Manchester City v Manchester United Prediction n Analysis

Player News
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has failed to bring in a new keeper so 20-year-old rookie Kasper Schmeichel continues in goal.
Brazilian midfielder Elano is expected to shake off a knock so Eriksson is likely to name an unchanged line-up.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo starts a three-match ban for his sending-off against Portsmouth.
He joins the injured Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Louis Saha, Anderson and Gary Neville on the sidelines.



Match Fact
The 148th competitive Manchester derby, 137th in the league and 21st in the Premier League is the most eagerly anticipated in years.

It throws up a tactical battle between the most recently appointed Premier League manager in the Sven-Goran Eriksson and the longest serving in Sir Alex Ferguson.

City have made their best start ever to a Premier League season, and United their worst since 1998. Indeed the Red Devils have not won a league game since the last Manchester derby at Eastlands on 5 May.

In beating West Ham (a) and Derby (h), City have a tremendous platform to improve of their previous best of seven points from the first three games of a Premier League campaign.

Despite being held at home by Reading and away to Portsmouth, and being four points behind Chelsea, there is no panic at Old Trafford. In 1998, they famously went on from a poor start to clinch the Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

City are superior to United by four points and 10 places in the embryonic Premier League table. They last went into a derby clash higher in the table than their deadly rivals on 10 September 2005 at Old Trafford when they were second and United fourth, and the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw. More significantly, it's 29 years since City could afford to lose a derby and still stay above United. The last time was a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in March 1978.

City scored their first home goal since New Years Day on Wednesday, while Paul Scholes' historic strike at Portsmouth was United's first from open play in five Premier League matches since 28 April.



Key Player
MANCHESTER CITY

Rolando BIANCHI, GEOVANNI and Michael JOHNSON have each scored one of City's three goals to date.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Paul SCHOLES has netted United's only Premier League goal so far. His strike at Portsmouth gave him the record outright as Manchester United's highest scorer of Premier League goals. He has netted 96, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy's total of 95. Ryan GIGGS has scored 93 times in the Premier League.
GIGGS is a double short of 100 career League goals.

If on the field from the outset:-
Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start - all for the Red Devils.
John O'SHEA will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.
Suspended:-
RONALDO (three matches)



Head 2 Head
The winner of the Manchester league derby at City has alternated in the last four years. The Citizens must win this time if that pattern is to continue.
United have won four times as many Manchester Premier League derbies as City.
The Red Devils completed the double over their rivals last season.
Sir Alex Ferguson's record in his 30 Manchester derbies is won 16, drawn nine and lost five.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Man City 35 wins, Man Utd 53, Draws 48
Prem: Man City 3 wins, Man Utd 12, Draws 5

at Man City only
League (inc PL): Man City 21 wins, Man Utd 24, Draws 23
Prem: Man City 3 wins, Man Utd 6, Draws 1




My Prediction
I Believe Man United gonna win this match. United now is under pressure after played 2 draw. When United are asked a question, they nearly always come up with an answer. You get a reaction with United and I think that's what we'll get on Sunday.

City have made a very good start with 2 win but with many new player, i think they still need time to settling in so they maybe have a inconsistent game early season.

Asian Handicap
Manchester City vs Manchester Utd 1.95 1/2 : 0 1.95
Pick : Manchester United

Newcastle v Aston Villa Prediciton n Analysis

Player News
Michael Owen returns to the Newcastle squad after a thigh injury and he could be joined on the bench by Emre.
Keeper Shay Given (groin), Damien Duff (ankle), Joey Barton (metatarsal) and Celestine Babayaro will miss Sam Allardyce's first home game as boss.

Aston Villa keeper Stuart Taylor has a calf problem, so on-loan Scott Carson stands by to make his debut.
Craig Gardner, John Carew and Martin Laursen are all fully fit, but Patrik Berger (hamstring) misses out.


Quote
Geremi on captaining Newcastle for the first time at home:
"I was not expected to be made captain and when the manager gave me the armband in pre-season I thought it was just a test and it wasn't going to be permanent.
"But two days before the kick-off last week he called me in to see if I had the capability to be captain and I said it would not be a problem.
"I am under pressure because it is 50 years since a Newcastle captain lifted a major trophy. But I think we will challenge this season and cause a few surprises."


Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill:
"We were three and half minutes away from getting a draw.
"We were a bit tentative last week especially in the first-half. I expected us to be more free flowing and create more chances.
"But the players are pretty confident and there was no need for us to lose any self-belief."



Match Fact
Sam Allardyce will make his home managerial debut at St James' Park, hoping to inspire Newcastle to successive victories from both opening matches of a Premier League season for the first time since 1997-98.
On that occasion ten years ago, under Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle played both opening fixtures at home and beat Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa.
The Magpies have only managed to bag six points out of six from the outset of the season three times in the Premier League era.

After being beaten at home to Liverpool last Saturday, Aston Villa are in danger of losing both opening games for the third time in their Premier League experience, and the first time since 2002-03.
Villa have not won their first AWAY fixture of a Premier League season since defeating Newcastle 0-1 on 7 August 1999.



Key Player
NEWCASTLE UNITED

Obefami MARTINS, who had not scored since 7 April, netted two of Newcastle's three opening day goals against Bolton.
New signing Mark VIDUKA needs to score once to total 150 goals for English and Scottish clubs (Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle).
If he plays:-
Peter RAMAGE will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Newcastle.
James MILNER will face a club to whom he was loan for the 2005-06 season, making 33 appearances for them and scoring three goals (27 of those appearances were in the Premier League, along with one of the goals).

ASTON VILLA

A Gareth BARRY penalty is Aston Villa's only goal so far.
New signing Nigel REO-COKER was shown more yellow cards than any other player in the Premier League last season when wearing the West Ham shirt (13).
Another new import from West Ham, Marlon HAREWOOD, needs one goal to total 100 in his league career (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
Olof MELLBERG was the only player to have started every one of Villa's league matches last season.
If he plays:-
MELLBERG will be making his 200th Premier League appearance for Aston Villa.



Head 2 Head
Newcastle have only been beaten twice in their 14 home Premier League matches with Aston Villa.

Villa travel in search of their second maximum in eight Premier League visits to St James' Park, and first since prevailing 0-3 on 2 April 2005 when Gareth Barry netted two penalties.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Newcastle 61 wins, Villa 48 Draws 29
Prem: Newcastle 15 wins, Villa 6, Draws 7

at Newcastle only
League (inc PL): Newcastle 43 wins, Villa 14, Draws 12
Prem: Newcastle 9 wins, Villa 2, Draws 3





My Prediciton
Aston Villa has only played one game so far, it's losing to Liverpool 1-2 in their home. that's not mean that this side can be underestimate.

Newcastle under new manajer Sam Allardyce is looking promising when their beat Bolton in their away game. but i think The Big Sam still have some probelm in settling his new club to full potential.

I think this match will be a draw game with more than 3 goals, cause this two side playing more offensive style.

Over/Under
Newcastle vs Aston Villa 1.925 2 1/4 1.975
Pick : Over

Fulham v Middlesbrough Prediction n Analysis

Player News
Fulham keeper Antti Niemi (wrist) remains sidelined, so Tony Warner continues in goal.
Defender Philippe Christanval has returned to light training but will not be considered and Ian Pearce (ankle) is still sidelined.

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is rated as 50-50 with an injured thigh.
Mido is in the squad after a £6m move from Spurs, but Luke Young (thigh) will be out for another week and Fabio Rochemback is still suspended.


Quote
Fulham striker David Healy:
"We were disappointed to lose 2-1 against Arsenal last weekend but won against Bolton in midweek.
"The lads struggled a bit last year but with what they had last year and the new players, there's going to be more then enough to compete in this league.
"We're looking forward to the challenge and there's a big game on Saturday against Middlesbrough and hopefully we can have the same outcome."


Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate:
"What we will have to do is play in a way that suits the personnel that we've got.
"I'm looking at exactly how we want to play at Fulham, in terms of the style we play because we're away from home and we've got certain people missing that bring different things to the team.
"We weren't happy with our performance at Wigan when we lost 1-0 but we've got this game just three days later to try and put things right."


Match Fact
Gareth Southgate's 50th match in charge of Middlesbrough.

The Teessiders have lost their first two matches of a Premier League season for the third time in their history. They last suffered such a fate in 2003, but two years earlier they failed to pick up a point from the first four fixtures.

Victory for Fulham would equal their best start to a Premier League season.


Key Player
FULHAM

David HEALY has scored two of Fulham's three goals so far. One was the quickest in this Premier League season so far, timed at 52 seconds (against Arsenal).
If on the field from the outset:-
Brian McBRIDE will be making his 100th start in a Fulham shirt.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Stewart DOWNING has scored Middlesbrough's only goal so far.
Last season, only YAKUBU and Mark VIDUKA scored more than two Premier League goals for Middlesbrough.

If he plays:-
Robert HUTH will be participating on his 23rd birthday.
Andrew TAYLOR will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for the Teessiders.


Head 2 HEad
Although evenly matched in the Premier League head-to-head standings, Middlesbrough have only taken points off Fulham once in London. They won 0-2 on 25 August 2004, courtesy of goals from Mark Viduka and Szilard Nemeth.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Fulham 21 wins, Middlesbrough 24, Draws 7
Prem: Fulham 5 wins, Middlesbrough 5, Draws 2

at Fulham only
League (inc PL): Fulham 14 wins, Middlesbrough 9, Draws 3
Prem: Fulham 5 wins, Middlesbrough 1, Draws 0



My Prediction
I tipping for Fulham for this match, i think their unlucky lost to Arsenal in the opening match n their grab a win against Bolton.

David Healy is very confidence for this match, i believe he can score tonight.

Middlesbrough side are very weak now, their defence just don't seem strong. i think their will be battling di relegation zone this season.

Asian Handicap
Fulham vs Middlesbrough 1.825 0 : 1/4 2.075
Pick : Fulham

Reading v Chelsea Prediction n Analysis

Player News
Reading striker Dave Kitson is suspended following his red card at Manchester United, Leroy Lita's hip injury continues to rule him out.
Midfielders Bobby Convey and Emerse Fae could be involved for the first time this season.
Chelsea have been boosted by the return of defender Paulo Ferreira, but Brazilian defender Alex is not fit after his official welcome to the club.
Boss Jose Mourinho will run a late check on Michael Essien (knee).


Match Fact
Reading are looking for a first ever Premier League victory over Chelsea.
Having held the champions Manchester United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Royals will now try to take points off the former champions.
While Reading's was the only fixture in the opening round of matches not to produce any goals, Chelsea's record-breaking home win over Birmingham was the highest scoring match with five (3-2).
Chelsea are hoping to extend their unbeaten Premier League sequence to 16 matches.



Key Player
READING

Dave KITSON was the first player to be shown a red card in the 2007-08 Premier League season.
Leroy LITA was Reading's top scorer last season with 14 goals.
LITA needs to score one to total 50 career League goals (Bristol City and Reading).
Kevin DOYLE was the club's top Premier League marksman last term with 13.
Ivar INGIMARSSON was one of four outfield players to have been involved in every minute of every one of his clubs' Premier League matches last season. The others were Richard DUNNE (Manchester City), Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United, now Everton) and Yobo (Everton).

If he plays:-
INGIMARSSON will be making his 300th English League appearance (Brentford, Brighton and Reading).
Ulises DE LA CRUZ will be making his 100th career Premier League appearance (Aston Villa and Reading).
Michael DUBERRY will be making his 150th career Premier League appearance (Chelsea, Leeds and Reading).

CHELSEA

Didier DROGBA won the Barclays Golden Boot as the highest scorer in the Premier League last season. The Ivory Coast international netted 20 goals, and 33 in all competitions.

