Football September
Football
England Internationals Friday 7th September, 2012 Moldova v England If England can’t beat Moldova then let’s face it, we may as well give up. Due to the ranking system, England have been placed in 3rd place above the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Moldova are currently placed at 137th. I can’t see anything but a comfortable win here and will go for 3–0 to England.
Tuesday 11th September, 2012 England v Ukraine So 3 months after Ukraine was knocked out by England, the visitors get the chance at some revenge. Hodgson has promised some changes and getting rid of some of the older players only if the younger ones prove better. Judging by the previous friendly against Italy then there are several young players who have a chance of making the team. Tom Cleverly and Adam Johnson showing some promise though Cleverly more so. But in the game against Italy, certain members of the old guard showed their class and also that the youngsters still have a long way to go before replacing them. Frank Lampard was brilliant on the night and oh how we missed him in the Euros and even Michael Carrick showed some use during the game and has certainly made sure that he will be in Hodgson’s mindset for the Ukraine game. Gerrard will be skipper and they’ll probably bring back Rooney despite Defoe’s wonder goal and under-use during the Euros.
Roy Hodgson
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Chelsea v Reading
New to the premiership and wanting to show they can compete, Reading will give a good account of themselves at Stamford bridge. Chelsea will still win though 2–0.
Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers
Manchester City meet QPR at home here and judging by their recent form and the strength of their team I can only see Manchester City winning this one. Quite comfortably too 3–0.
FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
With no great firesale in the summer, Newcastle have every chance to go from strength to strength and really challenge for a top 4 place. With manager Alan Pardew and a few astute buys then Newcastle are no doubt stronger than they were last season. I see them winning this game as well 2–0.
Saturday 1st Sunday 30th September 2012
Michael Laudrup always played beautiful attacking football and if their first game of the season is anything to go by (a 5- 0 win against QPR) then they should easily secure their premier league status for another season. Sunderland are always hard to beat though and I think that it’ll be a battle for both sides. As Swansea are the home side they might just edge it 1–0. Michael Laud
A London derby that could be extremely entertaining. Both sides can play good football but whether they do or not is another matter. American striker Clint Dempsey has refused to play for Fulham as he wants to force through a move to Liverpool and that might undermine much of what Fulham has achieved in the last season. Both sides will be wanting to win but I think West Ham will just edge it 1–0.
Premiership
West Ham v Fulham
rup
Swansea City v Sunderland
Saturday 1St September
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
So with 2 games gone, we should begin to see the difference between a Redknapp led Spurs and a Andre Villas-Boas led one. Crazy stuff letting Redknapp go but the pressure is on for AVB to show that his season at Porto wasn’t a fluke. They should win this game fairly comfortably and I’ll go for 2–0.
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
West Brom under Steve Clarke are revitalised after Hodgson leaving. With Clarke finally stepping up to the big time after being 2nd in command at Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, judging by their pre season they can improve on their position of last season. Everton are hard to beat but not so much on their travels and I think West Brom will win this game 1–0.
Wigan Athletic v Stoke City
This game all depends on whether Wigan can maintain their form from the end of last season where they
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Steve Clarke
were pretty much unstoppable and had top six form. Stoke are always a difficult unit to beat and might just about get a draw here. 1–1.
Sunday 2nd September Liverpool v Arsenal
Hammered 3-0 by West Bromwich Albion does not bode well for the Liverpool’s season. That Daniel Agger was sent off didn’t help their cause because after the loss of Agger the defense went to pieces. Keeping that in mind, Brendan Rodgers wanting to sell him off, speaks volumes. Agger will be missing from this game against Arsenal and though Liverpool tends to play well against the big sides I think a draw might satisfy both clubs. 1–1. Daniel Agger
Southampton v Manchester United
Southampton will have problems here against a revitalised Man Utd. The clever buy of Robin Van Persie means that Man Utd are stronger than they were last season. Considering they lost the league on the last day by goal difference then that should warn anyone who is writing them off. This might be down on the south coast but I still see only one team in it. 0–1 to Man Utd.
Saturday 15th September Norwich v West Ham
Arsenal v Southampton So are Arsenal missing Van Persie? It’s a moot point I guess, as Van Persie wanted to leave and getting 24 mil is excellent business for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. Arsenal are always strong at the Emirates and so I see them winning here 2–0.
