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Dalglish aiming to pile more woe on Wenger

August 19, 2011

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The pressure on Arsene Wenger is intense at the moment, and the heat has been cranked up a notch before Liverpool arrive in town, with the Arsenal boss facing a midfield injury crisis. Elsewhere, Tottenham aim to improve their dismal record at Old Trafford, while Andre Villas-Boas hunts a first league win as Chelsea chief...

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Arsenal v Liverpool

Key battle: Jose Enrique was thrown in at the deep end last week, making his Liverpool debut just one day after completing a move from Newcastle. The left-back found himself on the end of an ear-bashing from Jamie Carragher, who was eager to tell the new recruit exactly where to stand on the pitch. Enrique will again need to position himself shrewdly in order to deal with Theo Walcott's electric pace.
Player to watch: Andy Carroll didn't have the best of games as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Sunderland on the opening weekend, and he still has plenty of work to do to justify the £35 million price tag hovering over his head. He scored the winner as Newcastle won at the Emirates last season - how dearly he would love a repeat for his new club.
Talking point: How will the Arsenal fans react if their side struggle against Liverpool, having just lost captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona? The sense of unrest at the Emirates is beginning to simmer, and Arsene Wenger finds himself under an unprecedented amount of pressure from fans and media alike. With most of his midfield out thanks to injury and suspension, this could be a harrowing day for the Frenchman.
Bet of the day: Carroll to score last, 13/2 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Chelsea v West Brom - Live on ESPN

Key battle: Somen Tchoyi was sometimes clumsy against Manchester United last week, but his power and directness certainly gave the champions a headache or two as he repeatedly drove at the heart of their defence. Alex must impose himself on the Cameroon star, leaving John Terry free to deal with striking livewire Shane Long, who embarrassed David de Gea at the Hawthorns.
Player to watch: Whoever Andre Villas-Boas decides will replace Petr Cech, who has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury, faces the unenviable position of being heavily in the spotlight, with the new boss under pressure to make a quick start after a shaky 0-0 draw at Stoke in his maiden game in charge of the Blues.
Talking point: Is Chelsea's midfield creative enough to break down smaller teams, or are they crying out for a playmaker in the mould of Luka Modric? Another stilted performance like the one at the Britannia will surely force Chelsea to at least consider another bid for the Spurs maestro.
Bet of the day: Shane Long to score anytime, 3/1 at bet365
Prediction:2-1

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Sunderland v Newcastle

Key battle: Wes Brown, a summer signing from Manchester United, impressed on his Black Cats debut at Anfield and, after proving he can get to grips with target man Carroll, he will need to repeat the trick against Toon handful Shola Ameobi.
Player to watch: Any drama in Newcastle matches invariably revolves around Joey Barton, whose spat with Gervinho last week resulted in the Arsenal forward being shown a red card. Barton, available on a free transfer, is sure to have whipped himself into a frenzy for this derby clash, and fireworks should ensue.
Talking point: Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has been the busiest of all the Premier League managers in the close season, but he faces a stern test trying to get the Black Cats playing cohesively. Will he be able to integrate the new signings without seeing a drop-off in performances at the Stadium of Light? Do enough players have experience of a Tyne-Wear derby?
Bet of the day: Sunderland to win to nil, 12/5 at bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Aston Villa v Blackburn

Key battle: Charles N'Zogbia failed to fire on his Villa debut, getting hauled off during the second half, and the big-money arrival from Wigan will be desperate to prove he has what it takes to fill the breach vacated by Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. Michel Salgado faces the unenviable task of keeping up with the pacey Frenchman.
Player to watch: Argentinean prospect Mauro Formica scored on the opening day of the season, fuelling hopes that he could be the man to carry the goalscoring burden after no-one netted more than five in the league for Rovers last term. He possesses the stardust to illuminate a team that is functional, but short of star quality.
Talking point: Steve Kean was under pressure towards the end of last season, before keeping Rovers up on the last day against Wolves - and the pressure has not dissipated following an uninspiring set of summer arrivals, and an opening-day defeat at Ewood Park. Will he be the first Premier League manager to leave this season?
Bet of the day: Under 2.5 goals, 19/20 at bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Everton v QPR

