Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come! We have been treated to a summer of fantastic sport: the World Cup in Brazil, Wimbledon, the Tour de France and the stunning show put on by our northern cousins at the Commonwealth Games. But nothing can quite replace the warming embrace of Jeff Stelling and the boys on a Saturday afternoon coupled with the comforting presence of Mr Lineker to re-live all the action in the evenings. And here at Impact Sport it shall be business as usual heading into the new season, as we again begin our quest to make you all rich via the beautiful game.
Manchester United vs. Swansea – Sat 16th August – K.O. 12.45pm
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 1/3
For the season opener, “Welcome to Vanchester” as Garry Monk’s Swansea make the trip north to face a revamped and revitalised Manchester United under new coach Louis Van Gaal. While I agree that pre-season form isn’t a worthy measure for any important decisions, United have looked hot – smashing seven past LA Galaxy without reply and then going on to notch wins against Roma, Inter Milan, European champions Real Madrid and the old enemies, who are now tipped for the title, Liverpool. Van Gaal has made no secret of the size of task facing him at Old Trafford but he hasn’t cowered away from the challenge. Instead, he has pitted his side against Europe’s finest and, with that pinch of characteristically van Gaalian confidence, he has come out on top. And I can’t help but feel that will be the case again at the weekend – HOME WIN.
United have looked hot in pre-season – smashing seven past LA Galaxy without reply and then going on to notch wins against Roma, Inter Milan, European champions Real Madrid and the old enemies, who are now tipped for the title, Liverpool.
Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town – Sat 16th August – K.O. 3pm
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 4/6
Last weekend saw the Championship get under way and what a feast of football it gave us. On the Friday night league favourites Cardiff kicked off their campaign against former Prem greats Blackburn Rovers. But the Bluebirds could only manage a draw after a Tom Cairney strike cancelled out Kenwyne Jones’ rising header. Huddersfield experienced a rather different opening weekend and their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Bournemouth was the final straw for manager Mark Robins who parted company with the Terriers with just one game gone. Cardiff looked strong and buoyed by an early cup win in the week, and I’m expecting them to overcome manager-less Huddersfield easily enough – HOME WIN.
Liverpool vs. Southampton – Sun 17th August – K.O. 1.30pm
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 1/3
Having finished second in 01/02, 08/09 and 13/14 Brendan Rodgers will be looking to make his nearly men into champions at his second time of asking. The Reds came agonisingly close last year and their fast paced attacking football won them numerous plaudits and made them the neutrals’ strong favourites. This summer they have looked to build strength in depth by blending youth products such as Suso with exciting new signings including Javi Manquillo and Alberto Moreno at the back and Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana in the attack. Meanwhile, Southampton approached the window in a somewhat different way, namely by selling pretty much their entire starting 11, most of whom to Liverpool(!). Having said this, Koeman has arrived at St. Mary’s and has captured some exciting talents – Graziano Pellè will get goals this year and Fraser Forster’s reputation precedes him after his sterling performances against Barcelona in last season’s Champions League. This one promises to be a great start to a new season of Super Sundays but I think Liverpool will close it out – HOME WIN.
Southampton approached the window in a somewhat different way, namely by selling pretty much their entire starting 11, most of whom to Liverpool.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace – Sat 16th August – K.O. 5.30pm
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 1/4
For the first time in living memory, Arsène Wenger has really impressed in the transfer market this summer signing not only world class attacking talent in Alexis Sánchez but also the man with the second best shots-to-saves ratio in Europe last season – David Ospina, who came to everyone’s attention this summer with his performances for Colombia’s World Cup heroes. Down at Selhurst Park Tony Pulis has also been doing his fair share of wheeling and dealing, admittedly on a more modest budget. The shrewd acquisition of Brede Hangeland didn’t cost a penny and will add resolute organisation to the back line, whilst Fraizer Campbell will undoubtedly add some more potency to what was, at times, a lacklustre attack. Basing this prediction on their Community Shield performance last week, I’m going for a big HOME WIN for the Gunners as they look to capture their third trophy in 12 months.
BRAVE BET
Fulham vs. Millwall – Sat 16th August – K.O. 3pm
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 21/20
Spicing things up for the new season, we are introducing the BRAVE BET as the fifth choice. This is the game that is less clear cut that the others, it possibly backs the underdogs, but it’s one we’ve got a hunch on and it offers bigger returns than the others, so potentially offers a nice boost to the coffers. This week it’s the Championship new boys looking to bounce back from opening day defeat, against the east London brawlers who strolled to victory in game one. But there’s an exciting project underway at Craven Cottage and, given time, they are my tip for automatic promotion. Magath has rung the changes, replacing age with youthful vibrancy and international talents. Attacking wingbacks Hoogland and Stafylidis were a big part in Fulham’s 70% first half possession at Portman Road, while £11m front man McCormack will be out to prove he is better than his 56 minute debut suggested. Millwall started strong but like their manager, Ian Holloway, they are ill-disciplined at times and unpredictable, so I think an organised Fulham side will triumph – HOME WIN.
Ben Wright
Odds sourced at www.oddschecker.com (accurate at 12.00 14.08.2014)
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