Aston Villa v Swansea City
This should be a cracking match as Villa show much more signs of playing football under new boss Paul Lambert and Swansea continue to progress under the guidance of Danish footballing legend, Michael Laudrup. As it’s at home for Villa then this suggests it might be a home win but I have a feeling it’ll be a high scoring draw 2–2.
Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea
Mark Hughes’ QPR host Chelsea in this London Derby which should prove to be a tight affair. QPR will be smarting from the 5- 0 spanking they received at the hands of Swansea on the first day. Hughes usually concentrates on the defence anyway and I think Chelsea may struggle to get goals. So I’ll go for a 0–0 draw here.
Stoke City v Manchester City
Stoke are difficult to beat and I can see them having a good go at home to City. There might be a shock result here with Stoke getting at least a draw. 1–1.
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham slotted 5 past Norwich and West Brom beat Liverpool 3- 0 on the first day . With all those goals around this will either continue or end up in a damp squib nil nil draw. Ever the optimist I’ll go for a score draw 1–1.
Manchester United v Wigan Athletic
As it’s still early days in the season, Wigan arrive at Old Trafford fancying their chances. They might even make it a contest but with the decisions usually going Man Utd’s way, the baying of the crowd and the Rooney and Van Persie double act (Fatman and Robin as some of the newspapers are calling them) then I still see Manchester United winning this. 2–1 to United.
Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland at home are always strong and with Liverpool adjusting to the new formation that Rodgers has brought in, this will be yet another difficult game for the Reds. There’s recent talk of O’Neill bringing in Adam Johnson from Manchester City who would be a steal at 10 million and this can only hinder Liverpool. Liverpool have to up their game and learn quickly because this game will be extremely tough. I’ll go for a draw here though 1–1.
Van Persie
An interesting game as Norwich were murdered on their first game of the season 5 – 0. So they’ll be wanting to get points and some respect back at home. West Ham have decent enough players and just recently had an ambitious bid for Liverpool’s Andy Carroll turned down. I’ll go for a draw 1–1.
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Reading v Tottenham
Reading have to fight for every point for them to stay in the premiership and there’s no place like home to do so. Andre Villas-Boas has much to prove after the loss at Newcastle and will have to make sure that he steps from the shadow of Harry Redknapp. Though Modric has gone to Real Madrid Spurs should still have plenty in reserve to beat Reading 0–2.
Monday 17th September Everton v Newcastle Marouane Fellaini
Should be a Monday night cracker with Everton always difficult to beat at home and Newcastle playing with attacking flair. Everton have a strong midifield with the likes of Fellaini and Pienaar and with an attack of Jelavic and Mirallas there could be a few goals. I’ll go for a high score draw 2–2.
Saturday 22nd September Swansea v Everton
Swansea greet Everton and must be fancying their chances of 3 points. Everton while good at home can vary away so I think there’s every chance of a 2–0 win to Swansea.
Chelsea v Stoke City
I can only see one winner here and though Stoke can make it difficult, playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is always daunting. Summer buy Eden Hazard has settled in well and is creating chances for all around 12
him and I expect him to do more of the same in this game. With Lampard, Merieles, Ramires, Mata and Essien Chelsea are still a strong force despite Drogba leaving for China. 1–0 to Chelsea.
West Bromwich Albion v Reading
With West Brom playing well and at home they should find no real problems against Reading. I can see this being 2–0 at least to West Brom.
West Ham United v Sunderland
Eden Hazard
Newcastle United v Norwich City
Newcastle have made St James’ Park (aka the Sports Direct Arena) a fortress. And despite selling star players a year ago they’ve gone from strength to strength. This is mainly down to some clever cheap buys and the managership of Alan Pardew. I can’t see Norwich getting anything from this game and can only see Newcastle as eventual 2–0 winners.
