Premier League 2nd weekend Preview
August 20th 2010 20:27
Starting with Saturday, it is hard to predict anything but draws for most of the fixtures, given how evenly matched the games should be. Arsenal v Blackpool is an obvious exception, as you'd expect the Gunners to steam roll their newly promoted opponents, but we all know what the seasiders did last week at Wigan. I fancy such a shock won't happen again though, and Arsenal should have plenty in their locker to easily dispose of Blackpool.
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers and West Ham vs Bolton Wanderers, sees four mid-table sides battle it out, and it is difficult to call either of the matches. Based on the opening weekend, Blackburn and Bolton would be slight favourites, but I reckon that both of these fixtures could be heading towards stalemates.
The embarrassed Wigan Athletic will try to recover with a positive result this weekend, but unfortunately for them, Chelsea are the team who awaits them. However, Wigan beat Chelsea 3-1 at home last term, and given how desperate their players will be to impress after the mauling they received from Blackpool, could fight for a point. I feel Chelsea will win, but don't expect it to be too easy.
Everton should be able to gain their first three points of the campaign at home against Wolves, but the Midlands club looked more impressive than their Merseyside rivals on the opening weekend. An interesting fixture also sees Premier League football return to the Hawthorns, as West Brom take on Sunderland. The Baggies currently sit bottom after losing 6-0 at the Champions last week, and won't want to stay there long, and I fancy them to gain victory, or at least a credible draw against Sunderland on Saturday.
The game I am most eager to see the outcome of on Saturday is at the Britannia stadium, when Stoke City take on Tottenham Hotspurs. I am tipping Spurs to have a real run at the title this season, as dark horses, and would normally expect them too win against any side outside the big 8. But Stoke have a fantastic home record, only losing twice last season on their own patch. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to predict another draw in this one.
Moving onto Sunday, and Premier League football also returns to St James's Park. Newcastle take on an Aston Villa team much better than them, and will have to play very well to even take a point from the game. Stephen Ireland is in-line to make his Villa debut on what will be his 24th birthday, and the away side are definite favourites. One thing that won't be lacking from the Magpies though, is determination to get their first points in the bag, and also gain revenge on the side who condemned them to relegation two seasons ago.
Manchester United travel to Fulham as obvious favourites, but once again, I have to point out that the Londoners have been very impressive at home over recent seasons. The game will also mark new manager Mark Hughes's first match at Craven Cottage, and the Red Devils will have to be at their best to record a victory.
On Monday night, Manchester City face Liverpool, in what is another early test of both sides credentials for the season. No one is really sure where either team will finish, as they could both possibly challenge for the title, but also aren't guaranteed a top 4 finish. Both sides are going through a stage of transition, and the team who finishes higher come the end of the season may be whose squad blends quickest. On Monday night though, I expect Man City to edge it. So, I am tipping plenty of close encounters this weekend, and I'm sure their will be no lack of entertainment. Here are my predictions for the second round of games in the Premier League this season;
Saturday...
Arsenal 3 Blackpool 0
Birmingham City 1 Blackburn Rovers 1
Everton 2 Wolves 1
Stoke City 0 Tottenham Hotspurs 0
West Brom 1 Sunderland 1
West Ham United 0 Bolton Wanderers 0
Wigan Athletic 1 Chelsea 3
Sunday ...
Newcastle United 0 Aston Villa 1
Fulham 1 Manchester United 2
Monday...
Manchester City 2 Liverpool 0
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