Aston Villa vs Liverpool August 24, 2013

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Aston Villa opened the season with an impressive 3-1 win over Arsenal, before only narrowly being beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-week. Completing an unenviably difficult season opening trio of games is this weekend's match at home to Liverpool, who beat Stoke City by a single goal in their only Premier League fixture to date.

We're barely a week into the new season and already Paul Lambert's persuasive powers in getting Christian Benteke to stay at Aston Villa have reaped major dividends, with the player scoring three goals in two tough away games at Arsenal and Chelsea.

How important is the Belgian international? Well, he's found the net 17 times in the league in 2013, three more times than any other Premier League player. Even more impressively, in Europe's top five league's, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more than Benteke since the turn of the year.

That's why Villa's most important signing of the summer was a player already at the club, even though they look an all-round improved unit.

Liverpool could have done with someone like Benteke on the end of some of their play against Stoke last weekend, by all accounts. I didn't see the game live as I was at Carrow Road, but even before watching the highlights it sounded like 'deja vu all over again', as Yogi Berra famously once said.

Liverpool attempted more shots on goal than any other Premier League team last weekend (20) - as they did last season - but for a late penalty save by new keeper Simon Mignolet would have been held to a draw at Anfield.

Still, three points is a good start and it's what they've often left Villa Park with in recent seasons. This is a fixture Liverpool fans have come to look forward to over the past 15 years in particular, with nine wins and only one defeat in that time. Last season's match came in March and resulted in a 2-1 win for Liverpool, who haven't lost a league game since.

It hasn't just been Liverpool who've caused problems at Villa Park. Villa have won only half a dozen of their last 32 home league matches and that will have to change if they're to build on the promise shown in their opening two fixtures this season.

Villa have had an extremely good start to the 2013-14 campaign and were very unlucky to lose against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, just four days after their terrific 3-1 win against Arsenal at the Emirates last Saturday.

As for Liverpool, they outplayed Stoke City for pretty much the entire game at Anfield in the opening game of the Premier League season early last weekend, but almost threw three points away late on.

Daniel Sturridge‘s first half strike proved enough for Brendan Rodgers‘ men but a whole host of missed chances almost proved costly as newly acquired Belgian ‘keeper Simon Mignolet had to save a last-minute penalty to preserve the win.

This game should be a real battle but good to watch. Paul Lambert‘s young Villa side like to stroke the ball around and they will be eager to impress their home fans. Villa have had an incredibly tough start to the season, but two wins from three games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool would be a fantastic return.

VALENCIENNES - MARSEILLE 24-08-2013

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Après le match nul de Monaco contre Toulouse hier en ouverture de la troisième journée (0-0), Marseille se déplace samedi à Valenciennes (17h). L'OM peut s'installer provisoirement en tête de la Ligue 1. À partir de 20h : Lyon-Reims, Bordeaux-Bastia, Evian-Thonon-Rennes, Guingamp-Lorient, Montpellier-Sochaux sont aussi à suivre en direct sur les antennes et le site internet de France Bleu

Comme la saison dernière, l’Olympique de Marseille a parfaitement négocié son début de championnat avec deux succès en deux matchs. Mais Elie Baup et ses hommes ont toutes les raisons d’être méfiants avant leur déplacement au stade du Hainaut pour affronter Valenciennes. C’est en effet dans cette enceinte que Marseille avait connu sa première défaite la saison passée après six victoires de rang. De leurs côtés, les joueurs de Daniel Sanchez voudront confirmer leurs bonnes dispositions à domicile (victoire 3-0 contre Toulouse lors de la 1ere journée) face à un adversaire qui lui réussit plutôt bien. Pour preuve, la dernière victoire de l’OM dans le Nord remonte au 19 octobre 2008.
Les équipes probables

Valenciennes : Penneteau (cap) - Mater, Lala, Angoua, Nery - T.Doumbia, Saez, Ducourtioux - M.Dossevi, Melikson - Le Tallec (ou Bahebeck)

Marseille : Mandanda (cap) - Fanni, S.Diawara, Nkoulou, Morel - Romao, Cheyrou - Payet, Valbuena, A.Ayew - Gignac

Ce n'est pas un déplacement facile pour Marseille samedi. L'équipe de l'OM, qui compte deux victoires en autant de matches, se rend à Valenciennes où elle avait été corrigée l'an passé (1-4). Les Nordistes sont intraitables à domicile. Le dernier venu (Toulouse) est reparti du stade du Hainaut avec trois pions dans les valises. Prudence pour les hommes d'Elie Baup s'ils veulent confirmer leur départ canon et rester en haut du classement.

