EPL Predictions

Arsenal ( away vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte - Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky - Adebayor, Henry. Lineup change Adebayor in for Van Persie

Subs: Almunia, Flamini, Cygan, Traore, Song, Diaby, Aliadiere, Walcott, van Persie.
Injured: Reyes, Senderos, Clichy, Lauren.
Suspended: None

Team News: Arsenal welcome back Lehmann and Henry today after being left out of the European mid-week tie. Midfielder Rosicky is expected to make his debut, with Ljungberg left out of the squad due to fatigue. Arsene Wenger has stated that he is unhappy with Adebayor's home form; "I feel Emmanuel Adebayor is a bit intimidated at home right now," admitted Wenger. "It looks like it has diminished his confidence." (Lineup cahnge 11:17am)
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Starting XI: (4-3-3) Sorensen - Hughes, Ridgewell, Mellberg, Bouma - S. Davis, McCann, Barry - Agbonlahor, Angel, Moore.
Subs: Taylor, Laursen, Delaney, Samuel, Gardner, Djemba-Djemba, Hendrie, Whittingham, .
Injured: Baros, Berger, Cahill
Suspended: None

Team News: Villa could start with Dutchman Bouma at left-back with Samuel struggling with a thigh-strain he picked up against Reading in mid-week. The rest of the team should remain unchanged.
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Blackburn ( home vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Neill, T, Khizanishvili, Gray - Bentley, Savage, S. Reid, Gamst Pedersen - J. Roberts, McCarthy.
Subs: Enckelman, Emerton, Brown, Gallagher, Todd, Ooijer, Mokoena, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Jeffers, Peter, Kuqi,
Injured: Nelsen
Suspended: Tugay (1 match)

Team News: Australian Neill returns from suspension and will take up his regular position at right-back. Nelsen is still a concern with injury but new signing Ooijer should take a place on the bench.
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Bolton ( away vs. Charlton)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Q. Fortune - Speed, Campo, Nolan - Vaz Te, Davies, Diouf
Subs: Walker, Tal, O'Brien, Fojut, H. Pedersen, Abdoulaye Faye, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Stelios
Injured: Gardner.
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Anelka (International clearance.)

Team News: Big Sam's new signing Anelka will watch his first game as a Bolton man from the stands. Left-back Fortune is a very serious doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the mid-week game. O'Brien is back from injury and could replace him, but it would more likely be Fojut who has more match fitness and normally plays in this position. Pedersen and Faye also return to the squad after injury.
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Charlton ( home vs. Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carson - Young, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri, D. Traore, - Ambrose, Amdy Faye, A.Reid, Holland - D. Bent, Hasselbaink
Subs: Myhre, Fortune, Sam, Kishishev, Rommedahl, Hughes, Walton, B. Hughes, Euell, M Bent
Injured: Gibbs, Thomas, Walker, Sorondo
Suspended: None

Team News: Pie-man Reid could make his debut for a struggling Charlton side today. A big cloud hangs over the possible line-up in defence for me today. Will Troare, who was quite poor in first game, jump straight back into the squad after returning from suspension? Possibly not. So Dowie may start with the same back-four that took on the Red Devils.. We will see.
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Chelsea ( away vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Cudicini - Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge - Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Wright-Phillips - Shevchenko, Drogba Lineup Change Robben injured!
Subs: Hilario, Diarra, Boulahrouz, Mancienne, Mikel, Makelele, Kalou, .
Injured: Cech, Huth, J. Cole, Geremi
Suspended: None

Team News: German captain Ballack is now rated as 50/50 for this game and Makelele could be drafted into the team! (Lineup change 11:05am)
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Everton ( away vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Howard - Valente, Lescott, Yobo, P. Neville - Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, McFadden - Beattie, Johnson
Subs: Wright, Naysmith, Kilbane,Hibbert, Weir, van der Meyde, Osman, Anichebe
Injured: Pistone, Vaughan, Stubbs
Suspended: None

Team News: Portuguese left-back Nuno Valente has overcome the deadleg sustained on Wednesday and should start but defender Stubbs is out with a hamstring injury, so with Weir still lacking match-fitness young Lescott could start at the back. After an amazing substitution display in mid-week Scotsman McFadden could be could into the starting XI.
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Fulham ( away vs. Sheffield Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Niemi - Queudrue, Christanval, Pearce, Rosenior - Bullard, Diop, M. Brown, Boa Morte - Helguson, John
Subs: Crossley, Bocanegra, Knight, N. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Radzinski, McBride, Runstrom
Injured: C. Jensen, Elliott, Pembridge, Milsom, Malbranque.
Suspended: None

Team News: Coleman says that the back four wil stay the same and John could return to the starting XI after being omitted for "tatical reasons" in mid-week. Coleman says that 1-2 changes will be made for this game.
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Liverpool ( away vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio - Gerrard, Alonso, Gonzalez, Pennant - Crouch, Bellamy
Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Zenden, Sinama-Pongolle, Garcia, Fowler, Kuyt
Injured: Kewell, Sissoko, Carragher, Riise, Warnock, Paletta
Suspended: None

Team News: Liverpool have injury problems with Riise and Carragher missing so Aurelio and Agger will come in at the back. The big news is that Kuyt is set to make his debut but I personally think that it will be from the bench. Crouch is in excellent form and should get the nod ahead of his Dutch counterpart.
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Man City ( home vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Weaver - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan - Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Samaras -Dickov, Corradi
Subs: Weaver, Sun Jihai, Onuoha, Miller, Ireland, Dabo, Sibierski, Vassell, Sturridge
Injured: Hamann, Cole.
Unavailable: Trabelsi (work permit).
Suspended: None

Team News: Man City left-back Thatcher has been suspended by Stuart Pearce so Jordan should come in. Isaksson is ready to undergo an operation so is still missing from the starting xi. Corradi returns from suspension and could be used as the battering ram alongside Dickov. A very physical attack, which we know Arsenal doesn't like..
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Man Utd ( away vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - R. Ferdinand, W. Brown, Silvestre, Evra - Park, O'Shea, Carrick, Giggs - Saha, Ronaldo
Subs: Kuszczak, Evans, Richardson, Fletcher, Miller , Rossi
Injured: Vidic, Heinze, Smith
Suspended: Scholes (2 matches), Rooney (2 matches).

Team News: Coming soon...
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Middlesbrough ( away vs. Portsmouth )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Schwarzer – Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Parnaby – Boateng, Rochemback, Mendieta, Downing – Yakubu, Viduka
Subs: Turnbull, McMahon, Bates, Davies, Cattermole, Parlour, Morrison, Christie, Maccarone.
Injured: Ehiogu, Arca
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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Newcastle ( home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Given – Carr, Taylor, Bramble, Babayaro – Butt, Solano, Parker, Emre, Duff – Martins
Subs: Harper, Ramage, O’Brien, N’Zogbia, Luque, Milner, Ameobi
Injured: Owen, Dyer, Moore
Suspended: None

Team News:Coming soon...
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Portsmouth ( away vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Pamarot, Campbell, Johnson, Stefanovic – O’Neill, Highes, Davis, M. Taylor – Benjani, Kanu.
Subs: Jordan, Primus, Thompson, Songo’o, O’Brien, Duffy, Todorov
Injured: Ashdown, Kiely, LuaLua, Mornar, Mendes
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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Reading ( away vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Gunnarsson, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Convey – Doyle, Lita
Subs: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Halls, Gunnarsson, Sodje, Long, Little, Osano, Cox.
Injured: Brown, Kitson
Suspended: Sonko

Team News: Coming soon...
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Sheffield Utd ( away vs. Fulham )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Sommeil, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth – Gillespie, Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong – Hulse, Webber.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Montgomery, Leigertwood, Wright, Geary, Nade, A. Quinn, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Shipperley, Akinbiyi.
Injured: Davis, Kabba, Ifill, Short
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Tottenham ( home vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Davenport, Dawson, Lee, Assou-Ekotto – Davids, Zokora, Tainio, Lennon – Keane, Berbatov
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Huddlestone, Routledge, Barnard, Jenas, Ghaly, Murphy, Defoe.
Injured: King
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Watford ( away vs. Man Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lee – Powell, Shittu, DeMerit, Doyley – Young, Francis, Mahon, Bouazza – Henderson, King
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Stewart, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, McNamee,Chambers, Priskin, Mackay.
Injured: Carlisle
Unavailable: Foster (loan deal)
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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West Ham ( away vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carroll – Paintsil, A. Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Bowyer – Harewood, Zamora.
Subs: Walker, Mears, Collins, Sheringham, Reid, Dailly
Injured: Green, Etherington, Spector, McCartney, Ashton.
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Wigan ( home vs. Reading )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Hall, Boyce – McCulloch, Landzaat, Scharner, Valencia – Heskey, Camara
Subs: Pollitt, Kavanagh, Connolly, Chimbonda, Jackson, Johansson, Skoko
Injured: Teale, Taylor
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...

Benitez gets the tactics all wrong

Sheffield United 1 - 1 Liverpool

The Blades coped well with their first Premiership game, holding the lofty Liverpool to a 1-1 draw. Sheffield manager Neil Warnock started with just one of his new signings, Hulse, and relied upon his old guard to garner his side’s first points of the Premiership campaign. It was new boy Hulse that broke the dead lock, capitalising on slack Liverpool defending to head in a set-piece cross from Unsworth. Liverpool had to rely upon a penalty to draw back level, with Gerrard going down after a Jagielka lunge and Fowler slotting away to save Benitez’s blushes.

