Premier League Preview

Sunday

The feast of football on Sunday kicks off at Upton Park, where Gianfranco Zola hopes to continue his run of good form (or luck, whichever way you want to put it,) when West Ham play Bolton. Whether West Ham learn from last week’s performance against Fulham or not will be interesting to see, and if they don’t then this game could be there for the taking for Bolton - a team whose set-piece prowess could cause problems for a West Ham side with a lack of aerial dominance.

Footie Frog thinks whoever scores first could win this one, as neither side usually looks comfortable chasing a lead, but I just can’t see any goals in Bolton this season, particularly away from home, and West Ham are a side that thrives on playing in front of their own supporters, so I cannot see beyond a home win. It won’t be easy for Zola’s men, Gary Megson will set his Bolton side out to battle, harry and shut out the opposition, but I think that the East-Enders’ attacking quality should be enough to pull them through this potentially tricky match. West Ham 2-1 Bolton.

Potters fans will have their fingers crossed on Sunday as Stoke City travel to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth. The stalemate draw at Anfield a fortnight ago somewhat disguised the terrible recent form and performances by the Premier League new boys, and they have to get something right here to pick themselves up. Portsmouth themselves have had a hard time of late conceding 10 goals in losses to Man City in the league and Chelsea in the Carling Cup, but bounced back from these defeats last weekend to comfortably beat Tottenham 2-0. They will be looking to kick on from that win, adding to the 9 points they have accumulated so far this term, and Footie Frog can’t see them failing to do so against a Stoke side that is having to rely on long throws to get into the opposition box. The only thing that could work against Portsmouth is fatigue, as Harry Redknapp’s paper-thin squad is starting to be tested by their European exploits. So much so that Harry has even put back their flight by a day so that the team can recuperate on the beach today. But with Crouch and Defoe forming a wonderful partnership, each in fine form, Stoke’s defence should be tested more heavily than Portsmouth’s stamina.

Footie Frog thinks that if Stoke can, miraculously, get a foothold in this game early on, then a draw could be on the cards. If not, as is more likely, then Pompey should win. Portsmouth 2-0 Stoke.


White Hart Lane hosts a very interesting match indeed, as surprise package Hull City travel to London to take on Tottenham, a similarly surprising package – but for the wrong reasons. In the build-up to the new Premier League season, it would have been unlikely that you would have met a Spurs fan that would have predicted that when these 2 sides met after 6 matches, that Tottenham would envy the form and points total of Hull. But Ramos’ revolution is going from bad to worse, and the Spurs fans can only look at the talent in their squad and shake their head as players they have never heard of in the Tigers line-up have nine more points than they do. Footie Frog couldn’t possibly say which way this match is going to go. Every week now I have been predicting that Spurs will turn things around and that Hull cannot keep playing as they are. And I am wrong on both counts. Still I find it difficult to believe that Hull can come down to a ‘top’ London club and come away with 3 points for the 2nd consecutive week. But they just might. Spurs looked awful on Thursday against Krakow, and the pressure for a victory on Sunday could be too much. With Geovanni on form, and the team’s confidence high, Phil Brown could mastermind another victory here.

Footie Frog thinks Tottenham will just have enough about them to prevent defeat – with so much quality going forward, a flash of inspiration must come – but I think a draw could be on the cards here. Tottenham 1-1 Hull.

There are 2 matches on Sunday that get Footie Frog very excited indeed, the first of which takes place at the City of Manchester Stadium, where Man City host Liverpool.
In a game that could prove to have as many goals in it as there are Brazilians in the 2 squads, it will surely be the most resilient defence that comes out on top. Unfortunately for Man City that doesn’t mean them. Liverpool are in scintillating form at the minute, and despite Man City’s resounding win against Portsmouth, they haven’t looked entirely settled as a team since the takeover commotion. This game could be the start of that, if they can play as a team and not rely on individual brilliance to get them through, but Footie Frog only has eyes for Liverpool at the moment, and is just waiting for Robbie Keane to get his first goal for the club to see what happens when everyone’s (not just Gerrard and Torres’) confidence is sky high. It is too early to suggest anything, but the form so far has been that of champions, and despite the fact that City are at home, and their signings have looked promising, I think that the spine of the Reds’ team (Carragher, Gerrard, Torres) will be too strong for Man City. City do have a genuine threat with their pace however, if Hughes can utilise it correctly, but he needs to get his team selection right – if he plays Elano, SWP, Robinho, Petrov, and Jo in the same team, they could get over-run in the midfield.

It is the case of whether the strongest attack in the Premier League (City, 16 goals) can defeat the meanest defence (Liverpool, only 2 conceded.) Footie Frog doesn’t think they can. Man City 1-2 Liverpool.

The other exciting game sends Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, in a match that finished 4-4 last season. Chelsea have been untouchable at home for a long time now (85 matches) and it would be surprising if Aston Villa could put a stop to the roll that the Blues are on. However, with Essien, Deco, Drogba and Carvalho all injured, and with uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Terry, Ashley Cole and Alex, there might not be a better time to have to make the trip to London. Particularly when you consider that Martin O’Neill was able to rest 6 of his first team from European action on Thursday, and has no injury worries ahead of the weekend, and if they do manage to win, they could go top of the table depending on the Liverpool result.

Footie Frog would like to think that Villa can come away with a win, and though my little green head says a draw is more likely, I’m going to go with my little green heart, and say that Villa will win. A tricky one to predict with the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s team. Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa.

Can you feel that breeze today? That is the collective sigh of relief from Everton fans around the world. Because, after the debacle that was Everton venture into Europe (again,) Everton are playing at home against the only side in the Premiership not as bad as Tottenham at the moment, Newcastle United, who are in all sorts of trouble. If there ever was the perfect tonic for Moyes after a disappointing defeat to Standard Liege, this is it. Newcastle looked shocking against Blackburn last week, lacking ideas, creating nothing, and poor organisation.

Footie Frog knows that with the Magpies’ injuries, suspensions, rock-bottom confidence, and a new temporary manager who not only isn’t very good, but is also serving a touchline ban, EVERYTHING is in favour of Moyes’ side. Cahill on form, Yakubu fit, Arteta back, and a determination to prove people wrong after the midweek mess, could all go against the ‘Toon’ on this one. Everton will be too quick, strong and determined for Newcastle. Everton 3-0 Newcastle.