Category: Sport

Once again, football fans can look forward to another Sky Sports treat as they broadcast three live games from the Premier League on Saturday evening, going right through to Monday night. Here is my preview of each of these 3 games.

Aston Villa v Liverpool, Saturday 24^th August, 5:15pm, Villa Park

Aston Villa have surprised me so far this season. They have produced some excellent football and completely outclassed Arsenal on the opening day last weekend and were unlucky at Chelsea in midweek. This team very much contrasts the side from last season, who struggled to cope with the ferocity of the premier league, but now these players have matured into Premier League stars and for Villa fans things are starting to look good. Paul Lambert’s masterstroke of the summer was most defiantly keeping Christian Benteke; who had originally handed in a transfer request early into the transfer window. However the young Belgian made a U-turn on his decision and signed a new contract at Villa Park, and it seems to have benefited Benteke with three goals already to his name this season.

Liverpool also made a promising start to season with a win against Stoke at Anfield a week ago. To think Liverpool would struggle without Luis Suarez was a mistake as Countinho and Daniel Sturridge have seemed to create a strong partnership and some of their link up play would torment the defence of any side in the world.  Goalkeeping heroics from debutant Mingolet made sure Liverpool kept hold of the three points and I think he will be needed again this Saturday as Villa are sure to create plenty of opportunities. The stadium will be rocking, fans will get behind the team in claret and blue and most of all the Liverpool defence may struggle to keep Benteke quiet, likewise, the villa defence may struggle with the pace of the Liverpool forwards.

Prediction: 1-1

Cardiff City v Manchester City, Sunday 25^th August, 4:00pm, Cardiff City Stadium

For the championship champions, it was a tough welcome to the elite league in England as Cardiff were turned over 2-0 by West Ham United. For me it wasn’t a surprise to see Cardiff struggle as they will need to adapt to the change in class and pace that is the Premier League. There were moments for Cardiff fans to feel content about, they created good chances last week and perhaps could have scored a goal. However this week it will be an even tougher test as a slick and world class Manchester City side travel to Wales.

Pellegrini’s men convincingly brushed Newcastle aside last Monday with a 4-0 win, and if City mange to perform anywhere near like they did at the Etihad, I fear for the premier league newbie’s. The debutants Jesus Navas and Fernandinho impressed for City and I feel the former Premier league champions will slowly rip the Cardiff city defence open and expose the gaps to put a few past Marshall, who is sure to have a busy Sunday.

Saying that, this will be the first Premier League match at the Cardiff City Stadium therefore the place will be bouncing, excited fans will vocally get behind the home team and for City it may not be as easy a stroll as many would predict.

Prediction: 0-3

Manchester United v Chelsea, Monday 26^th August, 8:00pm

The nation will be watching on with excitement. David Moyes could hardly of received a tougher opening home match as United Manager, with the “Happy one” Jose Mourniho bringing his Chelsea side to Old Trafford for a mouth-watering contest. Both teams look strong after opening day victories.

Manchester United will be the fresher of the two, as Chelsea played Villa in midweek (a 2-1 victory for the Blues) but Moyes knows he can’t take anything for granted against Mourniho’s team. With Wayne Rooney’s future still in the balance and ironically Chelsea the most likely destination for Rooney should he walk out on Old Trafford, it is unlikely the England forward will take part in the match therefore Robin Van Persie will need to be on top form along with Vidic, Ferdinand and De Gea who are prepared for a tough 90 minutes.

Chelsea will go into the game on the back of two wins, providing confidence as they head to Old Trafford, a venue where Chelsea haven’t been too bad at. Again I predict Mourniho will make changes in order to make his impressive squad content with enough playing time. Kevin De Bruyne surprised me last week with a terrific performance against Hull City, but that was Hull, and United are for sure another step up, can De Bruyne step up to it? Well I guess we will find out Monday should Mourniho pick him.

What is guaranteed though is excitement, and on Monday I’m sure we will be blessed by the footballing gods with goals and incidents to keep us glued to the television screens for a few hours.

Prediction: 2-2

 

So this weekend sit back, get the beers or cokes in and enjoy the football. It’s sure to be a cracking weekend.