Marseille n’a gagné qu’un seul de ses 7 derniers déplacements à Valenciennes (3-1, le 19 octobre 2008), pour 2 nuls et 4 défaites. VA est invaincu face à l’OM en L1 lors de ses 4 derniers matchs à domicile (3 succès, 1 nul), avec 11 buts marqués et 6 encaissés. Les Nordistes ont cependant encaissé au moins un but lors de leurs 8 derniers matchs de L1 face à l’OM. Valenciennes a remporté ses 3 derniers matchs de L1 à domicile (contre Rennes, Troyes et Toulouse), ce qui égale sa meilleure série au Hainaut. Marseille n’a perdu qu’un seul de ses 14 derniers matchs de Ligue 1 (0-2, contre Saint Etienne, le 18 mai 2013), pour 9 victoires et 4 nuls. L’OM n’a perdu qu’un seul de ses 6 derniers matchs de Ligue 1 à l’extérieur (3 succès, 2 nuls), et a gardé sa cage inviolée à 4 reprises sur cette période. Marseille reste sur 4 matchs sans victoire dans le Nord-Pas-de-Calais (2 nuls et 2 défaites), sa dernière victoire remontant au 3 avril 2011 à Lens (1-0). L’OM a encaissé 3 buts ou plus lors de 3 de ses 4 derniers matchs de Ligue 1 à Valenciennes. L’OM peut réaliser un sans-faute lors des 3 premières journées de Ligue 1 pour la deuxième saison consécutive, cela ne leur est jamais arrivé. Les Phocéens ont fait carton plein lors des 3 premières journées de L1 seulement 5 fois dans leur histoire (1932/33, 1975/76, 1990/91, 1998/99 et 2012/13).

Stoke City vs Crystal Palace August 24, 2013

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Stoke City were denied a late equaliser against Liverpool in their opening Premier League fixture of the season, but the Potters have a home advantage this weekend when they take on Crystal Palace.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has a trio of midfielders unavailable for the Barclays Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at the Britannia Stadium.

Brek Shea, who sustained medial ligament damage in pre-season, is not yet ready to return to action, nor is Wilson Palacios after he was taken out of the starting line-up for last weekend's 1-0 loss at Liverpool at the last minute and underwent what the Potters will only describe as "a minor surgical procedure".
The other absentee for the Palace match - Hughes' first competitive home fixture as Stoke manager - is Jamie Ness due to an unspecified problem.

Winger Jason Puncheon could go straight into Crystal Palace's side for Saturday's trip to Stoke following his season-long loan move from Southampton.

Jerome Thomas, however, is still out with an ankle injury, as is midfielder Yannick Bolasie (hamstring).
Captain Paddy McCarthy (groin) continues his rehabilitation, along with forward Glenn Murray (knee).
Mark Hughes is yet to get his first win of the campaign as Stoke boss following his arrival in the summer, replacing long-standing manager Tony Pulis.

Similar to Stoke's poor start, this weekend's visitors began their season in the top flight with defeat to Chelsea, which resulted in manager Ian Holloway being charged by the Football Association for his comments regarding the match officials.

Asmir Begovic is expected to start in goal for the home side following his impressive performance at Anfield last weekend, with Peter Crouch leading the line.

Holloway could keep Dwight Gayle up front, with Marouane Chamakh placed on the bench.

