Saturday football

[Coffee]

"It’s back and a warm, sunny day is in store. Last night, the season’s opener saw Man U put Fulham to a blunt sword, but nonetheless shoved three points into the bag. Anything else would have got the media vultures circling ever lower over Ten Hag’s head. But they’ll be watching. There’s a sense of familiarity in the widely predicted top and bottom of the league, with Man City favourites for the title and the promoted sides again the pick of those to make a swift return from whence they came. Add Wolves, Bournemouth and Forest to that mix. Arsenal will give City serious competition for top spot. As will West Ham, of course. Now wake up. The first game of the season often throws up some unexpected results. Today’s possibilities include the Saints at St James Park, along with Chelsea (H, City) and Leicester (H, Spurs). *SATURDAY* IPSWICH vs LIVERPOOL (1230) Uh-oh, not quite what the poor old Tractor Boys would have wanted to mark their impressive return to the big time. A first look at Pool’s second consecutive monosyllabic boss with a vaguely amusing name and a test that he should pass with flying colours. Next up for Ipswich is a visit to the Etihad. They began last season with games against Sunderland and Stoke. Welcome back, boys. 0-3 ARSENAL vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1500) What would Arsenal have done for a couple of extra early season points in the last campaign or two? They’ll have to make the most of opportunities like this. 4-0 EVERTON vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1500) Another sticky season in store for the Toffees? Not to mention Brighton. Bottom half for both, but they’ll be relieved at the competition down there. 2-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500) More will be expected of Newcastle this season, but can they deliver? On paper, a regulation home win, but the Saints will battle for every last point. 3-2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500) Could this end up proving to be an early six-pointer? Home advantage for Forest and they’ll have to make the most of it. 2-1 WEST HAM UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (1730) What a phenomenal few months it’s been for the Irons transfer Kaiser. Playing staff and ambition have turned around like never before. We’ll find out soon enough if they are matched by real-time sophistication and approach. Either way, we go into the new season strengthened in defence and with stunning forward options with the likes of captain Bowen, Kudus, who could really come into his own this year, and Paqueta who looks set to play the season. But has there been enough time for the new players to gel and get used to each other? After a couple of months, we’ll certainly be there, but now? Villa had an amazing last season and have the strength to build substantially on that. This is set to be a heck of first game between two strong sides and two strong managers, por favor, who will both be playing for a Champions League place or thereabouts. What a start to the season this promises to be. Exciting times ahead, starting, one hopes, this evening. 3-1 *SUNDAY* BRENTFORD vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1400) The first London derby of the year. Both sides have flirted with the lower reaches of the Premier League recently and will have to show grit to keep out of that region for another year. 1-1 CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER CITY (1630) Recent seasons have seen City struggle to show title-winning form early on. Chelsea, meanwhile, ended last season strongly and look set to continue that now. Should be a good, battling game. 1-1 *MONDAY* LEICESTER CITY vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (2000) So Leicester made it back at the first attempt. Good for them. But a change of manager may not be quite so good for them as they look to stay up. Spurs’ ambitions lie at the other end of the table. 0-2 *CHAMPIONSHIP* Scott Parker got his managerial career back on track with a thumping win for his Burnley side at fellow relegated side Luton. A sign of things to come? They start their home campaign today against Cardiff, who should offer ready fodder for the Clarets. Leeds opened the season with a 3-3 home draw against Portsmouth and today visit the Baggies in the day’s early game. Derby’s return to the second tier sees them host Middlesboro, possible promotion contenders, while Millwall visit Bristol City. Another top notch season in the Championship coming up? Damn right."

[Manuel]

"Ivan Toney left OUT today due to transfer speculation, couldn't be, could it?"