As we head towards the end of the largest shopping spree in football, the summer transfer window, both Premier League representatives from north London (Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur) seem to be preparing for a last ditch trolley dash for talent that will hopefully help them gain that all important and valuable Champions League spot.

Out of the two, Tottenham Hotspur seem to be the team spending what seems to be the money coming in from Madrid for the transfer of Gareth Bale. The team has broken their own transfer record twice this summer with the purchases of Brazilian international Paulinho (£17m) and then Spanish centre forward Roberto Soldaldo (£26m). But Spurs seem to be on the brink of yet again breaking that record with the imminent arrival of Willian from Anzhi for a hefty £30m. That isn’t all the late shopping list completed though, as more are rumoured to be heading through the doors at White Hart Lane, with Real Madrid full back Fabio Coentrao and Roma striker Erik Lamela possibly targets, which if both go through, will make Spur’s total spending this window around £120 million, showing a level of optimism from the chairman and a message to rivals that Tottenham certainly mean business this season in an attempt to break into the top four.

After Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa, it seems now that Arsene Wenger has finally been hit on the top of the head with the transfer hammer, and now intends to splash the cash, in a summer in which Arsenal, unlike the three teams that finished above them, were well placed to mount a title challenge had they bought early, instead it seems panic buying is in order at the Emirates, with a £12 million pound bid sent to Newcastle for stay playmaker Yohan Cabaye, which was rejected. Arsenal in my eyes have left it all too late, and only big bucks will prize players away now as the season has begun. Injuries and suspensions and lack of depth in the squad will now prompt the Gunners to spend on more quality, although previous panic buys such as Sebastian Squllaci proved mega flops in the Premier League.

At this stage, Tottenham are without doubt the stronger of the two North London clubs and with hardly any time left to spend, it could be difficult for Arsenal to make any key signings to turn the tide.  It’s simply a case of well spent Spurs and too little, too late for the Gunners.

Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive match in charge of Manchester City seemed more like an exhibition match than a league fixture. Newcastle United just simply weren’t at the races and the new ticky-tacky football Pellegrini is hoping to bring to the Etihad has shown the nation just how good City look for the upcoming season; debutants Jesus Navas and Fernandinho looked comfortable although the Newcastle opposition failed to test them, and for Alan Pardew I fear another tough season ahead.

Manchester City’s play in the opening minutes was very reminiscent of that of Chelsea yesterday against Hull City; a somewhat new era, new attacking philosophy.

It only took the team in blue six minutes to find the net, with David Silva cooly heading his rebound effort over Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul. The Manchester City storm was difficult for Newcastle to withstand and City could have had three goals by 12 minutes. After two penalty claims were turned down by referee Andre Mariner, Newcastle slowly fought back bravely and after clever footwork by Hatem Ben Arfa, the Toon army had a goal disallowed for offside as Gouffran strayed a yard offside when the ball was played through.

However, Manchester city grabbed the deserved second goal their play was destined for as Sergio Aguero opened his account for the season with a well placed shot into the far left corner of the net. More and more chances came and went for Edin Dzeko who may wonder tonight how he didn’t score a goal in what was a very one sided first half and ultimately a one sided match.

The half ended with Newcastle local lad Steven Taylor getting needlessly sent off for a tussle with Sergio Aguero, condemning Newcastle to a nightmare opening half of the season.

The second half began as the first had ended; City on the front foot, and again Dzeko was denied by a smart save by Krul, no doubt Newcastle’s best player of the night, but only a minute later Yaya Toure made it three by unleashing a wonderful free kick into the top left corner. That was it. Game over and yet still forty plus minutes to play. From here on in it was going to be a long remainder of the match for the travelling team and fans.

Man City carried on pushing for more, and Gael Clichy came close to a fourth but his effort was blocked. The beautiful passing was consistent throughout the evening, and Newcastle failed to create any opportunity of sort in the second half. The only downside to the City performance was the injury picked up by instrumental leader Vincent Kompany, although Chelsea and Manchester United will hope it’s a long time on the sidelines for the City captain.