The Liverpool manager sent out an unorthodox team withdrawing Alonso and Finnan from the squad and leaving England hero Crouch on the bench. With most of his team involved in internationals during the week, having the early Saturday morning kick-off and facing a second-leg European game on Tuesday, the Spaniard must have felt that he tactically could leave out the likes of Alonso and Crouch to give them extra time to rest – wrong. The Liverpool boss has shown, yet again, that he has tactically underestimated the resolve of lower teams – something that Mourinho never does. Benitez’s team struggled for fluidity on Saturday and looked a pale imitation of the side that beat Chelsea in the Community shield.

Liverpool not only dropped two points in the opening game but also picked up key injuries to Riise and Carragher. Riise had to be stretchered off after just 25 minutes and Carragher hobbled off after 34 minutes. It seems that Carragher could be out for a week and his Norwegian counterpart could be out for even longer.

Sheffield United also suffered an injury to Leigh Bromby, who was subsequently replaced by Mikele Leigertwood.

Fantasy Insiders View: Statistically, Liverpool’s Aurelio was a live wire making seven tackles and managed one shot on target. With Riise out the Brazilian is the best candidate to start in the left-back spot. Daniel Agger, who replaced Carragher, should also now start the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

From a tactical point of view, Liverpool were definitely lacking the presence of Crouch today. The Red’s had nearly 60% of the possession but failed to capitalise, with Fowler guilty of fluffing up clear chances. Throughout the game Liverpool were awarded 12 corners and little came from these set-pieces, why? Simple, Crouch was missing. The England striker is almost impossible to defend during set-pieces and normally causes havoc in the penalty area. Liverpool lacked that today and it showed.

This was a smash and grab affair from Sheffield and Warnock, who’s team showed they can be difficult to breakdown if put to the test at home. Danny Webber was lively throughout the match but with one shot on target and 40% possession they will certainly need to improve rather than relying on the downfalls of their opposition.

EPL Predictions

Arsenal ( home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte - Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, van Persie - Adebayor, Henry.

Subs: Almunia, Flamini, Cygan, Traore, Song, Ljungberg, Aliadiere.
Injured: Reyes, Senderos, Clichy, Lauren, Rosicky, Diaby
Suspended: None

Team News: Arsenal are without new signing Rosicky who is out with a groin problem, so van Persie should start on the wing. Misfit Ashley Cole has not been named in the squad and youngster Hoyte is set to start at left-back.

Aston Villa ( away vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Sorensen - Hughes, Ridgewell, Mellberg, Samuel - S. Davis, Hendrie, McCann, Barry - Angel, Moore.
Subs: Taylor, Laursen, Delaney, Djemba-Djemba, Whittingham, Phillips, Agbonlahor. (Note Ulises de la Cruz has been released eventhough many news sources have him in the Villa squad.)
Injured: Baros, Berger, Bouma, Cahill
Suspended: None

Team News: Villa are missing Baros for the opening of the new season, as the Czech striker is set to be out until September with a foot problem. Bouma is also out so Samuel, who has played most of the pre-season games, should start at left-back.

Blackburn ( home vs. Portsmouth)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Neill, Mokoena, Todd, Gray - Bentley, Savage, S. Reid, Gamst Pedersen - J. Roberts, McCarthy.
Subs: Brown, Gallagher, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Jeffers, Peter, Kuqi,
Injured: Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Enckelman, Emerton.
Suspended: Tugay (3 matches)

Team News: Blackburn are without their two first choice centre-backs, Nelsen and Khizanishvili, so Todd and Neill should cover for them, with South African Mokoena coming in to cover Neill’s berth on the right. Midfielder Steven Reid is struggling with an ankle injury and may not start so Gallagher could come in for him.

Bolton ( home vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Q. Fortune - Speed, Campo, Nolan - Stelios, Davies, Vaz Te
Subs: Walker, Tal, Fojut, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Diouf
Injured: O'Brien, Gardner, H. Pedersen, Abdoulaye Faye.
Suspended: None

Team News: Big Sam will be sweating over the fitness of Fortune and Davies before their big clash with Spurs, with the pair set to undergo late tests on Saturday. Fojut will replace Fortune at left-back, while Diouf could come in for Davies in attack.

Charlton ( away vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Mhyre - Young, Hreidarsson, Sorondo, D. Traore - Ambrose, Amdy Faye, B. Hughes, Rommedahl - D. Bent, Hasselbaink
Subs: Carson, El Karkouri, Sam, Fortune, Kishishev, Holland, Walton, A. Reid, Euell, M Bent
Injured: Gibbs, Thomas, Walker
Suspended: None

Team News: Ian Dowie has shaken up the Charlton dressing room since the departure of Curbishley. A major cloud hangs over the goalkeeping position with Carson & Myhre battling it out for the number one spot. With Myhre participating in most pre-season games and performing excellently for Norway against Brazil this week, there is a good chance that he could start but Carson has an outside chance. The starting spot next to Faye in midfield is also up for grabs, with Holland, Hughes and Kishishev all vying for the spot. Hughes is a more creative player than Kish or Holland so I expect him to partner Faye.

