England Round 3

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Newcastle United vs Tottenham Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Newcastle United:
Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hull; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Tottenham;
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Micky van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Odobert; Son Heung-Min

Newcastle United will welcome Tottenham at St James Park on Sunday afternoon. I expect an interesting match that could produced at least four goals. Newcastle had a poor last season, but manager Edie Howe survived. The fans were expecting to see their team fighting for the title, or at least for a Champions League spot. Their expectations are really big after the takeover by the Saudi "Public Investment Fund." The new owners have invested lot of money and they want trophies. Howe is under big pressure, though the first results are positive. The Magpies secured a victory in the first match, beating Southampton with 1:0 at St James Park. Three points from this match were expected, but Fabian Schar's first half red card meant they were forced to work incredibly hard for the successful start of the campaign against newly promoted Saints. Joelinton sealed the win with their only shot on target. In the second round Newcastle played an 1:1 draw with Bournemouth. Howe could be satisfy with the result considering the fact VAR have disallowed a late goal scored by the Cherries. In addition, Howe has some injury and suspension worries. Schar will serve the second of his three-match ban on Sunday. Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley are sidelined through injuries. While Wilson could return from a back injury next month, Miley is expected to be out until October. Joe Willock and Martin Dubravka are also sidelined, while Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are long-term absentees.

Tottenham also collected four points from the opening two rounds. First they shared the points with newly-promoted Leicester City, playing an 1:1 draw at King Power Stadium. The Spurs controlled the game and scored in the first half thanks to Pedro Porro, but were unable to stop veteran striker Jamie Vardi, who equalized in the 57th minute. I am sure the fans were not fully satisfied with the result and it was much better in the second round. Ange Postecoglou's men were impressive against Everton and scored four unanswered goals. Bissouma opened the result after 14 minutes, scoring his first goal in his 52nd Premier League appearance for the club. Son Heung-min took advantage from Pickford's mistake 11 minutes later to made it 2:0, while the second half brought two more goals through Romero and Son. I believe the atmosphere in the squad is good, while the players confidence is much higher. The Australian has the majority of his players available, but record-signing Dominic Solanke is struggling with an ankle injury. Rodrigo Bentancur won't be available again until after the international break. Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are rated as doubtful, though the duo should be available to start.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Prediction:

Both Newcastle and Tottenham are offensive minded teams, as well as their managers Howe and Postecoglou. Last season Newcastle won 4:0 at home, while the Spurs won 4:1 at New White Hart Lane. I expect an open and efficient match again. At least four goals should be scored at St James Park.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 1.99 with Pinnacle

 

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Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester United:
Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee

Liverpool:
Becker; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson;MacAllister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz; Diogo Jota

Manchester United will welcome Liverpool in the most interesting clash this weekend in the Premier League. This will be their third official match in 2024. United were more successful, they shared the points in the league, but managed to eliminate Liverpool in the FA Cup last season. According to me, Liverpool lost the first place because of Manchester United as they dropped four important points last season. Of course, United fans were happy and they will be again if Liverpool don't win. Manager Erik ten Hag is under big pressure, but that's a "familiar" ground for him. He has several injury worries as Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw remain unavailable in defense. The latter has suffered yet another injury after making his return at Euro 2024, sidelining him until after the September international break. Striker Rasmus Hojlund is still absent after picking up a hamstring injury during the pre-season. Victor Lindelof is a doubt for Sunday's clash but could feature in some capacity, while Jadon Sancho's future remains unclear. On Tuesday Manchester United have agreed a 50m Euros deal to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris St-Germain. The deal also includes a potential 10m Euros in additional payments. At the same time Scott McTominay's joined Serie A side Napoli for 30m Euros.

Liverpool started the "post-Klopp" era very good, at least the opening two rounds. New manager Arne Slot is surely feeling some pressure, but two victories in the first two rounds is exactly what he need. The Reds first beat newly-promoted Ipswich and then Brentford, both with 2:0. Mohamed Salah had hand in three goals, scoring two and assisted one. But Luis Diaz should also be mentioned, he is playing like he was made for Arne Slot's style of football. The Colombian winger followed up his impressive display at Ipswich with another eye-catching performance, this time at Anfield against Brentford. Luis Diaz registered his 100th appearance for Liverpool since joining from Porto in January 2022. The 27-year-old has scored 25 goals so far, but it is clear he will try to improve his record. Slot has no important missing players, only Curtis Jones is rated as doubtful. Most probably the Dutch coach will start with the same eleven.I think this match comes too soon for new signing Chiesa.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Prediction:

Manchester United and Liverpool are the two most successful English clubs. United have won 63 trophies, while Liverpool 60. The club from Anfield have dominated English football from 1975 to 1990, winning 11 league titles and four European Cups. Manchester United, meanwhile, have dominated during Ferguson's era, from 1993. In that period the Red Devils won 13 league championships and two European Cups. It is clear this is a big derby and I expect the players from both teams to give the maximum.

Something else will also add a spice to the derby - both teams are managed by Dutch coaches. Ten Hag and Slot have traded punches in the past when Ten Hag was still Ajax’s manager and Slot was in charge of Feyenoord and Alkmaar. They have faced each other four times in the past, seeing their teams win two games apiece in those clashes. In 2020, Slot’s Alkmaar have defeated Ten Hag’s Ajax team twice. But Erik got his revenge in the 2021/22 season, defeating Arne’s Feyenoord team twice in the Eredivisie.

I think Manchester United will not lose here. The home advantage is key reason for my pick. The home fans will enjoy to see Liverpool dropping the points at Old Trafford. Man United have already upset Liverpool twice in 2024, so why not again. Finally, I think Slot will be fully satisfied with a draw.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Pick: Manchester United +0.5 AH @ 2.02 with Pinnacle

 

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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Chelsea:
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Crystal Palace:
Henderson; Clyne, Guehi, Richards;Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Mateta

Chelsea have started the Premier League campaign with a 2:0 home loss to Manchester City. I am sure the manager Enzo Maresca was disappointed, as well as his players. But let's be honest, there is a class difference between the reigning champions and any other team. The only exceptions are maybe Arsenal and Liverpool, all the other teams are level bellow Manchester City. The Blues showed their strength in the second round when they destroyed Wolverhampton. Chelsea exploded and won 6:2. Forward Noni Madueke was the "Man of Match" after scoring a hat-trick. The Blues also successfully started the European campaign, eliminating Servette in the Conference league qualifications. Despite the defeat in Switzerland, Chelsea won on aggregate and secured the group stage of the competition. Most of the players are available, only captain Reece James is nursing a thigh injury. Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are both on the exit door and must find new clubs before the transfer deadline.

Crystal Palace are between the teams that lost the opening two matches of the new season. First they suffered a narrow 2:1 defeat at Brentford and then lost 2:0 to West Ham. I am well aware it is too early for any conclusions, but manager Glasner is under big pressure. Maybe he is not the only responsible for the poor start, particularly because the transfer activities were not according to his wishes. The Eagles are weaker following the departures of Joachim Andersen and Jordan Ayew last week. However, there was some sort of optimism after the high cup victory at midweek. Crystal Palace overcame Norwich City at Selhurst Park to claim a 4:0 win and reach the Carabao Cup third round. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring in just the second minute with his first Palace goal, while the home side doubled their advantage through Mateta’s acrobatic finish 11 minutes into the second half. The same player made it 3:0 with a thumping finish from Eze's delivery midway through the second half, before Eze got his name on the scoresheet at the end of a marauding run.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Prediction:

Chelsea are clear favorites in this match and I think they will win. The actual form is the key reason for my pick - Chelsea were impressive last week and they destroyed Wolverhampton, winning 6:2. On contrary, Crystal Palace lost the opening two matches of the new season. Manager Glasner is under big pressure, as well as the players. In addition, Chelsea have the home advantage as this match will be played at Stamford Bridge. Finally, the tradition is completely on Chelsea side. They have won the last 14 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Pick: Chelsea to win @ 1.64 with Pinnacle