Preview-Manchester United Vs Fulham:
Fulham's opening-day hero Mladen Petric has warned they cannot win 5-0 every week as the Londoners prepare for a trip to Manchester United.Petric scored twice and set up another goal in Saturday's rout of Norwich, his first league match for Fulham after joining from Hamburg in June.Despite his heroics, the Croatian striker was eager to focus on the collective effort of Martin Jol's side after the game."I'm happy I was able to provide the assist but most important were the three points and that we played a good game together as a team," Petric said. "It wasn't just one or two of us who played well."We didn't concede a goal, we defended very well, and that was important in a big first game."It was a fantastic day for us with an amazing crowd but of course, it cannot be like that every week."Petric scored 45 goals in 89 games across four seasons with Hamburg and while the 31-year-old Croatian struggled last term, Fulham manager Jol believed he was worth a gamble.Jol and Petric worked together when the Dutchman was head coach of Hamburg in the 2008/09 season."I feel, especially if you are not Barcelona or Real Madrid or Manchester United or Chelsea, you should get quality in when they are not playing well," Jol said. "That is what I did with Petric."United are Fulham's next opponents and the Red Devils will be desperate to get on the winners' list after they lost 1-0 away to Everton on Monday.Everton took advantage of Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to play midfielder Michael Carrick in central defence as big Belgian attacker Marouane Fellaini dominated United and scored the winning goal.Jonny Evans was expected to return from an ankle injury against Fulham but Ferguson believes neither he, nor fellow defenders Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling or Phil Jones will be fit in time for the clash at Old Trafford.After a 5-0 opening day victory, Jol is expected to name the same line-up against United with Alexander Kacaniklic also having impressed against Norwich.The 21-year-old Swedish midfielder scored from Petric's flick-on to make if 4-0 on Saturday and was a constant menace for Norwich's defenders.
Preview-Swansea City Vs West-Ham United:
Swansea have won three of their last six when running into last season including the 5-0 win at QPR last time out. You have to go back to April 6 and a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle for the last loss at the Liberty. West Ham have won every one of their last six if you include last year’s results, including the wins over Cardiff in the play-off and Saturday’s opening day win at home over Villa.It’s the first time the two teams have met in 13 years, Swansea securing a famous FA Cup scalp in one of the Vetch’s most memorable nights. After a 1-1 draw at Upton Park, Martin Thomas helped John Hollins’ side dump Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and a certain John Hartson out in the third round in the replay.Kevin Nolan Is the Key Player for WHU.
Preview-Norwich City Vs Queens Park Rangers:
Norwich City welcome Queens Park Rangers to Carrow Road on Saturday with both sides looking to avenge their disastrous opening day defeats.Both Chris Hughton and Mark Hughes watched on as their teams were humiliated 5-0 against Fulham and Swansea respectively.New signings Michael Turner and Robert Snodgrass debuted for Norwich but were unable to prevent defeat and Hughton has called on his troops to bounce back this weekend. "You have to remember it's the first game of the season. Defeats are defeats, and you have to be able to bounce back and learn from them," he told the club's official website."We got a harsh lesson, and the players and myself need to learn from this. We need to make sure it makes us stronger and more resilient."Norwich completed the double against QPR last season, recording two 2-1 victories.But it will be a different encounter with the west London side also reeling from their loss to Swansea, which Hughes described as 'embarrassing'."If you're not careful it can be embarrassing if you're two or three behind and you're chasing the game," he said."It was certainly that." Debutants Robert Green, Junior Hoilett, Fabio and Park Ji-Sung all started the match but offered little against the Welsh outfit, who had failed to score in five of their previous six trips to Loftus Road.Hughes is known for his ruthless approach so expect to see QPR up and about for this clash from the beginning.
