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The Nasri factor kicks in at top of the table

August 26, 2011

Samir Nasri is in line to make his Manchester City debut against Tottenham on Sunday and you can catch all the action live on ESPN. Click here for details on how to subscribe.

Manchester City have finally got their man, but will the arrival of Samir Nasri prove to be Roberto Mancini's dream signing this weekend? The Eastlands club have been slick without the Frenchman, but they were lucky to draw at Tottenham last season - will Nasri have the desired effect in front of the ESPN cameras?

Neighbours United are likely to feel the benefit of Arsenal's loss at Old Trafford, or will the Gunners be galvanised by the club's current crisis?...

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Tottenham v Manchester City - Live on ESPN

Key battle: The ability of Tottenham's right-back, whether it by Kyle Walker or Vedran Corluka, to deal with David Silva will dictate which half the majority of the game is played. Silva has arguably been the player of the season - from all teams - over the first two matches, and he has excelled by drifting off the left wing into deep-lying central areas. Walker is raw and Corluka treads water, so communication will be vital for Spurs.
Player to watch: It has to be Samir Nasri. When City can't get Silva on the ball they can often be left without a link between midfield and attack - something that should be changed by Nasri. As a former Gunner he will be guaranteed a warm reception at White Hart Lane, but he did score on the ground last season.
Talking point: What exactly is the gulf, if one exists at all, between Spurs and City? Having challenged tooth-and-nail for a top four spot over the last couple of years, have City kicked on while Tottenham plateaued?
Bet of the day: A goalless draw, 10/1 at bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Manchester United v Arsenal

Key battle: Carl Jenkinson has worn the face of a rabbit caught in extremely bright headlights during his opening few Arsenal appearances, although he did improve slightly against Udinese. Ashley Young has been in the mood to torment fullbacks since moving to United, and he could fill his boots against the former Charlton youngster at Old Trafford.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney produced some sublime moments in the 3-0 win against Tottenham, and was better than Danny Welbeck over 90 minutes, despite Welbeck's impressive second half. Thomas Vermaelen, who was about the only player to come out of the Liverpool loss with any respect, can expect to work overtime.
Talking point: How many players do Arsenal now need to sign? From needing two centre backs and a holding midfielder, they now - seemingly - require a couple of players to match the quality of Messrs Nasri and Fabregas.
Bet of the day: United to win both halves, 5/2 at bet365
Prediction: 4-0

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Chelsea v Norwich

Key battle: All of Norwich's players need to make sure they heap pressure on Chelsea's deputy goalkeeper Hilario whenever possible, whether it's via long-range shots or by hassling him at corner kicks. The Portuguese 'keeper is steady but nowhere near the level of Petr Cech, and the Canaries could profit through towering frontman Grant Holt.
Player to watch: Florent Malouda has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea this week following the £23 million signing of Juan Mata from Valencia and, with the Spaniard breathing down his neck, it will be interesting to see whether Malouda can back up the match-winning performance he turned in against West Brom last weekend.
Talking point: Are Romelu Lukaku and Mata in line for Chelsea debuts? Both of the new recruits could be eased in gently against a side likely to be in disarray following the 4-0 trouncing they received at home to MK Dons in the Carling Cup.
Bet of the day: Frank Lampard to score first, 9/2 at bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Liverpool v Bolton

Key battle: Liverpool suffered in their opening home league outing because of a growing reliance on the high ball into Andy Carroll. Should the Kop experience a repeat scenario this weekend, reported Reds target Gary Cahill will get the chance to exert his muscle.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez is fast becoming the type of player that you can imagine Barcelona taking a future look at. Already with three goals to his name, he is without doubt the classiest name on either team sheet at Anfield.
Talking point: Is the role of Jordan Henderson being overlooked by neutral observers? The former Sunderland man's intelligent movement was a key factor in Liverpool's win at Arsenal.
Bet of the day: Suarez to score first, 7/2 at bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Aston Villa v Wolves

Key battle: Alex McLeish remains unbeaten as Villa boss but, as a former Birmingham manager, he is yet to win over the home crowd, who could become restless if their side fail to break down a resilient Wolves outfit yet to taste defeat this season. Villa's players must stay cool if the atmosphere becomes hostile.
Player to watch: Villa striker Darren Bent has started the season impressively, with one goal and one assist from the opening two Premier League fixtures, and he will be desperate to catch the eye of Fabio Capello ahead of a couple of crucial England qualifiers.
Talking point: Will Wolves be able to hold on to Kevin Doyle if he again turns in an impressive performance? The Republic of Ireland striker is a reported target for Liverpool and Arsenal so, even if Mick McCarthy claims Doyle won't be sold, it is hard to imagine the Molineux outfit having the financial clout to reject a substantial offer.
Bet of the day: The draw, 9/4 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Newcastle v Fulham

