I'm going to hold back comment on the transfer talk surrounding Balotelli, Milner and Bellamy until anything officially happens and will also avoid the continuing fallout from Capello's comments on David Beckham. I want to focus on what is really important. Football. On a football pitch.
This weekend sees the return of the Premier League. Fucking amazing. The football league also begins to get into the swing after a first round with a few surprises and some entertaining League Cup fixtures.
It is very difficult to judge the 'big games' this early in the season as low as League Two given the fairly arbitrary nature of who becomes the run-away teams in England's fourth tier. Eyes might be on Port Vale, a club in the midst of a takeover bid. In League One there is a game this evening between Leyton Orient and Charlton before Saturdays games, two of which have been abandoned. MK Dons v Southampton due to the death of Saints owner Markus Liebherr and Daggers and Redbridge vs Exeter after striker Adam Stansfield died earlier this week. Fair play.
The Championship games come as the league remains reeling from Steve Coppell's decision to quit as Bristol City manager. Bet David James is gutted. Very strange one that. You can kind of tell he's not motivated and that is why he has retired. To be fair he never had much of a break between playing and managing and probably deserves a proper break. Good luck to him.
Some good looking games to look out for; Ipswich v Burnley, Leicester v Boro and a really tasty one between Notts Forrest and Leeds as well. 1970's all over that one.
So the Premier League is ready to go. I am just buzzing! Tomorrow night I'm sitting down with a box of tissues and Match of The Day. Beautiful. Spurs vs City is a big opener. Should be a tasty encounter and I'm going for goals in this one (see predictions later). Saturday's three o'clock line up doesn't seem too exciting though to be honest. All eyes will be on Blackpool's performance at Wigan and Champions Chelsea - who should really spank West Brom (whose league prediction is coming later). Will take a look at the Sunday/Monday games in more depth over the next two days.
So it is Kingy vs Lawro round one. The rules are thus: Lawro and I will receive 3 points for guessing the correct score in a game. We shall receive 1 points for guessing the correct outcome (i.e who wins/ a draw). 0 points go for the wrong outcome (which by definition will provide the wrong score).
Each week, the prophet with the highest accumulated score will receive 3 points. If the difference between accumulated weekly score is 6 points or less, the prophet with the lower accumulated weekly score (the loser that week) will get a point.
This, given mine and Lawro's likeness in footballing expertise, is quite a likely outcome on any given week. - meaning a week where the winner wins by a good distance (more than 6 points) will be invaluable in the tussle.
So here are the predictions for this week with mine on the left and Mark Lawrenson's on the right:
- Spurs 2 v 2 Man City - Spurs 2 v 1 Man City
- Villa 2 v 1 West Ham - Villa 2 v 0 West Ham
- Blackburn 1 v 1 Everton - Blackburn 1 v 1 Everton
- Bolton 1 v 2 Fulham - Bolton 2 v 1 Fulham
- Sunderland 2 v 1 Birmingham - Sunderland 1 v 0 Birmingham
- Wigan 2 v 1 Blackpool - Wigan 2 v 1 Blackpool
- Wolves 1 v 0 Stoke - Wolves 1 v 1 Stoke
- Chelsea 3 v 0 West Brom - Chelsea 3 v 0 West Brom
- Liverpool 1 v 1 Arsenal - Liverpool 1 v 1 Arsenal
- Man United 3 v 1 Newcastle - Man United 2 v 0 Newcastle
For the record, I had not looked at Lawro's predictions when I made mine. Makes for interesting reading...Should be good to see what happens over the season.
So now for some quick Premier League predictions and the final four teams, all of which I hope do well this season:
Arsenal: predicted finish 2nd-4th - I'm a fan so I obviously want them to do well. Worried about the goalkeeper situation. Add a goalie and it is 4th to 2nd. Add a goalie and a good centre half and anything could happen. I actually expect a stronger showing in the cups from Arsenal this year as well. Another trophy-less season could be the end of Wenger.
Fulham: predicted finish 7th-11th - Hard to predict after the change of manager but Hughes is an excellent replacement for Hodgson. Same kind of no nonsense style and i expect Fulham to be caught up alongside a number of teams battling for Europa League spot. With Villa, Everton and Stoke all in there it is going to be very competitive in the middle regions of the premier league this season. Fulham haven't added much but if they could get hold of Craig Bellamy to compliment Gera, Dempsey, Zamora and returning Andy Johnson they have a really dangerous attacking threat.
West Brom: predicted finish 18th-20th - I don't see the yo-yo effect stopping for the Baggies. I hope they prove me wrong but I just don't think Di Matteo has the self belief a manager needs to transfer belief to players and keep them going through a tough relegation campaign.
Wolves: predicted finish 11-14th - McCarthy has added some excellent players, including Stephens Hunt and Fletcher, so I think this team will be strong, organised and safe as they continue to grow into an impressive Premier League outfit, one that balances strength, fitness and attractive football. George Elokobi to win PFA player of the year.
Right, more tomorrow as the dust settles on a full Saturday of footy!
Fucking bliss!
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