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THE BEAN PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 18-8-06
Christopher Bean
Greetings Smoggies and fans from other clubs. Welcome to the return of The Bean Preview for the 2006/2007 season. The new season is promising to be one of the most open contests for many a year where a handful of teams could challenge for the league. One thing that has not changed is my cynicism.
Each week I will give my "expert" opinion on every Premier League game, with team news, latest murmurings off the pitch and how the results will affect the mighty Boro in the league standings.
Sheffield United v Liverpool
Best Odds
Sheffield United - 6/1 - BetDirect
Draw - 14/5 - Bet365
Liverpool - 4/7 - Total Bet
The Premier League campaign kicks off at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United return to the top flight after a hiatus of after twelve years away from the top flight. They have a tough start as they face the FA Cup holders Liverpool.
Neil Warnock has been busier than a Bangkok brothel this summer bringing in new faces, most notably the robust former Leeds striker Rob Hulse and full back Li Tie who was released from Everton. There will be no return to the Premier League for Brian Deane however as the first ever goal scorer in the Premiership has left the steel city along with eleven other players.
Liverpool have also seen a lot of action in the summer transfer window. Rafa Benitez has strengthened his attack by bringing in the little Welsh imp Craig Bellamy, who had a very successful season at Blackburn last term. The Scousers have also brought in winger Jermaine Pennant from Birmingham City and with his criminal background he will fit in very well on Merseyside.
I feel Sheffield United will start out strong in this fixture but will gradually fade away in the second half. Liverpool should win this match easily in the end. A comfortable 2-0 victory for the red half (or third if you are a Tranmere Rovers fan,) of Merseyside.
Prediction - Liverpool to win 2-0 - 13/2 with Coral.
Aresnal v Aston Villa
Best Odds
Arsenal - 3/10 - Victor Chandler
Draw - 4/1 - Total Bet
Aston Villa - 12/1 - Bet365
It is goodbye to Highbury and hello to the Emirates Stadium. The shiny new stadium has been completed on time and just slightly over budget. Take note F.A - that is how you get a stadium done. Aston Villa make the first trip to Ashburton Grove and new Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be looking to make a grand opening statement in the Premiership, by beating the runners-up of the Champions League on their new home turf.
Arsene Wenger has only made one signing so far this summer, but it is one hell of a transfer coup as he has landed talented Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund. Rosicky had an impressive World Cup and has the potential to be one of the Premier League's superstars. Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, and Sol Campbell have all left the London club, which gives the Arsenal side a very youthful look going into the first game of the season.
Aston Villa have made no signings during the close season, due to the takeover of the club by the amusingly named American investor Randy Lerner. Doug Ellis leaves the chairman's seat after 263 years at the helm at the Midlands only top flight club. Before Deadly Doug left he installed Martin O'Neill as manager, which shocked everyone as he was linked to Boro, Newcastle, England, Republic of Ireland, Manchester United, Harchester United, The Harlem Globetrotters and Sunderland.
Marin O'Neill has not had a lot of time getting acquainted with his thin squad and will struggle to get going in this game. Arsenal on the other hand will be hungry to win the first competitive match in their new ground. However Arsenal may have a few opening night jitters at the start but will narrowly win 2-1.
Prediction - Arsenal to win 2-1 - 9/1 with Sporting Odds.
Everton v Watford
Best Odds
Everton - 4/6 - UK Betting
Draw - 5/2 - Coral
Watford - 5/1 - Sporting Odds
Watford start their second campaign in the top flight since the Premiership's inception in 1992 with a trip up north to Everton. Watford gained promotion after being rampant in the play-offs, seeing off Crystal Palace and Leeds United to claim a place in the big league. Everton finished a disappointed 11th place last season and will be aiming to emulate their success from the 2004/2005 season.
Everton have brought in three new faces to Goodison Park. The most significant signing is Andy Johnson from Crystal Palace for £8.6m. Johnson nearly singly handed kept Crystal Palace up two seasons ago with an impressive goal tally of twenty-one league goals, but the team succumbed on the last day of the season.
Tim Howard has been brought in on loan after Nigel Martyn retired from the game, and defender Joleon Lescott signed from Wolves for £5M. Leaving Everton is Duncan Ferguson who was released. Not the first time he has heard that.
Aidy Boothroyd has performed a miracle at Vicarage Road. Watford looked certain favourites to drop into League One, but went in the other direction. The Hornets have brought in nine players in the summer which will bring in a mixture of youth and experience to the team. Damien Francis and former England international Chris Powell (yes, Eriksson picked him!) are the noticeable experienced campaigners, and for the people who love to hear John Motson squirm they have also signed Danny Shittu, who will no doubt be mocked on the terrac.. all-seater stadiums.
I think Watford will put up a good battle with the Toffees, but I just have a feeling Andy Johnson is going to bag a brace on his debut. A hard fought 2-1 win to the blue noses.
