Teacher & Pupil

 

 

Last week proved to be another interesting week in the premier league; it returned with goals in matches something that has been desperately missing in early weekends so far.  With all bar two matches seeing two or more goals it showed a dramatic increase in previous weeks and this must surely have offered more entertainment for the paying public.  This weekend throws up some real mouth watering fixtures between some of the premier leagues big clubs.

 

TOTTENHAM v CHELSEA

What a game to start the weekend, a massive London derby and a battle between the teacher and the pupil.  The fact is that the teacher and the pupil no longer are friends and both have admitted to this publicly in the national media.  Tottenham have been impressive this season but have failed to deliver the goals much was expected from the fresh attacking front three.  Chelsea have been indifferent to say the least but also have ground out results.  I would like to suggest this game should contain goals but I can’t help but think Mr Mourinho will gladly take a point and could well park the bus. So far only one of Tottenham’s league matches this season has seen more than one goal scored, this then coupled with Chelsea having kept a clean sheet in half of their matches makes me decide this going to be a tight affair.  It will be a close call between a home win or a draw.  Either way I wouldn’t be expected a glut of goals.

 

ASTON VILLA v MAN CITY

After last weeks result against Manchester United many would expect City to push on a take the points at Villa Park.  But in truth it is away form that is going to shape the success of their season.  So far they have failed to deliver on their travels and that is a slight concern.  Their opponents this week Villa were dealt a major blow in the victory at Norwich last week with the injury to Benteke.  Prior to his injury Villa looked very inventive in attack and created multiple chances.  Once he departed they did grab the winning goal but lacked a real threat in the box.  Villa are more comfortable away from home as they like to play on the counter attack and if you look at their recent home form this backs up opinion.  They will quite like facing this City team who will dominate possession but sadly I think minus Benteke they could well lack a threat to test the City back line.  This coupled with the fact they have lost their last two at home and conceded in every game except last week I fancy City to keep their form going.

 

FULHAM v CARDIFF

Fulham will be slightly lifted going into this match after beating Everton in the cup in midweek.  Looking at them Fulham have showed a real mixed bag of form so far this season.  Impressive results at times but sadly then let down but dropped points the following week.  My early fears for them this season regarding to many luxury players have reseeded with the addition of Scott Parker in midfield.  And last weeks display at Stamford Bridge was good and they should of taken then lead in the match but for Darren Bents miss.  Their opponents this week Cardiff will have taken some delight from their start to the season with just their second defeat coming last week against Tottenham.  They have had a difficult opening set of fixtures but have survived the test will now be their ability to get results against teams in the lower section of the table.  Looking at these results I have still a fear of their goal scoring ability and if they carry out lacking goals it will only add more pressure onto their defence to perform.  This could well be another close match up with Cardiff looking to keep the game tight.  Much will depend on the fitness of Berbatov and if he is available I believe Fulham could win if not I will side with the draw.

 

HULL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED

Not the most eye catching fixture of the weekend between two teams that have at times struggled for goals but have been mildly impressive in defence.  Hull gained a surprised victory at St. James Park last week and more surprisingly managed to score three goals in the process.  This was the only game of theirs this season that has seen more than two goals scored.  West Ham come into the match after losing at home to the only undefeated team in the league Everton.  West Ham have struggled for goals at times and if the are to seriously mount a challenge for a top half finish they must rectify the issue.  Very similarly to the home side West Ham have only seen more than two goals in a match twice this season so I can’t see beyond a tight low scoring match but believe West Ham could take a point but can’t see them achieving much beyond this. 

 

MAN UTD v WEST BROM

David Moyes must have been a relieved man on Wednesday night as his team beat Liverpool in the Capital One cup at Old Trafford.  Even at this early stage the daggers are being drawn by the media and certain sections of his own fan base.  In truth he has not helped himself with comments to the media saying that they need to recruit more players in January when less than two weeks ago he stated he was happy with their summer transfer activity.  I can’t see West Brom causing an upset this Saturday as they have been poor so far this season.  Last weeks victory was as much to do with Sunderland being in free fall as West Brom finding form.  I still believe West Brom are lacking a major goal threat and this is adding pressure onto their defence.  A home win by maybe a couple of goals and a clean sheet.

