Premier League Discussion 18-19th August

Saturday, 18 August 2007
Birmingham v West Ham, 15:00
Fulham v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Newcastle v Aston Villa, 17:15
Portsmouth v Bolton, 12:45
Reading v Everton, 15:00
Tottenham v Derby, 15:00
Wigan v Sunderland, 15:00


Sunday, 19 August 2007
Blackburn v Arsenal, 15:00
Liverpool v Chelsea, 16:00
Man City v Man Utd, 13:30

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All the big four play on Sunday. The Manchester derby and the Chelsea-Pool ficture are obviously the stand out games. Arsenal also have a tough challenge at an in form Blackburn. One of Liverpool or Chelsea or both will drop points. You also fancy Citeh to get something out of Uted, especially with Ronaldo missing, yet at the same time UTd are due a bit of luck after some poor finishing in their last two fixtures

West Ham should be looking to pick up some points at Birmingham, but Brum have surprised a few with their free scoring from the first two games.

If Spurs don't beat Derby then you really have to doubt their ability to get 4th, however I expect a comfortable win.

Pompey-Bolton and Newcastle-Villa should provide some interesting contests.

Boro will be looking to pick up some points after the mid week loss but Fulham look to have a very well drilled squad at present and an in form striker in Healy.

Everton have an opportunity to get a result at Reading and turn a good start to the league into an amazing start. Reading have surprised me with their reslience so far though, despite only getting the one point from their first two games (against Man Utd and Chelsea!)

Wigan-Sunderland is the runt of the pack but it provides Sunderland the opportunity to move onto 7 points: something I expect them to achieve

Liverpool Vs Chelsea is the game to watch

If Jose's men win they could maintain the 4 pt gap or even widen it!

But last season Rafa finally bet Jose in the leauge, so this one could go either way. JT is meant to be back, good timing too, as Chelsea's have leaked in a few goals, which is v un chelsea-like.

Nice work Twoodle.

TM wrote:Liverpool Vs Chelsea is the game to watch

Its the result that matters, but its not the one to watch. The fixture is famously dull.

Chelsea at least seem to be playing some interesting football at present - quite attacking and shoddy in defence. But Liverpool's anti-football is bound to make the game a dull affair.

The Citeh-Utd ties are usually quite exciting - I expect this to be a far better game. I'm also interested to see how the new look Citeh side play. Utd may also have to draft in a couple more new signings into the first team - I think we're set for a good tie here

Bring the Derby ! Its alays a great game but this time it is well poised. Its very important for both clubs, for us it will be a good test for our new look team, whilst for them it is v important they dont fall behind Chelsea and Liverpool.

Also there are news that Gerrard might have to sit out because of a toe injury. If that is the case then Chelsea have a much better chance of coming back with a win as they get Terry back.

My prediction: United to drop points and Chelsea to win.

I heard that Gerrard will be fit, on BBC news this morning.

I think both the Manchester derby and the pool-Chelsea game look set up for draws to be honest, though I do fancy Chelsea to maybe walk away with all the points, though that depends on the back four they field. They seem all over the place atm

Spurs 0-3 Derby. Steven Howard Hat-trick. You heard it hear 1st.

TeamJenas™ wrote:Spurs 0-3 Derby. Steven Howard Hat-trick. You heard it hear 1st.

Dude... two games and you threw in the towel.... not so soon my friend.

TM wrote:Liverpool Vs Chelsea is the game to watch

Its going to be $h!t on a stick Part II!!

