Sports Blog 19/08/2016: Match Preview – Premier League, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August 2016

There’s something (sort of) new for Premier League fans this weekend, with the first of 10 Friday games this season joining the usual action on Saturday and Sunday!

That end of the work week-honour goes to Manchester United and Southampton, who square-off at 8pm on Sky Sports 1. For United last Saturday saw their emphatic opening of the Jose Mourinho era continue, breezing through a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth complete with goals from Mata, Rooney and Zlatan himself, the big Swede heading into Friday at a Super Mega PGM of 44-51.



The Saints, on the other hand, could only scrape together a point against Watford, new manager Claude Puel getting off to a stuttering start. Our traders seem to think it should be an easy victory for the home side, especially with the semi-debut of Paul Pogba, Spreadex offering a Manchester United/Southampton Goal Supremacy spread of 1-1.2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.5-2.7.

Early Saturday afternoon then sees United’s blue rivals in action, as Manchester City travel to Stoke at 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1. While they were lucky in their win over Sunderland last weekend, City gave fans a taste of what they can expect from the club this season with their rollicking 5-0 Champions League qualifying win over Steaua Bucharest. What’s even more remarkable is that the score line could have been 7-0, Sergio Aguero (who has a Super Mega PGM of 52-60) missing 2 penalties to add to his hat-trick.



Stoke, then, have plenty to fear, especially since they will be missing main man (and last weekend’s goalscorers) Xherdan Shaqiri through injury. While they didn’t convince against Sunderland Guardiola will be hoping City can build on their mid-week run-out, with Spreadex offering a Manchester City/Stoke (h) Goal Supremacy spread alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.75-2.95.

Arguably the biggest game of the weekend is on Saturday afternoon, as a limp Leicester host an awkward Arsenal at 5.30pm on BT Sport 1. Neither team had a great start to the new season, with the Foxes’ loss to Hull and the Gunners’ flattering 4-3 defeat to Liverpool causing questions to be asked about capabilities of each side.



One of the most intriguing aspects of the meeting will be the performance of Jamie Vardy; the forward rejected a move to Arsenal over summer, and is now poised to do some damage at a Super Mega PGM of 26-31. Given how weak each team looked last weekend this could go either way, with an Arsenal/Leicester (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2, and a Total Goals spread of 2.85-3.05, just about favouring Wenger’s men.

Hardly the most promising game for neutrals, Sunderland and Middlesbrough will be looking to pick up some early points when the two sides meet on Sunday at 1.30pm on Sky Sports 1. Boro made a decent fist of their return to the top flight, summer signing Negredo opening his Teeside account in the 11th minute against Stoke, only to have the strike cancelled out midway through the 2nd half thanks to a goal from Shaqiri.



Sunderland were arguably even more unlucky to end their curtain-raiser against Man City pointless, Paddy McNair’s own goal (on his debut no less!) sinking the side in the 87th minute. Both teams are expected to be battling around the relegation zone come the end of the season, so a result could prove to be vital, with Spreadex offering a Sunderland/Middlesbrough Goal Supremacy spread of 0.05-0.25 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

Finally Sunday afternoon sees West Ham at home for their first league game of the season, inviting Bournemouth to the Olympic Stadium at 4pm on Sky Sports 1. Hampered by their Europa League qualifying campaign the Hammers have already begun to struggle this season. An admittedly very late loss to Chelsea on Monday was followed by a limp 1-1 draw against Astra Giurgiu on Thursday, a 1st half Mark Noble penalty negated by an 83rd minute equaliser from the Romanian champions, with the prospect of the important home leg looming next week.



Not that Bournemouth looked brilliant last weekend. The Cherries fell afoul of a confident Manchester United, losing their opener 3-1 (the goal coming from right back Adam Smith). They did, however, win this fixture 4-3 last season, the memory of which could stand them in good stead on Sunday. Yet in front of a 57,000 strong crowd the Hammers should do the business in their Olympic Stadium league debut, Spreadex offering a West Ham/Bournemouth Goal Supremacy spread of 0.4-0.6 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.7-2.9.