Stoke City (4-4-2, probable): Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Pieters; Pennant, Nzonzi, Adam, Etherington; Crouch, Walters.
Out: Ness (knock), Palacios (illness), Shea (knee).
Crystal Palace (4-3-3, probable): Speroni, Ward, Gabbidon; Delaney, Moxey; Dikgacoi; Jedinak; Garvan; Gayle, Chamakh, Puncheon.
Out: Parr (ankle/foot), McCarthy (groin), Price (knock), Bolasie (hamstring), Thomas (ankle), Murray (knee).
Referee: Andre Marriner

Southampton vs Sunderland August 24, 2013

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Both Mauricio Pochettino and Paolo Di Canio are starting their first full season in charge at their respective clubs and have been busy reshaping their squads.

Five of the 10 new arrivals at the Stadium of Light started for Sunderland last weekend as they went down 1-0 at home to Fulham, while Dejan Lovren and Victor Wanyama played for Southampton in their 1-0 victory at West Brom. Italy international Dani Osvaldo has now been added to the mix after Saints broke their club transfer record again.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the club's policy of promoting players from the youth system is just as vital as the heavy investment in the squad.

The Argentinian has added Dejan Lovren, Victor Wanyama and Dani Osvaldo to his squad in recent months, running up a total transfer outlay of around B£36million.

But despite breaking the club's transfer record on two occasions this summer, after last year also splashing out on Gaston Ramirez and Jay Rodriguez, Saints fielded four products of their youth academy in Saturday's 1-0 win at West Brom.

Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Adam Lallana all started, as did Morgan Schneiderlin, who joined the south coast club as an 18-year-old.

Pochettino is keen to keep blooding such youngsters from the same academy that has produced the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in recent times.

"I'm very happy with all the players who have come through the academy, we are very pleased about what we are doing in that sense," he said ahead of Saturday's game at home to Sunderland.

"It speaks volumes of the good job that [chairman] Nicola Cortese has been doing in terms of promoting the academy going up.

"I think you need a good mix between youth players and older, more experienced players. If you do have that equilibrium then it is going to bring a good energy to the club.

"It is tough because we have 22 to 23 players who are looking at getting in to the side."

However, while he is happy to utilise his fledglings, Pochettino is also aware that he has to nurture their talents in the coming years.

"We have to be careful with young players," he added.
Sunderland also have more options but, having watched the highlights on Match of the Day via the BBC iPlayer (what a welcome development), Di Canio could be tempted to stick with the team that started against the Cottagers.

The Sunderland boss may also identify strongly with Saints new boy Osvaldo, who is certainly an interesting character.
The striker played under Pochettino at Espanyol but was excluded from the Italy squad for the Confederations Cup in the summer for disciplinary reasons. He admits that he is "no angel" but is generally a "nice person." Remind you of anyone?

With the ever-reliable Rickie Lambert on a career high following his goalscoring debut for England and more young players emerging from their academy, Southampton appear to be a team heading in the right direction.

Sunderland's away form is patchy but they have won on their last two visits to St Mary's. To try and predict the outcome of this encounter is difficult but it should be very interesting indeed.

Newcastle United vs West Ham August 24, 2013

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West Ham United started off their new season with a win against Premier League new boys Cardiff. Sam Allardyce was very happy with his sides performance and in particular that of his two goal scoreres Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan, Nolan in particular looks almost ageless as he continues to provide a goal threat and get up and down the pitch. With Andy Carroll sidelined at the moment West Ham will look to Ricado Vaz Te and Maiga upfront withnew signing Stewart Downing also expected to start on the wing. The former winger is sure to get a tasty welcome from Newcastle fans as he was big part of Middlesborough's team for a couple of years and played in many a Tyne/Wear Derby.

Monday night we seen the return of the Premier League spotlight to Manchester City and their opponents were Newcastle United, the magpies thrust into the public eye on Monday were far from impressive. Although there were some late line up changes with Yohan Cabaye left out of the team and the Newcastle cause definitely was not helped when Steven Taylor was sent off just before half time.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was not impressed with his side's performance Monday but to be honest the team put up a decent effort throughout the game, the problems lay with the sending off and the gap in quality between Manchester City's front four and Newcastle's front two who really struggled to impose themselves in the game. The Magpies return home on Saturday though and the confines of St James Park will be rocking for the arrival of West Ham United and their former boss Sam Allardyce.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will try to pick themselves up from a 4-0 drubbing at the Etihad Stadium when they welcome West Ham United to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies, who have lost their last three home fixtures, found themselves completely overwhelmed by an impressive Manchester City side - now under the leadership of Manuel Pellegrini - on Monday evening.

