Are this season's Chelsea the new 'great Barcelona'?
Richard Lenton is an experienced journalist and broadcaster. He won Best Sports Presenter at the 2013 Asian TV Awards, and, despite being in his late 30s, still believes that he can make it as a professional footballer. www.richardlenton.co.uk Twitter: @richardlenton
What I learnt last weekend…
CHELSEA ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT
Who would have thought it; a Jose Mourinho side playing with elegance and flair. Married of course with a hard edge that is the hallmark of the Special One’s teams. The Blues have now been likened in the English Press to a terrifying hybrid of the great Barcelona side of recent vintage and the not so great but fearless and indestructible Wimbledon ‘Crazy Gang’ team of the 1980s. They’ll take some stopping.
TOP FOUR A BIG ASK FOR UNITED
After an excellent pre-season I felt convinced that Manchester United could challenge for the title under Louis van Gaal. Then I saw their teamsheet against Swansea… That lot would do well to finish seventh.
A BAD WEEKEND FOR 3-5-2
It’s amazing how formations go in and out of vogue, but the 3-5-2 system – championed by QPR head coach Glenn Hoddle and Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal – looked flawed. United were so poor in the first half against Swansea that they swiftly switched to a back four. When they looked equally dismal.
I WAS WRONG ABOUT ASTON VILLA
I’ve had a friendly charity bet on Twitter with a passionate Singaporean Villa fan that Paul Lambert’s men will be playing Championship football next season. However, after their 1-0 win at Stoke on Saturday, the Villains look to have more than enough in the tank to secure a mid-table finish. Looks like I’ve done my money.
Pick of the weekend: Manchester City versus Liverpool to end in over 2.5 goals
Making sense of the statistics to come up with a Premier League dead cert
Matches between champions Manchester City and the team that ran them so close last season, Liverpool, rarely disappoint. Remember Philippe Coutinho’s late winner in a 3-2 win at Anfield in April that seemed to steer the destiny of the EPL title firmly in Liverpool’s direction? It was, quite simply, as good a game as you could ever wish to see.
The last eight Premier League encounters between these two giants of English football have yielded no less than 27 goals, and only once in those eight matches has the over 2.5 goals barrier not been breached.
City are the obvious favourites having won three and lost none of their last five games against the Reds at the Etihad, and in light of their smooth display at Newcastle on the opening day of the season which resulted in a 2-0 win. But, whatever happens, we’re almost certain to see goals.
Selection dilemmas
Helping you choose the right players for your Yahoo! Fantasy Premier League team
If you’re looking for a player to choose for your Yahoo Fantasy Premier League team from the City versus Liverpool clash, then look no further than Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
Gael Clichy is an obvious choice after his 18-point haul against Newcastle in week one, but Pellegrini chops and changes in the full-back position more than any other, so the former Arsenal man could easily find himself back on the bench for this crunch encounter.
The safest long-term option, now that Pellegrini has shown his hand in terms of the goalkeeping position, is Joe Hart. However, in a game that promises goals, Hart might not be the wisest choice. Instead, Stevan Jovetic looks like an absolute bargain at just £6.52m.
After scoring five goals in four pre-season games, the former Fiorentina hero looks set for an extended run in the first team, and was full of creativity and inventiveness at St James’ during the 2-0 win. He only picked up four points in total, but it’s already prompted 12.28% of you to stick him in your team.
