The International break is over and so back to domestic football. In the break the USA qualified for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, so congratulations to you. My own country, England, now sit a top their league but still find themselves two games away from Qualification.
The guys all return to their clubs from their countries and Managers would have spent the last few days evaluating any injuries picked up during that time. So, with that in mind, lets see how the weekend looks.
Saturday (All times 3pm GMT, 10am ET unless stated)
Man Utd v Crystal Palace 12:45 GMT (7:45am ET)
Usually this would be a no brainer with United as easy winners. In fact United have never lost to Palace in the last eight meetings. This is a different United though, four points from a possible nine is the worst start in years and despite having RVP they haven’t scored in the last two League games.
Saying this, it is true that every run has to come to an end eventually and David Moyes will be hoping it will be this game with the help of his new boy Fellaini, if he plays. Wayne Rooney will most likely not play with his recovery from injury the primary concern.
On the other side you have Ian Holloway who at the moment has more fines than points and in fact starts serving a two match touchline ban with this visit to Old Trafford. There has been a mixed bag for Holloways side with a narrow defeat by Spurs on the opening day which was a positive sign to push a top club that close. That was followed up with a defeat by Stoke after being ahead, which negated any of the previous positive feeling. Last time out though Paulo DiCanio’s Sunderland side were hammered 3-1 and that was just the result they needed before heading to Manchester.
New signings Barry Bannan and Cameron Jerome will most likely appear at some point but I think United will end their goalless run and take their four points up to a more respectable seven. The real question is in the post match comments will Holloway be able to get out without opening his check book once more.
Prediction: 4-0
Aston Villa v Newcastle
This will be a game the Villa fans will actually think they can win. Sure the three points against Arsenal on the opening day were nice but I doubt many expected Villa to have many points after their first three games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. New striker Kozak could make his debut but the real boost for Villa will be the possible return of two defenders Baker and Luna.
For the down and depressed Newcastle fans who have watched their team hammered by Manchester City, a draw against West Ham and lucky win against Fulham will expect better. Cabaye could feature from the start after his August tantrum and Remy, Taylor and Tiote should all be available for selection.
Despite this I am not sure I can see a Newcastle win as the off field problems seem to be affecting the on field performance.
Prediction: 1-1
Fulham v WBA
Every season Fulham seem to get just that little bit better and this season seems to be a continuance of this trend. Sure it hasn’t quite ignited in the points haul as yet but there is a good side and good run bubbling just under the surface. This game could be the one that ignites that run, certainly you couldn’t pencil in a better opponent if you tried. West Brom are bottom of the league with just the single point and still looking for their first Premiership goal of the season.
For West Brom new signings Sessegnon and Amalfitano could start and Steve Clarke should really be focusing on stopping the rot. This was the ground where he suffered his first defeat as West Brom manager so all across the board records need to be set straight.
Prediction: 2-1
Hull City v Cardiff
Hull City are struggling early on this season with only the one win and two defeats they find themselves in the relegation zone. A win at this stage of the season though can propel you from relegation zone to mid table in just 90 minutes of football. Striker Sagbo is suspended, new signing Gedo is still awaiting his work visa and keeper McGregor is out.
Cardiff also have an injured goalkeeper and in fact it was their David Marshall who injured his hip on International duty deputizing for the normal first choice, Hull City’s injured McGregor. Both teams will look at their performances against Manchester City as positives, with Cardiff actually winning the match.
Prediction: 0-0
Spurs v Norwich
No more Clint Dempsey, no more Gareth Bale and no goals from open play so far this season has to be a worry for AVB. Eventually referees will stop giving you penalties and you will have to score like everyone else. Eriksen and Lamela could make their debuts but Adebayor, Capoue and Lennon are all out.
Big spending Norwich City have made a reasonable start to the season with an opening day draw at home to Everton and win last time against Southampton sandwiching their lone defeat away to Hull. Carrow Road will be key for City this season and if they can get a point or more in this trip down to London then that will be a bonus.