Chelsea ( home vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Cudicini - Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge - Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Robben - Shevchenko, Drogba
Subs: Hilario, Diarra, Gallas, Mancienne, Mikel, Wright-Phillips.
Injured: Cech, Huth, J. Cole, Makelele, Geremi, Ballack
Suspended: None

Team News: The word on everybody’s lips is “Ballack –will he be fit?” Well, according to Mourinho: "My opinion is that Michael will not be fit to play, his improvement since last Sunday has been very small and has not trained with the team.” This will leave the door open for Kalou to start in his place.

Everton ( home vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Howard - Naysmith, Lescott, Stubbs, P. Neville - Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, Osman - Beattie, Johnson
Subs: Wright, Yobo, Valente, Kilbane, van der Meyde, McFadden, Anichebe
Injured: Weir, Pistone, Vaughan, Hibbert
Suspended: None

Team News: Everton are yet another team that shrouded in a veil of mystery prior to the start of Premiership. Captain Weir and full-back Hibbert are both missing with injuries so it looks like Lescott will be given his debut alongside veteran Stubbs. Naysmith and Neville have occupied the full-back positions for most of the pre-season games and with Valente still not at full match fitness they should both start. Midfielder Osman is doubtful with a knee injury so Davies will be on standby to take his place.

Fulham ( away vs. Man. Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Niemi - Queudrue, Christanval, Pearce, Rosenior - Bullard, Diop, M. Brown, Boa Morte - McBride, John
Subs: Crossley, Bocanegra, Knight, N. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Radzinski, Helguson, Runstrom
Injured: C. Jensen, Elliott, Pembridge, Milsom, Malbranque.
Suspended: None

Team News: Fulham are set to start with the combination of Christanval and Pearce at the back, with Coleman delighted with both players pre-season form, especially Pearce. New signing Queudrue comes up against Ronaldo, while Brown covers for Malbranque. Malbranque is injured but Coleman has stated that the Frenchman will never start for the Cottagers again.

Liverpool ( away vs. Sheffield Utd )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise - Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Pennant - Crouch, Bellamy
Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Agger, Aurelio, Gonzalez, Zenden, Garcia, Fowler
Injured: Kewell

Unavailable: Kuyt (international clearance).
Suspended: None

Team News: Liverpool have an almost full-strength squad ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane. The Reds should start in a 4-4-2 formation but Bellamy is most likely to drift to left flank with Crouch used as a target man in the centre.

( I read an article this morning predicting that Gerrard, Alonso and Bellamy wouldn’t start.. we will see..)

Man City ( away vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Isaksson - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan - Sinclair, Barton, Dabo - Vassell, Samaras, Corradi
Subs: Weaver, Sun Jihai, Onuoha, Miller, Ireland, Reyna, Thatcher, Sibierski, Dickov, Sturridge
Injured: Hamann, Cole.

Unavailable: Trabelsi (work permit).
Suspended: None

Team News: Man City are going through a transitional phase with various new signing trying to gel into the line-up. Isaksson is set to make his debut in goal, while there is much uncertainty surrounding the centre-back partnership against Chelsea. The Distin – Boro’ saga is still going on, although Pearce reckons he would still be played and Dunne is struggling with a hamstring injury so there is a good chance that Onuoha could start and/or Richards to moved into the centre. Further up the field Dabo and Corradi should make their debuts.

Man Utd ( home vs. Fulham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - G. Neville, R. Ferdinand, W. Brown, Silvestre - Ronaldo, O'Shea, Scholes, Giggs - Saha, Rooney
Subs: Kuszczak, Evans, Evra, Richardson, Fletcher, Park, Rossi
Injured: Vidic, Heinze, Carrick Smith
Suspended: None

Team News: The big news is that Heinze will miss the opening game of the season with a knee injury so Silvestre should start at left-back. Rooney is also back for the opener against Fulham, with Park most likely making way for him. There is a chance that O’Shea could be dropped, but with the Irishman left as the only clear ball winner who can slot into midfield, I expect the Korean to be dropped instead and Giggs to move to the wing. Remember one thing – Rooney and Scholes are suspended for United’s next three games after the Fulham one.

Middlesbrough ( away vs. Reading )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Schwarzer – Riggott, Pogatetz, Arca, Parnaby – Boateng, Rochemback, Mendieta, Downing – Yakubu, Viduka
Subs: Turnbull, McMahon, Bates, Davies, Taylor, Parlour, Morrison, Christie, Maccarone.
Injured: Ehiogu, Cattermole.
Suspended: None

Team News: Boro’ have problems at the back with Pogatetz suffering with a calf problem, so Bates could start alongside Riggott at the back. Winger Downing is slight doubt after suffering a dead leg during the England win over Greece but manager Southgate is confident that he will be available for selection.

