1. Are Liverpool or Tottenham ‘the new Tottenham’?
(Tottenham have started off the season in fine form)
PRIOR TO THE start of the Premier League, during pre-season, the ‘new Tottenham’ became a by-word for imminent failure.
The phrase emanates from Spurs’ performance last season. Despite spending exorbitantly on several new players following Gareth Bale’s departure, they still had — by most accounts — a disappointing season.
Liverpool have invariably been accused of being ‘the new Tottenham’ this year. Like Spurs last year, they have sold their best player (Luis Suarez) while bringing in several new and largely expensive players, with many critics expecting them to fail to emulate the last campaign’s achievements this year despite these additions to their squad.
Of course, Spurs were only three points worse off last year without Bale, so the degree of their decline may have been a little exaggerated, nonetheless Liverpool will be hoping to push on from last year rather than regressing.
This weekend, the two sides meet in the Sunday 1.30pm kick-off in what is a key game for both. A loss for Liverpool would exacerbate their disappointing defeat at Manchester City, while Tottenham have started the season superbly, but have flattered to deceive in the past and have yet to meet the kind of top quality side against whom they so often stumbled last season. Hence, the new Tottenham could in fact be similar to the old Tottenham, or ‘the new Tottenham’ if you prefer.
2. All eyes on Di Maria
(Manchester United’s new signing Angel di Maria during a photo call at Old Trafford)
You would expect Manchester United to beat Burnley this weekend, but then the same could be said of their recent fixtures with Swansea, Sunderland and MK Dons — matches that all turned out to be struggles for the Red Devils.
Much of the focus will be on new £59.7million signing Angel Di Maria. The Argentina international is undoubtedly an outstanding talent, having been a regular in the side for the past four seasons, culminating in the Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid in which he was arguably Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s best player.
The 26-year-old may well start at Turf Moor and is expected to add some much-needed pace, dynamism and creativity to Manchester United’s midfield — the former Benfica star had more assists than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues last year (17).
However, whether he is talented enough to rejuvenate Manchester United remains to be seen — there is considerable pressure on Di Maria owing to the size of his price tag while he will inevitably take time to adjust to the notoriously frenetic pace of the Premier League.
Yet in spite of all those factors, United really should be beating a Burnley side that has failed to pick up a point in their two Premier League games thus far this season.
3. Can Everton take that next step?
(James McCarthy is expected to start for Everton this weekend)
Everton came agonisingly close to earning a top-four spot last season, yet there has been a tendency for commentators to speak dismissively about the Toffees going one step further and achieving the feat come the end of this season.
For all the progress they have made since Roberto Martinez took over, they still fail to command the level of respect reserved for the very top sides.
And part of the reason for their ultimate failure last season was their dismal record when playing the best sides — in six matches against last season’s top three, they lost four and won just once.
Incidentally, the one fixture they did win against the top three was a 1-0 victory in their second game of the season against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Repeating the feat this time around is likely to be even more arduous, however, as they face a significantly improved Chelsea outfit — albeit one that may be without star striker Diego Costa, who is currently suffering from a hamstring injury.
Either way, they will need to display more ruthlessness than they showed against Arsenal last week, when they let a 2-0 lead slip in the dying minutes.
4. Will anyone stop Man City at home?
(Sergio Aguero was on target for Man City during the week)
Against Liverpool last Monday, Manchester City looked in imperious form.
The depth of their squad was highlighted by one instant in particular, when Sergio Aguero scored with literally his first touches, after coming on as a substitute, having been set up by a sublime through ball from fellow sub Jesus Navas.
Last season, they dropped points just twice all season at home — against Sunderland and Chelsea — and their performance at the Etihad during the week suggests they are set to carry on in a similarly unstoppable vein this season.
Nevertheless, while Stoke haven’t had the best of starts to the campaign, they did cause City numerous problems on both occasions last year — Mark Hughes’ side claimed a 0-0 draw at home against the eventual champions, while they were beaten by just a single goal in Manchester.
Perhaps Hughes has identified a weakness in City that few others have spotted — should he achieve another positive result this weekend, then this theory will start acquiring considerable credence.