Prediction - Everton to win 2-1 - 8/1 with Sporting Odds
Newcastle v Wigan
Best Odds
Newcastle - 8/11 - William Hill
Draw - 12/5 - Skybet
Wigan - 17/4 - Sporting Odds
Last seasons surprise package Wigan make a trip up north to our lovely neighbours Newcastle. The barcodes will be looking for a win for their ever so loyal support to start their season off with a bang. They had 31,000 against Lillestrom in the Intertoto Cup the other week don't ya know.
Newcastle have a huge problem. Their messiah Mary Poppins has packed in the game. Michael Owen is out injured for at least a couple more months after knacking himself at the World Cup, which left them with two strikers fit. What do they do? They sell Michael Chopra of course. You would think they would buy a couple of strikers now, wouldn't you? You would be wrong as they go and sign Damien Duff, just to keep the Gallowgate end happy cos he is a big name. So that leaves them with one sole striker and his name is Shola. If I were a Geordie I would be shouting "oh shit!"
Another interesting fact for you is that in Glenn Roeder's two previous management roles at Watford and West Ham there is a striking similarity. In the first season of both jobs the Hammers and Watford both finished seventh and the season after both teams were relegated. Funnily enough Newcastle finished seventh last season. If I were a Geordie I would be shouting "oh fuck!"
Wigan have been hit hard in the transfer market this summer. They have lost influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard to Fulham, and their key striker Jason Roberts. They have brought in the striker who is accustomed to have a muddy arse each match, who of course is Emile Heskey. Also they have loaned the services of the Chris Kirkland, the second most brittle player in the Premiership behind Malcolm Christie.
This is a tough game to predict as I feel both teams are going to struggle this season, so I am going to bottle it and go for a 1-1 draw.
Prediction - a 1-1 draw - 6/1 with Bet365
Portsmouth v Blackburn Rovers
Best Odds
Portsmouth - 7/5 - Total Bet
Draw - 9/4 - Skybet
Blackburn Rovers - 21/10 - Bet365
After being called a Judas for moving to Southampton, the Fratton Park faithful are bowing down to Harry Redknapp and calling him the Messiah now after keeping Portsmouth up last season and relegating the Saints the season before. Pompey will be starting their campaign against Blackburn Rovers who finished in an impressive sixth place last season which earned them a UEFA cup spot.
Portsmouth have invested in some experienced players during the summer, with the most notable addition being Sol Campbell who was released from Arsenal. So much for going to a big Italian club, huh?
Pompey have also invested in a new "keeper" - good ol' Calamity James who signs for his sxity-third club. The Hampshire team have also got rid of nine players, who must have been rubbish as I have only heard of one of them.
Blackburn have done us Boro fans a favour this summer by signing Benni McCarthy, which means an end to our twelve years of being linked with the South African. They have also brought in another two strikers, Jason Roberts from Wigan Athletic and Francis Jeffers on a free transfer, which I believe they have done for shits and giggles.
Rovers have been dealt a big blow by losing Craig Bellamy to Liverpool, but I am sure little Franny will fill in his boots. Possibly with concrete as he is doing his modern apprenticeship in building at Blackburn Technical College.
Prediction - a 1-1 draw - 11/2 with  Ladbrokes
Reading v Middlesbrough
Best Odds
Reading - 6/4 - Mansion
Draw 9/4 - Skybet
Middlesbrough - 9/5 - William Hill
Middlesbrough kick off their season by making a trip to Berkshire where they face Premiership debutants Reading at the Madjeski Stadium. Reading will be aiming to seek revenge on us as we denied them the opportunity of promotion to the Premiership in 1995. There were only two promotion places available that year due to the Premier League downscaling from 22 to 20 teams. The Royals finished runners-up to Boro and were beaten in the play-offs.
Reading have not been very active in the transfer market this season, but the two players they have signed will leave Motty flustered and awkward on Match of the Day. Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon has signed for £1M from Wolves and Jeff Stelling's favourite player Sam Sodje arrives from Bournemouth.
It has not been the best of pre-seasons for Boro, with poor results in friendly matches and not much activity in the transfer market. The one major signing for Boro is a cracker though. Julio Arca looks to have slotted into the left back role very well and should form a formidable partnership with Stewart Downing on the left hand side.
A win for Middlesbrough could see them go top of the table, where as a defeat could see them slip into the relegation zone. A draw should see the Boro comfortably sit in mid-table. Funnily enough Reading are in the same position.
I do not think we will win this match, mainly down to our poor form last season against the promoted clubs. Last season we only mustered seven points out of eighteen, which is very disappointing compared to the sixteen points we gained two seasons ago. Reading will be well up for this game, but I still feel we will have the quality to earn a point. An exciting fast paced match which will end 2-2.
Prediction - a 2-2 draw - 14/1 with BetDirect.