Newcastle ( home vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Given – Carr, Taylor, Bramble, Babayaro – N’Zogbia, Solano, Parker, Emre – Milner, Ameobi
Subs: Harper, Moore, Ramage, O’Brien, Boumsong, Duff, Luque
Injured: Owen, Dyer.
Suspended: None

Team News: Taylor and Bramble have made a good partnership in pre-season, as both players figured in the two-leg win over Lillestrom in the Intertoto but Australian Moore and Boumsong could figure if Roeder feels that they have reached match fitness levels. Duff is expected by many to make his Premiership debut, but his match fitness is in question, with N’Zogbia more likely to play, as he has two competitive matches under his belt already this season. Milner may start in attack with Ameobi having played there in pre-season and the Intertoto.

Portsmouth ( home vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Pamarot, Campbell, Johnson, Stefanovic – O’Neill, Mendes, Davis, M. Taylor – Todorov, Kanu.
Subs: Jordan, Primus, Hughes, Thompson Songo’o, O’Brien, Duffy.
Injured: Ashdown, Kiely, LuaLua, Mornar.
Suspended: None

Team News: Dean Kiely and Jamie Ashdown are out for while so David James will make his debut whilst youngster Nick Jordan will be on the bench. Because of their lack of left-sided players Dejan Stefanovic will play left back and Matthew Taylor will push forward into midfield. Either Pamarot, O'Brien or Primus will start alongside new signing Sol Campbell. Glen Johnson will also start at right back to make his Pompey debut. Kanu is set to make his debut also.

Reading ( home vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Sonko, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Convey – Doyle, Kitson
Subs: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Halls, Gunnarsson, Sodje, Long, Osano, Cox, Lita.
Injured: Little, Brown
Suspended: None

Team News: Reading are set to start their opening game with the same team that impressively beat Feyenoord earlier in the week. Korean Seol will start on the wing with Doyle and Kitson used as the preferred attacking partnership.

Sheffield Utd ( home vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Sommeil, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth – Ifill, Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong – Hulse, Webber.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Montgomery, Leigertwood, Short, Wright, Geary, Nade, A. Quinn, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Shipperley, Akinbiyi.

Injured: Davis, Kabba
Suspended:

Team News: With eight new signings it is difficult to predict what Warnock will do for the game against Liverpool, but it seems that he will be using Sommeil as right-back. Hulse and Webber are set to start the opening game but France U-21 Nade should play some part and don’t forget Shipperley, who has been in excellent pre-season form.

Tottenham ( away vs. Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Davenport, Dawson, Lee, Assou-Ekotto – Davids, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon – Defoe, Berbatov
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Huddlestone, Routledge, Barnard, Ghaly, Murphy, Keane.

Injured: Tainio, King
Suspended: None

Team News: Spurs are set to hand Assou-Ekotto his debut at left-back, with Zokora and Berbatov also set to start. Keane is struggling for fitness with a thigh problem.

Watford ( away vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Foster – Powell, Shittu, DeMerit, Doyley – Young, Francis, Mahon, Chambers – Henderson, King
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Stewart, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, McNamee, Bouazza, Priskin, Mackay.
Injured: Carlisle
Suspended: None

Team News:

West Ham ( home vs. Charlton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carroll – Paintsil, A. Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Zamora – Harewood, C. Cole.
Subs: Walker, Mears, Gabbidon, Sheringham, Reid, Dailly
Injured: Green, Etherington, Spector, McCartney, Ashton.
Suspended: None

Team News: West Ham are without several key players with Ashton and Etherington missing due to injury. In defence Collins has started most of the pre-season with Ferdinand and also played 90 minutes for Wales. Gabbidon also played for Wales but hasn’t managed a full 90 since returning from injury – Pardew may not risk him and use Collins instead. In West Ham’s last pre-season game they played with Bobby Zamora covering for Etherington on the left, where he played extremely well, with Pardew praising his performance so he could start but Bowyer is certainly in with a big shout if Pardew decides to play a more defensive midfield.

Wigan ( away vs. Newcastle)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Hall, Boyce – McCulloch, Landzaat, Scharner, Chimbonda – Heskey, Camara
Subs: Pollitt, Kavanagh, Connolly, Valencia, Jackson, Johansson, Skoko
Injured: Teale, Taylor
Suspended: None

Team News: With Teale injured Chimbonda has played on the right flank during the pre-season games and should start there for the trip to Newcastle, with Boyce coming in at right-back. De Zeeuw and Hall have formed a good partnership in defence so Scharner will slide into midfield.

