Andy's Saturday tips - Tottenham to win opener
After a hugely disappointing summer for English football fans, followed by a month without any top-class football to watch, the Premier League is back! This looks set to be some season with any of five or six clubs in genuine contention for the title and the fixture list has thrown up a couple of mouth-watering matches first up. Here's hoping for another exciting title race and me trying to make you a few quid along the way...
Tottenham v Manchester City
The two teams who went toe to toe for fourth place last season meet in the opening match of the campaign and that's some way to kick off proceedings. Manchester City continue to get the cheque book out in a bid to have the best possible squad and give themselves the best possible chance of winning the Premier League. But we all know that there's more to success than just having a number of superstar players on your books.
It's been a quiet summer for Spurs on the transfer front with just the signing of Sandro to speak of but it certainly hasn't been for want of trying on Harry Redknapp's part. He's been in for a few players but for one reason or other they just haven't materialised and the Spurs boss has been in this business for long enough to know that it's about going out and getting the right players rather than just any players. Besides, other than Saturday's opponents, no-one has really gone out and spent big, it's just been that sort of summer.
We know what we're going to get from Spurs in a match like this. A 4-4-2 with an emphasis on getting the ball out to the wide men and asking them to create chances for Jermain Defoe and whoever partners him on the day to get on the end of. Harry knows his best XI is and what each player can bring to the table, but the same can't be said of Man City. Right now, we don't know who Roberto Mancini's first-choice keeper is, whether the likes of Stephen Ireland, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy are in his plans or what formation they're likely to line up with.
City would probably view a point at White Hart Lane as a decent start to the season but Spurs will be going out to win this one in front of their own fans. Roberto Mancini's team may have all the star names but Spurs have been the more consistent and organised team over the years and I can see them getting their season off to the best possible start.
Recommended Bets:
Back Spurs to win at [2.5]
Back both teams to score at [1.8]
Chelsea v West Brom
This is a tough enough league as it is for a newly-promoted team so the last thing you need is to be drawn away to Chelsea on the opening day of the season! That said, West Brom will go into this match expected to lose which means that to an extent that the pressure is off. They can go out, give it their best shot and enjoy the day safe in the knowledge that they'll have far more winnable matches than this one as the season goes on.
The champions have had an indifferent pre-season, losing plenty of matches, most recently the Community Shield to arch-rivals Manchester United, but now that the real business starts we can expect to see a very different Chelsea. We know what we're going to get from Yossi Benayoun but I'm looking forward to watching Brazilian international Ramires in action and I think he'll have a big role to play over the course of the season.
The likes of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are the wrong side of 30 but we've seen them perform week in, week out, season after season and I'm expecting big contributions from these two once again. On paper this match looks a mere formality for Chelsea and with all due respect to West Brom, I think it will be.
Recommended Bets:
Back Chelsea to score in both halves at [1.7]
Back a Chelsea clean sheet at [1.8]
Andy's Saturday correct score predictions...
Tottenham v Manchester City
First blood will go to Tottenham in what should be another fascinating fight for Champions League football.
Correct score: 2-1 at [10.0]
Aston Villa v West Ham
The shock resignation of Martin O'Neill has all of a sudden made this match look a lot tougher for the Villans.
Correct score: 1-1 at [7.4]
Blackburn v Everton
David Moyes' men should get off to a good start for a change and put Sam Allardyce under instant pressure.
Correct score: 0-1 at [9.2]
Bolton v Fulham
There was plenty to like about Fulham last season and I fancy Mark Hughes to cause an upset in his first competitive match in charge by catching Bolton cold.
Correct score: 0-1 at [12.0]
Sunderland v Birmingham
Home advantage will prove crucial as Sunderland host a Birmingham side who tend to struggle away from home.
Correct score: 2-1 at [10.5]
Wigan v Blackpool
This is going to be one tough old season for Blackpool and the misery will start on Saturday.
Correct score: 2-0 at [9.8]
Wolves v Stoke
This will be a close one but once again home advantage should make the difference.
Correct score: 2-1 at [10.5]
Chelsea v West Brom
Expect a comfortable opening day win for the defending champions.
Correct score: 2-0 at [6.8]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 13 Aug 2010
Paul (August 13, 2010 3:47 PM) said:
Suprise suprise Andy Gray member of the United's big red bandwagon not backing the Blues. Shock horror!!
steve james (August 13, 2010 7:13 PM) said:
No, he is backing Tottenham becuase they are a much better side with a much better manager and will win, i also think they will.