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Chelsea : strong starters
For many football fans, the international game is the pinnacle of football, bringing together the top players in each country in an attempt to see which nation is the best. However, some football fans are becoming bored with international football and much prefer the club game to fill all of their footballing needs.
The new English Premiership season is only three games old but the international break has halted the flow of the season. After the thrills and spills of the European Championship qualification games, the domestic game takes centre stage once again.
Chelsea are the only top flight team to have won all three matches, which is no mean feat after just three games. This indicates the level of competition between the sides in the English top flight and most teams can take points off most other teams. Of course, Chelsea are a class apart and already have a goal difference of plus 14 goals from just two home games and one away trip. In their next match, Chelsea are taking a trip away from Stamford Bridge but they do not have that far to go.
Carlo Ancelotti and his side remain in London with a trip to West Ham United where former boss Avram Grant will be rolling out the welcome mat.
Grant's side are currently at the foot of the table so the entire length of the table separates both clubs and the smart money would be on an away victory but you just never know. Chelsea will have had most of their players away on international duty and will have one eye on their Champions League clash in midweek.
Winning the title last season was important for Chelsea but there is no doubt that Roman Abramovich will be desperate to clinch the Champions League. With this year's final taking place at Wembley Stadium, the opportunity to win the trophy on home soil will be a big incentive for Chelsea.
A Wembley triumph will also be an incentive for Manchester United as this was where they first lifted the European Cup, in 1968. Manchester United were the first English team to win the premier club tournament in Europe, being pipped to being the first British team to win it by Celtic, when the Lisbon Lions triumphed in 1967. That is for the future for Manchester United but this weekend, they aim to maintain the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.
United dropped points in their only away game this season so far and will be hoping for a better return when they head to Liverpool to face Everton.
The Toffees have not had the best of starts to the season and are currently sitting in the relegation zone. Davie Moyes team have been slow starters in the past few years but it may be that the visit of Manchester United will be the spark to fire up the Goodison club's season.
Everton have defeated their Mancunian rivals in the past two seasons and another one this season could see United's title hopes rocking before September is over. Alex Ferguson still needs one more title win to see United overtake Liverpool with respect to domestic league wins and the Scottish manager will be desperate to achieve that feat this season. Rumours of Ferguson's retirement have been bounding around for years but it appears the day will come sooner rather than later. With the rift between fans and the Glazers, the current American owners of United, growing larger on a weekly basis, Ferguson may decide that it is no longer worth his time or energy to manage the club.
Alongside Chelsea and Manchester United, England's entrants into the Champions League side are Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and both of these clubs are in action on Saturday. Arsenal are at home and welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium. The Gooners are currently in second place in the table and have won their past two matches after an opening weekend draw at Anfield. A romping victory at home over newly promoted Blackpool has given the Arsenal fans a taste for goals and with The Walcott notching a hat-trick in that match, fans would have been looking for him to strike again.
The disappointment that Walcott would have felt after being omitted from England's World Cup squad may be the spur for the player to be a key man for Arsene Wenger this season but an injury picked up in England's win over Switzerland sees him missing out again. Arsene Wenger has to cope with this loss and the loss of Robin van Persie, another injury victim.
Harry Redknapp saw his Spurs side overcome a first leg deficit against Young Boys of Berne to book their place in the Champions League but a loss versus Wigan brought the White Hart Lane club back to earth with a bump. Spurs may find it becomes quite tricky to balance the needs and demands of a European assault as well as maintaining good form in the league and a trip to West Bromwich Albion will be a stern test for a side that may have an eye on a forthcoming European tie. West Brom, if they want to stay up, will need to pick up as many points at home as they can and this match against Spurs may provide an excellent opportunity to upset the odds and propel themselves closer to safety and retaining their place in the English top flight.
Another team looking to bounce back after a defeat are Manchester City, who lost 1-0 to Sunderland in their last league outing. This was a major shock as many people expected the multi-millionaires of City to steamroll most of their opponents but money cannot always buy success. Manchester City will need to show they have the resolve and strength to bounce back from adversity and their match against Blackburn Rovers will be keenly watched. Sam Allardyce has developed a reputation for causing upsets and upsetting teams with big reputations. It would be no surprise to see Rovers going to the Eastlands Stadium and grabbing a result that would leave Roberto Mancini sweating over his City future.
With the international break becoming a distant memory, the big leagues are back in action but some clubs may find the draw of the Champions League too enticing to fully focus on their league campaign.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
