Sport

Gameday – PL Gameweek 1 Preview

August 13, 2021

By Sam Torrance

The time has come, Premier League football is finally returning to our lives. And oh, how we’ve missed it. Except this time, it’s going to be even better because there won’t be the eerily quiet stadiums, or the delayed virtual crowd noise championed by Sky Sports. Fans are back! So thankfully, we can swap all that out for a bouncing Elland Road and the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ reverberating around the Anfield rafters before kick-off.

Without further ado, let’s get into our gameweek one predictions.

Manchester United Vs Leeds

Head-to-head record: 47 (Man Utd) – 37 (draw) – 26 (Leeds)

Results last season: 6-2 (Old Trafford), 0-0 (Elland Road)

Key men: Jadon Sancho/Kalvin Phillips

Team Updates

Well, if this fixture goes anything like the way it did last season, we’re in for a treat. Often referred to as the “war of the roses” because of the link between Lancashire and Yorkshire, this rivalry runs deep in the histories of both clubs. So, you can expect a fierce contest.

United have been typically busy in the transfer market, signing the much sought-after Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, two additions that they hope will be the missing pieces in the jigsaw to catapult them to a title challenge. The United attack is certainly in a better place with the young Englishman in the frame, who played his hand in 36 goals at Dortmund last term. The pressure will be on him early to replicate that with Marcus Rashford absent through injury for the start of the campaign.

Whereas with Leeds you can expect a similar team from last year. Bamford; Raphina; and Jack Harrison, will spearhead a ferocious pressing machine typical of ‘El Loco.’ A machine that seemed to find the magic number defensively towards the end of last year, contrary to what they were regarded for. Yes, Leeds was responsible for some ridiculously high scoring matches (6-2 United instantly comes to mind) however they did also keep 6 clean sheets in their last 11 league games.

Significantly, establishing themselves as rather a nuisance for the big six in doing so; beating Man City, plus holding Chelsea, Liverpool and United after the turn of the year. You can bank on the fact that Bielsa has only built on those defensive improvements over summer which would make Leeds a real force to be reckoned with.

The Match

The key battle in this game will be between Kalvin Phillips and Bruno. The ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ will no doubt be shadowing the Portuguese playmaker’s every move, so Sancho could prove United’s main outlet on the right-hand side and in doing so, be the key man for them in this fixture. Likewise, for Leeds, Raphina seems to be the words on every Yorkshireman’s mind right now and will be key if they want to cause an upset at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are favourites with the bookies at 1/2 but I think this match could be much closer than they suggest. The missing Marcus Rashford will be a huge loss for United on the left-hand side and the team really struggled at home last season. Which is why I’m backing Leeds to start strongly and carry their momentum through from the end of last year.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 1-1
DANIEL’S PREDICTION: 3-1

Chelsea Vs Crystal Palace

Head-to-head: 31 (Chelsea) – 15 (draw) – 12 (Palace)

Results last season: 4-0 (Stamford Bridge), 4-1 (Selhurst Park)

Key man: Kai Havertz

Team Updates

It’s doubtful you’ll see many sides getting the better of Chelsea at the bridge this season. The blues have been taken to a whole new level under manager Thomas Tuchel and supporters are not just hoping for a title challenge, they’re expecting one. The second coming of Romelu Lukaku will surely do plenty on that front, removing the reliance on Timo Werner, who netted just six times in the league last time out in a dire campaign in front of goal. At the time of writing this Lukaku is yet to be made official so whether he will be available for Saturday remains to be seen.

Patrick Viera and Crystal Palace remain quite the unknown entity heading into opener. The club has been in turmoil since Hodgson left, players out of contract, managers turning them down left and right, yet, Viera has guided them through a successful preseason, winning five of their six games. Plenty of question marks remain over the Frenchman’s lack of managerial credentials but a shock result in a London derby ought to be the best way to remedy that.

The Match

Despite Chelsea’s defence being heavily lauded as one of the best in the league, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches, and they didn’t look overly impressive in the super cup. Which suggests Palace have a good chance of finding the back of the net.

Do they have the minerals for any more than that? Doubtful. Chelsea’s team is still brimming with talent all over the pitch and you’d expect the Blues to notch multiple times against a Palace outfit that’s still finding its feet under new management. If Lukaku plays, I think he announces himself on the big stage in real fashion, bagging a brace at least.

A comfortable win for Chelsea, who go in big favourites with the bookies at 2/9.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 3-1
DANIEL’S PREDICTION: 2-0

Leicester Vs Wolves

Head-to-head: 39 (Leicester) – 35 (draw) – 43 (Wolves)

Results last season: 1-0 (King Power), 0-0 (Molineux)

Key man: Harvey Barnes

Team Updates

The foxes have already kicked their season off in impressive fashion after dispatching of Man City in the community shield last weekend, so they’ll be feeling bullish heading into the opener. Fans will no doubt be relieved they could hold onto their key players this transfer window, and although Wesley Fofana’s horror injury could make this season challenging, confidence seems at an all time high under Brendan.