Key battle: QPR's players are going to have to fight against the creeping sense of doubt following the 4-0 thumping they received at home to Bolton on the opening weekend. Some of the gloom has been lifted by the takeover from Tony Fernandes - will that transmit to the players?
Player to watch: Rumours linking Phil Jagielka to Arsenal refuse to go away, with suggestions that the Gunners are ready to up the £10m bid they had rejected last month. Will the speculation have any influence on the 28-year-old's performance?
Talking point: How much will QPR's performance in this game affect Fernandes' desire to spend? Another resounding defeat and it's easy to imagine he'll be willing to meet West Ham's £8 million valuation for England star Scott Parker.
Bet of the day: Everton to win both halves, 5/2 at bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Swansea v Wigan

Key battle: Victor Moses has impressed for Wigan during pre-season, carrying on the form he showed towards the end of the last campaign - and proving there is life after N'Zogbia at the DW Stadium. Boss Roberto Martinez reckons his form is worthy of an England call-up and, if he can live up to that billing, Angel Rangel will need to be at his best in order to cope.
Player to watch: Leon Britton impressed with his passing and movement in Swansea's 4-0 loss to Manchester City, earning a comparison to Xavi in the Times' match report. More than anyone, Britton embodies the Swans' passing style and, if he can pull the strings, the Latics could be in for a long afternoon.
Talking point: How much has the opening-day thumping at Eastlands damaged Swansea's morale? Also, look out for a hostile reception for Roberto Martinez, who left the Swans to take over at Wigan.
Bet of the day: Scott Sinclair to score two or more, 11/1 at bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Sunday

Bolton v Manchester City

Key battle: City's David Silva will look to come off a flank and into the space between the midfield and striker(s), meaning Nigel Reo-Coker will have to have his wits about him. The former Aston Villa midfielder is at his best hunting the ball down, but he will need to produce a more measured and disciplined performance to quell the threat of Silva.
Player to watch: After that amazing two-goal debut against Swansea, it has to be Sergio Aguero, the new £38 million arrival at Etihad Stadium. The Argentinean forward showed he had the lethal combination of guile and power on his Premier League debut, creating one for Silva and sending a 25-yarder searing into the top of the net. Even City boss Roberto Mancini, a man not renowned for his risk-taking, has to throw him in from the start.
Talking point: Are City really doing the right thing by trying to bring in Samir Nasri from Arsenal? With so much competition for first-team places, disharmony seems almost inevitable in the City dressing room as the season rumbles on.
Bet of the day: Manchester City to win 2-0, 15/2 at bet365
Prediction: 0-2

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Norwich v Stoke

Key battle: Grant Holt netted 21 league goals as Norwich finished second in the Championship last season, and Paul Lambert will be expecting him to grab at least half that total this season. Ryan Shawcross, a reported target for Liverpool, will need to be up to the physical examination posed by the burly striker.
Player to watch: Matthew Upson impressed as Stoke triumphed at Thun in the Europa League on Thursday, and he'll be eager to cement a first-team place, having waited so long to find a club after leaving West Ham at the end of last season.
Talking point: How are Stoke going to cope with European football this season? On paper, their squad should easily avoid being sucked into a relegation battle - but they'll have to acclimatise quickly to the Thursday-Sunday pattern of playing.
Bet of the day: The draw, 23/10 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Wolves v Fulham

Key battle: Martin Jol will need to be brave and ring the changes if needs be, after Fulham came through a gruelling Europa League clash on Thursday. His bench could hold the key to three points here - and it may be worth holding back pacey forward Andrew Johnson from the start.
Player to watch: Jamie O'Hara didn't come cheap for Wolves, costing £5 million from Spurs, but it could prove to be one of the shrewdest deals concluded all summer. He played a huge part in keeping Mick McCarthy's men in the league last season, and looks set to repeat the trick this term.
Talking point: Fulham have already had plenty of competitive action this season, given their involvement in the Europa League - will they be that little bit sharper than Wolves as the match wears on?
Bet of the day: Fulham to win by one goal, 7/2 at bet365
Prediction: 0-1

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Monday

Manchester United v Tottenham

Key battle: Chris Smalling looks the most likely starter at right-back for United, having impressed in that role in the last two matches, and he will be pushed to the limit by last season's Player of the Year Gareth Bale, who was on the scoresheet as Spurs won 5-0 at Hearts during midweek.
Player to watch: After making such an inauspicious start to life as Edwin van der Sar's replacement, new recruit David de Gea needs to cut out the mistakes - or Sir Alex Ferguson will have to seriously look at bringing in Anders Lindegaard.
Talking point: Will Tom Cleverley be given another chance to impress after starting last week ahead of Michael Carrick? If not, how long will it take Sir Alex Ferguson to work out what his best midfield is - and can he afford any indecision, with Arsenal just around the corner?
Bet of the day: Manchester United to win from behind, 6/1 at bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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