Southampton v Aston Villa
Southampton have been playing well enough and were in front against the Champions, Manchester City for a while, which is no mean feat. As this is at home then they have every chance to beat Villa as the Villains can be poor away from home. I’ll go for 2–1 to Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur v Queens Park Rangers
A London derby which should prove to be a bit hot under the collar. QPR have much to prove as they got off to an awful 5- 0 drubbing at the hands of Swansea and so they come to White Hart Lane needing to show that they can still mix it in the league. Mark Hughes will certainly have tightened up the defence and I doubt we’ll see a thrashing here. I’m still going for Spurs though, 2–1 win. Mark Hughes
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With West Ham at home and Sunderland a tricky team to beat I can see this being quite a clash. I have a feeling that they just might cancel each other out so will go for a draw 1–1.
Wigan Athletic v Fulham
Wigan usually get off to a slow start and slowly build momentum as the months pass. Fulham have been full of goals and so I can see them sneaking this game 0–1.
Sunday 23rd September A super Sunday of two massive games that should give an indication of how these 4 teams will do during the season.
Liverpool v Man Utd Form always goes out the window on these games and they can be pretty boring in the main as well with both sides cancelling each other out. Brendan Having said that Rodgers with Liverpool’s recent adaptation to a new style of play not going that well, Man Utd will fancy their chances with this one. Galling to lose though it may be, I can see this being a united win 0–1. Alex Furguson
Sunday 16TH September
Manchester City v Arsenal
Roberto
Mancini The fun continues today with the second clash of the titans. Arsene Arsenal arrive Wenger at Man City with much to prove in the scoring department after the sale of Robin Van Persie. Both teams will know the score of the previous game that day and if United were to lose and their team would win they could see this as a six pointer and the chance to create some daylight between teams at the top of the table. Selling Song and Van Persie means Arsenal are weaker after going through the summer, buying well and looking much stronger. I suppose 40 million is nice to bring into the club but I can’t see Wenger spending it. As for this match I think City will prove too strong and though it will be a tight affair I see City winning 2–1.
Saturday 29th September Arsenal v Chelsea
A London derby with a lot of edge to it, both teams vying for the league and both will want bragging rights over their rivals. Both are playing good football and I think there may be a bit of an upset here with Chelsea coming out on top. 1–2 to Chelsea.
Everton v Southampton Everton’s Goodison Park is always a hard place to get a result and Southampton will find the going tough here. With Neville and Jagielka in defence and their strong midfield, I can see Everton winning quite comfortably in the end. 2–0.
Fulham v Manchester City
A shock might be on the cards here if Fulham can play anything like they did on their first game of the season. Manchester City can have problems in London and Fulham will fancy their chances as well. I foresee a draw. 2–2.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
A top clash of heads from two of the potential top 4 teams. Tottenham though always flatter to deceive against Man Utd and they’ll huff and puff and in the end lose. 2–0 to United.
Sunderland v Carlton Cole Wigan Athletic
Sunderland are strong at home and Wigan should be brushed aside here. O’Neill has proved to be a brilliant manager over the years, turning his sides into genuine European contenders. Sunderland should end up in the top half of the table at least and might even qualify for Europe as well. I see this game ending up 3–0 to Sunderland. Martin O’Neill
Norwich City v Liverpool On paper this should be an easier game for Liverpool than they’ve had for most of this season. But keep in mind that they lost here last season and they’re still adapting to the new ‘tic tac’ football that Rodgers has brought in. If they’ve stepped up during the tricky games against Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd, then they could win against Norwich at a canter. Even if they are still adjusting I still see a Liverpool win. 0–2.
Reading v Newcastle United
Reading have got quite a strong record at home and so will see the visit of Newcastle with some optimism. Unfortunately Newcastle will see Reading as there for the taking and will win out in the end. 1–2 to Newcastle.
Stoke City v Swansea City
Sunday 30th September Aston Villa v West Brom
With Birmingham and Wolves being relegated last term this Midlands derby will have both teams wanting to show their domination over the area. West Brom under Steve Clarke have started well and Clarke has added a bit of flair to the somewhat steady approach played by England Manager Roy Hodgson. Villa under Paul Lambert has also changed the style of play from Alex McCleish’s dour anti football and so this derby should be an entertaining one. I’ll go for a draw though with honour on both sides remaining. 1–1.
Stoke should edge this affair despite Swansea’s good season so far. Good in defence and midfield they should just about cancel out Swansea’s strengths and so blunt their attack in the process. I think Stoke will win this 2–0.
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