 

SOUTHAMPTON v CRYSTAL PALACE

Southampton gained one of the most impressive results last weeks winning at Anfield.  In truth they have not delivered the results many would of expected after their summer signings.  At Anfield they pressed Liverpool high up the field and forced errors and their strong defence then enabled them to grab a goal and take all three points.  In truth defensively they have looked good so far this season but at home they are struggling for goals.  Looking at the visitors I can’t help but get the feeling from Ian Holloway he feels it is going to be a long hard and I’m hoping he is managing to put a more positive attitude to the players than in the media.  Palace are going to get men behind the ball here and it will be another test to see if the Saints can break them down.  Looking at their record Southampton have only lost one of their last five at home but sadly have drawn all the rest. I’m siding with Southampton to take the points but it could well be another close affair. 

 

SWANSEA v ARSENAL

A football match for the purists, two teams that base their games completely on passing, movement and possession.  Both have been in good form recently although Swansea did suffer a shock defeat away to Birmingham in the cup this week.   After a slow start to the domestic league Swansea have started to find form and several of their new signings begin to gel.  Arsenal who many wrote off after the first game of the season have bounced back in style and Arsene Wenger must be delighted with the major influence Mesut Ozil is having on the team.  They have looked exciting in attack and it will be exciting to see them once Santi Cazorla is back to fitness.  In truth I thought Arsenal would do reasonably well but it will be their results against the top six that will determine how successful.  Last year they enjoyed success on their trips to the Liberty stadium and I feel they can take something.  Especially when you consider Swansea have not won any of their last five home matches and Arsenal have won all of their last five away.  I believe Arsenal will take something from the game but it will be close between a win or a draw.

 

STOKE v NORWICH

The early kick off between Stoke and Norwich is not a match that catches the eye.  Stoke have gained some impressive results early this season and even in defeat at the Emirates last week impressed at times.  In stark contrast Norwich have not delivered and Chris Hughton is a manager under pressure.  Against Aston Villa last week they failed to create too many clear cut chances and whilst playing some attractive football never managed to assert real pressure.  If I could label one fault at this Norwich team it would be they attempted to play football in the wrong areas of the pitch.  To many times balls were put into the midfield when they were under pressure and their players were not technically good enough to cope.  Looking at Stoke many have commented on their change of style but in truth it has not altered dramatically. They do attempt to play a more passing style but only in the attacking third.  I can’t see beyond Stoke taking something from this game Norwich maybe could stifle the Stoke attacking threat so a low scoring affair in my book.  Backed up with the fact that Norwich have not scored in over half of their games this season and boast only one victory as well.

 

SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL

 

The death of the dictator is how some have branded the sacking of Mr Di Canio.  In my opinion methods that he used in the lower leagues of English football sadly do not work in the premier league.  Threatening players and ostracised them in lower levels when they do not earn inflated salaries and are on short term contracts can create results.  But at the top level where players are millionaires and have far more control over clubs these tactics fail.  Once he lost the squad the results were only going to head in one direction.  This weekend they have Kevin Ball in temporary charge and Liverpool might be slightly fearing the new manager effect.  Time has proven how teams seem to improve with a change of manager, whether it is down to fear over their security within the team of just looking to impress the new manager.  Sadly for Liverpool they haven’t been at the best over the last fortnight either after an impressive start to the season.  A draw and two defeats has cast a grey cloud over Anfield but the return of Luis Suarez will be a major bonus.  They controlled large amounts of their match at Old Trafford but failed to convert chances and it is this conversion rate that might be of concern.  This is a difficult match to call as Sunderland will be some what of an unknown package and have not won in any of their last five at home, if Liverpool perform they should get a result but again I would suggest a draw is highly likely.

 

EVERTON v NEWCASTLE

The last game of the weekend will see Everton host Newcastle on Monday night.  Roberto Martinez has gained some impressive results so far this season, must noticeably his last two in wins against Chelsea and away to West Ham.  The team has adapted to his method of play quickly and seem to be converting more of their chances in front of goal.  I for one doubted how successful he would be succeeding from David Moyes but at present he seems to be achieving.  In stark contrast Newcastle have been poor this season with only brief glimpses of optimism for their fans.  They have struggled in front of goal and also in defence and this is not a good combination.  Cisse did break his goal drought in midweek and that will be some small crumb of comfort.  In truth the managerial chaos was always going to have an impact of the team, whether it be through lack of transfer activity or just offering players an excuse for poor performances.  Everton are unbeaten in their last five at home whilst Newcastle boast a strong record of just one defeat in five away.  I still cannot see Newcastle taking anything from their trip to the Merseyside except more discontent.