5. How will Arsenal cope without Giroud?
Arsenal have, for years, been regarded as one of the best attacking teams in Europe, however such qualities have hardly been in evidence of late.
The Gunners scored just once over the course of their two Champions League ties against Besiktas and have been similarly uninspired going forward in other games.
They have so far failed to really sparkle with Alexis Sanchez as their primary attacking outlet and it was only after the second-half introduction of Olivier Giroud that they truly began to threaten Everton last week.
Of course, Giroud is now set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a long-term injury, leaving Arsenal conspicuously short up front (both literally and figuratively).
Arsene Wenger’s side generally performed well against the lesser sides last season (in stark contrast with their form against the top teams), but if they fail to score in the opening hour at the King Power Stadium with no mercurial French target man waiting to come off the bench (unless they want to place their faith in the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo), it could be another nerve-racking climax for Gunners fans to endure.
6. Will Jack Grealish start for Villa?
Ireland underage star Jack Grealish has already made two Premier League appearances for Villa as a substitute, including one this season on the opening day away to Stoke.
During the week, he made his first senior start for Villa against Leyton Orient, and despite the Premier League side ultimately somewhat embarrassingly losing 1-0, both Lambert and the Villa fans were full of praise for the youngster after the game.
Obviously, it’s early days for Greaslish and he will hardly need a reminder of the long list of ‘next big things’ that have promptly faded into obscurity with the ink from hype-infused headlines barely dry.
Moreover, starting two games in a row is also a big ask for someone who is far from being the finished article physically given his still-tender years.
But that said, Villa were short of inspiration in their dire 0-0 draw against Newcastle last week, and so Grealish could well be the man to add that extra element of unpredictability to their attack against Hull on Sunday.
Predictions (all games kick-off Saturday 3pm unless stated otherwise)
Burnley 1-2 Man United (Saturday 12.45)
Man City 2-0 Stoke
Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace
QPR 1-1 Sunderland
Swansea 2-1 West Brom
West Ham 2-1 Southampton
Everton 1-2 Chelsea (Saturday 17.30)
Aston Villa 2-2 Hull (Sunday 13.30)
Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool (Sunday 13.30)
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal (Sunday 16.00)
“Arsenal- have been regarded, over the years as one of the best attacking teams in europe.
Seriously…
Seriously? The comment is fair. The philosophy of Wenger has always been very attack minded, some of his teams played exquisite ball. The current batch just need a world class striker to carry on the tradition. And even without one they can still occasionally deliver.
Yes attack minded but not one of the best attacking teams in europe
Unknown have to agree, they have not been that good in the attacking department! Attack minded yes but not achieving end product!!
Moyes going to United and being replaced by Martinez was the best thing to ever happen to Everton in a while. They’ve improved so much since he was put in charge.
Could have the bragging rights in Liverpool next may, hopefully
Don’t like that prediction for Villa. They really need to pick up 3 points, after this game they have last season’s top 5 all in a row. Could quite easily be bottom of the league by the end of October.
Seriously unlucky fixtures for Villa. Hopefully they stay up I have a soft spot for them because my mate supports them. Maybe they can pull off a few shock results (as long as it’s not against Liverpool ;) )
A lot of people seem to have a soft spot for Villa. Not sure if it is the handy guaranteed 6 points or the whole Italia 90 thing with lots of Irish players in the Villa team at the time (my reason for supporting them).
Anyway, hopefully Benteke will be back soon and in time for the Liverpool game, he seems to enjoy that fixture ; )
Great to see someone comin through the ranks. As s villa fan am a bit sick and tired of 2 to 6 million signings promising much but delivering nothing. At least if he doesnt fulfill his massive potential we wont be too much out of pocket. My biggest fear is that he will be all people are hyping him up to be and will be sold for big money which will be invested in another round of 3 million pound players who just aint up to it. At least this year we might have someone to get the holte end out of their seats.
Gareth the Irish team in Italia 90 was Bonner, Morris, McCarthy, Moran, Staunton, Houghton, Townsend, McGrath, Sheedy, Aldridge and Quinn. McGrath was the only Villa player at the time …. dunno what your talking about !!!
Four of those players ended up as Villans, don’t be such a flute!
