Weekend Preview

The new season asks a lot of questions, some of which might be answered this weekend.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Rafa has spent the second highest this summer, and the fans will be expecting them to push on and challenge for the title. While the season is a marathon and not a sprint, Liverpool have essentially lost the title in the first few weeks for the past few years by drawing or losing fixtures like this. The team that wins the title this season will need 90-92 points, meaning that they can not win at most 10 matches; messing about in the first five matches means that when Liverpool click at Christmas time, they'll still have to make ground up on Chelsea and Man Utd.
Little Martin has questions to answer; if he can start well, then his team can push towards Europe, otherwise, it's steady progress at best.
Verdict: Draw

Sunderland vs Spurs
Questions surround both sides; can Roy Keane prove himself as a manager? can Spurs push into the Big Four? I think in this case, Spurs will prove too strong; Berbatov and Keane have an understanding allowing Bent to be blooded gradually. Sunderland won't struggle this year, I think, but they won't win against Spurs. Spurs have started badly, like Liverpool, and this is the perfect opportunity to get a springboard.
Verdict: Away

Bolton vs Newcastle
The battle of the Fat Sams, Big and Little. Newcastle under Big Sam will want to prove that the inconsistencies of the last few seasons are a thing of the past. Big Sam will have a more pragmatic approach, but with Viduka and Martins against a Ben Haim-less defence, it'll be no contest.
Verdict: Away