West Ham v Charlton
Best Odds
West Ham - 21/20 - Total Bet
Draw - 9/4 - Paddy Power
Charlton - 11/4 -  Betfred
The FA Cup runners-up kick off their season in a London derby as they take on Charlton. New Addicks boss Iain Dowie left his old job at Crystal Palace so he could move up North. Well he did - 10.6 miles (south) to be exact, much to the annoyance of Simon Jordan.
Alan Pardew has been quite busy in the transfer market this summer bringing in seven new players, whilst shedding ten players in the process. Lee Bowyer has rejoined West Ham and will make his debut against another former club. Pardew has also brought in goalkeeper Robert Green from Norwich City, who will be hoping to catch the eye of Steve McClaren, which shouldn't be too difficult as he picked a goalkeeper who has not actually played for a team who he has been contracted to and has made all his appearances on loan (Ben Foster in case you are wondering.)
Iain Dowie has also been a busy boy in the transfer window, by bringing in seven new faces. The biggest name is former Boro striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, which has annoyed most of the population of Teesside. The ugliest man in football has also chopped away some deadwood from the squad, including Francis Jeffers, who is returning back to the North West to fulfil his dream of being a brickie.
I think the game will be a tough contest but the home advantage for the bubble blowers will hold strong. A losing start for the Addicks with the Hammers taking it 2-1.
Prediction - West Ham to win 2-1 - 8/1 Sporting Odds
Bolton v Tottenham Hotspur
Best Odds
Bolton - 7/4 - UK Betting
Draw - 9/4 - Victor Chandler
Tottenham - 17/10 - BetDirect
Spurs travel up north for the Saturday tea-time offering against Bolton. Tottenham will want to get to a good start this season after literally shitting themselves on the last day of season to cost them a place in the Champions League. Bolton also want to get a good start after Big Sam got too distracted last season with the allure of the England job. He was entranced so much that he ended up begging for it.
We all know the quality and skilfulness that Bolton Wanderers possess with their fluid movements and great passing techniques, and they have boosted those skills with a footballing maestro that is Quinton Fortune. The Trotters have also been involved in one of the most bizarre transfer dealings in modern history. They signed Dietmar Hamman from Liverpool on July 1st. He realized that he actually wanted to sign for Manchester City a few days later, resulting in Bolton making £400,000 from nothing in a space of a few days. It makes Swiss bank accounts look like piggy banks.
Tottenham have been splashing the cash in the last couple of months spending well over £25M. The biggest fee was spent on Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov at a costly tag of £11M. Hang on, promising Eastern European striker signed by Tottenham for an £11M sum, where have I heard that one before? Oh yeah Sergi Rebrov says hi! The biggest disappointment for Spurs was the loss of holding midfielder Michael Carrick, but with £18.6M coming their way they can't complain.
Spurs have a new sponsor on their shirts this season and it is gambling firm Mansion. To celebrate the new deal Mansion are offering a ridiculously good no-lose bet.
What you need to do is place a bet of anything up to £100 on Spurs to win on an Asian handicap bet at odds of 1.84. If you do place a £100 bet you will make £84 profit however if Spurs don't win you will get your stake back within 48 hours! To take advantage of this offer, click here.
I have a big feeling this is going to be one damp dreary affair with not a lot of goal-mouth action. This has 0-0 written all over it. Which will be a great start for the evening kick-offs on Sky television. Even so it is better than that shite Maria thing with Graham Norton on BBC 1.
Prediction - a 0-0 draw - 17/2 with William Hill
Chelsea v Manchester City
Best Odds
Chelsea - 2/9 - Paddy Power
Draw - 9/2 - Bet365
Manchester City - 14/1 - Sporting Odds
The Champions and this season's favourites Chelsea take on the team who were the first to beat Jose Mourinho's side two seasons ago, Manchester City in a flukey 1-0 win - it was no 3-0 was it!
Surprise Surprise, Big Roman has been spending his cash again to get new players. The biggest names to come to Chelsea this summer are Ukrainian superstar Andrei Shevchenko and German midfield maestro Michael Ballack. Chelski have also snatched Jon Obi Mikel from under the big red nose of Sir Alex Ferguson. Jose has had a huge clear out sale as well chopping fifteen players from the squad list, the most notable names Eidur Gudjohnsen, Damien Duff and Asier Del Horno.
Manchester City have a very young looking side this season, but have brought in some experience in the close season including Paul Dickov, Dietmar Hamman and Hatem Trabelsi. Stuart Pearce also won the race to sign the highly talented goalkeeper Joe Hart from Shrewsbury. The England U19 keeper has raised a few eyelids from a handful of Premiership teams and could well be the successor to Paul Robinson's jersey in a few years time.
I think Chelsea will set off the way they did last season and narrowly win 1-0 every other match and it will start with this game, but as with any Stuart Pearce team Manchester City will be sweating blood by the end of the match.
Prediction - Chelsea to win 1-0 - 9/2 with Sporting Odds
Well that's your lot for this week, but there will be another instalment of The Bean Preview on Tuesday for the midweek fixtures. Until then, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins, I am out of here!
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