English Premier League Round 1 (16/08 - 17/08)

Arsenal v WBA
Bolton v Stoke City
Everton v Blackburn
Hull City v Fulham
Middlesbrough v Tottenham
West Ham United v Wigan Athletic
Sunderland v Liverpool
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Manchester United v Newcastle United


Saturday, August 16
12:45
Arsenal v West Bromwich A.
Arsenal
In: Samir Nasri, Carlos Vela, Aaron Ramsey.
Out: Cesc Fabregas, Phillipe Senderos, Thomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Amaury Bischoff, Eduardo, Alex Song (Olympics).
West Brom
In: Scott Carson, Abdoullah Meite, Marek Cech, Graeme Dorrans.
Out: Neil Clement, Luke Moore, Robert Koren, Filipe Teixeira, Gianni Zuiverloon (Olympics).

Summary: The Gunners face a minor injury crisis for the Premiership opener against promoted West Brom. The midfield seems to be the area most effected with Fabregas and Rosicky out injured. Add to this the off-season departures of Hleb and Flamini - Wenger has a minor headache to deal with. West Brom have some problems of their own with new signing Luke Moore and experienced defender Neil Clement missing with their respectable knocks.

Previous encounters:
Oct 24, 2006 League Cup West Brom 0 - 2 Arsenal
Apr 15, 2006 Premiership Arsenal FC 3 - 1 West Brom
Oct 15, 2005 Premiership West Brom 2 - 1 Arsenal
May 2, 2005 Premiership West Brom 0 - 2 Arsenal
Nov 20, 2004 Premiership Arsenal FC 1 - 1 West Brom
Dec 26, 2002 Premiership West Brom 1 - 2 Arsenal
Aug 27, 2002 Premiership Arsenal FC 5 - 2 West Brom

Footy Analysis predicts that Arsenal will have too much firepower for their newly promoted counterparts, but it will not be easy. West Brom are probably the strongest of the promoted teams and will defend for their lives and try and catch the Gunners on the break. New Arsenal players, Vela and Nasri have integrated well with their new team mates and should prove able replacements for those absent.

Pick Arsenal to WIN.
Arsenal win 1-0

Bolton W. v Stoke C.
Bolton
In: Johan Elmander, Danny Shittu, Fabrice Muamba.
Out: Heidar Helguson
Stoke City
In: Dave Kitson, Seyi Olofinjana, Thomas Sorensen, Abdoulaye Faye.
Out: Ricardo Fuller (doubtful), Liam Lawrence (doubtful).

Summary:

Previous encounters: Irrelevant (last played 11 years ago).

Footy Analysis predicts - No prediction

Everton v Blackburn R.
Everton
In: Dan Gosling, Jose Baxter, Jack Rodwell, Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Out: Steven Pienaar, Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert, James Vaughan, Andy Van der Mayde, Victor Anichebe (Olympics).
Blackburn
In: Paul Robinson, Danny Simpson.
Out: Villanueva (doubtful)

Summary: The new season is upon us and Everton manager David Moyes must make do with the squad that served him so well in the last campaign, minus Andy Johnson. Moyes has had no choice but to give youth a go in pre-season and we may just well see a star of the future today for the men in blue. In comparison, Blackburn have been extremely fortunate with injuries, the only worry been new man Villanueva who is doubtful with a bout of chicken pox. Everton's main problem here is going forward and creating enough opportunities to win games easily. With the absence of Vaughan, Anichebe, Cahill, and Pienaar, all the responsibility will fall on the broad shoulders of Yakubu and Arteta.

Previous encounters:

Feb 2, 2008 Premiership Blackburn 0 - 0 Everton
Aug 25, 2007 Premiership Everton 1 - 1 Blackburn
Feb 10, 2007 Premiership Everton 1 - 0 Blackburn
Jan 7, 2007 FA Cup Everton 1 - 4 Blackburn
Aug 23, 2006 Premiership 1 - 1 Everton
Feb 11, 2006 Premiership Everton 1 - 0 Blackburn
Dec 3, 2005 Premiership Blackburn 0 - 2 Everton

Footy Analysis predicts that a tough encounter is in prospect between two teams that play a similar style of game. Blackburn will struggle to create many chances (especially with the departure of Bentley in pre-season) and Everton will do likewise with the absentees mentioned above. Everton are very organised in defence and as a consequence, don't concede many at Goodison Park.

Pick: UNDER 2.5 goals.
Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn

Hull C. v Fulham
Hull City
In: Marlon King, Peter Halmosi, George Boateng, Anthony Gardner, Bernard Mendy, Geovanni.
Out: Heidar Helguson
Fulham
In: Mark Schwarzer, Pascal Zuberbuhler, David Stockdale, John Pantsil, Fredrik Stoor, Andranik Teymourian, Zoltan Gera, Bobby Zamora
Out: Andrew Johnson, Diomansy Kamara.

Summary:

Previous encounters: Irrelevant (last played 11 years ago).