This however didn’t affect Manchester City and there football; Pablo Zabeleta’s through ball was dummied by Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri ran onto the loose ball and calmly slotted the ball into the net for Manchester City’s fourth of the evening. With still no sign of Manchester City holding back like Chelsea yesterday; Edin Dzeko’s hunt for a goal went on and his header on 79 minutes went just over the crossbar, furthermore frustrating the Bosnian.

City fans welcomed another new signing Alvaro Negredo to the Etihad with ten minutes remaining; and the summer signing nearly had his name up in lights as he thought he had given City a fifth but he was judged offside wrongly by the linesman.  Dzeko was humorously yet again denied by Krul late on, perhaps new boots for the Bosnian international as he hopes to break his goal scoring duck at Cardiff on Sunday.

In South Wales, a young English footballer became a man and an exciting prospect for the forthcoming season after an impressive performance on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. This player I am describing is of course Danny Welbeck.

The youngster had a good season last year; however the goals did dry up for the United striker, only one goal in twenty seven appearances in the league. He played deep for United and England last year and maybe that was his downfall as he provided the team he was playing for with strength, quality and power but no goals, and for strikers, goals is what makes them tick, makes them confident in their play and obviously gives them the big bucks and mega contracts, such as Michu and Lambert, who earned themselves improved contracts after impressive goal rates last term.

However this week we have seen a rejuvenated Danny Welbeck who seems more direct in his play, making more runs into the box and creating more goal scoring opportunities for himself. For England in midweek, Welbeck may not have had many opportunities but he made runs into the box that put him in the position to have a shot if the ball came to him, whereas last season he would have dropped off.

But yesterday Danny was rewarded for the new look English international, his persistence led to his first goal of the day as he ran into the space in the six yard box to tap in the ball after Valencia slid the ball into his wake. Then at the end of the game, Welbeck was put through by unsettled strike partner Wayne Rooney and the youngster confidently lobed the stranded Swansea goalkeeper Vorm to score a second, surpassing his goal record from last season in just 90 minutes of the current campaign.

After this performance, United and England fans should be confident that this could be the breakthrough season which turns Danny Welbeck from a talented youngster into possibly the next big thing up top for England in Rio next summer (if we get there) and United in the Champions League and for years to come for both.

Out of all the top four divisions in English football; the championship is by far the toughest. Last season was by far the closet, with the race to avoid the drop intense throughout the campaign, whereas the race for the Premier League grow closer and closer between Watford and Hull city, with the Tigers gaining the second automatic promotion place with champions Cardiff. The play-offs again produced pulse raising action with Watford defeating Leicester and Crystal Palace beating bitter rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in the two semi finals, it was the Eagles and veteran striker Kevin Phillips who found themselves in dreamland and in the Premier League. So how does this season’s Championship look? Here is my prediction…

Champions: Queens Park Rangers

Under prestigious manager Harry Redknapp, a strong favourite for the England job last summer, and the quality of the squad which the hoops have managed to contain since the drop of the Premier League last season, QPR should claim the title. QPR have managed to keep hold of Julio Caesar, Brazil’s no.1 goalkeeper, although talks are ongoing about a possible move to Italy. The experience of players such as Shaun Derry and Bobby Zamora should help benefit the younger players. Last time QPR were in the championship, Adel Taarabt was voted player of the season and was instrumental in the hoops gaining promotion, he could be key this season as well. I just think the QPR squad is too strong for this division, and promotion must be the target, even making the play offs would be a disappointment.

Automatic Promotion: Bolton Wanderers

Last season Bolton seemed to have a relegation hangover and before you knew it they were just above the relegation zone, dismissing former boss Owen Coyle and replacing him with a young upcoming manger Dougie Freedman, who had done a marvellous job at previous club Crystal Palace. The team started to then play some decent football and almost made last season’s play offs with a remarkable end of season run. The team seem to have stuck together, and although the loss of long serving striker Kelvin Davies may be a hinder to their promotion campaign, I think this team has the spirit and belief they can be successful in this league and return to the Premier League after a two year absence. Freedman got the side playing again, players like Chris Eagles and David Ngog were starting to score the goals and put in man of match performances, and I wouldn’t rule them out of promotion.

