here so long I know our strength relative to other clubs, and we need to stay modest."

Fulham boss Jol has a near full squad to choose from ahead of the season opener, although midfield Alexander Kacaniklic is likely to miss out after picking up a hamstring injury a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Werder Bremen in July.

The Dutchman's biggest task this season could be to improve his side’s away form, having seen them win just four times on their travels last season.

Jol could hand a competitive debut to Moroccan Adel Taarabt, who has arrived on a season-long loan deal from QPR.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa
15 August 2013

Arsenal will look to put their transfer troubles behind them with an opening day Premier League victory against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side have been continually frustrated in the transfer market, missing out on several of their reported targets including Gonzalo Higuain and Clement Grenier.

Arsenal are still said to be chasing the likes of Liverpool's Luis Suarez, but they have made just one signing since last season ended - French forward Yaya Sanogo.

The 20-year-old - who joined on a free transfer from Ligue 2 outfit Auxerre - did impress during the club's pre-season campaign, although he is suffering from a hamstring injury currently.

Headlining the exits at the Emirates Stadium in the close-season was Russian attacker Andrey Arshavin, while Gervinho, Andre Santos, Denilson and Marouane Chamakh have also left the club.

Arsenal - who finished fourth last term and will be involved in the UEFA Champions League for a 16th season in a row - have enjoyed a good lead up to the campaign, winning five of their seven friendlies.

France international striker Olivier Giroud has scored eight goals in pre-season and showed signs of improvement, while Theo Walcott added four.

Walcott - who was Arsenal's top Premier League scorer in 2012-13 with 14 goals - enjoyed more of a regular role as striker following the departure of Robin van Persie and is in good form.

The 24-year-old scored in England's 3-2 friendly win over Scotland on Wednesday but is a doubt for his club's opener after leaving the field with a knee problem in the latter stages.

"I had to come off with a little bit of a swollen knee so fingers crossed I can rest up and I'll be alright for Saturday. This is a big year for Arsenal and myself," Walcott said.

One Arsenal player who is likely to miss is midfielder Mikel Arteta, who suffered a thigh injury in training this week.

Arteta's compatriot, Santi Cazorla, scored one and set up another in Spain's 2-0 friendly win against Ecuador on Wednesday and is sure to be in Wenger's starting XI as long as he returns from South America unscathed.

After being sucked into a relegation fight last season, Paul Lambert's Aston Villa will welcome the beginning of the new campaign.

Villa's best piece of business during the close-season saw them keep hold of in-demand Belgian forward Christian Benteke.

The 22-year-old - who scored 19 goals in his debut Premier League campaign - handed in a transfer request but later revoked it to the delight of the Villa Park faithful.

Lambert has been active in the transfer window, bringing in Jores Okore, Aleksandar Tonev, Antonio Luna, Nicklas Helenius and Leandro Bacuna to bolster the depth of his squad.

Meanwhile, Jean Makoun returned to France while Richard Dunne and Brett Holman left the club on free transfers.

Villa - who finished 15th last term - saw their pre-season start poorly, with four draws and one loss, but they won their last four, including a 3-2 win against Malaga last week.

Arsenal have a good recent record against Villa, winning three of the last four Premier League meetings, but they will hope to avoid a repeat of their 2-1 home defeat to the Midlanders in May 2011.

Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal (both back) and Abou Diaby (knee) will definitely miss the game, while Bacary Sagna and Aaron Ramsey (both ankle) are also in doubt for Arsenal.

Villa's bill of health is cleaner, although Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles) will not feature.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: West Ham v Cardiff City
16 August 2013

Cardiff City play their first ever Premier League fixture on Saturday as they embark on a testing trip to Upton Park to face West Ham.

Cardiff – who won the fourth tier of English football in the 1992-93 season, the first of the Premier League – won the Championship last term to earn themselves promotion.

As a result, Malky Mackay's men become the second Welsh club in the top flight, joining rivals Swansea City, and have splashed the cash in an attempt to avoid relegation.

Cardiff have broken their own transfer record on three separate occasions in the close-season as they signed Andreas Cornelius, Steven Caulker and Gary Medel for a combined transfer fee that is said to be more than £26million.

John Brayford and Simon Moore, who joined from Derby County and Brentford respectively, are also new arrivals at a club who won three of their five first-team friendlies in pre-season.

