The Premier League begins this evening, with Man Utd and Leicester. In coming eletters, I’ll be looking solely at the Premier League for you. If you want my views on elite European leagues, then access my research at www.drt.club.
Onto today’s match: United have three wins and a 2-2 vs Leicester, and have not really spent in the transfer window.
The big addition for Leicester is Claude Puel as manager. That may engender some change to the side, positive (as with Hodgson at Palace), or negative (as with Pardew at West Brom). There is always an element of the unknown about new-managed teams.
Leicester have lost Mahrez and bought two Portugeuse players; Man Utd have signed Fred; 4-1 and 2-0 last year at home for United should be replicated this evening – 2-0, 2-1 or any other home score appeals to me.
On Saturday, Newcastle play Tottenham, who won via two tight matches last season. A feeling the superior Tottenham strike-force will be the eventual difference.
Watch out for the Geordies. At home last season, they beat 2nd, 5th, 6th, at home and drew with 4th and 7th. Impressive indeed. What chance we back 0-0 pre-match as Benitez parks the bus? I tend to cash out if 0-0 by halftime.
Onto Bournemouth: only one loss at home outside of the top eight suggests they may cope with newcomers Cardiff. But, as ever with newly promoted sides, Cardiff are an unknown quantity.
Fulham and Palace is a local derby. Palace had a couple of 0-0s vs newly promoted sides last year. Same again today? It’s a messy match. London derby, newly promoted Fulham. Palace did not lose an away match vs teams below them in the league (11th last season). Enough to side with Woy here? And what about those 0-0s vs newly promoted sides last season. A cautious symptom?
Chelsea’s 100% win record vs the bottom six last season should see them win a tight match vs Huddersfield tomorrow. Huddersfield ended 4 points shy of relegation last season. Five home losses vs the top six last season. Huddersfield should simply be outclassed… eventually. Huddersfield had problems even scoring vs the top six last season. You might want to chance a 0-2, 0-3 (and 1-2 in case they score) in Chelsea’s favour? New manager for Chelsea, though, could engender big tactical changes?
Brighton and Watford – 0-0 and 1-0 to Brighton last time they met Watford, who lose Richarlison. Only two away wins for Brighton. I would lay Brighton if they lead in this match.
The mighty Wolves meet Everton, who have done well in the transfer market. Another element of the unknown with the Wolves in the top flight. Only three away wins last season for Everton, two were vs newly promoted sides. They need to improve vastly away from home, but have bought well and could cope with Wolves in their opener.
Liverpool play on Sunday and have been scoring for fun. Possible halftime/fulltime result vs West Ham. New manager for the Hammers. Pelligrini may see them tougher to beat. Liverpool averaged 2.37 goals at home last season. We’d eventually expect 2/3 goals from the Pool on Sunday. Liverpool lost at halftime only once last season at home.
Mark Hughes at Southampton may see them more robust. Burnley only won 0-1 and drew 1-1 last season. Under 2.5 goals today? 0-0 pre-match back? See how Burnley kept Basaksehir out mid-week in the Europa League. Burnley will be tough to score against this season.
Arsenal have a new manager and are an unknown minus Wenger. They are likely to lose this clash of the Titans vs Man City. City managed three goals in their three most recent matches vs the Arsenal.
I hope there is something there for you to work with.
I’ll try creating a more abridged version of my Premiership focus in future eletters, so I can also discuss horse racing. Enjoy the weekend…
Football’s, erm, coming home!