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

Heerenveen vs Ajax August 23, 2013

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Team news and match details team line ups:
an Basten made his name in Amsterdam, scoring nearly a goal a game in a prolific six-year spell which made him one of the most feared strikers in the history of the game.

He returned to Ajax as manager in 2008 but was in charge for just a single season as the club failed to make the UEFA Champions League and moved to Heerenveen in February last year.

His current charges are level with the champion in the embryonic Eredivisie table with both sides having two wins from the opening three games but Van Basten insists it is the size of the club, and not his personal history, which gives this clash some extra spice.

“These clubs make you a bit nervous,” he told Heerenveen offical website.

“Ajax is special. There is much media attention off the field. The competition is fierce for both the players and the fans.”

But Van Basten is refusing to be intimidated by the task at hand and believes his team can be better when it is on the back foot.

“We are stronger when the opponent has the initiative,” he said. “Our strength lies in the counter-attack.

“Ajax plays a dominant style and usually has the upper hand. Ajax are technically more skilled and tactically strong.

“It is a difficult job.”

On Saturday (Sunday AEST) PSV Eindhoven will look to maintain its 100 per cent start as it travels to Heracles.

PSV has won its previous two league matches 5-0 and 3-0 and comes into the match at the Polman Stadion on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with AC Milan in the Champions League.

The only other club with a perfect record this season is also in action on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as PEC Zwolle takes on newly-promoted Cambuur.

PEC has surprised many with its bright start to the season but takes on a Cambuur side high in confidence following a 4-1 win over Groningen last weekend.

In Saturday’s (Sunday AEST) other games, NEC takes on RKC Waalwijk while Roda JC travels to ADO Den Haag.

Feyenoord boss Ronald Koeman will be hoping his side will not be travel weary as it takes on NAC Breda on Sunday (Monday AEST).

The Rotterdam side has just two days recovery from its trip to Russia to face Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League as it looks for its first league win of the season.

But despite a pointless start to the campaign, Koeman believes he has seen enough progress to be optimistic.

“Last Sunday against Ajax I saw a lot of spirit in the team,” he told a press conference. “Although it’s clear that we can and have to play better.”

In Sunday’s (Monday AEST) remaining games, Go Ahead Eagles hosts Groningen, FC Twente travels to Vitesse Arnhem and Utrecht takes on AZ Alkmaar.

Monaco vs Toulouse August 23, 2013

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Toulouse travel to the Stade Louis II Stadium to play Monaco this Friday evening where Monaco will be aiming to make it 3 wins from 3 matches in France Ligue 1.

Monaco started their season away to Bordeaux where they managed to win 2:0 – they followed that victory up with an impressive 4:1 win at home against Montpellier.
Toulouse lost 3:0 to Valenciennes in their opening game and managed to draw 1:1 with Bordeaux last time out.

Monaco entered the season in a best possible way as they earned two victories at the start of the season and are coming from a great 4:1 victory over Montpellier last weekend, now trying to get another three pointer and take over the first position in the league after three rounds.
The last 5 meetings between these two sides finished 0:2, 0:0, 0:0, 1:0 and 3:2.

Although it is still very early in the season, Monaco are joint top while Toulouse are 19th.
Monaco were promoted from Ligue 2 last season where they managed to score 64 goals in 38 matches and conceded just 33.
Toulouse finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season – they scored 49 goals in 38 matches and conceded 47.
Monaco have spent over £100 million during the transfer window bringing in world class players such as João Moutinho and James Rodríguez from FC Porto and most notably Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid.

Toulouse spent less than £10 million during the transfer window and lost one of their most influential players, Étienne Capoue to Tottenham.
Ultimately Monaco should win this match comfortably given their much improved squad and their impressive defensive record from last season (conceded 33 goals in 38 matches).

Toulouse generally score as many as they concede and this will be their biggest problem when facing a Monaco side who pose a massive goal threat while maintaining a solid back line.
From a betting perspective over 2.5 goals at odds of 17/20 appears to offer value – French matches are generally low-scoring but Monaco do have Falcao, Moutinho and Rodríguez who are sure to have chances during the game.

However, their start of the season isn’t a surprising one, as their owner spent a lot of this Summer, trying to improve the squad and be one of the candidates for the title at the end of the season. Their biggest signing was Falcao who played well at the start of the season, but is still to show his best. However, it seems that their defensive lineup still needs time to start playing fluently, as Montpellier had a lot of goalscoring opportunities and made many troubles to their defense. However, they only struggled during the first half, while they showed great offensive superiority in the second adding two more goals, while the exclusion of visitors’ player in 65th minute helped them a lot. Offensive midfielder Dirar is injured from the start of the season, same as striker/winger Barazite, but neither of them is important absentee with so rich and deep roster.

Real Madrid vs Al Saad August 22, 2013

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This year's Santiago Bernabeu Trophy will be especially sweet for Real Madrid fans, as longtime forward and skipper Raul will return to Madrid with his team, Al Sadd.

While essentially just a friendly—and set smack dab in the middle of the week after Real Madrid's opening win against Betis, 2-1—this game will take on a different air of importance from most friendlies with Raul in the house. 

Of course, there will be a game to focus on as well, so let's break down this midseason match. 

The former Real Madrid captain and current Al Sadd player will play for each team, splitting his allegiances temporarily in this friendly. He'll spend one half with Real Madrid and one half with Al Sadd, an honor for a player who spent 16 seasons for Real Madrid and scored an incredible 228 La Liga goals.

The Spanish giants have made the Tottenham forward their number one transfer target and are expected to confirm his signing for a world record £85million before the end of the transfer window.

Raul was a Real regular when they previously broke transfer records in recruiting Luis Figo for £37m in 2000, Zinedine Zidane for £50m in 2001, Kaka for £56m in 2009 and Cristiano Ronaldo for £80m a week later, but for all that he admires Bale and recognises what it is he can potentially bring to his boyhood team, he is regardless concerned about the significant sums of money being discussed.

After a brief stay with Schalke, Raul joined Al Sadd in 2012, presumably where he will close out his career. A Real Madrid, La Liga, Champions League and Spanish legend, the forward still has a bit of magic left in his boots and probably will score a goal or two in this one. 


When: Thursday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid