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Brendan Rodgers refused to confirm anything as regards Mario Balotelli’s proposed move to Liverpool, but did speak about man management in his press conference at Melwood on Friday.
Balotelli is expected to complete his £16 million switch from AC Milan in the next 24 hours, but Rodgers started his press conference by telling media, “I can categorically tell you that I can’t speak about him [Balotelli] or any player until we sign them.”
However, he then proceeded to drop hints about how he plans to handle Balotelli — reassuring any doubts about the striker’s behaviour — and absorb him into the Liverpool set up throughout the remainder of the press conference.
“We have an intensive code of conduct for any member of staff here. That covers everyone, not one particular individual,” Rodgers added.
“Nothing will ever shake our fantastic environment. We’ve got a learning environment for players, lots of players improving.
“No player would come into here if I felt it couldn’t work. If I can help the person, then it’s something I will look at too.
” People who know me well will tell you I look to try and develop the player and the person. Thankfully we have that culture here.
“I’ve shown before that as long as players care and want to learn, we can give them the opportunity to develop.
“Sometimes you have to take a risk with people, but a lot of the time if you take that risk you get a reward for it.”
Personal terms were finalised with Balotelli’s agent on Friday morning, clearing the way for the 24-year-old to fly to England and complete his medical.
Following that, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Balotelli was on a private flight from Milan to Liverpool, which should have got to Merseyside at around 2pm BST.
The Liverpool Echo report that the Reds “received the reassurances they wanted about the striker’s willingness to agree to behavioural clauses in his contract,” and suggest he will earn around £110,000 a week.
Some reports suggest he has taken a £60,000 per week pay cut to complete the move to Anfield.
Balotelli will not make his Liverpool debut against former club Manchester City when the two clubs meet in the Premier League on Monday as his registration documents needed to be completed by 12noon BST on Friday.
The Italian international will become Liverpool’s ninth signing of the summer, taking their total spend up to £117 million.
Where do you see Balotelli fitting in at Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or in our Liverpool FC Forums> .
Brendan Rodgers refused to confirm anything as regards Mario Balotelli’s proposed move to Liverpool, but did speak about man management in his press conference at Melwood on Friday.
Balotelli is expected to complete his £16 million switch from AC Milan in the next 24 hours, but Rodgers started his press conference by telling media, “I can categorically tell you that I can’t speak about him [Balotelli] or any player until we sign them.”
However, he then proceeded to drop hints about how he plans to handle Balotelli — reassuring any doubts about the striker’s behaviour — and absorb him into the Liverpool set up throughout the remainder of the press conference.
“We have an intensive code of conduct for any member of staff here. That covers everyone, not one particular individual,” Rodgers added.
“Nothing will ever shake our fantastic environment. We’ve got a learning environment for players, lots of players improving.
“No player would come into here if I felt it couldn’t work. If I can help the person, then it’s something I will look at too.
” People who know me well will tell you I look to try and develop the player and the person. Thankfully we have that culture here.
“I’ve shown before that as long as players care and want to learn, we can give them the opportunity to develop.
“Sometimes you have to take a risk with people, but a lot of the time if you take that risk you get a reward for it.”
Personal terms were finalised with Balotelli’s agent on Friday morning, clearing the way for the 24-year-old to fly to England and complete his medical.
Following that, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Balotelli was on a private flight from Milan to Liverpool, which should have got to Merseyside at around 2pm BST.
The Liverpool Echo report that the Reds “received the reassurances they wanted about the striker’s willingness to agree to behavioural clauses in his contract,” and suggest he will earn around £110,000 a week.
Some reports suggest he has taken a £60,000 per week pay cut to complete the move to Anfield.
Balotelli will not make his Liverpool debut against former club Manchester City when the two clubs meet in the Premier League on Monday as his registration documents needed to be completed by 12noon BST on Friday.
The Italian international will become Liverpool’s ninth signing of the summer, taking their total spend up to £117 million.
Where do you see Balotelli fitting in at Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or in our Liverpool FC Forums> .
We are sorry the page you requested cannot be found at the moment.
If you use a bookmark to enter this site, please go to our home page, find the appropriate page and update your bookmark accordingly.