3 of the big 4 in action on sunday then

Chelsea, Liverpool and City

Luis wrote:3 of the big 4 in action on sunday then

Chelsea, Liverpool and City

Its good that the P0-0l game is on at 4 - that fits in perfectly with my sunday afteroon nap

Big shame that Chelsea have decided to play attractive football this season - it leaves you no-one to compare you $h!t on a stick football to

Tweedle wrote:

Luis wrote:3 of the big 4 in action on sunday then

Chelsea, Liverpool and City

Its good that the P0-0l game is on at 4 - that fits in perfectly with my sunday afteroon nap

Big shame that Chelsea have decided to play attractive football this season - it leaves you no-one to compare you $h!t on a stick football to

Us>>>Chelsea so far, we've only conceded a penalty, yet to concede from open play

Luis wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Luis wrote:3 of the big 4 in action on sunday then

Chelsea, Liverpool and City

Its good that the P0-0l game is on at 4 - that fits in perfectly with my sunday afteroon nap

Big shame that Chelsea have decided to play attractive football this season - it leaves you no-one to compare you $h!t on a stick football to

Us>>>Chelsea so far, we've only conceded a penalty, yet to concede from open play

You only scored 2 because one was an own goal though. And the other was a set piece. Same old pool.... zzzz zzzz zzzzz

Gerrard will play...

Whether its from the bench or starting he will get a run out, i'm expecting him to play from the start.

Broken toe my arse, you only get that with sissy boys like Lumpard!!

Saturday's fixture list has been totally overshadowed by Sunday's. Thankfully there should be a few alternatives on Saturday, but none on Sunday.

Ive just read Mark Clattenburg will ref the derby, a decent choice cos he is normally a pretty fair and strong ref.

About refs

What's the best site to check ref appointments?
Good site for checking ref's stats?

Thanx for any info

www.moggi.com

Fergie been playing mind games before the derby. He says he's only heard of Petrov and Banchi when it comes to our new signings......i take it he must have has his eyes closed when Geovanni headed in Benfica's winner against them in the Champs League.

Luis wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Luis wrote:3 of the big 4 in action on sunday then

Chelsea, Liverpool and City

Its good that the P0-0l game is on at 4 - that fits in perfectly with my sunday afteroon nap

Big shame that Chelsea have decided to play attractive football this season - it leaves you no-one to compare you $h!t on a stick football to

Us>>>Chelsea so far, we've only conceded a penalty, yet to concede from open play

let's not forgot about your almost non existent attack

Im tempted to bet £20 on Fulham (against Boro) and Pompey (against Bolton) both to win this weekend, id get a return of £69, so basically win £50.

My prediction 0-4

Sir Alex didn't even know how many managers have been at Manchester City since he took over at Manchester United

Sgoater1 wrote:Fergie been playing mind games before the derby. He says he's only heard of Petrov and Banchi when it comes to our new signings......i take it he must have has his eyes closed when Geovanni headed in Benfica's winner against them in the Champs League.

Just mind games. How can he possibily not know about Elano either?

Mexicanbecks wrote: let's not forgot about your almost non existent attack

More goals in one game than Man U managed in 2....

I think this City side has transformed completely under Sven, I didn't expect it to either, I thought there would be too many new players and they would find it hard to adapt, not only are they looking good on the pitch but they look to have a great team spirit as well, something they might of lacked last season with a bit of trouble from Joey Barton etc.

They have real quality now and a lot of strength throughout the team, they haven't conceded a goal yet so that's always a good sign.

United on the other hand have a had a massively dissapointing start, a lot of people thought they were going to be even better than last year but it doesn't always work like that, they've been git with a few injuries but for me they just don't seem to have that little edge they had last year where they could cut open a team at any minute, now they're getting crowded out, they're being battled with and it seems people know how to prevent United from really performing so far.

I think the big thing for City is that they are at home on sunday, a place that wasn't very lively last season but now with the new confidence of the team, the fans will be excited and will genuinely believe they can beat United and add to their misery.

I think without Rooney and Ronaldo it will be extremely tough for United, they are key players for them and they'll be relying on the new boy Tevez, I think the game will be a fast one with City trying to close down United at every oppurtunity, I'm going for a draw on this one.

All we need is a low key convincing win, just to build our morale....Hell just a scrappy 1-0 win will do, even if it against Derby at home...

We just need to breed some confidence in our players, get the teamspirit up and move on from there....too much in the media spotlight...

Once we get a win and than some sort of run together, than we could talk about top 6 places and europe....

Though a win tommorow is a must, especially with the Man U game on the Horizon...