Premier League Bits.
Now that we made it through the international break, it's high time for some EPL action. This is the first set of fixtures after the summer transfer window and the clubs have new toys to play with. Every now and then, I'll pick three matches from the weekend and give totally unscientific analysis, predictions and opinions on each one.
* Tottenham @
(1-1-1) 9th.
Everton
(1-1-1) 12th.
Saturday; 10:00
Everton returns home still cleaning themselves off from a 2-0 drubbing at Chelsea. They still seem to be figuring things out but should be able to give the Spurs a headache or two.
Tottenham will probably be happy to go on the road after going winless at home. The Wembley jinx is still alive for them. The Spurs are coming off of a disappointing draw with Burnley. Not all is bad though. Delle Alli is still red hot and Harry Kane is out of his bogey month of August. Kane has no goals in 42 shots so far.
Tottenham 2
Everton 1
* Man United @
(3-0-0) 1st.
Stoke City
(1-1-1) 11th.
Saturday; 12:30
Manchester United has been steamrolling the competition the first three weeks racking up 10 goals while conceding zip. Romelu Lukaku has been leading the charge with 3 goals. The subs have been coming through adding 4 goals so far. The subs on last years United team only accounted for 6 goals all of last year.
But United has struggled at Stoke in recent years. They are winless in the past 4 trips at the revamped bet365 Stadium.
Stoke has a penchant for causing problems on their home turf. Their 3-4-3 formation has troubled opponents. The wily, lanky veteran Peter Crouch coming in as a sub has caused problems too with his meaty head. I think Man United finally concedes but rolls along.
Man United 2
Stoke 1
* Liverpool @
(2-0-1) 2nd
Man City
(2-0-1) 3rd
Saturday; 7:30
The obvious match of the week is an early bird special. Like early morning drowsiness and heartburn, this match should be worth all of that. Goals should be plentiful.
Jurgen Klopp's men did their part to give the Arsene Wenger boulder another push out the door with a 4-0 beating. But clean sheeting a seemingly disinterested Arsenal squad shouldn't stem the concern over Liverpool's defensive problems. Mane, Firmino and Saleh have been banging the back of the net though and should get more opportunities against City.
City is almost mirror image to Liverpool in the area of dodgey defending. They seem to be still trying to find their groove but they are still putting points on the board doing it. City has no losses in the last 11 Premier League games.
If any of your friends keep busting you claiming soccer is boring; wake their ass up and have them watch this match.
Draw 3-3.