Key battle: At the risk of sounding like Ray Wilkins, Fulham's defenders need to stay on their feet whenever possible around the area, because Newcastle's Ryan Taylor has shown himself to be absolutely lethal from free-kicks, scoring from a dead-ball situation in each of their last two games.
Player to watch: Sammy Ameobi, brother of Shola, netted his first Newcastle goal at Scunthorpe on Thursday - an arrowed 20-yard strike into the top corner - and, with the Magpies' strikers yet to net in the Premier League this season, he could be thrown straight in at the deep end against the Cottagers. Could he be the 15-a-season striker Alan Pardew has been looking for to replace Andy Carroll?
Talking point: Is Fulham's early start to the season, prompted by Europa League qualifiers, going to prove disastrous? They have already played over ten games this campaign and, worryingly, haven't appeared much sharper than any of their opponents in the matches so far. How bad is it going to get later in the season, when fatigue really starts to bite?
Bet of the day: Under 2.5 goals, 7/10 at bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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Wigan v QPR

Key battle: QPR could soon have Joey Barton and Scott Parker in central midfield, but for now it's Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin who will have the task of shackling James McCarthy and Ben Watson, both of whom have signed new long-term Latics contracts over the past week. Whichever team wins the midfield battle is likely to win the game.
Player to watch: Victor Moses has emerged as a real livewire for Wigan, filling the significant void left by the departure of Charles N'Zogbia. He is yet to score this term but, having already had nine attempts at goal, has proved he is a serious threat - and his first strike can't be far away.
Talking point: QPR's new owner Tony Fernandes wants five new signings - how fair is that on the players who led them to the Championship last season? They've already proved they can hack it in the top league, recording a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
Bet of the day: Victor Moses to score anytime, 11/4 at bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Blackburn v Everton

Key battle: Ruben Rochina was hailed as "exceptional" by Rovers boss Steve Kean after scoring twice within the first five minutes against Sheffield Wednesday, and now looks set to slot into the Blackburn attack as they push for their first points of the season. If Everton can stop him, they will have cut off the hosts' main supply line to the forwards.
Player to watch: Following in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell, Ross Barkley looks to be the next starlet off the Goodison Park conveyor belt, playing well enough at the start of the season to earn himself a call-up to the England Under-21 squad. Even in the Toffees' defeat to QPR he emerged with credit, and he followed that up with a stellar showing in the Carling Cup win over Sheffield United.
Talking point: A serious amount of pressure on Kean here who, after losing the first two league matches this season, cannot be a million miles from the axe, given how ruthless the Venky's group proved they were when Sam Allardyce was surprisingly dismissed.
Bet of the day: The draw, 9/4 at bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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Swansea v Sunderland

Key battle: Operating high on the left, Scott Sinclair represents the main goal threat for Swansea and, although he hasn't scored so far this season, he's looked threatening enough to suggest he will net on a regular basis. The Sunderland defence must be on their guard.
Player to watch: The Black Cats don't have much of a goal threat in their midfield, so the onus is on frontman Asamoah Gyan to start scoring in order to fire Steve Bruce's men up the table. Although he started life in the north east impressively after joining last August, he has struggled for goals since the turn of the year, and could soon find himself replaced by Connor Wickham in the starting XI unless he steps it up.
Talking point: Sunderland were the Premier League's most active purchasers this summer, but are still searching for their first win and, on Tuesday, were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Brighton. If Bruce doesn't start delivering results soon after a significant outlay, will his job come under threat?
Bet of the day: Sunderland 2-0, 12/1 at bet365
Prediction: 0-2

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West Brom v Stoke

Key battle: Shane Long has proved he will score goals in the Premier League since joining West Brom, notching against Chelsea and Manchester United, and if Stoke can silence him then they will have gone a long way towards keeping a clean sheet.
Player to watch: Baggies' powerful striker Somen Tchoyi tormented United at times in the opening game of the season, and also looked a handful at Stamford Bridge last weekend. A physical battle against the Potters is likely to be the sort of game he will relish.
Talking point: Stoke have impressed in their Europa League campaign to date, forcing their way into the group stage of the tournament - what sort of effect is that going to have on their league campaign? Is the squad strong enough to cope with games on Thursday, then Sunday?
Bet of the day: West Brom to win 2-0, 8/1 at bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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