Alan Pardew voiced his anger at the timing of Arsenal's bid for midfielder Yohan Cabaye, which subsequently saw him left out of the squad that travelled to the North West.

Now that the bid has been rejected and the matter dealt with - at least for now - the Frenchman is expected to take his place against the Hammers.

However, Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez is likely to miss out through injury, while Steven Taylor will be suspended after getting sent off against City.

Meanwhile, the only man missing the Hammers, who beat Premier League newcomers Cardiff City in their opening fixture, is former St James' favourite Andy Carroll (heel).

Newcastle United vs West Ham August 24, 2013

Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita, Tiote, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Gouffran, Cisse

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Jarvis, Cole, Maiga

Hull City Norwich City August 24, 2013

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Hull City and Norwich City meet at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking for their first Premier League win of the season.

The hosts' return to the top flight could not have been much tougher and they were outplayed by Chelsea, eventually falling to a 2-0 defeat.

Steve Bruce admits Hull have their work cut out to stay in the Barclays Premier League when even the likes of Norwich and Southampton have joined the ranks of the big spenders.

Hull take on the Canaries, the side that gave Bruce his chance at the big time as a player, this weekend in their first home match back in the top flight and the Tigers' manager admits there is a gap between his side and Norwich.

Norwich have embarked on a considerable transfer spree, not least splashing out a club record B#10.7million on Ricky Van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon, while Southampton have paid B£15million for Roma striker Dani Osvaldo.

And Bruce, who has had to be more canny in terms of spending, said the stability that his old club have established in the Premier League is something he is aiming to emulate.

He said: "We all know who is going to be in the top six but Norwich and Southampton are doing their best to try and bridge that gap if they can.

"Make no mistake, with the resources that these clubs have got, the squads they've got, it is very, very difficult for us all to try to compete.

"But clubs like Norwich, Southampton and West Brom have invested a hell of a lot of money.

"Everyone has strengthened and that's the difficulty when you first come up into the Premier League.

"I wish I could spend B£15million on a centre-forward but that's not possible. We've got to cut our cloth."

Bruce has fond memories of his time at Norwich before Sir Alex Ferguson took him to Manchester United, and rates what has been done in East Anglia in recent years.

He added: "Norwich was the one real big club that really give me a chance. Everybody associates me with Man United, but Norwich was the one.

"Mel Machin and Ken Brown were the people who took me to Norwich a long, long time ago, and they gave me a chance when I was in the Third Division (with Gillingham)."

"If we can run our club the way they do with their support, that's got to be our benchmark."

Bruce is expected to give a first start to record signing Tom Huddlestone alongside his ex-Tottenham team-mate Jake Livermore, who has joined on loan from Spurs, against Norwich.

Norwich defender Michael Turner will put points before nostalgia when he returns to Hull.

Norwich played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Everton at Carrow Road and manager Chris Hughton will have seen plenty to be pleased about.

Steve Bruce's only real injury concern remains Stephen Quinn and he could be tempted to stick to a similar XI, despite the Stamford Bridge defeat.

Sebastien Bassong is pushing for a return following his recovery from injury although he and Gary Hooper may well not make the first team for this match.

Hull: McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Davies, Figueroa; Brady, Meyler, Koren, Sagbo; Graham, Aluko 

Norwich: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Garrido; Bennett, Howson, Tettey, Redmond; Hoolahan; Van Wolfswinkel

Everton vs West Bromwich Albion August 24, 2013

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The Spaniard saw his team take a well-earned point away to Norwich City in the opening game of the season, denied only by a superb header from Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who levelled the game at 2-2.

