All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City – Match Preview

West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City – Match Preview – Tony Pulis welcomes his old team to The Hawthorns as West Brom look to continue their perfect start to the season against a Stoke side buoyed from a wonderful victory over Arsenal last time out.

The Potters, now managed by Mark Hughes of course, lost their opening game 1-0 to Everton to a fairytale goal from returning hero Wayne Rooney.
However, Jese Rodriguez, following confirmation of his loan signing from PSG, conjured his own piece of magic with a dream debut strike to defeat Arsenal by the same score-line.

A totally different type of challenge awaits the Staffordshire team when they travel to West Brom, an increase on the astounding 22.7% possession they had in the game against Arsenal is practically guaranteed.

Ahmed Hegazy scored the match winner against Burnley Photo Credit: skysports.com

Pulis’ men have started the campaign in what must be described as typical Pulis fashion, two games, two 1-0 wins (with the goals coming from a set-piece and a long-ball) and a very happy manager. New signing Ahmed Hegazy scored the winner v Bournemouth and Welsh international Hal Robson-Kanu took his goal brilliantly to see off Burnley before being remarkably sent-off just a matter of minutes later.

Currently perennial mid-table teams, just a point separated West Brom in 10th and Stoke in 13th last campaign and both will want to push on from those finishes. However, in an increasingly competitive league it will be difficult to do so.

Expect a tight game with two well organised teams and the difference perhaps being a piece of magic from one of Stoke’s eternal mavericks (Shaqiri or Jese come to mind) or from yet another well-executed set-play from The Baggies.

Team News 
Manchester City’s interest in Jonny Evans shows no signs of rescinding, but the Northern Ireland international could be set to make his first appearances of the season if he passes a late fitness test. Claudio Jacob is also expected to return. Robson-Kanu will be suspended after his red card against Burnley.

Stoke could welcome back Xherdan Shaqiri and his potential explosion of ingenuity into the forward line after missing out in the midweek League Cup match against Rochdale.

Darren Fletcher takes on his former club on Sunday Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch 
Darren Fletcher made the switch from The Hawthorns to the bet365 this summer and is facing an almost immediate return. With a wealth of experience and proven ability at the top level, the 33-year-old was pivotal to Pulis’ midfield during his two years at the club. Now in the middle of the park for Stoke, alongside the vast experience, his exceptional reading of the game and tactical nous can only be an asset for Hughes’ team. Fletcher has won every club trophy in the game whilst at Manchester United and with over 300 Premier League appearances, shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

 

Suggested Tips:

 

Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match Preview

Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match Preview – Premier League title favourites Manchester City travel to pointless Bournemouth looking to get back to winning ways after a difficult draw to Everton last time out.

Pep Guardiola’s side broke newly-promoted Brighton’s resilience in the opening match with a 2-0 win, but had to fight back with 10 men, following Kyle Walker’s red-card, to earn a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in Monday’s nights clash with Everton.

After spending over £200m in the transfer market City are heavily favoured to achieve their first league title since 2014, so anything less than a return to winning ways will be a huge surprise and even at this early stage, perhaps cause for concern.

Nathan Ake will have to be at his best to stop the Man City attack Photo Credit: skysports.com

In the pre-season predictions, Bournemouth were also widely tipped to have a strong season but find themselves without a point or a goal scored coming into the third fixture. 1-0 and 2-0 losses to West Brom and Watford respectively have left Eddie Howe perplexed as to the solution to these premature problems.

The Cherries have proven themselves capable opposition during their maiden two years in the top flight, an attractive style of football has brought plaudits along the way too. Big money has been spent in the form of £20m Nathan Ake and £10m Asmir Begovic from Chelsea to rectify their issues at the other end of the pitch, however.

City should prove to be too strong for a Bournemouth side struggling to get out of the traps of late, a wealth of attacking options capable of unlocking even the meanest defence are likely to overwhelm Howe’s men.

