Premier League – Round 2 – A Devil patched up
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Many of the big clubs slipped up on the first matchday, getting held to more or less undeserved draws. The exception were the Manchester clubs which both recorded victories. The two face tougher opposition in the upcoming round. Will they be sharp enough once again to keep the ball rolling?
Sunderland – Newcastle
The Black cats had a very difficult start at Anfield but they did take some advantage from Liverpool’s makeshift line-up. They did need some luck to hold the home side to a 1-1 draw but all in all they behaved themselves well. New boys Larsson and Gardner looked like very good additions with the former scoring the equalizer.
Their rivals Newcastle were also up against a top club. Arsenal were the visitors and in fact they did play better, deserving the victory were it not for resilience from Pardew’s men. The manager, still unloved by the fans, had to fall back on the services of controversial player Barton. His determination helped the team get inspired to resist the Gunners’ potential.
Traditionally the Magpies have the better of Sunderland. They treated them to a 5-1 thrashing last year. Even at the Stadium of Light the story has not been much brighter. In the last nine games the record is 1-4-4, in favour of Newcastle. This can be the right time to take advantage of Newcastle’ club turmoil.
Verdict: Sunderland 0:0
At the start of this campaign Sunderland’s ideas seem to be clearer than those of Newcastle.
Arsenal – Liverpool
Before coming face to face with Swansea in September Wenger will have to prepare his troops for a tough run in of games. Apart from the Udinese challenge they will meet Liverpool and Manchester United in August.
Luis Suarez and Adam were the major danger for the Reds against Sunderland. Downing, another new face at Anfield, proved he is worth every penny spent as well although he did tire out somewhat more easily in the second half. All three will be valuable assets for the club, especially until Gerrard recovers from his long term injury, now afflicting him for months.
The Gunners are coming from a midweek clash against Udinese to guarantee participation to the next edition of the Champions League. They have failed to make that a certainty though, winning by just one goal at the Emirates Stadium and allowing Udinese to play quite well in the second half. The biggest chances were for the Italians and Arsenal were left thanking their lucky star for having watched over them and gifted them an early goal that caught the visitors out cold in the initial minutes.
Usually Liverpool don’t fare well against Arsenal. They last won a Premier League against Arsenal three years ago and it was at Anfield. They may try to take advantage of the Gunners’ hectic schedule at present although they themselves still need to find their feet with the new formation.
Djourou got injured in midweek but Nasri and van Persie, both suspended for the Champions League clash along with manager Wenger, will be back in the starting line-up.
Verdict: Liverpool +0.25
These are not the best of times for Arsenal and they can slip up against a team which has more credentials to the title this season.
Norwich – Stoke City
The most impressive of the newcomers to this year’s Premier League was Norwich. They travelled to Wigan and made themselves dangerous with Holt’s presence in the box and his supporting midfield sharpened spears in manager Lambert’s weapons arsenal. Wigan had to rely on a fantastic display from Moses to push Norwich back inside their shells at times.
Stoke City had a tough game when they hosted Chelsea. The initiative was never theirs and in fact they refused to play from early on, preferring to try their luck from set pieces and take advantage of their physical presence. Etherington and Delap got injured in that match against Chelsea as well, further tightening the resources at Pulis’ disposal as he takes on the double encounter with Thun for a place in this season’s Europa League.
Verdict: 1
Norwich showed themselves determined to prove their worth in this division. Home advantage will this time be their ally as they welcome a sturdy albeit distracted Stoke City side.
Manchester United – Tottenham
The Red Devils would have been expected to do better in their opener against West Bromwich. In the end they still won though and new signing Ashley Young was a t the centre of attention, supplying an assist and scoring another with some luck.
United’s weakened form away from home persisted so Ferguson should seek to target that before becoming a real problem and cost them valuable points. At home, however, they are expected to be as sturdy as ever, especially against a team like Tottenham which never managed to really get to grips with Old Trafford.
The trouble is that three-quarters of the United defence supposed to start the match is sidelined with lengthy layoffs affecting Rafael, Vidic and Ferdinand. Evra, the final component of Ferguson’s preferred back four has just come from an injury sustained against Manchester City in the Community Shield match. He is therefore not fully fit either.
Phil Jones will come in handy but Ferguson will need to fall back on Evans as a central defender. Smalling should fill in at right-back although he has not been doing very well there. Rafael’s twin brother Fabio may be used there with Evra on the left.
Verdict: Over 2.5
Tottenham will come to this match from the midweek Europa League qualifier derby against Hearts. Ferguson will want to make it six points from two games. History favours them. Nonetheless the new-look defence can be a problem for the home team, which can allow goals to a team which is good at attacking but less so in defending.
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18.08.2011, 16:27 CET
Wilshere is confirmed out for the next two games - Liverpool and Udinese. He is likely to miss the one after as well against Manchester United.