Earlier this week I previewed and predicted the winners for Saturday’s (13 August) fixtures, today I will look into the three games taking place on Sunday (14 August) and Monday (15 August).
Chelsea vs. Stoke City: Britannia Stadium
Chelsea are looking to get their 2011-12 Premier League campaign off to a winning start in this one, but Stoke will surely have something to say about that. The Blues come to the Britannia Stadium having made only two signing in the summer transfer window thus far, Romelu Lukaku and Oriol Romeu. Lukaku joins Chelsea from Belgian club RSC Anderlecht, where he earned the nickname, “The Next Didier Drogba”, which has since also been given to Tottenham Hotspur starlet Souleymane Coulibaly. Romeu comes to the Premier League via Catalonia and the Nou Camp. The defensive midfielder will be looking to earn a spot in Chelsea’s first team while Michael Essien is out due to injury.
Stoke City have not done much business this summer. Their only two signings, Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate, arrive to Britannia via free transfer. Nonetheless, they may very well play a part in Sunday’s clash with the Premier League runners-up.
Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea victory
Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion: The Hawthorns
Manchester United come to the Hawthorns looking for revenge. United had a near perfect home record last season in the Premier League. Their only blemish was a 2-2 draw at the hands of the Baggies. The new and improved United squad will look to begin their season on a high note. New signings David de Gea, Phil Jones, and Ashley Young will be anxious to make their highly anticipated debuts. The Red Devils also have Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Federico Macheda, and Mame Biram Diouf returning from loan spells. Cleverley and Welbeck are rumoured to be featured in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting XI on Sunday.
West Brom have made a few signings of their own this summer. Amongst their are the likes of Ben Foster (loan), Shane Long, Billy Jones, Zoltan Gera, and Gareth McAuley. The Baggies will be looking for revenge of their own. United escaped the Hawthorns with a 2-1 victory last season. The game featured a missed penalty by Peter Odemwingie that ended up costing West Brom the match when Chicharito scored the 75th minute winner.
Prediction: 2-0 United win
Swansea City vs. Manchester City: Etihad Stadium
Newly promoted Swansea City have a very tough task in their first game of the season versus Manchester City. Surely the Swans will take a point, but let’s hope they don’t park the bus from the get-go. Swansea have made a few signings in a bid to remain in England’s top flight. The likes of Leroy Lita, Danny Graham, and Wayne Routledge will try to bolster the Swans attack that was lead by former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair last season.
City are coming off of a disappointing loss in the FA Community Shield to bitter rivals Manchester United. The Blues lead the game 2-0 at halftime, but a lackluster defence in the second half saw United storm back to win 3-2, following a 94th minute winner by Nani. Two City players to watch will be new signings Gael Clichy and Sergio Aguero.
Prediction: 4-0 City rout Swans
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