Sports Blog 21/08/2015: Match Preview – Premier League, Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd August 2015

It’s an interesting weekend for teams that ostensibly will be at the top of the table by the end of the season, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea with varying tasks ahead of them.

First up on Saturday sees Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United at 12.45pm on BT Sport 1. Despite winning their first 2 games United had hardly gotten off to an exciting start, with both matches won by a solitary goal. That all changed midweek, however. Whilst not perfect, a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge leaves United with one foot in the door of the Champions League proper and gave them their first bona fide great performance of the season. Even more notably, it signalled the arrival of Memphis Depay, who came out of his shell in the European tie to open his scoring book at United with two truly special goals, leaving him with a Super Mega PGM spread of 36-42 and 9/2 fixed odds to score first.



Things haven’t gone so well for Steven McClaren’s first few games in charge at Newcastle, and the Toon face a tough task when facing their manager’s former team. A 2-2 opening day draw against Southampton was a solid first result; however, a 2-0 loss to Swansea nipped any early optimism in the bud, and highlighted the many flaws McClaren still needs to address. In an attempt to do so this week saw Newcastle sign Florian Thauvin from Marseille, adding to a Toon newbie pile that already includes Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV (who scored in his league debut), and Aleksander Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht, the former the Belgian side’s top scorer for the past 2 seasons.

Whilst both teams are in a transitional period only one looks any good at the moment, leading our Spreadex traders to offer a Manchester United/Newcastle Goal Supremacy spread of 1.35-1.55 with a Total Goals spread of 2.8-3.

Sunday then sees Chelsea try and put their early-in-the-season misfires behind them as they travel to West Brom at 1.30pm on Sky Sports 1. It’s been a fairly disastrous start to the season for the defending champions, with a frustrating draw against Swansea followed by a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Mourinho and his men will be looking to blow off some steam against West Brom, and with Courtois back from his one game suspension and the freshly signed Pedro (who, beyond being a brilliant player, seems to have been bought just to spite United) potentially making his debut, West Brom could be on the wrong end of Chelsea as they work out some of their issues.



It doesn’t help that the Baggies haven’t looked too bright themselves. An opening game defeat to Man City was probably to be expected, but a 0-0 draw with Watford showed a dearth of ideas, worryingly against one of the sides most likely to be at the bottom of the pile at the end of the season. Eyes will be on club record fee breaking Jose Salomon Rondon, who could make his first start after coming on against Watford and sits at a Super Mega PGM of 9-13, whilst Saido Berahino, reportedly being courted by Tottenham, could help West Brom to their first goal of the season and is at 17/2 to score first.

Jose Mourinho will be practically foaming at the mouth if his team fails to secure their first win of the season, and given how poor the Baggies have looked the Blues look likely to do so, with Spreadex offering a Chelsea/West Brom (h) Goal Supremacy spreads of 0.85-1.05 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.45-2.65.

Finally Sunday afternoon could see Everton’s strong start to the season end as they host Manchester City at 4pm on Sky Sports 1. The Toffees drew 2-2 with Watford in their opening game, with only a late goal from Arouna Kone saving their blushes; their second match, however, was a vast improvement, with 2 goals from Lukaku (at 11/2 to score first this weekend) and a late Ross Barkley header giving them an impressive 3-0 win over Southampton. Frustratingly for Roberto Martinez, however, much of Everton’s season so far has focused on John Stones, and whether or not he will be playing in a different shade of blue pretty soon. The Toffees are currently trying to resist the lure of Chelsea’s ever-expanding offers, but with Stones reportedly set to hand in an official transfer request they might not be able to hold out much longer.



No team has had a better start to the season than Manchester City; 6 goals in 2 goals, none conceded and, most importantly, a victory over Chelsea that was a statement of intent as much as an important 3 points, Pellegrini’s team has clearly only got one finishing spot in sight. The newly signed Nicholas Otamendi will be a boost, strengthening arguably their weakest area with someone who Pellegrini labelled, without too much hyperbole, the best defender in La Liga last season. Combine this with a lively Aguero, at 3/1 to score first, and a commanding Toure, at 9/1 to score first, and City look formidable.

City haven’t had the easiest time of it at Goodison Park in the past few years, only winning once in their last 6 games at the ground. However, they shouldn’t have too much trouble on Sunday, and sit at a Manchester City/Everton (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.65-0.85 with a Total Goals spread of 2.9-3.1.

Make sure to check out Spreadex for all the latest fixed odds and spread betting opportunities for all of the weekend’s Premier League action!