EPL and FA Cup Penalties 2005/6

Chelsea's Frank Lampard might have missed a vital penalty at the World Cup but he is still the Premiership's number one penalty taker, scoring 5/5 last season. Yakubu managed 4/4, while Thierry Henry, Darren Bent and Heidar Helguson managed 3/3. Reading's Dave Kitson is one to watch from the Championship team's with the striker scoring 5/6 penalties.


Here's the full list:

Arsenal : Henry 3/3, Pires 1/3, Lauren 0/1
Aston Villa : Baros 1/1, Barry 1/3
Birmingham : Forssell 1/1, Dunn
Blackburn : Dickov 2/2, Bellamy 1/1, Neill 1/1
Bolton : Speed 2/2, Fadiga 0/1, Okocha 0/1, Diouf, Davies
Charlton : D Bent 3/3, Euell, B Hughes, Holland
Chelsea : Lampard 5/5, Gudjohnsen, Drogba
Everton: Beattie 2/3, Arteta 1/1, Ferguson 0/1
Fulham : Helguson 3/3, John 1/2, Malbranque 0/1
Liverpool :Gerrrard 3/4, D Cisse 1/2, Crouch 0/1, Fowler 1/1*
Man City : Barton 1/2, A Cole, Vassell
Man Utd : van Nistelrooy 1/2, Ronaldo, Rooney
Middlesbrough :Yakubu 4/4, Hasselbaink 1/1, Viduka, Maccarone 1/1
Newcastle : Shearer 4/4, Ameobi 1/1, Owen
Portsmouth : Matt Taylor 2/2, LuaLua
Sunderland : Whitehead 2/2, Lawrence, Arca
Tottenham Hotspur : Keane 2/3, Murphy 1/1*, Mido 1/1, Defoe 0/1
West Brom : Ellington 1/1, Gera 1/1
West Ham : Harewood 2/3, Sheringham 2/3, Ashton
Wigan : Roberts 2/2, Bullard 1/1, Teale 1/1, Kavanagh 1/1, Connolly 1/1

Championship Promoted Sides:
Reading : Kitson 5/6, Doyle 1/1
Sheff Utd : Kabba 1/1, Unsworth 1/1

* Denotes penalty scored at previous club
Information from www.footballanorak.com

EPL Friendly Round Up

Bellamy Opens Liverpool Account
(Wrexham 0 - 2 Liverpool)
Liverpool opened their Pre-season fixture list with a 2-0 win over Wrexham on Saturday. Reds' boss Rafa Benitez handed newcomers Paletta and Bellamy their debut at the Racecourse ground and both duly impressed. Paletta looked comfortable at the back throughout the 45 minutes that he appeared in, while striker Bellamy opened his Liverpool scoring account at the other end after connecting with a Robbie Fowler pass to slot one home in the 52nd minute. It was a well taken goal to add to Paul Anderson's effort in the first-half. Fowler, who was introduced at half-time, linked up well with debutant Bellamy - a sign of things to come? Another player back in the starting xi was Zenden, who had not been seen since last November after damaging his cruciate ligaments. He played in the middle of the park and looked comfortable throughout. Striker Pongolle also appeared.

Fantasy Insider's View: Well there is a lot to take from this game. Bellamy was on the scoresheet, fat-boy Fowler got an assist, Paletta got his debut and Zenden kicked a ball again. These are all positive signs for Liverpool who, at times last season, missed real squad depth. Liverpool should only be stronger this season and £5 says that Craig Bellamy will be their top-scorer come next May.

Liverpool: Dudek, Roque, Paletta, Hobbs, Finnan, Riise, Zenden, Guthrie, Anderson, Bellamy, Idrizaj. Subs - Martin, Smith, Antwi, Hyypia, Diao, Peltier, Hammill, Fowler, Sinama Pongolle, O'Donnell, Threlfall

Arsenal Youth Fail to Deliver
(Barnet 0 - 0 Arsenal)
You just had to look at Arsenal's team on Saturday to work out who Ashley Cole doesn't like - it was the left-backs wedding to the Geordie feather-weight (boxer) Cheryl Tweedy and those playing were left off the invite list, including boss Arsene Wenger. Nevertheless the Arsenal gaffer fielded a pretty strong team which included Cygan, Almunia, Hleb and Flamini. Unfortunately this failed to raise the standards as the Gunners played out a goaless draw. And to think I was contemplating going to this game...

Fantasy Insider's View: Jeremie Aliadiere looked sharp on his return to the Arsenal side. He has something to prove to boss Wenger and he looks like a man on a mission. Listening to Aliadiere talk in interviews recently it amazed me to hear that he is a Frenchman that talks with a cockney accent. Zut alors me geezer, init. Everybody else looked rusty on a hot Saturday afternoon. No fantasy relevance.