Team News
Jermain Defoe could be in line for his first start at Bournemouth to try and get the club on the scoresheet for the first time this season.

Kyle Walker is unavailable due to his imminent suspension so Sane and Danilo could retain their full-back berths. Potential left-sided replacement Benjamin Mendy is alongside central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on the side-lines as both battle to regain full fitness.

Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero could form a formidable strike force this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
Guardiola has implemented the currently fashionable 3-5-2 in an attempt to play Gabriel Jesus alongside Sergio Aguero. That is big praise for the Brazillian striker’s impact since his signing from Palmeiras and given these opportunities you wouldn’t bet against that impact continuing and expanding. The 20-year-old has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and his composure shines through every match – fashioning chances for himself and teammates while also consistently looking like he will have the finishing to match.

 

Suggested Tips:

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview – In just the second weekend of the new Premier League season we are being treated to one of the fixtures of the season – Tottenham play their first home league game at Wembley by hosting the 2016/17 champions and London rivals Chelsea, in what could already be billed as a crucial match for the entire season.

Remarkably even at this early stage in the campaign, many are claiming The Blues to be in turmoil. Last season’s 20-goal striker Diego Costa says he is being ‘treated like a criminal’ while manager Antonio Conte has repeatedly voiced his concerns about the club’s dealings (or lack of) in the transfer market.

Pair that with the capitulation of being 3-0 down to Burnley at home in the opening game and finishing the match with nine men and trouble could well be on the horizon should Chelsea lose again this week.

Losing to Spurs of all teams would be a particularly bitter pill to swallow, with the two clubs striking a fierce rivalry in recent seasons. Memorable moments such as Chelsea’s 2015 League Cup Final victory over the North-London side and the bizarre game where The Blues ended Spurs’ 2015/16 title aspirations have added fuel to the flames in this fixture.

Alvaro Morata could make his first Premier League start against Spurs Photo Credit: skysports.com

Last year’s runners-up (to Chelsea), Spurs, have baffled many with the decision to not further invest in a squad which has come so close but not quite far enough to glory in recent seasons – especially whilst direct competitors throw extraordinary money at strengthening their squads.

It could, however, be argued that (despite selling Kyle Walker to Manchester City for 50m) retaining most of their most influential players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld with minimal fuss is a strong window in itself.

Another obstacle facing Mauricio Pochettino’s team is the Wembley factor, with a woeful recent record at the home of English football, Spurs must come to terms with overcoming their apparent hoodoo as they will play every home match at the famous ground whilst the new White Hart Lane is under construction.

A fantastic clash between two of the country’s finest teams and brilliant managers in Conte and Pochettino will well and truly ignite the spark of yet another exhilarating Premier League campaign, not that it needed any help to do so.

 

Team News 
Plenty of team news for both sides, as Spurs’ youthful Kyle Walker replacement, Kyle Walker-Peters looks to keep his place despite the return to fitness of more established right-back Kieran Trippier.
However, on the opposite side of defence Danny Rose remains side-lined so the reliable Ben Davies will keep his place in the team. Erik Lamela and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou are both still unavailable.

Chelsea have much more pressing concerns, star man Eden Hazard is still not 100%, while Pedro is a huge doubt and Diego Costa is on the other side of the world. Both of captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas are suspended after their red cards last week, but Victor Moses and new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko could feature for the first time this campaign. Big-money striker Alvaro Morata is expected to displace Michy Batshuayi and make his full debut for the club.

Can Harry Kane get off the mark against rivals Chelsea Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch 
A well-documented fact; Harry Kane is yet to score a league goal in the month of August, but not for the want of trying. The back-to-back Premier League Golden Boot winner is in constant, imperious form for the rest of the season though, and any side would be foolish to underestimate his potential impact. The England international is lethal from anywhere within 25 yards of goal and also has a penchant for scoring against London clubs with an astonishing record of 19 strikes in 26 league games in derbies in England’s capital. Could he add to that total on Sunday?

 

Suggested Tips: