What to watch this weekend

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August 21, 12:28 PM

by Brian Louie, Soccer Examiner

 

 

Saturday, August 23

Liverpool v. Middlesbrough: 10 am Setanta Sports

Apparently all is well at Anfield, despite Rafa Benitez's latest tantrum about not acquiring Gareth Barry.  Middlesbrough dispatched a toothless Spurs last weekend, so with confidence riding high, can they stay in the game if Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres don't click?  It really doesn't matter as long as you have Torres on the pitch; all he needs is a chance or two.  Prediction: 2-1

Tottenham v. Sunderland: 10 am Fox Soccer Channel

We've yet to see Juande Ramos' new midfield do the business, and if Dimitar Berbatov's heart isn't in it, where will the goals come from?  More worrying for Spurs is their shoddy defense, which will meet up with a new Black Cat squad that boast several former Spurs players.  Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle v. Bolton: 10 am Setanta Broadband, TBA

Both teams are coming off of a good last weekend; Newcastle for drawing with Man Utd. and Bolton looking like a top-half side against newcomers Stoke City.  While it's heartening to see some improvement for the Magpies, with new signings Coloccini and Gutierrez, I'm not expecting much more than midtable from them.  As for Bolton, if one of the newly promoted teams can sustain a little consistency, I see Bolton in one of the relegation spots.  Prediction: 2-2

Fulham v. Arsenal: 12:30 pm Fox Soccer Channel

Arsenal traditionally do well at Craven Cottage in this London derby, and Fulham didn't impress in their loss to newly-promoted Hull City last weekend.  Despite this, I think Arsenal may struggle a bit at times, but they should beat their London neighbors; for Arsenal (or any big four team), this is a match where they need to pick up not only three points, but a number of goals to boost their goal differential over the season.  Prediction: 1-2                                 

Stoke v. Aston Villa: 2:30 pm Fox Soccer Channel (delayed)

Villa looked very impressive in their drubbing of Man City last weekend, but perhaps that says more about Man City.  It's hard to deny that they have weapons in John Carew, Ashley Young and Gabi Agbonglahor, but they should impress against teams like Stoke.  While perhaps the best "English" side in the league, they can be caught out against better-quality attacking sides.  Unfortunately, Stoke isn't one of them.  Prediction: 0-2

West Brom v. Everton: 4 pm Setanta Sports (delayed)

Everton's hearts were broken against Blackburn last weekend, and they're still going through a number of injuries, but this is a game the Toffees should win.  Everton's defense in and around the box could let them down, however, and it should be interesting to see if West Brom endorse the fluent attack they utilized that got them promoted.  It's great in theory, but can it stand up to the EPL or will they become more defensive?   Prediction: 1-1

Sunday, August 24

Wigan v. Chelsea: 8:30 am Setanta Sports

Wigan's loss to West Ham made the Hammers look better than they really are, but it's hard to see them take more than a point from Chelsea.  Everyone's too fit and experienced, and the expectations too high for the Blues to drop points to Wigan.  I get the feeling that there's just too many good players on the pitch for Chelsea. Prediction: 0-3

Man City v. West Ham: 11 am Fox Soccer Channel

Oooh, this could be the match to watch.  I certainly hope this isn't dull, which it could be, but I'm reckoning that both teams will find  themselves caught out at some point.  A battle of mediocres, at best, but hopefully a goalfest.  Prediction: 2-2

Monday, August 25

Portsmouth v. Man Utd: 3 pm Setanta Sports

Pompey are lucky enough to meet Man Utd for the third time in less than a month.  Sitting at the bottom of the table after a 4-0 drubbing by Chelsea has dashed any hopes of starting well, as they did last season.  As long as Redknapp is going to play 4-4-2 with Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe up top, there needs to be some service from midfield.  Perhaps it'll happen, but I don't think it will against the Red Devils.  Prediction: 0-2

For a listing of the EPL US Television schedule, check out EPLTalk's listings for the season.  Things change, so be sure to check your local listings.

Fox Soccer Channel & Setanta Sports announce 08/09 EPL TV schedule  [EPL Talk]

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