English Premier League: 10 Bold Predictions for Week 3
With two weeks in the books and UEFA Champions League group play on the horizon, the English Premier League is well and truly in full swing. Last week saw some heavy 6-0 beatings dished out by Arsenal and Chelsea, and a somewhat more surprising 6-0 hammering of Aston Villa by EPL new boys, Newcastle United.
With a wonder strike by Gareth Bale, Liverpool capitulating, and a surprising Andy Carroll hat trick, Week 2 was very entertaining. Here, we give 10 bold predictions for the Week 3 fixtures.
Gunners to Cease Fire
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Arsenal looked a class apart when tearing Blackpool apart last week. The Gunners played some beautiful football to score six goals, and created enough chances to hit double figures. Theo Walcott restaked his claim for an England place with a stunning hat trick.
Things could look very different this week, Blackburn lost 2-1 at Birmingham last week, but make Ewood Park a very tough place for opponents. The game will be more fragmented than last week, and Arsenal will have to show a steely side to come away with all three points.
Young England hopeful Phil Jones will receive a thorough examination, but should pass it, as Rovers come out with a point. In a not so bold prediction, expect Arsene Wenger to criticize the tactics of Sam Allardyce in the post match interview.
VERDICT: Blackburn Rovers 0 Arsenal 0
Tangerines to Recover From Gunner Wounds
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It has been a truly awful week for newly promoted Blackpool. They will have left Emirates Stadium likely with their heads spinning after chasing shadows for 90 minutes and being shelled 6-0. As if that was not bad enough, they were dumped from the Carling Cup by lower league outfit Milton Keynes Dons.
On the contrary, Fulham earned a point from Manchester United and eased through to the third round of the Carling cup by hammering Port Vale 6-0. This seems an easy Fulham win but things will not be that simple.
This is Blackpool's first Premier League home game and they will be riding a wave of emotion and history. The proud top division history of Blackpool will be in the minds of a passionate home crowd, who will provide a hostile atmosphere. In addition, Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher are dynamic attacking forces, who will give the Cottagers big problems.
VERDICT: Blackpool 1 Fulham 1
Pulis to Face Pressure
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Not long ago, the though of Tony Pulis facing pressure for his job would have been unthinkable. His excellent guidance that earned promotion to the Premier League was followed up with some shrewd transfer activity to help Stoke finish 12th and 11th in consecutive seasons.
However, beneath the surface the signs of trouble can be seen, Pulis assaulted striker James Beattie, then followed that up by falling out with David Kitson and Tuncay Sanli. Just when it seemed Pulis was doing fine with all players who were not strikers, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic reportedly called Pulis not wanting to play in the midweek Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury.
When this is coupled with two seperate dressing room altercations between players, whether the leadership of Pulis is still effective is a legitimate question.
Pulis also appears to have lost his touch in the transfer market. Whereas in 2009 he snapped up James Beattie and Matthew Etherington, this time round he signed Jon Walters from Ipswich, making the bizarre claim that Walters (30 goals in 3 seasons) had been the "outstanding performer in the Championship." The fact striker Walters' goal tally for 3 seasons was almost matched by a number of other players in 1 season was apparently lost on Tony.
After a beating at the hands of rampant Chelsea, the third straight defeat to open the season the fan base could grow restless.
Chelsea are setting records and goals are flying in from all over their field. Their impressive run will continue here as they send a message to other title contenders.
VERDICT: Chelsea 4 Stoke City 0
Wigan To Bounce Back
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Wigan currently stand on the edge of the abyss. Conceding points at a higher rate than their celebrated rugby playing neighbors Wigan Warriors, the Latics return to White Hart Lane where they were demolished 9-1 last season.
This truly is a do or die moment for intelligent coach Roberto Martinez, who will make his players very aware of the urgency required to gain a foothold in their season. While it has not been shown yet, Wigan have some talented players on their squad, and are capable of becoming a dynamic attacking force.
Tottenham experienced euphoria in midweek, as they progressed to the UEFA Champions League group stages for the first time. Harry Redknapp may juggle some players, and they are at risk of slipping up to a desperate Wigan side.