But it has been a player who was at the club last term who has made the biggest impact in pre-season, with South Korean winger Kim Bo-Kyung scoring in three of their friendlies.

Fraizer Campbell and Peter Whittingham have netted twice, while the experienced Craig Bellamy has also impressed and is sure to be an important player for the club this season.

Defender Andrew Taylor is suspended for the Upton Park fixture, while doubts continue over an ankle injury sustained by Cornelius.

West Ham are likely to field new signing Stewart Downing in his first match for the club since signing from Liverpool on Tuesday.

Downing, 29, has won 34 caps for England but has seen his career stall at Anfield, and will surely welcome the change of scenery at West Ham.

"I'm very excited. It's a great opportunity for me and a great club. I'm ready and I'm fit for the first game against Cardiff," Downing said after joining.

Another former Liverpool player, Andy Carroll, has been Sam Allardyce's biggest signing over the close-season, however he is unlikely to feature in this fixture due to a persistent heel injury.

Spanish goalkeeper Adrian and Romanian defender Razvan Rat have also joined on free transfers from Real Betis and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively.

West Ham have enjoyed a busy pre-season, playing in 10 first-team friendlies, winning eight of them.

The form of English midfielder Ravel Morrison has been most encouraging, with the 20-year-old – who left Manchester United due to discipline problems – scoring six goals in pre-season.

It is the sort of form that has seen England manager Roy Hodgson admit to keeping tabs on him and he could be involved on Saturday as he looks to make the most of his second chance.

George McCartney (knee) is sure to miss for West Ham, who are sweating on the fitness of defender James Collins (knee).

Collins – a Wales international and former Cardiff player – will surely relish the opportunity to play if possible.

The two sides have only played each other eight times since 1981, with West Ham victorious in five of them.

That includes both legs of the Championship play-off semi-final in 2012, which West Ham won 5-0 on aggregate en route to promotion.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: West Brom v Southampton
16 August 2013

Nicolas Anelka's latest Premier League career chapter begins on Saturday when West Brom start the new season by hosting Southampton.

The experienced striker, who has played for five Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, is back in the English top flight after an 18-month absence following his arrival at the Midlands club in July.

Anelka is one of three new West Brom signings, with Diego Lugano and promising youngster Matej Vydra also joining from Paris-Saint Germain and Udinese respectively, with the latter on a season-long loan deal.

And head coach Steve Clarke has already seen 34-year-old Anelka prove he remains a prolific finisher by netting seven goals in as many friendly games for the club.

Clarke will be hoping the Frenchman can make an instant impact on his return to the Premier League as West Brom look to build on last season's eighth-place finish.

History is on West Brom's side as they are unbeaten against Southampton at home since May 1984

But Mauricio Pochettino's men have their own plans, and, after returning to the Premier League after a seven-year absence last season, are targeting a top-10 finish.

Southampton have new signings to showcase, too, with Croatia international Dejan Lovren and former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama both available to the Argentine ahead of his first full campaign in charge.

The 41-year-old has a number of injury doubts, though, as he has concerns over young defenders Luke Shaw and Nathaniel Clyne, with the former suffering from a knee injury sustained during a 4-3 friendly win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

While Pochettino has confirmed that the pair could feature if they train well on Friday, internationals Gaston Ramirez and Maya Yoshida, who played for Uruguay and Japan respectively in Rifu in midweek, will be assessed.

The duo were two of seven Southampton players called up for international duty, but Rickie Lambert, Steven Davis, Artur Boruc, Emmanuel Mayuka and Lovren all came through their Europe-based friendlies unscathed.

West Brom also saw a number of their players in action for their countries, but while Clarke plans to assess them, he has no major concerns ahead of the fixture.

"At this stage I'm not aware of any injury problems heading into the weekend. The doctor will assess the internationals," the Scot said.

"We probably go into the game as slight favourites, whereas last year we kicked off against Liverpool at home and everyone expected them to win.

"This season it's slightly different because the fact we finished eighth last season will mean teams will come to us now and make it difficult for us.

"It's up to us to combat that - we have to find another level."

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: Crystal Palace v Tottenham
16 August 2013

Crystal Palace's first Premier League match in eight years sees them face a tough test against Tottenham at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Palace – who won promotion from the Championship via the play-off final last term – will battle history in their bid to avoid relegation this season.

The club have featured in four Premier League seasons, but been relegated on each occasion.

