Thought I'd write an article on the forthcoming games at about the usual time I start thinking about the weekends' matches, yep, Tuesday morning. The 'build-up' to the weekend starts here.
Arsenal v Chelsea
My gut instinct is that there'll be goals in this game. Partly because both of these teams have a lot of options in terms of creativity, either out wide, in the centre of the park or in the 'hole' as a link-striker- there should at least be a lot of chances created. Also, because I wouldn't think a draw will quite suit either team. Chelsea won't want to lose poll position in the title race with Man Utd playing later, and Arsenal are just coming into form- the fans will be more demanding of them playing at home.
To be fair, it's taken Arsenal a couple of games to get going this season and aclimatise to the loss of van Persie but the fact that Podolski is already up and running with his goal account and Cazorla has been instrumental with clever passes in behind him suggests Wenger actually did some pretty good business in the summer. If anything van Persie has, at most, another two good seasons in him and is probably 30 now whereas the players Arsenal have signed are about 26 and just about to hit their peak.
Although the Blues currently top the table, Arsenal might fancy just themselves against Chelsea who only managed a draw at QPR and were pretty fortunate to beat Stoke last time out. Eden Hazard, who was electric in Chelsea's first few games, his form has plateaued a little but they still shouldn't struggle for shooting opportunities with the creativity of Mata, Lampard and Oscar in their side apart from him. The main thing di Matteo will worry about is getting Torres's pace and cutting edge back so he can be in amongst the goals once more like he was at Liverpool.
Maybe there's a little bias in my prediction here because I don't like the way Abramovich runs Chelsea, throws money on the table and expects immediate results. I like Arsenal more for their ethos of nuturing players with potential and they've built themselves up over time-the fact that they are still competing in the top four without spending ridiculous money is impressive and shows finances isn't everything. In terms of the game, I'm going to stick my neck out for Arsenal and say that they can win this 2-1.
Man United v Tottenham
Judging by their games against Fulham, Southampton and Liverpool so far this season, it looks like RVP has kind of added to Manchester United's habit of winning the edgy games when they're not playing well, just to show mental strength and nick the win. His goals alone have rescued them 7 points, in many ways the transfer has worked out well for both United and Arsenal. It was important for him to quickly established himself as a favourite amongst the Red Devils faithful, and I can see him grabbing a couple of goals in this one.
Rome wasn't built in a day, (that's Coventry) but you have to say it's not been a great start to Andre Villas-Boas's Tottenham career. They've sold Modric to Madrid, van der Vaart to some German team, and replaced them with Dempsey and Dembele from Fulham. Without disrepecting these players too much, it's not the same quality. Yes Dempsey did really well for Fulham last season, but he's 30 now. If he was 22/23 I'd say: 'great buy' but it's not like Dempsey is signed to be a long-term player. I'd think of Moussa Dembele as little more than a good squad player for a club aiming to get into the top four, with a view to winning the title. In terms of the results, AVB will be glad to at least have his first couple of wins under his belt to ease the pressure a little bit but his transfer policy with what he's done in midfield, the signing of Lloris and then not playing him, has to be questioned.
With AVB's dubious decision-making provoking scepticism in the Spurs camp, I think the initiative is very much with United in this one. 3-0, and I'll go for a man of the match display from you know who.
Right, I'm gonna go for my lunch now. When I come back I'll have a more condensed prediction on the other games in the Premiership, plus the factors behind Stoke and Swansea's successes with separate playing styles as they prepare to face each other.
See you in a bit.
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