Tony Cascarino’s Column: Chelsea Superior, Manchester United to Struggle at Portsmouth, Fulham Perfect for Arsenal, Aston Villa to Overpower Stoke & Spurs Needs Anchorman
The first weekend of the season was a great one with lots of good football and a few shocks along the way. However, there’s no shock I am top of the Football Pools Pundit’s table though to be fair we are all going to have good and bad weeks. Unfortunately Alan Hansen had a bad one but it could be me next week so I won’t gloat too much.
In terms of the upcoming Premier 10 and Footy 15 fixtures I’ll have to do well to maintain my lead. Just as with my prediction that Celtic would only draw last weekend I may surprise people that I think Liverpool will only get a point at home to Boro. It’s a tough match to call but I’m not convinced by Rafa’s team’s new playing style at the moment. For it to work they need their full-backs to be far more offensive so I don’t see them creating much whilst I also thought Gareth Southgate’s side were excellent against Spurs.
Fulham face a tough game at home to Arsenal this weekend and for me it’s got to be an away win. Roy Hodgson is more of a European style coach as he likes his teams to get it down and play. However, that falls right into Arsene Wenger’s team’s hands as they are better at it. Craven Cottage is a nice place for the Gunners to go and play in their own style and they’ll win.
Newcastle got a great result at Old Trafford and I think they will win against Bolton in a horrible game. I can see Bolton trying to shut the shop and house up in an attempt to frustrate Newcastle but I think home advantage will see Kevin Keegan’s side sneak a win.
Manchester United are missing Ronaldo desperately at the moment and I can see them only getting a point at Fratton Park whilst I expect Chelsea to win at Wigan as they are pure and simply a superior side.
Spurs had a very poor start last weekend as their line-up looked very lop-sided. As with most foreign coaches they have an idea of how they want their team to play but from watching Tottenham play they desperately need someone to play alongside Modric who can break up opposition attacks as their present midfield looks far too open.
I think Ramos could be in for a rough ride unless he solves this problem as it’s not always a case of having the best eleven players on the pitch, it’s about having some balance to the team. The Berbatov situation needs to be sorted out too as even though he helped the side when he came on as he held the ball up for the midfield to join in, it would be of benefit to both parties to sell to Manchester United and move on.
Spurs face Sunderland this weekend and even though the Black Cats aren’t a bad side I would back the home team to win as they are usually strong at White Hart Lane though it is a tough match to call, so perhaps cover your bet with a draw.
Another team who I expect to bounce back from an opening day defeat are Everton. David Moyes’ team’s current system is more suitable for playing away from home where they can swamp the midfield with their 5-man unit with Yakubu on his own up front. They should get a result at West Brom playing this tried and trusted way.
Aston Villa should gain a comfortable 3 points at Stoke as the machine that Martin O’Neill has built should overpower the Premier league new boys. They’ll have too much pace and counter-attacking ability for Tony Pulis’ side.
Hull travel to Ewood Park full of confidence but I think Blackburn are a strong side particularly at home. If Hull are to stay up this year then it will be down to their home form as travelling away is very, very difficult in the Premier League.
In terms of the Championship matches, Birmingham have shown they have the ability to win and Kevin Phillips is on form so should be too strong for Barnsley, though it won’t be easy. I also fancy Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday to get 3 points. Brian Laws team should win mainly due to the fact that they are playing at Hillsborough. However, Preston have surprised me, they have no money, made no investment but have started very brightly.
After going against Celtic last weekend, I am backing them this time out. A game at Parkhead against Falkirk is a very different scenario to last week and though Falkirk are not that a bad team and can frustrate well, I can’t see past my old side winning this one.
Good luck to you all this weekend on Premier 10 and Footy 15. On a personal note, I think I may need some luck myself to stay top of the Football Pools Pundit’s table.
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Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn, Celtic, Chelsea, Coventry, Everton, footy 15, Fulham, Man City, Portsmouth, Premier 10, Tony Cascarino, Tottenham, West Brom, Wigan