If he plays:-
Michael ESSIEN will be making his 100th appearance in a Chelsea shirt.
Steven SIDWELL will be facing a former club. The 24 year old midfielder made 187 appearances (168 in the league) and scored 30 goals (29 league) for Reading between January 2003 and his move to Stamford Bridge in May 2007.


Head 2 Head
The first ever Premier League matches between these clubs last season resulted in an away win in this corresponding fixture, and a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's two defeats in 10 League matches against Reading were in 1926 and 1930.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Reading 2 wins, Chelsea 4, Draws 4
Prem: Reading 0 wins, Chelsea 1, Draws 1

at Reading only
League (inc PL): Reading 2 wins, Chelsea 2, Draws 1
Prem: Reading 0 wins, Chelsea 1, Draws 0




My Prediction
I believe Reading player isn't 100% fit for this match, because in sunday match against ManU is really hard match for them n they playing with 10 men.

with Leroy Lita absent, Reading attacking is become more blunt. I believe Chelsea will go all out for this match for the perfect start this season.

Asian Handicap
Reading vs Chelsea 2.075 3/4 : 0 1.825
Pick : Chelsea

Portsmouth v Manchester United Prediction n Analysis

Player News

Portsmouth will run fitness checks on groin injuries to defender Sol Campbell and midfielder Pedro Mendes.
Midfielder Gary O'Neil could return following summer ankle surgery, Kanu col start if boss Harry Redknapp opts to rotate his strikers.

Manchester United's new signing Carlos Tevez will make his debut.
Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are all injured, and Mikael Silvestre is also doubtful aftr limping out of the draw against Reading.

Match Fact

Portsmouth are looking to beat Manchester United for the fourth time in five home Premier League meetings.

United, who were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by Reading at Old Trafford on Sunday, have never failed to win at least one of their first two fixtures of a Premier League season.

This match brings together the two oldest managers in the Premier League; Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp have a combined age of 125, with the Red Devils' boss the senior by five years, at 65 years of age

Key Player

PORTSMOUTH
Nwankwo KANU was Portsmouth's leading scorer last season with 12 goals - 10 of which were Premier League goals.
KANU is a hat trick shy of 50 career League goals in England.
David JAMES was one of seven players to have been on the field for every minute of his clubs' Premier League matches last season, and one of three goalkeepers. The others were Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) and Paul Robinson (Tottenham).
If he keeps goal again, JAMES will be making his 133rd consecutive Premier League appearance (Manchester City and Portsmouth).
If he plays:-
Sean DAVIS will be making his 50th league appearance for Portsmouth.

MANCHESTER UNITED
RONALDO was Manchester United's leading marksman in the Premiership last season with 17. The Portugal World Cup star finished three behind Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who won the Barclays Golden Boot.
Paul SCHOLES is one goal short of holding the record outright as Manchester United's highest scorer of Premier League goals. He has netted 95 and equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy's total. Ryan GIGGS has scored 93 times in the Premier League.
GIGGS is a double short of 100 career League goals.
If he plays:-
Michael CARRICK will be making his 200th career Premier League appearance (West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United).
If on the field from the outset:-
Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start - all for the Red Devils.
John O'SHEA will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.
Rio FERDINAND will be making his 150th Premier League start in a United shirt.

Head 2 Head

Manchester United hold a 100% home Premier League record over Portsmouth of four wins from four matches.
United knocked Pompey out of the FA Cup last season, but have only won one League match in 20 years at Fratton Park; 1-2 on 11 February 2006, when Ronaldo scored a brace, and Ruud van Nistelrooy the other.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Portsmouth 17 wins, Man United 23, Draws 12
Prem: Portsmouth 3 wins, Man United 5, Draws 0

at Portsmouth only
League (inc PL): League: Portsmouth 11 wins, Man United 6, Draws 9
Prem: Portsmouth 3 wins, Man United 1, Draws 0

My Prediction

This match will be a close match, Portsmouth is a strong team when they play at home meanwhile ManUnited will be searching for they first win this season after drawing with Reading.