[Fauxstralian]

"Heading onto the Jubilee line yesterday saw lots of people in sparkly dresses, cowboy boots & hats. Didn’t think Tottenham were at home but seems they were actually going to Wembley for Taylor Swift Walking to the tube saw a girl in that full Taylor Swift get up. Boyfriend was tagging along in a cowboy hat. Never seen anyone looking so self conscious & wishing he was anywhere else"

[Gary Strodders shank]

Ten man QPR battled back from 2.0 to draw at Sheffield United I bumped into to a few rangers fans on the way home last night and they reckon United should of been out of site first half A few shenanigans off the pitch also by the sounds of it

[Fauxstralian]

Saw Bristol City were 2-0 up early v Millwall who scored 3 quick goals after h/t Bristol City equalised & then scored a late winner after George Earthy came on Callum Marshall on for the last 25 mins for Huddersfield. Won first two & sitting second

[Manuel]

"Sydney - Yea, agree. Just watched a highlights show and after each game the cսnt hosting the show is mainly talking about penalties and VAR. I'm bored already."

[Sydney_Iron]

"What a cսnt of a player Brereton Diaz is? Going down clutching his face after being brushed by the Newcastle player, Schar i think, having just shoved Schar a minute earlier. Who does he think he is, Rivaldo? I'm glad Newcastle won that match."

[El Scorchio]

To be fair I’d sent that before that handball thing happened. At the time Ipswich players were racking up bookings for things Liverpool players were getting away with. And Liverpool go one up. Shame. Jota is a better player than he gets credit for though.

[Manuel]

"Not a bad game, type of affair that Liverpool will nick 0-1. Agree the Ipswich lad could have easily been sent off."

[Hammer I am]

"El Scorchio 4:12 Sat Aug 17 Re: Saturday football dont know about that, ipswich player should have been off for that handball"

[El Scorchio]

Very one sided refereeing at Portman Road so far as if that’s a surprise. Liverpool players getting away with the same stuff Ipswich players are getting booked for. Oh and liverpools kit is fucking disgusting

[claypole]

Johnson on the bench for Ipswich

[Sydney_Iron]

the coming of gary 2:30 Sat Aug 17

[Sydney_Iron]

the coming of gary 2:30 Sat Aug 17

[GBHammer63]

"Don’t think Liverpool or the Yids will be too confident, hopefully the new boys will upset the respective Apple carts."

[Manuel]

"That does deserve a mention, an historic day for the club."

[the coming of gary]

"A special mention for Bromley FC, who have their first ever home league game today, after a massive 132 years as a non- league club ."

[the coming of gary]

"A tough league for Premier London clubs ; Twelve local derbies each In the lower divisions, Charlton and Wimbledon looking for promotion Mid table for QPR and Orient No comment on London club number 12 ."

[the coming of gary]

"A tough league for Premier London clubs ; Twelve local derbies each In the lower divisions, Charlton and Wimbledon looking for promotion Mid table for QPR and Orient No comment on London club number 12 ."

[goose]

Quite often there’s an upset week 1. I’d love Ipswich to get something at Liverpool but more likely Southampton at Newcastle or Leicester at home to spurs.

[Tomsdad]

Welcome back Coffee. Always a good read.

[cheesebgt]

IPS vs LIV Away ARS vs WOL Home EVE vs BHA Draw NEW vs SOU Home NFO vs BOU Home WHU vs AST Draw *SUNDAY* BRE vs CRY Home CHE vs MANC Away *MONDAY* LEI vs TOT Away

[happygilmore]

"A big welcome back Coffee. Nice opening week preview. Like you alluded to, a few new EPL managers and players, leave a few unknowns as to who will and won't live up to expectations. It will be an interesting watch the early weeks and the transfer window is still open."

[Manuel]

"Morning Coffee, Sydders.. Nice idea predicting the scoreline, as opposed to a result. I have no opinion on any of the games, but it's good to get the Olympics, cricket, tennis, golf etc out the way and to have the football back."

[Coffee]

"Same here, Sydders. To be honest, no result would be a total surprise."

[Sydney_Iron]

"Agree with all those predictions Coffers old Bean except 2! Man City to beat the Rent Boys. As to our game, my head really can't pick it, new manager, but at home, Villa also have a fair few new players, lost a couple of regulars and pre-season all over the place just like us, can't even predict our starting line up to be close to what it could be for a good few positions so fucked if i can predict a result, but in Lopi we trust! Heart obviously goes for a 4-0 Ratched though. LOL"