Reading Win in Bizarre Fashion
(Bromley 0 - 1 Reading)
It took a goal from reserve Aussie keeper Adam Federici to resolve this one. Federici was pushed up front after a bad ankle injury to Aaron Brown, taking the injured man's place in attack and within ten minutes had put away a neat goal for the winner. The game got even more surreal when Reading assistant kit man Selby Armstrong came on to play the last 10 minutes as Shane Long was given a rest. Why play two games in two days if you haven't got the players?

Fantasy Insider's View: Reading were tired after their 9-1 endevour against Didcot on Friday night. Man of the match in the last game, Leroy Lita, played the first 45 minutes as he continues to build up match fitness for the start of the Premiership.

Reading: Federici, Halls (Joseph-Dubois HT), Golbourne, Brown (Hamer 60), Makin (c) (Ujah HT), Cox, Osano, Davies, Hayes, Lita (Rendell HT), Long (Armstrong 80)

Fulham Look for the Nearest Exeter
(Exeter 1 - 0 Fulham)
Fulham kicked off their pre-season fixtures with a drab 1-0 defeat to Exeter on Saturday. Chris Coleman had put out a fairly good squad with most of the first team figuring in the match at sometime or another. There were also debuts for Bullard and Zakuani, who had signed in the summer transfer window. Bullard appeared in the first half but had little impact on the game, while Zakuani did relatively well at the back in the second half.

Fantasy Insider's View: Fulham struggled with their away form last season and it looks like they might again for the forthcoming season. They failed to convert their chances, with John and Diop missing opportunities. McBride and Boa Morte were absent due to their World Cup campaigns and it showed. Fulham are too reliant on their influence and they will definitely struggle if either gets injured this season.

Everton Double
(Port Vale 0 - 2 Everton) & (Bury 1 - Everton 3)
David Moyes decided to play two games at the same time on Saturday as his A and B sides took on Port Vale and Bury respectively. There were double victories as Port Vale were beaten 2-0 and Bury 3-1. All non-World Cup players were on display apart from new boy Lescott who was suffering from a virus. Striker Victor Anichebe had a good day against Bury as he scored two and Everton player of last season, Mikel Arteta, struck a trademark freekick in that game. James McFadden and Kevin Kilbane got the goals against Port Vale.

Fantasy Insider's View: Arteta is certainly one to watch for the upcoming season. If he isn't banging in goals from set-pieces he getting assits from whipping them in. He is a consistant performer and is recommended as a good fantasy purchase. New boy Andy Johnson also made his debut.

Now I am off to dance to Club Tropicana at Ashley Cole's wedding...

Didcot Town 1 - 9 Reading

Honestly, hand on my heart I have been saying that Leroy Lita is the shits since I saw him demolish West Brom in the FA Cup last season, notching up a hat-trick against the perpetually grim-faced Mr United, Lord Byron Robinson. He impressed me again on Friday, scoring FOUR against, well ok, against Didcot Town, but still not bad for your first game back from a broken ankle!

Stevie Coppell's men breezed through their first test of the pre-season with Shane Long(2), Kitson(1), Doyle(1) and Gunnarson(1) all getting in on the act. New signing Seol Ki-Hyeon also made an impressive debut, although how could you not be impressive against a side that lets in NINE goals.

Fantasy Insider's view: Take this result with a small pinch of salt, Didcot aren't exactly Liverpool at Anfield, but Leroy Lita's return is something to talk about. He is an England U-21, has proved his worth in the Championship and looks, to quote a friend, a "live-wire". Reading look like they could perform like West Ham have done recently, especially with the news that Steve Sidwell is likely to stay for the rest of the season. Tougher tests will follow for Reading..., wait Bromley away followed by Rushden, hmm maybe not. Lita could score 25 in the pre-season!

Nice 0 - 1 Tottenham

Ledley King returned to action in Friday nights friendly win over Le Championnat side Nice. King has been absent with a broken metartasal - oh the bane of the modern footballer - and managed seventy minutes in a distinctively scrappy game.

Nice proved tough opposition for the North-East London club, forcing young keeper Fulop into a few excellent saves throughout the match. Fulop, who was hotly linked with a move away from White Hart Lane recently, gave manager Martin Jol some food for thought, as the goalie pulled out a string of fine saves to deny a Nice attack that was keener than Ronaldo when presented with hors d'oeuvre tray.

Jol will have also been encouraged by the performances of two more of his youngsters at the opposite end, as strikers O'Hara and Barnard combined well to score the only goal of the match: O'Hara's low cross from the left touchline deflected slightly into the path of the ever-lively Barnard who prodded home from six yards. The duo gave the Nice defence a tough time throughout the match and showed that the youth of tomorrow is healthy at The Lane.

Spurs were found lacking in other areas though, with Tom Huddlestone and Hossam Ghaly failing to impress in the midfield. Luckily, Jermain Defoe came on towards the end of the match and produced a touch of magic to impress the handful of Nicely tanned supporters who had turned up (Spurs haven't exactly garnered the same numbers in the last two friendlies as Brazil did for their recent World Cup warm-ups, don't people know that Danny Murphy can do four keepy-ups?!!).

