Premier League Preview 18/01
The qualifying round for the YTM Cup is over, and the boys have been separated from the men. This weekend will see a further 32,768 crashing out of the contest - the largest number of managers to be knocked out. Will you be part of that statistic? Or will you soldier on to round 2 to fight another week? Pay attention to the following preview, and who knows, the blog may aid in your success!
Here we go…
Saturday 19th 15:00 start unless otherwise stated
Birmingham v Chelsea
This game’s all about one man. Nicolas Anelka signed for Chelsea in a £15million deal last week, to become (cumulatively) the world’s most expensive player of all time. He came on and impressed for 20 minutes or so against Everton but, flanked by Florent Malouda, Joe Cole and Sean Wright-Phillips, is guaranteed his first start on Saturday. Birmingham, armed with new signings of their own in James McFadden and David Murphy, won’t lie down easily but the momentum lies with Chelsea.
YTM Player to Watch: Nicolas Anelka… Prediction: Birmingham 1 - 3 Chelsea
With Mark Hughes’ future at the club assured - for the time being, at least - a relieved Blackburn side should despatch Boro’ with relative ease. They were more than deserving of their derby win at Bolton last weekend - with Jason Roberts in particular playing the sharp shooter to Benni McCarthy’s lame donkey. He could get a start on Saturday. Frustratingly for Gareth Southgate and Middlesbrough, Jonathan Woodgate, Emmanuel Pogatetz and Ahmed Mido all returned to training this week, but none of them are likely to be ready in time for the trip to Ewood Park.
YTM Player to Watch: Jason Roberts… Prediction: Blackburn 2 - 1 Middlesbrough
After an incredibly disappointing fantasy turnout against Birmingham last time out, YTM managers will be looking for a helping hand from Arsenal this weekend. There’s no hiding from their wonderful run of fixtures, on paper at any rate. But severe depletion at the back evens things out pretty well. Philippe Senderos, in particular, has a habit of forcing everyone watching him to take a sharp intake of breath at regular intervals. Fulham have spent big in the transfer window on the likes of Marlon King and will be hoping that cult hero Jimmy Bullard can make his first appearance in 18 months or so. Unfortunately, the chances of them overturning Arsenal are akin to Kevin Keegan being fantastically reinstated as Newcastle boss…oh, hang on…
YTM Player to Watch: Marlon King… Prediction: Fulham 0 - 2 Arsenal
Is Kevin Keegan’s appointment (as mentioned above) a wonderful masterstroke, or an unmitigated disaster. It’s impossible to tell but, one thing’s for sure, the wild furore surrounding his return to Tyneside has already prompted wild speculation about a return to attractive, winning football. Unfortunately, the team’s riddled with talentless personnel and missing a host of defensive midfielders this weekend. Bolton have lost Anelka, their talisman, but have bought heavily in the transfer window and aren’t in a bad vein of form. Not so easy for the Magpies, one feels.
YTM Player to Watch: James Milner… Prediction: Newcastle 1 - 1 Bolton
Both teams are running off a loss from last week, but if history is anything to go by, then it should be a stroll in the park for Portsmouth, even though they were dealt a large blow by the African Cup of Nations, I cannot see Derby putting up much of a challenge away from home. Due to Zimbabwe’s poor performance in ACN qualifying, Benjani (£4m) remains in the Pompey lineup. Expect fireworks.
YTM Player to watch: Benjani… Prediction: Portsmouth 3 - 0 Derby
Manchester United are flying high after their 6-0 drubbing at Newcastle, and now they move on to a fragile Reading. United do not have a date with any of the other “big four” until the 22nd of March, and they will be looking for some strong results to gain a lead in the race for the title. United will be looking for revenge against Reading after being held 0-0 in their first game of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo (139 pts) is unstopabble at the moment, and is 40 points clear of next best, Steven Gerrard. He is a must if you want to go far in the Cup.
YTM Player to watch: Carlos Tevez (and his dummy)… Prediction: Reading 1 - 4 Manchester United
This will be a good game, both teams are making a fight of it in the second half of the season. Kieran Richardson (£3m) announced his return from injury with a brace last week, but it could have been the power of the Stadium of Light that contributed to his performance. Berbatov (87pts) has decided to stay at Spurs for the remainder of the season, but there have been no promises that he won’t still sulk. I would avoid players from these teams, this will not be a high scoring game.
YTM Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov… Prediction: Tottenham 1 - 0 Sunderland
Sunday, 20 January
Wigan started off the season really brightly, and many people brought Sibierski into their teams as a knee jerk transfer. The midfielder/striker may have scored last week to possibly rekindle some hopes of past glory, but then it must be noted that it was against Derby. Everton have one of the best defences in the game, with the towering Lescott (80pts) chipping in with goals and clean sheets. This game should be a fore gone conclusion before it has started.
YTM Player to watch: Andy Johnson… Prediction: Wigan 0 - 2 Everton
It is the second time these teams have met this week. Manchester City took a dull game on Wednesday by a single goal. Elano scored on that occasion, the midfield pairing of Elano and Martin Petrov have accounted for nine of City’s goals this season. West Ham have one of the biggest bargains in defence in George McCartney (£2m) but will have a tough time keeping out Man City’s midfield and an even tougher time with Liverpool next weekend. City on the other hand have one of the best home records of the season and are playing Derby next weekend.
YTM Player to watch: Matthew Etherington… Prediction: Man City 1 - 1 West Ham
Monday, 21 January 2008
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)
It’s always a crunch game between these two teams, although if I were a betting man, I know who I would have my money on. Villa and Liverpool are both currently on 39 points for the season, and it is only the goal difference that separates the teams. This will be a fast paced game in which both defences will be tested. Due to contractual regulations Scott Carson will not be able to fulfill his position between the sticks for Villa, which means it will either be the young Stuart Taylor, or the unexpected return of veteran Sorensen to try and see out the Reds attacks
YTM Player to watch: Steven Gerrard… Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 1 Aston Villa
If you liked that post, then try these...
Fantasy Football Poll - Robinho to be top dog in September... by Dave @ YTM on September 26th, 2008
The Carling Cup by Dan @ YTM on September 23rd, 2008
Joey Barton: Can he be a good Fantasy Football player? by Dan @ YTM on July 28th, 2008
Tags (click to view more!): Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, Joe Cole, Sean Wright-Phillips, James McFadden, David Murphy, Mark Hughes, Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy, Gareth Southgate, Jonathan Woodgate, Emmanuel Pogatetz, Ahmed Mido, Philippe Senderos, Marlon King, Jimmy Bullard, Kevin Keegan, James Milner, Benjani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Carlos Tevez, Kieran Richardson, Dimitar Berbatov, Sibierski, Lescott, Andy Johnson, Elano, Martin Petrov, George McCartney, Matthew Etherington, Scott Carson, Stuart Taylor, Sorensen
Posted by Chris @ YTM |