Play-Offs: Reading, Wigan Athletic, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United

Two of these sides came down with QPR last season, Reading and Wigan. But both sides have good managers for this division, Nigel Atkins led Southampton to the big time a couple of seasons ago and knows what it takes to get a side up. Coyle led Bolton to an FA Cup final, a competition Wigan won last term. The fact Wigan are in Europe this season does mean I haven’t put them up automatically because usually teams struggle domestically playing continentally. But Wigan have signed quality players this summer and still hold key players from last season like Callum Mcmanaman and Shaun Maloney.  Forest and Leeds are two sides which have the fan base of Premier league clubs. They too have managers capable of promotion. Billy Davies returned to Forest last season and guided them to 8 straight wins in 8 games, nearly making the play offs, with no funds though it may be tight but i think they will make it. Leeds have a championship winning manager in Brian McDermott. He can get his Leeds side playing like he had former employers Reading playing, then I think they will make the top six.

Relegation: Yeovil Town, Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers

Yes I have selected two of the promoted sides, but for Yeovil and Doncaster I just don’t see them making the cut. They haven’t got the squads to be able to stay in a division so strong. It’s a long season, and for these sides under managers that haven’t made it out as Championship managers it’s going to be a tough 10 months. Barnsley each year somehow manage to avoid the drop, it’s a matter of time before they go down. I think it will be this year, they have had to sell some more key players which helped them stay up last term, and its going to have to be another great escape for Barnsley.

Although I have mentioned a handful of sides, you can’t rule out the others, every team has a chance of making the top six, and many may have to look over their shoulders as the season progresses but that’s the Championship, 10 months of mental and physical hell, how exciting…

David Moyes revealed today in a press conference that Manchester United have made a second bid to lure Cesc Fabregas away from the clutches of his childhood club FC Barcelona.  The bid is around £30m, and this is seen as a rather reasonable bid, according to the Man United boss. But, is the Spanish international and former Arsenal captain the true key signing that this Manchester United team need; is he the right player to make United more competitive in the middle of the park, are there alternative players in the same price bracket or already in the squad?

I have watched Cesc since he moved to Arsenal in 2004. As a football fanatic, I loved to sit and watch every match of the day possible over the season, and each time Arsenal were on I always remember watching a very young Spaniard tip toe his way through defences, and pin passes through the defence for the attacker to spring on to, some of his passes were like sticking needle through a thread, they were immaculate. Cesc Fabregas is a very good passer of a ball, but so is Michael Carrick, very rarely did you see Carrick give away the ball last season, he was very consistent and that’s why Sir Alex also chose him in his starting eleven in nearly every game last season.

Since returning to Barcelona, he has found himself playing in a far more attacking position, and quite noticeably as a “non-striker” in a forward role in Euro 2012 for Spain. This has enhanced his play moving forward and scoring goals, but in a Catalonian shirt, he has struggled to make a impact as he did at Arsenal, he hasn’t bonded with the fans like he had in London, but like I have said,  he has gained more attacking ability in his game, he can run at players and score goals much more easily then he could at Arsenal, but again Shinji Kagawa can do this, another current United player, who if he hadn’t been injured for so long last season,  could have made much more of an impact, I think Kagawa is a star player who will become a United favourite.

Cesc does though have leadership qualities which the united midfielders lack at the moment; he has captained Arsenal, guiding them to the Champions League every season, although not to a trophy. His leadership skills and experience could help make the young Tom Cleverley and Nick Powell’s become even greater prospects. He knows how to win the big matches in both the league and the Champions League. But is £30m for his services really needed?

Yes, yes they are. Although it seems like he has the same capabilities as current Manchester United midfielders, Cesc Fabregas has that leadership quality that can help the Man United team. He is strong, both on and off the ball; he can pass the ball so perfectly, and score goals. One thing I am looking forward to if this transfer happens is the reuniting of Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, these two bonded at Arsenal and they both benefited from each other, they were like key partnerships such as Rooney and Ronaldo, Gerrard and Torres, Lampard and Drogba. These two could seriously lead a Man United charge to a successive defence of their Premier league crown should Fabregas sign for the red devils.

You know United are keen on this deal to happen, as the Chief Executive had flown to Manchester from Sydney to make this move happen, and for the case of the Premier league title race, I hope the move happens too.