OT - What are you doing right now?

A virtually shock free game week #1 offered little insight in to the season ahead of us.  There’s still a heady blend of euphoria, hope, player transfers, and, in my case despondency that it’s more or less over already. 

A handful of interesting match-ups this weekend, so here we go;

Saturday 

Villa v Everton, Legends of the Golden era that failed to materialise, Stevie G and Super Frank - face off as managers. Stevie is the more gnarly and effective of the two and will deploy his resources to crack the fragile Toffees. 2-1

Arsenal v Leicester,  Gunners out the traps fast and possibly the real deal now, the Foxes are rudderless in most regards. 2-0

Brighton v Newcastle, media darlings - the Filthy Seagulls are apparently everything that’s perfect in football and anyone who disagrees ‘doesn’t understand football’ in the same way that all jazz is always great.  Toon, though, are on an inexorable rise to the top in the way that limitless funds tends to permit.  To be fair there is a risk of a good match breaking out as the teams are well matched. 1-1. 

Man City v Bournemouth, big home win for sure 4-0

Southampton v Leeds, two bottom third fodder teams collide and the result is hard to call. 0-1 to put an early frightener on the Saints faithful. 

Wolves v Fulham, the visitors secured an unlikely draw at home to Liverpool last weekend, is that the shape of things to come? Nope, restoration of normality starts here; 2-0

Brentford v Man Utd, nailed on home win as the Utd omnishambles sustains. 3-1 

Sunday

Forest v West Ham, a bracing encounter for the hosts as the Hammers were comfortably outplayed by City last weekend but will win this at a stroll.  Early spirit by Forest will be absorbed and 0-2 feels about market rate.

Chelsea v Spurs, the big game of GW#2 and narrow margins will determine the outcome. If Spurs’ midfield functions effectively then an away win will not be a surprise because of the potent attacking options. Or Chelsea play at their optimum, contain Spurs and pick off a goal or two.  Simply on the basis of Conte being the boss with the biggest cajones 1-2

Monday

Liverpool v Palace, 3-0.  Always is.

That’s your footie buffet. Be sure to sample across the whole spread.  I am off now to participate in the new national past time of moaning about the sun.  We’ll do this only until the rain comes, then moan about that. 

John?  Hello, John?  Are you there??