PREDICTION: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Wigan Athletic 2
Wolves To Stay Unbeaten
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Wolverhampton Wanderers are not an EPL team many would associate with a long unbeaten streak. However, they could currently be in the process of building one. They have a tough veteran leader in Mick McCarthy, and are becoming adept at playing to their strengths as a group. With a year's experience in the Premier League survival battle, they will prove too much for the traveling Geordies.
Newcastle rode a wave of emotion to dispatch a fragile Aston Villa 6-0 last week. The vociferous Toon Army crowd played their part in an attacking masterclass. However, road games in the EPL can be very tough affairs, and a defeat here will indicate the roller coaster Newcastle will find themselves on this season.
VERDICT: Wolves 2 Newcastle United 0
Nani To Drop the Hammer
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Nani is a highly talented head case who runs hot and cold. Rather than the consistent excellence of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, Nani is the kind of player who will get a hat trick one week, only to be red carded the next. A player who runs on emotion, Nani is rarely a threat to produce consistently, but rather displays genius in fleeting periods.
Nani enters this week's game against West Ham United with bruised pride, his penalty miss against Fulham proving very costly as United dropped precious points in the title race.
Expect the Portuguese winger to put on a stunning display to win back the Old Trafford faithful, torturing Hammer full backs with quick feet, and notching at least one goal and one assist. That said, he will likely have a nightmare in the following game.
West Ham United are struggling to begin the season, and this third straight defeat could see them t the bottom of the league come Saturday night.
VERDICT: Manchester United 3 West Ham United 1
Davies To Fire Bolton into Top Four
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It may be for a brief period, but a Bolton win could see them climb into the top four this weekend. Spring heeled forward Kevin Davies is playing well but is yet to notch a Premier League goal. He will do so with a brace here.
Birmingham conceded a headed own goal in their first game, and a headed goal to Blackburn last week. Davies is among the best aerial players in the league and will be the difference here.
Birmingham have started well but will struggle to beat Bolton, their inability to hold the Trotters at bay will render their quality attacking play useless.
VERDICT: Bolton Wanderers 2 Birmingham City 1
Torres To Be Shut Down by Baggies
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Fernando Torres, like Wayne Rooney, appears to be a victim of the modern day football culture. With managers and fans lacking any semblance of patience an intense pressure is put on star players to take the field week in and week out.
As a result, star players take the field and battle gamely through injuries, only to break down again due to insufficient recovery. See the performance and subsequent injury of Torres in the World Cup final as a typical scenario.
At his best, Torres is a magnificent specimen and a human highlight reel. This weekend, Torres will be shut down by an average West Brom back line.
The Baggie's achieved their first win last week, but will fall just short with a brave effort here.
VERDICT: Liverpool 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Mancini To Be Dubbed the New Tinkerman
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Claudio Ranieri finished second in the Premier League with Chelsea, but his lasting legacy was criticism for team changes that were perceived to have cost the team points. With a large squad, it will be hard for Roberto Mancini to resist temptation and avoid that kind of criticism this season.
City sent out a message to the entire league with an impressive demolition job on Liverpool on Monday. However, three or four changes could hinder team cohesion and see City slip up at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are yet to win a game, but will likely be far from the relegation zone come May. Barren Bent is a dangerous forward and is surrounded by enough talent to make Sunderland a legitimate threat. They will score and likely get a point from the impressive Manchester City here.
VERDICT: Sunderland 2 Manchester City 2
Everton To Record First Win
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Everton are yet to win an EPL game this season, and face a road trip to Villa Park this weekend. Everton have formed an identity over years of hard work, unity, and team discipline.
They should succeed against a fragile Aston Villa team who have shipped six goals to Newcastle, and three to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League during the last week. Expect Tim Cahill to add to the list of goals conceded by Villa, and celebrate by beating the nearest corner flag like a red headed step child.
Aston Villa are in disarray right now, and it is unlikely to improve until they get their next manager in place. American Bob Bradley is a leading contender for what will be a tough task to match the achievements of Martin O'Neill.
VERDICT: Aston Villa 0 Everton 3
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