Chelsea vs. Newcastle
This match up is one of the highlights of this weekend’s EPL schedule. Both teams have aspirations of finishing within the top four this season, although Chelsea are the more likelier of the two, and no doubt have higher expectations of challenging for the Premiership title.
Newcastle was by far the surprise package last season. After selling Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million, they entrusted manger Alan Pardew and chief scout Tony Carr with re-investing their transfer funds wisely. Not only did they spend the money well, Newcastle now has a good enough squad to consistently compete with the majority of the EPL. Chelsea was disappointing the majority of last season for numerous reasons. Fernando Torres didn’t reach the form that was expected of him, considering his goals tally during his time with Liverpool, as well as previous manager Andre Villas-Boas trying to change the majority of the Chelsea team too quickly, and unsettling a lot of the senior players. Since Chelsea and AVB parted ways, ex-Chelsea player Roberto Di Matteo took on the role of temporary manager to see Chelsea through to the end of the season. Not only did he improve on the sides EPL performances, he went on to defy all odds and win the European Champions League trophy – the most prestigious club trophy in the World. Since then he has been appointed permanent manager of Chelsea, and this summer has signed a new group of young, talented footballers (Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Oscar, Azpilicueta), with many more linked to the West London side.
Although Chelsea lost the last game at home against Newcastle, earlier this year, it was amongst a difficult schedule for The Blues’ in which their main focus was progressing in the Champions League. Chelsea beat Newcastle at their ground a few months prior, 3-0. Newcastle has a few injury concerns at the moment. Defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote remains in doubt, as well as their main center back Fabricio Colocinni. One half of their star forward line also remains in doubt to start the game Saturday, with Demba Ba facing a late fitness test. Chelsea appears to have a fully fit squad, although some players are still lacking match fitness. Expect to see the same line-up Chelsea started with in their victory against Reading on Wednesday night, in which the home side came from behind to win 4-2.
Both sides have played mid-week games, with Newcastle flying to Greece for their Europa League game. They drew the game 1-1, although the majority of their first team players weren’t present. The season has just begun, so it’s difficult to gauge which side has the upper hand early on. However, Chelsea is notoriously fast starters and typically finds themselves located near the top of the table during the infant stages of the season. Furthermore, Chelsea is the home side going in to this weekend’s fixture. Newcastle has not only had to fly to and from Greece this week, they now face another away game, against a Chelsea side that is very strong at Stamford Bridge. Although Chelsea doesn’t seem to have the powerful side they did during previous years with Didier Drogba, expect them to control the majority of the possession Saturday. This should be a close fought game at the Bridge, although I feel Chelsea have the upper hand, and certainly the momentum after Wednesday nights win. My free pick is Chelsea to beat Newcastle on Saturday.
Liverpool vs. Man City
This is without a doubt the most exciting and mouth-watering fixture on offer from this weekends EPL schedule. Liverpool plays their first home game of the season — The 2011-12 EPL season saw yet another inconsistent year for Liverpool. Under the managerial guidance of former player and Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool spent over £75 million in the transfer window. These signings have come under huge scrutiny, especially Andy Carroll who cost the side £35 million and wasn’t nearly impressive as his previous stint at Newcastle. Furthermore, Stewart Downing who cost the club £20 million also didn’t make the impact that was expected of him. The left-footed winger finished the season without a goal or an assist in 36 appearances. Over the summer, Liverpool has appointed a new manager – Brendan Rodgers – and he’s brought with him from Swansea, Joe Allen for £15 million. City has been the total opposite, in terms of success. Manchester City won last seasons EPL title in one of the most exhilarating finales the Premiership has ever seen. After finding themselves 2-1 down at home to QPR with only injury time remaining, City managed to rally together and score two goals and clinch the title in dramatic fashion. City haven’t spent as much this season as in years prior, however; they have brought in talented youngster Jack Rodwell from Everton in a potential £15 million deal. The majority of their squad has remained intact, although Emmanuel Adebayor has recently left to join Tottenham – whom he was on loan to during last season.
The first game of this season saw Liverpool lose 3-0 to West Brom. Critics were quick to jump on the bandwagon, to all slate Liverpool, even though they had the majority of possession – and a player sent off. Give credit where it’s due, West Brom played far better with the proper game plan and tactics employed on Saturday — they deserved the three points. City started the defense of their title with a home win against newly promoted Southampton. They started as everyone expected, taking an early lead, but were surprisingly pegged back 2-1 after substitute Ricky Lambert inspired them. However, City’s dominance, especially at home shone through and with 20 minutes to go they equalized when Nasri rounded off the comeback with 10 minutes to spare giving City the 3-2 win. A downside to Manchester City’s win was the injury to star Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero. Aguero was instrumental in City winning the EPL last year, scoring 23 goals in his first season with the club. So expect a new striker to be bought before the transfer window finishes, if Aguero’s injury is as expected (leaving him unavailable for months). Fellow Argentinian Carlos Tevez, after having a very rocky and tumultuous season with the club and manager last season has returned to form and looks as lively and hungry as every to pound the back of the old onion bag. He scored the first goal in Sundays win Vs. Southampton, as well as scoring a fantastic goal against Chelsea in the Charity Shield.
Liverpool will be missing key central defender Daniel Agger after being sent off in their first game, so expect them to be shaky at the back. Man City look as strong as they were last season, and with the experience of winning the Premiership title in their back pocket, expect them to have a similar year. Yaya Toure has dominated the midfield for City, and although they’ve been playing a new 3-5-2 formation of late, expect them to revert back to their 4-2-3-1 formation Vs. Liverpool this weekend, depending on their striking options available and whom they decide to start. Expect a feisty clash in Merseyside, but I feel that Manchester City will be too strong for a Liverpool team still trying to gel together under Brendan Rodgers tactics. My free pick is Manchester City to defeat Liverpool.
Recommended Football Picks:
Back Chelsea -1 @ [1.81]
Back Aston Villa/Everton under 2 goals @ [2.2]
Back Tottenham Hotspur/West Brom under 3 goals @ [1.76]
Back Manchester City @ [2.4]
Written By: Professional Bettor and BetFair correspondent, James Feldman.