Ian Holloway has made several additions to his squad, with striker Dwight Gayle, who arrived from Peterborough United for a fee in the region of £4.5million, the headline arrival.

Midfielders Jose Campana - formerly of Sevilla - and Stephen Dobbie - signed from Brighton and Hove Albion - joined Palace following promotion, as did ex-Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh, while Holloway raided former club Blackpool to sign veteran Kevin Phillips permanently, along with Elliot Grandin.

Defender Florian Marange also completed a switch to Selhurst Park on the eve of the new campaign, penning a one-year deal to bring to an end his long association with Ligue 1 outift Bordeaux.

Phillips, who scored the only goal in Palace's 1-0 play-off final win over Watford while on loan last season, is now 40, meaning that the burden of responsibility to lead the line week in, week out will likely fall to Gayle, Chamakh and Glenn Murray.

Murray scored 30 Championship goals last term, but he suffered a serious knee injury in the play-offs and is not expected to feature until the second half of the season.

Joining Murray on the sidelines is winger Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) while midfielder Jonathan Parr is a doubt due to ankle problem.

Tottenham have strengthened in the close-season, but they will be without Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who is still suffering from an apparent foot injury.

Bale – who has been the subject of a reported world record bid from Real Madrid – is thought to be keen to quit Tottenham and move to the Spanish capital.

Striker Roberto Soldado (Valencia), winger Nacer Chadli (Twente) and midfield pair Paulinho (Corinthians) and Etienne Capoue (Toulouse) have all arrived at White Hart Lane, while there have also been several departures.

Heading that list are attacker Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), defender Steven Caulker (Cardiff) and midfielder Tom Huddlestone (Hull City), but Tottenham will still feel confident of achieving a top-four finish.

Soldado scored 30 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Valencia last season and arrives at White Hart Lane with a big reputation.

Apart from Bale, Tottenham's only other significant injury worry is Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen (ankle).

The two sides have met just three times since the turn of the century, with the most recent fixture ending in a 3-0 win to Palace in January 2005.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League Preview: Chelsea v Hull City
17 August 2013

Jose Mourinho makes his eagerly awaited return to the Premier League when his Chelsea side host Hull City on Sunday.

The Portuguese enjoyed a highly successful first stint at the club, with his three-year stay yielding two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup triumphs.

He is the man charged with bringing the Premier League crown back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti achieved the feat in 2009-10.

The club have made several additions during the close-season, including forward Andre Schuerrle from Bayer Leverkusen, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Fulham and midfielder Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse.

And Dutchman Van Ginkel is itching to be involved against Hull.

"I'm looking forward to the first game," the 20-year-old told the club's official website. "I'm hoping to be involved against Hull City and it will be nice for me to go to Stamford Bridge.

"If we win the first couple of games, which are both at home, it puts us in a very good position going into a big game away at Manchester United, but for now our focus is only on putting in a good performance against Hull."

Mourinho has no injury or suspension worries ahead of the game and he could decide to feature Belgian attacking duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne, who had loan spells at West Brom and Werder Bremen respectively last season.

Hull's return to English football's top table was secured in dramatic fashion on the final day of the Championship season, when a 2-2 draw against already promoted Cardiff City proved to be sufficient to take second spot as Watford succumbed 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds United.

Manager Steve Bruce has wasted no time in building a side that he feels is capable of achieving Premier League survival, with no less than 10 signings during the current transfer window.

And the former Wigan Athletic manager is delighted with the business he has completed, but warned that retaining top-flight status will be no easy feat.

"Overall, I'm delighted with what we've done," he told BBC Radio Humberside. "I've managed to get in all of the players who were at the top of my shopping list.

"We've got to stay up but when you look at it 47 teams have competed in the Premier League in the last 22 years and only eight have been there all the time."

Bruce heads into the game without former Sheffield United midfielder Stephen Quinn, who will miss the game with the hamstring injury that he sustained in a pre-season fixture with German outfit Eintracht Braunschweig.

History points to a home victory, with Chelsea leading the head-to-head record between the two clubs by 19 wins to Hull's four.

Chelsea have also taken more points from opening-day fixtures than any other team in the Premier League era, with an impressive haul of 44.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Premier League: Manchester City v Newcastle match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

JEZ DAVISON FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2013

Manuel Pellegrini starts his reign as Manchester City manager in Monday evening’s kick-off. Having spent over £70m on new players over the summer expectations will be high and the club will hope that the new manager can wrestle the title away from their neighbours. Striker Carlos Tevez has left the club but the acquisition of Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo should mean that City have plenty of attacking options to bolster the teams goal tally this season.