Footy Analysis predicts - No prediction

Middlesbrough v Tottenham H.
Middlesbrough
In: Gary O'Neil, Didier Digard, Marvin Emnes.
Out: Julio Arca, Chris Riggott
Tottenham
In: Luka Modric, Giovani Dos Santos, John Bostock, David Bentley, Heurelho Gomes
Out: Alan Hutton

Summary:

Previous encounters:
Apr 12, 2008 Premiership Tottenham 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Nov 3, 2007 Premiership Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Tottenham
Sep 26, 2007 League Cup Tottenham 2 - 0 Middlesbrough
Apr 28, 2007 Premiership Middlesbrough 2 - 3 Tottenham
Dec 5, 2006 Premiership Tottenham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough
Dec 18, 2005 Premiership Middlesbrough 3 - 3 Tottenham
Aug 20, 2005 Premiership Tottenham 2 - 0 Middlesbrough

Footy Analysis predicts - No prediction

West Ham U. v Wigan Athletic (Written by Footyanalysis_TT)
West Ham
In: Valon Behrami, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Jan Lastuvka, Balint Bajner.
Out: Anton Ferdinand (doubtful), Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector, George McCartney, Danny Gabbidon, James Tompkins, James Collins.
Wigan
In: Danier De Ridder, Oliver Kapo, Amr Zaki, Lee Cattermole.
Out: Paul Scharner (doubtful), Ryan Taylor (doubtful), Erik Edman.

Summary: The Hammers might be favourites to take the three points at Upton Park on opening day of the 2008-09 EPL campaign but the Latics are definitely primed to spoil the party. With a strong finish to the 2007-08 seasons, Wigan will travel to Upton Park today with superior confidence especially knowing that the Hammers have already been struck with injuries to ex- Newcastle pair Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer.
Despite West Ham's intense pre season campaign ensuring all their players are fit and healthy for a flying start to the season, Alan Curbishley has been dealt this early blow of injuries before the starting whistle of game 1. Further doubt to a start by defender Anton Ferdinanad due to a hamstring injury he picked up during a pre-season friendly at Ipswich Town will certainly cause some headaches for Curbs as he begins the season as the bookies favourite to be the first managerial casualty of 2008-09.
Steve Bruce, beginning his first full season in charge at Wigan has however also got some minor injury concerns heading into the opener. Chris Kirkland (back), Emile Heskey (groin) and Jason Koumas (knee) all suffer from slight pre-season ailments however they should all be passed fit.

Previous encounters:
Feb 2, 2008 Premiership Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 West Ham United
Aug 25, 2007 Premiership West Ham United 1 - 1 Wigan Athletic
Apr 28, 2007 Premiership Wigan Athletic 0 - 3 West Ham United
Dec 6, 2006 Premiership West Ham United 0 - 2 Wigan Athletic
Mar 25, 2006 Premiership Wigan Athletic 1 - 2 West Ham United
Dec 28, 2005 Premiership West Ham United 0 - 2 Wigan Athletic
Apr 2, 2005 Championship Wigan Athletic 1 - 2 West Ham United

Footy Analysis predicts that both teams will cancel each other out here, despite some handy inclusions by both managers. Bruce has added tenacious young Boro midfielder Lee Cattermole to his squad this season in addition to the French midfield star from his Birmingham days Olivier Kapo and Egyptian Amr Zaki who should all bolster the Lactics squad.
West Ham's main arrival this season, Kosovar-Swiss, Velon Behrami, acquired for £5 million from Serie A team Lazio should help Curbishley in the midfield where his main issues remain. Behrami was in the starting eleven of Switzerland for all three matches during the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship playing a total of 272 minutes which should ensure he is match fit and ready to make an impact in his EPL debut.

Pick: Draw (maybe 1-1)
West Ham Utd 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic

17:30
Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland
In: El-Hadji Diouf, Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tiano, Pascal Chimbonda.
Out: Kenwyne Jones, Dwight Yorke, Paul McShane.
Liverpool
In: Robbie Keane, Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Diego Cavalieri, David Ngog.
Out: Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun.

Summary: Liverpool were sub-par in their midweek Champions League encounter against Standard Liege after fortunately coming away with a 0-0 draw. Pepe Reina was called upon on numerous occasions to save his team which included a penalty stop and a miraculous clearance off his own goal line. Sunderland manager Robbie Keane, has invested heavily this summer and his team will be a different proposition this campaign. Their main worry for the first few months is the absence of key marksman, Kenwyne Jones.

Previous encounters:
Feb 2, 2008 Premiership Liverpool 3 - 0 Sunderland
Aug 25, 2007 Premiership Sunderland 0 - 2 Liverpool
Nov 30, 2005 Premiership Sunderland 0 - 2 Liverpool
Aug 20, 2005 Premiership Liverpool 1 - 0 Sunderland
Dec 15, 2002 Premiership Sunderland 2 - 1 Liverpool
Nov 17, 2002 Premiership Liverpool 0 - 0 Sunderland
Apr 13, 2002 Premiership Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool

Footy Analysis predicts that Sunderland will be a tough team to break down, especially at the Stadium of Light. With the Keane and Torres combination still at its adolescent stage, Sunderland may just surprise the Reds from Merseyside.

Pick: Asian Hcp Sunderland +1.0 goal
Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool

Sunday, August 17
13:30
Chelsea v Portsmouth

15:00
Aston Villa v Manchester C.

16:00
Manchester U. v Newcastle U.