Posted on 11 Aug 2010 at 21:17 PM by
Formex
The much
anticipated new Premier League season kicks off with the heavyweight clash
between Tottenham and Man
City in Saturday’s early
match at White Hart Lane.
Big
spending Man City have invested another small fortune, around £80m, since the
end of last season and can now boast an increased number of international
allsorts in their quest for silverware. Their pre-season results have been
modest but hopes are high at Eastlands that with the addition of their World
Cup players’ things will get much better.
In reality it
is expecting a lot for them to gel immediately and they could have had an
easier task than a visit to North London to
play a Spurs side that did the double over the Citizens last term. Redknapp has
worked minor miracles with the Lilywhites since he took the reigns and with
some shrewd acquisitions there is no reason why they cannot build on their
excellent fourth place of last season.
Tottenham
beat champions Chelsea comfortably at the ‘Lane’ in the last campaign and also
humbled local rivals Arsenal and have a tremendous home record and they look
attractively priced to start the new season in style. This is the ideal
opportunity for them to get a march on one of their big dangers in the race for
Champions League football.
The other
big match takes place on Sunday when Liverpool
host Arsenal at Anfield. This will provide us with a first chance to see Roy
Hodgson’s side against Premier League opposition having so far achieve a couple
of 2-0 victories in the Europa League qualifiers. With new boy Joe Cole certain
to start and Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard seemingly committed to the
cause the Anfield faithful will expect a good showing against the Gunners.
Last season
Liverpool fared poorly against the top sides
and lost both league matches against Arsenal. That can only add to the
confidence in North London and last week
Arsene Wenger stated publicly that he will have his team in prime condition,
mentally and physically, for this match. He should be able to parade his new
signings and injuries permitting the Gunners can use this as a springboard for
another good season. At the odds available Arsenal look a value punt and for
those looking for the correct score, try 1-2 and 1-3.
Champions Chelsea
entertain new boys West Brom in Saturday’s late kick-off and whilst the Baggies
will be keen to put on a good show, especially for boss Roberto Di Matteo, an
old Chelsea hero as a player, it is hard to see anything other than a home win.
The chief hope for the visitors is that the Blues continue their shaky
pre-season form which has seen them lose their last four games including the
defeat by Man United in the Community Shield last weekend.
United
start their fixtures with a home game against Newcastle United on Monday and
anything other than a home win will be a monumental surprise. For those so
inclined try a 3-0 home win.
Aston
Villa, without Martin O’Neill who left the club on Monday, face West Ham at
Villa Park and whilst we expect the Hammers to have a relegation fight on their
hands this season they could benefit from the uncertainty surrounding Villa and
nick a point.
Elsewhere
at a very decent price we should get with Stoke to beat Wolves at Molineux
where the Potters have a good record and have won the last five games against
Mick McCarthy’s side. Under Tony Pulis Stoke have become a team that rarely
loses away from home and they should start with three points here.