Prediction 2-0 (1 pen)
Stoke v Manchester City
Mark Hughes welcome the team who unceremoniously dispensed of his services four seasons ago. Stephen Ireland could also make his debut for Stoke against his old club Manchester City after completing his loan move from Aston Villa.
Manchester City go into the game without David Silva, Kompany, Richards, Clichy and new signing Demichelis who, after being signed for defensive cover, went and got injured in his first training session. That said, the visitors should still have too much for the home side but it will be critical that Pellegrini learnt from the Cardiff defeat.
I think with the injuries City fans may accept a draw but another defeat and the questions will have to be raised.
Prediction: 0-1
Sunderland v Arsenal
After a pathetic display last time out Paulo DiCanio would certainly hope his side perform better when Arsenal visit. The Italian was highly critical of the team and individual players after the defeat by Palace and the consequences of his public berating will be for all to see on Saturday. Will it bring them together or divide the dressing room that much more? They need to gel and gel quickly or the next few games, starting with this one will be a nightmare. Their next seven home games are against last seasons top five, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Arsenal could see Mesut Ozil start for the side but Giroud is currently the only fit out and out striker for the Gunners after Sanogo got hurt midweek. However after the Wenger bus has come will it be Ozil to the Arsenal?
Prediction: 0-0
Everton v Chelsea (5:30pm GMT, 12:30 ET)
No more Fellaini for Everton and loan signing Lukaku is ineligible to play against his parent club so that makes it tough for an already feeling the pressure Roberto Martinez. McCarthy and Barry could both start but three tied games from three, one of which was home to West Brom, is not a good start at all.
The visit of Chelsea will not be welcomed at this particular time but who knows, maybe tougher opposition will make Everton lift their game too. Certainly with the haired wonder now at United any disruption caused within the side should now have subsided and concentration can be fully on the game.
Chelsea defeated Hull and Villa, both at Stamford Bridge, but in the Villa case were not convincing and really lucky with their winning goal scorer still even being on the pitch to score the goal. Against United they didn’t seem to have invention, but in truth the whole game was dull.
Martinez will be drilling the Villa game and the United result into his teams heads and certainly a result Saturday evening is not that far fetched. If Cardiff can beat City then Everton can certainly beat Chelsea.
Prediction; 2-1
Sunday (4pm GMT, 11 ET)
Southampton v West Ham
Like Norwich, Southampton have spent a lot of money for this season. With that in mind it is home games like this when fans will see if it was spent wisely with these kind of games needing to produce points. Both teams lost their last League games 1-0 and both will be looking at this as a potential 3 pts but in reality I can only see Southampton winning.
West Ham have not been great on the road, this season and running back to last season also. No shot on target in the 1-0 away defeat against Stoke and Andy Carroll still missing through injury are all points that lead me to doubt.
Meanwhile Southampton are home, have the returning Ricky Lambert who must be loving life right now. West Ham are short on attacking options and so may just prefer to sit back and this is dangerous. A draw would be fantastic for the Hammers under the circumstances but I really do not see West Ham scoring and I can’t not see Southampton netting.
Prediction: 3-0
Monday (8pm GMT, 3pm ET)
Swansea v Liverpool
Swansea really need to be careful this season and not let the Europa League distract from the bread and butter Premiership campaign. A 4-1 home defeat to Manchester United could be replicated if they are not careful Monday night. Swansea have just three points after their first three games but when two games were against Tottenham and Utd it doesn’t look all that bad. That said the opening performance was shocking and if they are not to find themselves the wrong end of the table at seasons end they need to make their home stadium a fortress.
Liverpool are the 1-0 kings and when asked by a reporter if he minded this the Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, if he was getting bored of 1-0’s. Obviously his reply was if he got 38 1-0’s this season he would be happy.
Speaking of Rodgers he will be returning to the side he guided to the Premiership, kept them in the League before leaving in 2012. Last season when he first returned to his old club the game ended goalless, Liverpool look better than that now and I think will get more than the point this time around.
Prediction: 0-3
