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THE BEAN PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 16-9-06
Christopher Bean
Hello and welcome to the second instalment of this week's Bean Preview. Here are Sunday's fixtures, including the matches from "Grand Slam Sunday". GO TEAM!
Chelsea v Liverpool
Chelsea 5/6 - Bet365
Draw 12/5 - Victor Chandler
Liverpool 9/2 - Paddy Power
It is the clash of the titans, a battle of epic proportions. It is a head on collision between the European champions of two years ago against the current champions of England. It is bound to be the drizzling shits.
Chelsea welcome Arjen Robben back into the fold after recovering from a calf injury, whilst Joe Cole makes a swift return to the medical centre as his knee problem has reoccurred. Liverpool is without John Arne Riise, but Benitez is in a dilemma to choose either Agger or Hyypia in the centre of defence.
You just know after the days of hype on Sky television about this game it will just be a dull morbid game, where each team will cancel each other out. It always happens! Therefore I am going for a 0-0 draw.
Prediction 0-0
Best odds for a 0-0 draw - 17/2 at Total Bet
Blackburn v Manchester City
Blackburn 11/10 - Coral
Draw 9/4 - Total Bet
Man City 11/4 - Bet365
The only team in the country yet to score a goal from open play take on a team who have only managed one goal themselves. Yep, this has all the hallmarks for a classic as Blackburn welcome their Lancashire rivals Manchester City.
Journeyman Francis Jeffers is back in contention for a starting place for Blackburn after completion of a suspension. Midfielder Steven Reid is out however with a bad back. Dietmar Hamman could make his debut, but it is not very likely as I have been saying this for the last few weeks and he is still yet to play. USA international DaMarcus Beaseley has a place reserved on the bench.
With both teams current form in front of goal you really would expect this to be a goalless draw. But Blackburn have hit more wood this season than Mikkel Beck did on a Saturday night at Cassidy's, and as Beck said "the couple of inches does matter". Rovers will find those couple of inches to hit the back of the net twice.
Prediction 2-0 to Blackburn
Best odds for a 2-0 Blackburn win 9/1 at Coral
Tottenham v Fulham
Tottenham 8/13 - Skybet
Draw 5/2 - Stan James
Fulham 5/1 - Bet365
Spurs return to Premiership action after a fine victory in the Czech Republic on Thursday evening, which virtually books their passage to the group stage of the Uefa Cup. They welcome Chris Coleman's Fulham team who have made a solid start to the season after an early blemish at Old Trafford.
England International Aaron Lennon is not in contention for the match due to injury. Dimitar Berbatov is also unavailable due to a groin injury. Fulham were shook to the core last weekend, after popular midfielder Jimmy Bullard ripped half his knee off at St James Park. He is practically ruled out for the rest of the season. Claus Jensen returns to the fold after injury.
Prediction - 1-1
Best odds for a 1-1 draw 6/1 with Skybet
West Ham v Newcastle
West Ham 11/10 - Stan James
Draw 11/5 - Coral
Newcastle 13/5 - Total Bet
After an unconvincing start to the season, Newcastle travel to East London to face West Ham, who were not that great themselves against Italian side Palermo in the Uefa cup on Thursday night.
Marlon Harewood has virtually guaranteed himself a place in the starting eleven after looking impressive on Thursday, whilst the famous Argentinean duo will feature at some point. Newcastle have been boosted by the news that Titus Bramble is injured, and will be replaced by Peter Ramage. Babayaro and Solano are also out with both having knackered hamstrings.
For the last few years Newcastle have hated entering inside the M25, as they never seem to win in the smoke, and I can't see them winning on Sunday either. It will be a victory for West Ham but it will be a close match.
Prediction - 2-1 to West Ham
Best odds for a 2-1 West Ham in 8/1 at Sporting Odds
Manchester United v Arsenal
Manchester United Evens - Paddy Power
Draw 9/4 -  Betfred
Arsenal 10/3 - Victor Chandler
Thanks to a great act of coincidence, and with no part played by Rupert Murdoch, Manchester United and Arsenal are playing each other on the same day as Liverpool and Chelsea. This match is the second instalment of "Grand Slam Sunday" on Sky Sports. There will be timeouts and half time entertainment shows before you know it.
Alec Ferguson is rocked by the news that two of his influential midfielders have been crocked. Ryan Giggs was injured in the "Battle of Britain" in midweek, and Park Ji Sung hurt his ankle earlier in the week. Cristiano Ronaldo returns however. Arsene Wenger has a huge problem on his hands due to a lack of strikers. Thierry Henry is out with a foot injury, whilst Robin Van Persie has a bad hip. It could mean a full debut for Theo Walcott.
I said earlier that these over hyped matches normally end up being really boring, but Arsenal has a poor backline nowadays and I can see Manchester United running amok and continuing their 100% record.
Prediction - 3-1 to Manchester United
Best odds for a 3-1 Manchester United win 16/1 with Paddy PowerPaddy Power
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