Carlos Tevez will be force to make his debut earlier after the injury of Rooney, while Louis Saha, Solskjaer are still injured.

Harry Redknapp is a great manager, ManUnited is having a problem in attacking right now cause i think Tevez still need time to adapt with ManU playing style. It's not a easy task to defeat Portsmouth in their home ground. I think this match will be a draw.


ASian Handicap
2.070 Portsmouth(10) 3/4:0 Man Utd(12) 1.850
PICK : Portsmouth

Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction n Analysis

Player News :
Stuart Taylor will start in goal for Aston Villa, with David Bevan on the bench, as Thomas Sorensen is injured.

Nigel Reo-Coker is set to make his competitive debut and Marlon Harewood, is set to be on the bench as John Carew partners Gabriel Agbonlahor in attack.

Liverpool have no injury problems, leaving manager Rafael Benitez with plenty of selection dilemmas.

Fernando Torres seems sure to make his league debut up front with Dirk Kuyt, while Yossi Benayoun could also start.

Manager Quotes
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"We could get turned over by Liverpool very easily.

"But the overall depth of the squad will be the most important issue and that's what we're addressing at the minute.

"The better quality of player that comes to the club, the better it is for everyone."


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:
"If you want to be contenders then you have to score a lot more goals than we did.

"I am not thinking about Torres scoring 20 or more goals.

"What I would like would be to see is Voronin scoring 10 to 15 goals, Crouch, Kuyt and Torres all the same."

Match Facts :
Two of the seven remaining Premier League ever-presents go head-to-head.

Aston Villa, who ended last season as one of the 'form' teams, also got off to a storming start under new manager Martin O'Neill with three wins and six draws in a nine-match unbeaten run before that sequence was ended by Liverpool.

Liverpool have not won an opening Premier League fixture since defeating Aston Villa 0-1 at Villa Park on 18 August 2002.

A draw or better will see Liverpool become the fourth club to bag 1,000 Premier League points.


Key Player :
ASTON VILLA


New signing Nigel REO-COKER was shown more yellow cards than any other player in the Premier League last season when wearing the West Ham shirt (13).

Another new import from West Ham, Marlon HAREWOOD, needs one goal to total 100 in his league career (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).

Olof MELLBERG was the only player to have started every one of Villa's league matches last season.

If he plays:-

Patrik BERGER will be facing a former club. The Czech Republic international made nearly 200 appearances for Liverpool between August 1996 and June 2003 and scored 35 goals for them, of which 28 were in the Premier League.

LIVERPOOL

Peter CROUCH was Liverpool's leading scorer last season with 18.

CROUCH spent 18 months with Villa from March 2002, recording 43 appearances (37 in the Premier League) and scoring six League goals.

Dirk KUYT netted the club's highest number of Premier League goals (12).

Jermaine PENNANT made most appearances for the Reds (51).


Head 2 Head :
Aston Villa have claimed just four points from the last 27 available in home Premier League matches against Liverpool. They have not beaten them at Villa Park since Stan Collymore scored a brace in a 2-1 triumph on 28 February 1998.

Liverpool hold an 11 match unbeaten league record of seven wins and four draws over Villa - their last defeat being a 1-3 reverse at Anfield on 8 September 2001.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Villa 51 wins, Liverpool 77, Draws 36
Prem: Villa 8 wins, Liverpool 16, Draws 6

at Aston Villa only
League (inc PL): A Villa 37 wins, Liverpool 25, Draws 20
Prem: Villa 5 wins, Liverpool 6, Draws 4




My Prediction :

Aston Villa had record that they have a good result in the opening of the season, in otherwise Liverpool is always struggle in the first game of the season. The last time they win the first game of the season is 2002 and it's against Aston Villa.

After spending a lot of money to bring players such as Torres, Voronin, Benayoun. Liverpool play style will be more attacking than last season and i don't think Aston Villa defence is good enough to hold it especially that Sorensen is absent.

Asian Handicap :
1.880 Aston Villa(12) 1/2:0 Liverpool(11) 2.040

Pick : Liverpool