Weekend Preview

Calling all YTM managers - get ready for an action-packed weekend with some explosive games set to take place.

 Yes, that’s right… it’s the one you’ve all been waiting for….  Fulham vs Middlesbrough!

… plus the small matter of the Manchester derby and Liverpool vs Chelsea.

Who’d have thought that after the first week of the season, Man City and Everton would be dreaming of the title with big spenders Tottenham languishing at the bottom of the pile?

Who’d have thought that David Healy, Michael Chopra and Antoine Sibierski would be fighting out the battle to be labelled as the Premiership’s top marksman?

Football, as ever, remains incredibly unpredictable.

 This weekend has the potential to follow suit. Here’s the previews…

SATURDAY

Portsmouth v Bolton

Bolton’s woeful start to the season looks set to continue against a formidable Portsmouth side. Perhaps unlucky not to win at Derby on the opening weekend, Pompey showed they can mix it with the best with a hard fought draw against champions Man Utd in midweek, and that should be good enough form to edge past Sammy Lee’s struggling side. There won’t be much in it, but Portsmouth are favoured to grind out their first win of the campaign.

Prediction: Portsmouth 2-1 Bolton

Birmingham v West Ham

Birmingham played with a real spirit and determination against Chelsea on Sunday, taking Mourinho’s men by surprise with their direct approach. They were desperately unlucky in midweek too, when Sunderland’s last-gasp equaliser was somehow allowed by the referee, who managed to completely miss Blues keeper Colin Doyle being pinned to the floor - WWE style - by a Sunderland attacker. West Ham have looked disjointed so far, but this is an easier task than Man City.

Prediction: Birmingham 1-1 West Ham

Tottenham v Derby

I looked at Derby’s team sheet against Man City on Wednesday, and thought it wouldn’t look out of place in League 1. I am almost convinced they will be the worst side in Premiership history. Tottenham have had a lucky stroke by managing to draw them this week, after a terrible opening to their campaign. I also think the £16million spent on Darren Bent will be the worst money spent this year. But, comparing it to Derby’s major pre-season signing, the mighty Andy Todd, it’s hard not to favour Martin Jol’s men to gain some belated points.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Derby

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Big Sam looks to have got a real tune out of the Magpies, and they can continue their progression by beating Villa at St. James’s Park. I was expecting big things from Villa this year, but with some moderate signings and a tame performance against Liverpool last weekend, they are easily passed over compared to the Toon army. Obefemi Martins will be looking to race into a YTM points lead, with a good chance to add to his current tally of 10 (4th best striker).

Prediction: Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa

Wigan v Sunderland

If pets are supposed to resemble their owners, the same must be said about football teams becoming like their managers.  I am, of course, referring to Sunderland. It should come as no surprise that their attitude has been as ferocious as a Roy Keane tackle - bagging goals in the last minute of both their games so far. McShane and Nosworthy look a solid pairing at the back, and with the ability to nick goals up front, Sunderland have a potent mix of grit, organisation and a superb backing from a set of fans who would cheer them through almost anything. Well, apart from when they were the worst Premiership team of all time a few seasons back. Anyway, I reckon they’ll put a typically sturdy display up at the JJB, and continue their fantastic start.

Prediction: Wigan 0-1 Sunderland

Fulham v Middlesbrough

Big spenders Fulham should edge past Gareth Southgate’s charges, who were disappointingly quiet in the pre-season transfer market. The latest addition to the YTM player list and new signing Mido should help them, but one gets the feeling that Boro are destined for a bottom five finish this year. Fulham are solid if not spectacular, and in what will probably be a drab affair, they can take the points.

Prediction: Fulham 1-0 Middlesbrough

Reading v Everton 

Everton have been mightily impressive to date, scoring some important wins at struggling Spurs and against Wigan. However, this will be another tough test and it’s got a draw written all over it. These are two good sides, who will both fancy a top ten finish in May. Everton currently have the joint-best player in the league (according to YTM points) in Leon Osman, and he looks a real bargain at just £5million. But Reading will be an almighty nut to crack.

Prediction: Reading 2-2 Everton

SUNDAY 

Man City v Man Utd

Sven-Goran Eriksson - genius. We may have hated him as England produced a countless number of negative performances during his reign, but he has conjured up a very good side representing the blue half of Manc-land. You can just see Sven, sitting down with some of the club’s biggest fans - Liam, Noel and Ricky Hatton - like peas in a pod. Fergie’s men have had a shocking start by their standards, and how about this for a YTM stat - The missing Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are present in 28,846 and 14,517 YTM teams respectively. Over 40,000 managers are ruing Cristiano’s head nudge (try telling a Mancunian that was a headbutt) and the curse of the metatarsal that has recurred over Wayne.

On Sunday, if United lose, they will be staring at a deficit that will be hard to overcome - even at this stage of the season. Sven - whose club record is second to none - might just stick one over his Scottish counterpart.

Prediction: Man City 3-2 Man Utd

Liverpool v Chelsea 

Liverpool looked like title challengers for about 89 minutes of their opener at Villa. Apart from a comical double-handball from Jamie Carragher, it was a complete performance. They are in a stronger position to challenge for the Premiership than ever before, and Rafa will be keen to underline that fact against perhaps their biggest rivals. Chelsea have been clever in pre-season, shielding attention away from Stamford Bridge - and have made a predictably positive start - winning two from two. They will have to show championship spirit to win at fortress Anfield, though, and whether they will have that without John Terry remains to be seen. Liverpool, on the otherhand, have their heartbeat in Steven Gerrard fit and ready - even with a hairline fracture to his toe - and he can guide the Reds to a famous and significant victory.

 Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea

Blackburn v Arsenal

If there will be a shock this weekend, aside from Eastlands, it will come at Ewood Park. Blackburn are the perfect side to combat Arsenal - and I use that word specifically. Wenger’s men tend to shy away from physicality - and that’s exactly what will be shoved in their face when they travel to Lancashire. Blackburn are a very good side and I fancy them to challenge for a top six spot this year. Their intimidating presence, along with the class of Roque “Rocky” Santa Cruz, will provide a stern test to the Gunners.

Prediction: Blackburn 2-0 Arsenal

YTM is really getting into gear, and the first set of ’showdown’ matches this weekend will doubtlessly shuffle the leaderboard on Monday morning - currently headed by Mr J Sparrow with an all conquering 84 points. Will Sparrow be singing next week?

Tune in here to find out…

 Matt H @ YTM