Newcastle finished last season in 16th place and fans will be expecting a much improved position by the end of this season. Newcastle’s away form was particularly poor last season, winning only two games, and fans will be hoping that new signing Loic Remy (on loan from QPR) will help fill the gap left when Demba Ba joined Chelsea in the January transfer window. Former manager Joe Kinnear has also re-joined the club as director of football in what has been seen as a controversial appointment.

KICK-OFF: Monday, 8pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Man City 4 (Tevez, Silva, Kompany, Perch og) Newcastle 0, Premier League, March 2013

Newcastle 1 (Ba) Man City 3 (Aguero, Garcia, Y Toure), Premier League, December 2012

Newcastle 0 Man City 2 (Y Toure 2), Premier League, May 2012

STATS…

Newcastle have lost nine of their last ten games against Chelsea in the league and haven’t beaten them since September 2005.

Newcastle lead the head-to-head though having beaten Man City sixty four times in the league compared to fifty five wins for City.

Newcastle won only two away games last season, joint worst in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Man City had the second strongest home record, registering 14 wins at The Etihad.

ODDS...

Man City to win: 0.28

Newcastle to win: 11.0

Draw: 4.0

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Liverpool (without Suarez) vs Stoke kicks off in about 3 hours time.

The return of Mark Hughes to the EPL.

 

[jw5]

Liverpool (without Suarez) vs Stoke kicks off in about 3 hours time.

The return of Mark Hughes to the EPL.

Cheer up.
You can take solace that if he fails again this time, he is probably done in top flight football.

 

[FernandoTorres]

Joke of the day

Very attractive AOS odds offered by loser pools for Barcelona game @3.50

No Messi no Fabregas.. i'm not saying that AOS is impossible but machiam sure hit.

 

[jw5]

Joke of the day

Very attractive AOS odds offered by loser pools for Barcelona game @3.50

No Messi no Fabregas.. i'm not saying that AOS is impossible but machiam sure hit.

You giving what odds for Barca 0 Levante 1 or 2? :p

 

[FernandoTorres]

You giving what odds for Barca 0 Levante 1 or 2? :p

Ball is round but not for me. I am more realistic at a low score win for the catalans. Don't forget Barca have other important players and the prodigy.

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Cheer up.
You can take solace that if he fails again this time, he is probably done in top flight football.

This loser should have been finished as an EPL manager after he walked away from Fulham. Really don't understand why Stoke sacked Tony Pulis. I thought he did a decent job last season.

I hope Sparky gets 'em relegated.

 

[jw5]

Ball is round but not for me. I am more realistic at a low score win for the catalans. Don't forget Barca have other important players and the prodigy.

Low score win for Barca - odds and expected return would be too low for me.
I'm not like cruxx who would be happy to bet $1000 at odds of 1.5
$5 at odds of 50 is more my thing.

 

[jw5]

This loser should have been finished as an EPL manager after he walked away from Fulham. Really don't understand why Stoke sacked Tony Pulis. I thought he did a decent job last season.

I hope Sparky gets 'em relegated.

The rumour mill is that Stoke sacked Tony because he was having run-ins with the chairman.
Probably the fans were getting worried about poor results and poor play, let the chairman know and chairman let Tony know.
The fact that he kept them up for so many seasons didn't matter and the money he spent on Crouchie and others didn't help.

Sparky is at the last saloon for sure this season.

 

[Montagut]

i am a moron :(

Also a gong cheebye because ultimately the forum host is the one who allowed the football betting advertisers here. lol

Where is your prediction? None because u are a freeloader and a loser lol

Banner sponsorship has reached a level where all the monthly overheads are now covered. I would like to thank all those here for helping to make this happen.

 

[Montagut]

I'm a freeloader and a loser because i don't make soccer predictions while lurking in this forum for soccer tips. When results don't go my way, the world owes me a living sigh

That explains your fucked up character in this forum and your life.

i am a moron :(

Also a gong cheebye because ultimately the forum host is the one who allowed the football betting advertisers here. fuck u. lol

Banner sponsorship has reached a level where all the monthly overheads are now covered. I would like to thank all those here for helping to make this happen.