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As the second matchday dangles in the horizon, we have two mouthwatering contests which are set to provide some scintillating football. Chelsea and Newcastle faceoff at Stamford Bridge, the 3rd game in a week for the blues, and Manchester City entertain Liverpool at the Etihad. First matchday saw some unexpected results with Liverpool and Manchester United failing to register any points and Arsenal unable to get maximum points against Sunderland.
MANCHESTER UNITED v FULHAM
KICKOFF – 1925 hours IST ON ESPN
Fulham’s previous visit to Old Trafford didn’t end well as they lost 1-0 in a tightly contested match. This time though it’s all about the spirit in which the teams start the match. Ferguson’s team is coming in from a 1-0 loss to Everton on opening day whereas Fulham ran riot against Norwich at Craven Cottage. Martin Jol’s side will surely be in high spirits to take away maximum points.
Team News
Man Utd are still facing crisis in their defense department. Ferdinand, Smalling, Jones and Evans are still suffering with injuries and will not feature on Saturday’s encounter. This means Carrick and Valencia will again start in the back 4 along with Evra and Vidic. In the game against Everton, the midfield lacked substance and that is where Ferguson needs to enforce his ideas. Robin Van Persie will be looking to start his first game with his new team in front of the home crowd along with Wayne Rooney in attack.
Meanwhile Martin Jol’s only worry is the case of Clint Dempsey. After his recent stints, he will mostly not be named in the squad. Coming to injuries, Kerim Frei and Philippe Senderos are out. After their impressive show last week, Fulham will be hoping to recreate the magic with their new attacking duo, Petric and Kacaniklic.
Probable Starting Lineup
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea – Valencia, Vidic, Carrick, Evra – Nani, Kagawa, Cleverley, Young – Rooney – Van Persie
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer – Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise – Ruiz, Diarra, Dembele, Duff – Kacaniklic – Petric
Tactics
With the formations almost mimicking each other, this will be a tight encounter. Fulham has technically brilliant players in Dembele, Ruiz and Kacaniklic who have the ability to skip past any midfield. United should be careful in controlling the game or their midfield might get overrun. With Van Persie playing as a lone striker, Rooney will drop to center forward role and provide assistance to bridge the midfield and attack. Petric’s runs will give tough time to a makeshift backline of the Reds and Duff against Evra will be a good contest.
The result depends on how well United cope defensively against a confident Fulham side. The midfield duo of Kagawa and Cleverley need to be more cohesive in their play with the wings. The wingers will be asked to assist in keeping the opposition fullback’s at bay, particularly Riise. Set pieces will be an advantage for Fulham, Vidic and Co. will need a solid display to earn all 3 points.
PIE PREDICTION: A 2-2 draw.
CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE UNITED
KICKOFF – 2255 hours IST on ESPN
Last time these two sides met, Chelsea had priorities other than the League and Newcastle was fighting for a Champions League spot. That match is remembered only for one thing, Papiss Cisse. His physics defying goal was out of the world and unreal. It ended Chelsea’s hopes of Qualifying for the Champions League through the League channel. This time around it still promises to be an entertaining matchup with both teams registering wins in Matchday 1.
Team News
David Luiz sat out the game against Reading with a knee injury, but he will be available for tomorrow’s game. John Terry is doubtful with a neck injury sustained against Reading and Marko Marin is still unavailable due to a hamstring injury. New signing Cesar Azpilicueta trained with the first team but he might be limited to the bench. Otherwise, all the other players are fit and Di Matteo might not start Juan Mata, who needs to be rested.
Alan Pardew rested nine players for the Europa League playoff match against Atromitos. There are some injury concerns though, with Cheick Tiote and Shola Ameobi doubtful. Coloccini and Demba Ba are suffering from minor niggles but they might start as they were rested on Thursday. New signing Vurnon Anita might feature on the bench.
Probable Starting Lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech – Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole – Mikel, Lampard – Sturridge, Oscar, Hazard – Torres
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul – Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon – Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Gosling - Demba Ba, Cisse
Tactics
This game brings about an interesting matchup between both the formations. Both of them have their defensive weaknesses, it all comes down to how well organized the team is. Newcastle has good attacking fullbacks in Santon and Simpson. Ben Arfa and Gutierrez are excellent wide players as well, so Di Matteo needs to demand defensive contributions from the wide players. So, at times Chelsea’s shape might appear as a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-5-1 flat.
The event of midfield getting stacked up is very minimal as Newcastle aim to stretch the play and release players through the middle. Chelsea on the other hand have tried to play through the center very often which means Cabaye and Tiote/Gosling have the job of screening their defense. The game will mostly be end-to-end stuff and no less than entertaining. Eden Hazard will again be hot to handle, but he might get some rough treatment from the well-built Toon defense. The man to look out for will be Frank Lampard. Chelsea’s chances will depend on how well he dominates the midfield.
PIE FACT: Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four games at Stamford Bridge.
PIE PREDICTION: 2-1 to Chelsea