Wolves on the other hand, not so much. The club are in a period of transition and new man- Bruno Lage, has struggled to get the best from his pack since his arrival, winning only two of six preseason games against relatively poor opposition. The return of the Mexican hitman, Raul Jimenez, will surely boost them but whether it will be enough to power them past an impressive Leicester remains to be seen.

The Match

Trying to assess where the main threat comes from with this Leicester team is a challenge, which tells you all you need to know. Any of their attack minded players could wreak havoc. Harvey Barnes is consistently lethal out on the wing, James Maddison could muster up a masterclass, Iheanacho has bagged 10 in his last 11; and we haven’t even mentioned Jamie Vardy…

The creative options the foxes have at their disposal and their ludicrously quick runners in attack, will likely prove a lethal potion for many of the sides that they come across this campaign. Not least Wolves, who seem to be struggling for direction in the current moment. They’re a team that has been developing under Brendan Rogers for two full seasons now, and it’s about time they peaked. Wolves haven’t got a chance.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 3-0
DANIEL’S PREDICTION: 2-1

Norwich Vs Liverpool

Head-to-head: 14 (Norwich) – 15 (draw) – 37 (Liverpool)

Previous two results: 0-1 (Carrow Road), 4-1 (Anfield)

Key man: Sadio Mane

Team Updates

It’s the dream start for fans of the reds. After such a rollercoaster season last time out, kicking off the campaign with a dominant victory would be especially reassuring for what lies ahead. Liverpool will be boosted hugely by the return of a host of players: Van Djik, Matip, Gomez, all return. And the addition of Ibrahima Konate will ensure that no freak injury crisis de-rails a season quite the same way again. A real sense of optimism seems to be surrounding the Liverpool camp that they can get back to their absurd best.

Meanwhile, Norwich are being thrown right in at the deep end. Liverpool opening game, Man City second- talk about a baptism of fire! Then again, the Canaries come in following an impressive spell in the Championship under Daniel Farke so they might spring a surprise. They conceded on average just 0.76 goals per game last year, so maintaining that level of defensive solidarity will be key if they want to get anything out of this game.

The Match

You won’t want to miss this one. The last ten matches between these two have produced no fewer than 45 goals! And of those 45, Liverpool have scored 33 of them. A trend that will most likely only continue this Saturday…

In terms of the game itself, expect the Liverpool of old. Pressing high up the pitch, winning the ball back in Norwich’s half, and quickly shifting it into the front three. Intensity will be the name of the game for the rejuvenated reds, who will look to make swift work of the new boys and set down a marker for the season ahead. Sadio Mane has looked incredibly sharp over preseason, the break from football has clearly done him the world of good, so keep your eye on him. Ultimately, Liverpool will just have far too much for the league’s newcomers.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 0-3
DANIEL’S PREDICTION: 0-3

Tottenham Vs Man City

Head-to-head: 63 (Tottenham) – 36 (Draw) – 65 (Man City)

Results last season: 2-0 (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), 3-0 (Etihad)

Key man: Riyad Mahrez

Team Updates

Finally, for the headline show of the weekend. Shall we say winner gets Harry Kane?

A new era kicks off at Spurs as Nuno Espirito Santo oversees his first game as head coach. The Portuguese manager seemed to enjoy playing Man City in his Wolves tenure, doing the double over the reigning champions back in the 2019/20 season and will no doubt be hoping for more of the same. Whether he’ll get it, well that’s a different situation entirely. Tottenham are one of the most unfancied teams in the league this season. Their key talisman wants out, ironically to their opening day opponents. And the club just seems to be in turmoil since the sacking of Mourinho back in April. Harry Kane is in contention to start according to Nuno, but it would be a brave decision to include him in the eleven.

Although it’s fair to say Man City aren’t in the most ideal situation themselves. Much of their squad have only recently returned to training following the Euros and two of their key playmakers: De Bruyne and Foden, have already been ruled out for the trip to the capital. Luckily for them, the nation’s new sweetheart Jack Grealish is expected to start, whom Pep will be hoping can bring enough of a spark to overcome the three-game losing streak he currently sits on in North London.

The Match

The game is likely to be a low scoring affair. Tottenham will look to restrict the space in the final third and frustrate an almost seemingly under prepared Manchester City.
Of course, the champions have more than enough elite talent in their squad to get by without two of their main creative outlets, but I do think De Bruyne will be a huge loss for them this weekend.

Jack Grealish hasn’t had long to adapt to the squad and will no doubt in the absence of KDB slip into the number 10 role that would match him up against the tough tackling Pierre Emile Hojberg; arguably Spurs second best player last season and he’d make it his business to give Jack a difficult afternoon. Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are likely to prove the real dangermen for City but again the lack of a real striker will make things more difficult than they need to be.

Despite the fact this Tottenham side are staring down the barrel of a lacklustre Premier League season, if Kane was to start and his head was truly in it, I’d back them for a draw. But I just don’t think he will- City to edge it, Mahrez with the goal.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 0-1
DANIEL’S PREDICTION: 0-2

This article was written by Sam Torrance. To check out their other work click here or you can leave them a comment below.

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