I’m not normally one for predicting games (mainly for fear
of being completely off the mark, probably), but for this season’s starting
fixtures I thought I’d give it a bit of a go.
Just a quick warning: it’s unlikely that the current
transfer news will be the same by the start of the season. I’m only judging by
what I currently know now!
Saturday 18th
August 2012
15:00
15:00
Arsenal v Sunderland
If they retain RVP this season, then Arsenal
could be scoring goals galore with the recent additions of Lukas Podolski and Oliver
Giroud. Even without the Dutchman, the Gunners have some strong forwards that
could really help the team. Another striker, Nicklas Bendtner, is now back from
his loan at Sunderland. His future at Arsenal has been uncertain, and despite
saying he would never play for Arsenal again he showed up to pre-season
training. Although not a consistent player, the Dane can often prove valuable.
He showed relatively good form in Denmark’s Euro 2012 campaign, so it’s
possible that Bendtner could up his game this season.
So far, Sunderland seem to be having a complete clear
out. Only a defender, in the form of ex-Villa player Carlos Cuellar, has been
signed. However, four of the five players that have been transferred elsewhere
were out on loan last season, meaning the loss of these players shouldn’t make
too much of a difference to Sunderland’s form, compared to last season.
Prediction: Arsenal to win.
Fulham v Norwich City
This could be a close match. The signing of Mladen
Petric could help Fulham out, but the loss of former captain Danny Murphy and
the possible loss of Clint Dempsey could balance this out. Norwich have signed
two players and sold two. Personally I don’t think there will be much of a
difference for Norwich with these changes.
Prediction: Draw or Fulham
to win.
Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City
There’s been lots of signings and very few losses for
QPR so far. Joey Barton’s ban/loan to Fleetwood Town could affect the play, but
this is unlikely (apart from there being a lot less drama). In comparison,
there hasn’t been much change at all for Swansea, although Sigurdsson’s loan
spell has ended and he’s moved to Tottenham. Former manager Brendan Rodgers has
left for Liverpool, with Danish legend Michael Laudrup replacing him. His impact
is yet to be seen, but I have a feeling he’ll do well with the club.
Prediction: Draw or
Swansea to win.
Reading v Stoke City
Newly promoted Reading have bought a lot of players
into their team, and sold none. The addition of Pavel Pogrebnyak to the team could
be a useful one. In contrast, Stoke haven’t signed anyone. Two players have
been sold, one of which was out on loan last season. There are plenty of
rumours about striker Michael Owen signing for the team, but nothing definite
has been said yet.
Prediction: Draw
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
The signing of Ben Foster is definitely an important
one for West Brom. But can they retain their place in the top half of the
table? As an Albion supporter, I can safely say that gaining 10th
place is definitely seen as an achievement for us. There’s a lot of uncertainty
for this season though, considering the loss of Roy Hodgson. The Baggies will
be the first team to be managed by Steve Clarke, so only time will tell what
his potential as a manager is.
As for Liverpool, 2011/12 wasn’t the best season for
them, although that could have been due to ‘managerial problems’. The signing
of Borini could prove useful for the team; while on loan to Roma, he scored 9
times in 24 matches.
Prediction: As much as I
hate to say it, Liverpool will probably win it. However, it all depends on the
impact that the new managers have on their teams.
West Ham United v Aston Villa
West Ham have been relatively busy during the
pre-season. Half their signings so far are goalies, meaning they won’t have a
direct affect on the formation of the team. Also, the majority of the sold
players were out on loan last season anyway.
So far Villa have bought three players and only sold
one. Two of the signings are from teams within the top 4 of the Eredivisie,
meaning these players could prove useful, although the difference in
standard between the Eredivisie and the Premier League could mean otherwise.
Villa had a relatively disappointing 2011/12 season; can new manager Paul
Lambert help them improve on their 16th place finish?
Prediction: Draw.
17:30
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle
and Spurs had only one place and 4 points between them at the end of last
season. So far the Magpies have signed relatively unknown players, but the good
news for Newcastle is that Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye will remain at the club
this season.
As
for Tottenham, Sigurdsson was one of Swansea’s key players last season, meaning
he’ll most likely be an important addition to Spurs. The signing of Jan
Vertonghen should also prove valuable. The former Ajax captain plays in defence
but is relatively versatile, and was even named Dutch Footballer of the Year
this year. However, the possible loss of Luka Modric could have quite an
impact.
Prediction: Could be a close match, but I
reckon Spurs will win.
Sunday 19th August 2012
13:30
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
The
highly rated Eden Hazard should help Chelsea a lot, although the departure of
Didier Drogba could have a negative effect on the team. Wigan have done very
little so far; only one signing has been made, with three players being
sold. In all honestly, it still baffles me that Wigan have managed to stay in
the Premier League since 2005.
Prediction: Chelsea to win.
16:00
Manchester City v Southampton
The reigning champions versus a newly promoted side:
there’s the slight feeling that this could be an easy win for Man City. So far
the club are yet to make a signing, and the two players that have been sold
were both out on loan last season. Southampton haven’t made many signings
either, with only striker Jay Rodriguez being bought into the club, who scored
21 goals for Burnley last season.
Prediction: Man City to
win.
Monday 20th August 2012
20:00
Everton v Manchester United
Everton have made very few changes this season,
with only one signing and two players being sold (both of whom were out on loan
last season). United have signed three players: Shinji Kagawa, and the
youngsters Nick Powell and Sean Goss. All should be able to strengthen United’s
midfield.
Prediction: Man U will
probably pull it out of the bag, just about.
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