Preview-Aston Villa Vs Everton:
Aston Villa's Charles N'Zogbia has conceded he must contribute more in the front third as his side brace for Saturday's meeting with Everton.Frenchman N'Zogbia played 24 matches for Villa in the English Premier League last season, scoring two goals and contributing four assists.The 26-year-old attacking midfielder believes he can do a lot more for his team up front this season."I definitely need to be getting a few more goals and a few more assists, that would be good," N'Zogbia said. "The thing I've got in my mind is just to play my best, to show my skills and that would be a good start." Villa finished 16th last season and started the new campaign with a 1-0 defeat away to West Ham.New manager Paul Lambert will be disappointed with his side's failure to score having had 66 percent of possession at Upton Park.Lambert selected Darren Bent, Stephen Ireland, new signing Brett Holman and N'Zogbia as the main attacking threats in his line-up and although Villa managed 13 shots to West Ham's eight, the visitors from Birmingham only hit the target twice.Lambert's Everton counterpart, David Moyes, will be thrilled with his side's opening-round result after they defeated Manchester United 1-0 on Monday.Everton will head to Villa Park hoping they can build some momentum after their victory at home over United.Moyes' side have not won more than three of their opening 10 matches of a league season since 2007/08, and the Scot is desperate to change that this time around."We haven't started recent seasons very well and even tonight's result doesn't tell you we have started the season well, just as if we had lost tonight, we wouldn't have said we'd started the season badly," Moyes said."I think you judge how you have started a season after 10 games. "I've tried just about everything to try and get off to a good start and we tried something else this year."Moyes has a couple of injury concerns leading into Saturday's game with striker Nikica Jelavic and defender Sylvain Distin picking up knocks against the Red Devils.
Preview-Tottenham Vs West-Bromwich Albion:
Andre Villas-Boas was unable to make a winning start to life at Tottenham and it will not get any easier against West Bromwich Albion.Tottenham, who have failed to win at St James Park since 2004, were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle on Saturday after Hatem Ben Arfa converted an 80th minute penalty for the hosts.Demba Ba put Newcastle nine minutes ahead in to the second half before Jermain Defoe, Spurs' loan striker, levelled proceedings on 76 minutes and Villas-Boas heaped praise on his sole marksman."He always has this killer instinct," he said. "He scored in midweek for his country, scored for us during pre-season and again (at Newcastle)."He is showing that touch that we need up front."However, Defoe may not be alone for much longer with Emmanuel Adebayor close to rejoining Tottenham permanently.As for West Brom, the Midlands outfit is coming off a remarkable 3-0 victory over Liverpool at The Hawthorns in Steve Clarke's first match as manager.Clarke's side had only recorded one win in 11 English Premier League encounters with Liverpool at home, which dated back 31 years but emphatically ended their dismal run on the opening day courtesy of a stunning strike from Zoltan Gera and goals from Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku.Clarke's name echoed around the stadium as West Brom handed Liverpool their worst opening day defeat in 75 years and they head to White Hart Lane with their tails up.Defoe was the hero when these two sides last met in January, with his 63rd-minute goal proving the difference but both clubs have witnessed changes in coaches and philosophy since.
Preview-Southampton Vs Wigan Athletic:
There was plenty to like about Southampton despite their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, while the same could not be said about Wigan.Southampton had only lost one of their last five league games away to City heading into the match, and although times have significantly changed, the newly promoted side came within a whisker of taking all three points on their return to the Premier League.Steven Davis, formerly of Rangers, and Rickie Lambert cancelled out the opening goal from Carlos Tevez to hand Nigel Adkins' side a surprise 2-1 lead against the defending champions with less than 20 minutes remaining.But they were eventually pegged back through goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri.Adkins walked away heartened by the display of his charges, even if he was a little disappointed not to have at least claimed a point."I'm obviously very proud of the players, but it's about winning games of football that's our endeavour," he said.Next up for Southampton is a match against Roberto Martinez's Wigan at St Mary's.Wigan were outplayed by Chelsea in their league opener and looked off the pace but showed signs of progression in the 2-0 defeat according to midfielder James McArthur."When you look at what happened against Chelsea here two seasons ago, it just shows you how far we've come since then," he said."Going two behind so early might have made people think here we go again but, we showed great mental strength and put them under pressure for the majority of the game."And the former Hamilton Academical midfielder is well aware of the threat Southampton will pose."They're going to be raring to go and we know what we need to do because we played all three promoted teams in a row last season and we know that they're going to come out all guns blazing," the 24-year-old said."We need to impose ourselves on every game because with our style of play it helps to stop other teams controlling the match."