Steve Clarke will have to revitalise his charges as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday courtesy of a 90th-minute penalty from Rickie Lambert.

Everton lead the head-to-head meetings in the league between the two sides, with 60 wins to West Brom's 54, but they took a win apiece in the Premier League last season.

West Brom have lost on their last two league visits to Goodison Park, their last success at the ground a 4-1 romp in November 2010.

Sylvain Distin is a doubt for the hosts after picking up a knock in the draw with Norwich but full-back Tony Hibbert could feature after returning to training on Monday. However, summer signing Antolin Alcaraz is definitely ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season.

 Everton manager Roberto Martinez would have been encouraged with his side's display during his opening fixture at the club.

Martinez witnessed the Toffees earn a 2-2 draw away at Norwich City, despite falling a goal behind early in the second half.

That performance could see the former Wigan man retain the same starting lineup, but striker Arouna Kone is pushing for a start.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke saw his team open up their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton.

The Baggies succumbed to a last-minute penalty, and Clarke could opt to hand new striker Matej Vydra his full debut after he played the final seven minutes last weekend.

GOAL PREDICTS THE PL
16/1 Everton and West Brom are 16/1 with Bet365 to draw 2-2
Republic of Ireland international midfielder Darron Gibson could feature if he recovers from a knee problem that kept him out of the Norwich game but he will have trouble displacing Ross Barkley, who impressed against Chris Hughton's side.

"Distin is the one we're a little bit concerned about," Martinez told the club's official website, "but, knowing Sylvain, you can never say that he's not going to be available at the weekend.

Everton: Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman; Mirallas, Barkley, Osman, Pienaar; Fellaini, Jelavic

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Olsson, Ridgewell, McAuley, Jones; Yacob, Morrison, Dorrans, Mulumbu; Vydra, Anelka

Fulham vs Arsenal August 24, 2013

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The alarm sirens for Arsene Wenger's reign will be screeching if Arsenal lose back-to-back opening league matches for the first time since the inaugural Premier League season 21 years ago. If they surrender as meekly as they did against Villa then Fulham can record successive opening Premier League victories for the first time.

But the Gunners reminded everyone that they're not far short of being a really good team when they won handsomely at Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger has been overly-cautious in the transfer marker so far, but some of the criticism of him has bordered on the hysterical.

Fans have rightly been frustrated that big-name signings have been mooted yet no deals have been forthcoming. But it's not Wenger's fault that Liverpool wouldn't sell Luis Suarez. The Anfield club told me last week the Uruguayan was never going to move to the Emirates.

weekend, top up their Oyster cards, and get on the Underground for the 30 minute journey down to Craven Cottage, where Fulham awaits, well-rested after their Opening Day win at Sunderland.

With such a thin squad and a very short turnaround time, there's not a whole lot to say about this game, lineup- or tactic-wise, that we didn't see Wednesday; Kos is out, Flamini won't be signed in time for the game, and otherwise it's more or less status quo. Arsenal don't have a lot of options right now, so what you saw Wednesday is likely what you'll get Saturday.

The Cottagers made the perfect start to their 2013/14 campaign last weekend, with a 1-0 victory secured on the road at new-look Sunderland.

Martin Jol will be delighted to be off the mark away from home, but will also be aware that Fulham are historically stronger in front of their own supporters than they are on their travels.

They will hope that proves to be the case this weekend, with it important to establish, and then maintain, early momentum.

Arsenal will feel that they have the wind back in their sails following an impressive 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in their UEFA Champions League qualifier in midweek, but that success has only served to paper over old cracks.

Wenger remains firmly under the spotlight after failing to bolster his ranks this summer, and a 3-1 reversal at the Emirates on the opening day saw Gunners supporters make their feelings clear.

Speculation suggests it could be a busy couple of weeks in north London, with Arsenal likely to spend big before the window closes, but they need to ensure that they get things right on the field if events off it are to become less of a distraction.

Fulham vs. Arsenal 
English Premier League
Saturday, 24 August 2013
4.45AM PT/7.45AM ET/11.45AM BT