PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW;

JOSE VS PEP, CHELSEA SEEK TOP SPOT, ANFIELD WELCOMES KOP, MOYES FACES TOFFEES....

 

The English Premier League returns after the interruption of the international break much to our delight. Manchester United’s boss Jose Mourinho has already lamented at the disruption it might have caused especially as his side went in with an 100% start to the new campaign. We too are glad to see its return especially with the titanic clashes in the offing  this weekend.

The much anticipated 'classico' of English football, talking of the Mancunian derby is upon us. More intriguingly, we shall see another cold tactical battle between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. It promises much. Chelsea on Sunday would be hoping to capitalize on any slip ups when they visit the Liberty Stadium. Antonio Conte’s men also hold a 100% record start to the season and would be out to continue. Liverpool would play their first match at Anfield this season when they welcome champions Leicester in Saturday’s late kick off. The stadium had been undergoing some reconstruction and is now available for football again.  David Moyes, now at Sunderland would welcome former side, Everton, a club he served for 11 long years , to the Stadium of Light. The Scot would be seeking his first victory of the season. Among others, Arsenal would host Southampton while Tottenham  would  visit the Bet365 Stadium.

 I give my thoughts below on the important matches;

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY

VENUE;  Old Trafford.  TIME; 12:30pm.  DATE; Saturday 10 September, 2016.

The 172^nd Mancunian derby would be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday with plenty of sub- plots. It would see two great and famous managers cross swords and renew their interesting rilvary. Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have both come along way from their days at Barcelona to the era of Mourinho’s  management of Real Madrid against the Catalan’s Barca side. The memories of those heated 'classico' clashes cannot be forgotten. We shall see the new level of that rivalry when two eternal rivals in Manchester battle for glory once more.

This match carries much weight for both clubs’, fans and managers. The two sides have enjoyed a flawless start to the new campaign as both managers have settled in and are successfully getting their ideas across. Definitely, one of the sides must have that record tampered with at the end of the day.  On the balance, I would not see much difference between both sides at this early stage of the campaign.

However, I would look at Manchester United as slim favourites. The man in charge, that is the 'Special One', has an imperious home record in the Premier league. His record against Guardiola may not make for good reading but, he has a star studded squad to unleash on City who are without Sergio Aguero after he was suspended. It is a huge loss for City. They have a lot of stars but that could be a defining point. Also , how John Stones copes with the towering  Zlatan would also affect proceedings. From here, I see a tight game but I think the Red devils would edge it. 

prediction; Manutd 2-1 Mancity.

LIVERPOOL VS LEICESTER CITY

VENUE; Anfield.  TIME; 5:30pm.  DATE; Saturday 10 September, 2016.

Jurgen Klopp would lead Liverpool out for their first match at Anfield  this season with the stadium haven been completed. The Koptites would battle with Claudio Ranieri's men and would be seeking some consistency. The reds are without a win since the opening day thriller at the Emirates and would be out to open up their home ground with a win over the champions. Last season, the corresponding fixture ended 1-0 to Liverpool as the reds enjoyed a rival under Klopp last December.

It is an important fixture for both teams which are looking to be involved in the title race. Leicester City has not had the best of starts to their title defence after an opening day loss at newly promoted Hull. However, they would be buoyed by their home 2-1 win over Swansea City before the international break. Jamie Vardy was on target in that match and would be of utmost importance to the Foxes ambitions. Ranieri oversaw a smart summer window and I think they would be competitive.

This should be a draw . Liverpool do struggle against teams that prefer to sit back and strike on the counter. Leicester have all the pace about them in attack and would cause trouble. The reds struggled to break Burnley down and would have such a test here. I however think with the home support, Liverpool would get something.

prediction; Liverpool 2-2 Leicester.

ARSENAL VS SOUTHAMPTON.

VENUE; Emirates Stadium. TIME; 3pm.  DATE; Saturday 10 September, 2016.

The gunners host the Saints in a very important affair for both sides. It is not the kind of start many would have wanted for Arsenal but, they look set to get their title charge underway. It must be said that Arsene Wenger finally made some moves we have all been calling for .  The quality may be another talk but, atleast he has covered the key areas.

I expect a win for Arsenal on Saturday and a comfortable one at that. Southampton are struggling at the moment. They have lost key players once more this summer and Claude Puel is not yet settled. I think it would be a tough afternoon for the Saints.

prediction; Arsenal 2-0 Southampton.

STOKE CITY VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS.

VENUE; Bet 365 Stadium. TIME; 3pm. DATE; Saturday 10 September, 2016.

Stoke City face another tough task hosting the Spurs. The Britannia outfit have been a caricature in their opening three games and sit bottom of the log. Pressure would be knocking at Mark Hughes' door if Stoke do not get something here. 

Mauricio Pochettino would see this match as a must win for his side which has not been spectacular either. The north londoners would be out to keep their title charge in good stead as they are already four points behind. They seem to have gotten over their painful league loss to Leicester and are looking to go again. Captain Hugo Lloris is back in goal and new signings have come in. Pochettino however has to look at Harry Kane who has been cold since the ill fated Euros with England.  

The signing of Wilfried Bony from City would give them alot of variations upfront as Mark Hughes seek quick improvements.

prediction; Stoke 1-1 Tottenham

SWANSEA CITY VS CHELSEA.

VENUE; Liberty Stadium. TIME; 4pm. DATE; Sunday 11 September, 2016.

The blues would go to the Liberty Stadium with full knowledge of what transpired between the two Manchester clubs. Antonio Conte would be out for his side to continue their perfect start to the season with a win over a struggling Swansea side. The blues made waves in mid-week with the return of David Luiz but it remains to be seen how Conte would shuffle his pack.

Francisco Guidolin would be seeking a good result against the blues. His side have tumbled down since their opening day win at Turf Moor and would like to have something. Their business in the window was largely uninspiring and are a far cry from Chelsea's quality.  The blues romped to a 3-0 win over Burnley but Guidolin would make it tight and difficult.

prediction; Swansea 1-2 Chelsea.

These are my thoughts . Do drop your own prediction especially on the Mancunian derby. Who would carry the day? Pep or Mou?  Hit me on coacheasy2015@gmail.com facebook@Israel Ojeagbase.