Preview-Sunderland Vs Reading:
Reading travel to the Stadium of Light for the first time since Sunderland's promotion to the English Premier League in 2007.Sunderland hosted Reading in September 2007 following their return to the top flight after Roy Keane guided the club to an unbeaten run of 17 games and top spot in the Championship.Kenwyne Jones and Ross Wallace found the back of the net in a 2-1 victory on a day Sunderland paid tribute to club legend Ian Porterfield, who had passed away a week earlier.Since that memorable day almost five years ago, Sunderland has new owners and a new manager in Martin O'Neil.The former Aston Villa and Celtic manager was given the task of reinvigorating the club's fortunes in December last year and his team's campaign got off to a promising start with a goalless draw at Arsenal on the opening day.New signing Carlos Cuellar was a standout performer on his debut and the Spaniard believes his team can mix it with the best on their day."It's very important to start well because you realise you are a strong team, have quality players and you can beat anyone," the ex-Aston Villa defender said."To play against Arsenal, one of the top teams and favourites to reach the top four, and get a point a point with chances to score, it's a good game to build your confidence."If you're working and doing your job properly, you can get a result against anybody."As for Reading, they have endured a mixed start upon their return to the big time.The newly promoted outfit salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke on the opening day before losing to Chelsea 4-2 midweek.Fernando Torres scored the decisive third goal, which seemed to be from an offside position, but despite the decision and result, McDermott could not be prouder of his players."We felt there was something for us at 2-2 and we could have got another goal," he said. "I certainly don't feel we deserved to lose the game. "What you have to do is move on very quickly. I thought it was a great game. We've come to the European champions and put on a real performance and it shows we deserve to be here. "We're trying our best to play the best football we possibly can. I told myself when I took this job we'd try and win games."
Preview-Chelsea Vs Newcastle:
A new look Chelsea are scheduled to take on a very strong Newcastle United squad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 25 August, with the defending European champions, led by Roberto Di Matteo, surely keen on retaining their place at the top of the Premier League table.Chelsea have started the 2012/13 English Premier League campaign with two consecutive wins over Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic and newly promoted Reading.On the other side of the touchline, Newcastle United started their league season on a winning note despite a solid performance from Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham Hotspur.For Chelsea Player to watch will be Eden Hazard And For Newcastle United Player to watch will Be Pappiss Demba Cisse.
Preview-Stoke City Vs Arsenal:
Arsenal travel to the Britannia Stadium, a place with few fond memories for the Gunners, this Sunday. These are two sides with diametrically contradicting footballing philosophy, two sides who openly despise each other. There is almost a derby-like feeling to these clashes.Arsenal started off their premier league campaign with a frustrating draw against Sunderland at the Emirates. The match report was very much in the mould of what one has experienced during previous seasons – dominating possession, controlling the pace of the game with final ball or finishing touch letting them down. There was two positives though – Santi Cazorla’s performance and a clean sheet. Although it was only the first game of the season, it was a chance missed by Arsenal to take an early lead from the usual top four suspects as Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United dropped points.Arsene Wenger has come out and said that he is looking to add a defender and a midfielder to the squad before the window closes. It looks like Wenger isn’t holding back his cards in this transfer window. It would be interesting to see what new additions the Gunners end up with, but Nuri Sahin is nearly sure to be one of those new additions. Either way, Arsenal will have to be more proactive and clinical in front of the goal to get a positive result at Stoke.Stoke City, like Arsenal, began their campaign with a draw at Madejski Stadium. The Potters managed to take the lead through Michael Knightly in the first half, but right at the end a foul by Dean Whitehead on Garath McCleary inside the penalty box meant the Stoke defender got his marching orders after receiving his second booking of the match. Adam Le Fondre stepped up and scored from the resulting penalty to draw level for Reading. It was a bitter blow for Stoke who looked good for all three points but missed out narrowly.Arsenal have won just once in their last four visits to the Britannia stadium, that win came back in February 2010. In their last visit, the match ended in a 1-1 draw as Peter Crouch and Robin van Persie scored. Goals have certainly not lacked when these two sides have met with 19 goals scored in their last six meetings. So expect an action packed match once again.
Preview-Liverpool Vs Manchester City:
The latest game between Liverpool and Manchester City takes place this Sunday, August 26th.The two teams come into Sunday's game with motivation to take this latest matchup. Liverpool is coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday, while Manchester City has won its last five games and will be wanting to make it six.Even though Man City comes into the game with more success, recent history between the two teams slightly supports Liverpool. In their past five games facing each other, Liverpool has won two games, Man City has one victory, and the teams have played to a draw twice.Liverpool will be without defender Daniel Agger, who is out because of a one-game ban after not deciding to appeal a red card given to him in the West Bromwich game. Man City will be without three players because of injuries, forward Sergio Aguero, midfielder Gareth Barry and defender Micah Richards.All this makes for a very unpredictable matchup this Sunday.
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