Sorry football history nerd, the other 3 must have signed soon thereafter. As I said the reason I start supporting them was because of the number of Irish players in the team (it wasn’t because of all the recent trophies they had won), it quite possibly was a couple of years after Italia 90 that I start taking an interest in English football.
Hope that clears that up for you.
There’s a flute here ok, surname Killilea. Ur argument would be equivalent to someone becoming a Spurs fan in 1987 because Gazza, Lineker and Paul Stewart were their heroes. Jes*s wept !!!!!
Gareth – I know who played for Ireland in Italia 90, their clubs at the time and that makes me a nerd. Hmm strange
How long did it take you to google that anyway. Yeah, at least I’ve the balls not to hide behind some stupid name calling out people pretending you know some fact that you actually googled. Good lad, fair play to Ya
Didn’t have to google anything. I remember Italia 90 with great affection and those who played are indelibly affixed in my consciousness
No, not at all, I was wrong, congratulations on knowing which Irish was playing for what club in 1990.
Fair play to u Mr Killilea – all contributors using a pseudonym are demeaned. Sleep easy having the ‘balls’ to use ur real name. A real act of bravery !
Very fond, why are you being a knob to people on here?? No reason for it!
Daithi I reckon ur in conjunction with the other 2. Is ur surname O Sé perhaps?
Spurs beat Southampton home and away last season so no reason they shouldn’t win on Sunday.
Leopold, sneaky, like it, like it alot
Spurs have a great chance of a top 4 finish this year
And then you woke up covered in a cold sweat
Bookies have United at 1000/1 to be relegated. Looks like good value now, worth a fiver.
They’ll have the red carpet out for ya in paddy power Alan and be hoping you leave for than a fiver with them
I’m not that foolish with my money Declan, just winding up the united fans is all. It’s fun to throw in a United are muck comment every now and then and sit back and watch as they lose the plot :)
Especially for you and other Scouse- ham- ton ( all 3 rolled into one ) supporters
Given the way that his team crumbled against League One opposition three nights ago, Van Gaal has is used to proving his critics wrong. Went unbeaten at Ajax through a whole season with a young team full of nobody’s winning the dutch league and champions league . At Barcelona, the club stood tenth after 14 games of the 1998/99 season but ended as champions. With Bayern Munich Van Gaal’s side were seventh after 13 matches but won the Bundesliga. And not two months ago Van Gaal defied a wave of public pessimism to lead the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup™, where they lost on penalties to Argentina.
Bazinga if you make up a clever name (in your head anyway) then there should be no need to explain that name. How is it 3 rolled into 1 could you explain I can only make out a reference to Liverpool and Southampton, where is the 3rd team referenced?
Scouse for obvious reasons, Totten(HAM) Southamp(TON) =
Scousehampton !
Couldn’t agree more Alan , it’s our duty to take the pi$$ and is all in the name of good banter , some are really good at giving it but terrible at taking it on sides ,all good fun but it’s the vile ones who take it to a different level on twitter that spoil it
What a load of tomfoolery!
Liverpool 4
Tottenham 0
Burnley 3
Man U 1
Spurs 3 – 1 Liverpool : Burnley 0 – Man U 2
I wonder who you support
Who do u reckon I support Leopold ?
I was referring to Sean Lee, you nicked in ahead of me with your comment.
Ahhh Motley where have you been hiding ?
Ferguson in the end left man utd with a poor team. He never got rid of poor players like Nani and Anderson. Moyes want given a chance and bought badly. LVG is finally removing and selling the dregs of united’s squad. Unfortunately there are too many dregs in the squad that he inherited
Charles, if David Moyes got the same results as v Gaal in his 3 games do you think you would be so positive?
Charles they were not bad players when they came to the club first , Anderson believe it or not bossed the midfield in a CL final against Chelsea , Nani had more goals and assists in his first two season the Ronaldo did in his first two
How come predictions are always utterly predictable? Put all the top sides as winning unless they face each other – then do a draw and then do all the sides below that a bit random as no one cares anyway. It’s likely at least one of city, arsenal, United or Chelsea will lose but nobody doing predictions will even attempt to predict that. How boring.
Liverham !