Fantasy Insider's View: Fulop impressed, but he isn't going to get a sniff around the first-team. King's ease back into his first game from injury is the main plus for Spurs. The rest of the reserves did a relatively good job against a Nice side that looked up for it, especially former Man Utd man David Bellion. Lee Barnard looks like he could make the transition into the first-team this year after spending the last few years out on loan. If any of the big three get injured then he certainly is with a shout, he is also a favourite with the Spurs faithful too.

Line-ups: Nice (squad) Gregorini, Onyekashi, Fanni, Abardonado, Yahia, Echouafini, Balmont, Rool, Hnondrato Campos, Camara, Moussilou, Bellion, Diakite, Gace, Kante, Scotto, Toure, Traore, Lloris, Moreaua.

Spurs: Fulop, Stalteri, Ziegler, Huddlestone, King (Murphy, 72), Davenport, Routledge (Defoe, 46), Ghaly, Barnard (McKenna, 85), Tainio, O'Hara. Subs: Cerny, Defoe, Ifil, Lee, Barcham.

Nice v Tottenham Friendly Preview

Ledley King is DEFINITELY back in for Tottenham's game against Nice on Friday night. He is set to partner Calum Davenport at the back. Other regulars to be included are Teemu Tainio and Paul Stalteri. Striker Robbie Keane has picked up a slight neck strain and he won't be risked, so Lee Barnard and Defoe are expected to start up front. Rookies Tom Huddlestone and Hossam Ghaly are expected to "pull the strings" in midfield according to Jol.

Fantasy Insider's View: Spurs have a strong backline on display for Friday nights encounter with Nice. I was hoping to see Keane in attack but we can analyse Defoe's progress a bit more. I expect King to be slightly rusty, although it is nice to see him back in action. Watch out for Hossam Ghaly. His best mate Mido might have left but Ghaly still has a chance in Jol's plans for the upcoming Premiership season.

Bordeaux 1 - 2 Tottenham

Tottenham's Jermain Defoe was on the scoresheet for Spurs as they edged a close 2-1 victory over French side Bordeaux. Spurs' manager Martin Jol opted for a mixture of reserve players and few first team memebers for his sides' opening game of the season. Newcomers Dimitar Berbatov and Benoit Assou-Ekotto both made their first starts for Spurs in Albertville. But it was striker Defoe who stole the show and looked sharp alongside Berbatov in attack scoring a typical Defoe-esque strike to put the Spurs ahead (Murphy assist). Bordeaux struck back before the end of the first half through a Micoud goal. Youth player McKenna then clinched the winner towards the end of the match. Jol told Spurs club website: “It was good to see Benoit adjusting when we played with three in the centre of defence (from a 4-4-2) in the second half. He’s quick, dynamic and he has to cope with the English game but I think he will do that."

“Berbatov is a stylish striker who will score goals. We were a little tired in the second half and that meant we couldn’t really create enough for him because he will always be on the end of attacks."

He showered most of the praise on Defoe saying: “Jermain started training with us on Monday, just three days ago, so I was pleased for him. I know if he faces onto goal, five out of 10 it’s a goal. He’s back and the first thing he did was score a goal."

Fantasy Insider's view:
Not much can be taken from this match apart from the fact that Defoe looks hungry for goals. He looks set to challenge Keane for his starting spot this season. Keane will have his chance to reply as he should start against Nice on Friday evening.

Bordeaux v Tottenham Preview

Tottenham v Bordeaux


Team News:
Martin Jol has said that he will use his full squad against Bordeaux tonight - that's 26 players. Ledley King is expected to return to the side against either Bordeaux or Nice after recovering from a broken metatarsal.

Fantasy Insider's View: Watch out for Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who signed for Spurs this summer from RC Lens. He is a strong left-back who will challenge Lee this season. He helped Lens to 4th place in Le Championnat last year, as well as winning the Inter-toto Cup. He then played in seven of eight UEFA Cup matches for the French side.

Assou-Ekotto's 05/06 Stats-
Games 34 Assists 1 Goals 0 Yellows 10 Reds 1

Line ups:

Line-ups: Bordeaux (squad): Olimpa, Dos Santos Souza, Jurietti, Alonso, Darchaeville, Francia, Valencia, Micoud, Laute, Rame, Baysse, Faubert, Ducasse, Balde, Bregerie, Marange, Cid, Obertan, Tremoulinas.

Spurs: Cerny, Ifil, Assou-Ekotto, Davids, Dawson, Gardner, Routledge, Murphy, Berbatov, Defoe, Reid. Subs: Davenport, Fulop, Huddlestone, Ziegler, Barnard, O'Hara, McKenna, Lee.