This may only be a temporary problem, so you can try hitting your browser's refresh button, however if the problem persists please get in touch by emailing us.
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We are sorry the page you requested cannot be found at the moment.
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Ahead of Monday night’s trip to Eastlands to face Manchester City, Jack Lusby talks to Citizens’ fan Rob Pollard.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool. Etihad Stadium, Monday 25 August, 8pm.
Last season’s top two in the Premier League meet at Eastlands on Monday night.
Every Liverpool fan will have their hopes about the upcoming fixtures, with nerves and predictions abound, but how do the other half feel?
We spoke to Bleacher Report’s Manchester City correspondent Rob Pollard, who gave an insight into the Citizens’ summer and predictions for the coming game and the season ahead.
Hi Rob, are you happy with the way things have gone for City this summer?
Yes, absolutely. We needed to strengthen the squad in certain areas, and we’ve addressed those areas completely. We now have two players for each position who are all capable of playing for the first team.
Other than the very best – Yaya, Kompany, Silva, Aguero – there isn’t a player in our squad who isn’t looking over their shoulder at someone who could take their place in the starting XI, which is a great position for any side to be in.
Which signings are you most impressed by in particular?
Fernando Reges looks brilliant so far. He will tackle anything in sight and has a great engine, so he brings options to our midfield.
He allows us to rotate Fernandinho and Yaya more than last season and we can also go with a three-man midfield in tight away games against the very best.
Willy Caballero’s signing is also a big one. Joe Hart has had no competition for way too long. Caballero will keep him on his toes.
Who do you tip to break through into the City first team this season?
Youngsters? No one this season. The squad is set and our best young players have been loaned out to get proper experience elsewhere.
And will the current crop endure? Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko have all signed new contracts recently.
Yeah, we’ve tied up our best players for the foreseeable. The club’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has made it his mission to improve the club’s ability to sign players efficiently and without fuss, and sign our best current players to long-term deals. He’s doing a magnificent job.
And in case Rodgers is reading – City lined up with Dzeko and Jovetic up front against Newcastle, do you see this continuing on Monday or will Aguero come back into the side after scoring on Sunday?
Hard to say. We’ll know more on Friday after the manager’s press conference. Aguero looked sharp when he came on, so I think it’s likely he’ll start alongside Dzeko, but there may be a part of Pellegrini that doesn’t want to take a risk with a player so important to us and who has had injury struggles recently.
Rodgers has signed eight players so far this summer, who are you most impressed with and why?
You needed Dejan Lovren, that’s for sure. I’d say Adam Lallana overall, although he was very pricey.
And are there any young players coming through at Liverpool you’d like to see in sky blue in the future?
I genuinely believe Sterling is one of the finest young players in Europe. Obviously, there’s no chance Liverpool would let him go, but he’s actually underrated, if anything. The progress he’s made over the last 18 months has been staggering.
Who do you see as Liverpool’s main threat overall?
Daniel Sturridge. Great movement, can finish and is quick. He’s so hard to mark because he’ll drift into so many different areas. He’s turning into a top player. And Sterling, of course, who is just brilliant.
Who will score more – Sturridge or Aguero?
If Aguero says fit and plays the majority of games (unlike last season), then he will. He’s 30 goals a season guaranteed when fit.
How about your predictions for Monday night and the title race in general?
2-1 City and the title race will be between City and Chelsea.
And the bonus ball: With Liverpool close to signing Mario Balotelli this summer, what are your thoughts on the forward from experience?
Mario Balotelli has the natural ability needed to be one of the best players in the world. He’s big, powerful, fast and unbelievably skillful.
I’ve always said that a team is going to get him at the right time in his career, with the right manager to get the best out of him, and they’re going to have a world-class player on their hands.
£16m is a bargain, in my opinion.
Rob Pollard writes regularly on Manchester City for Bleacher Report and is editor of City fan site Typical City. Take a look at Rob’s B/R profile here, and for a closer look at the opposition, visit typicalcity.org.
What are you predictions for Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad on Monday night? Let us know in the comments below.
Ahead of Monday night’s trip to Eastlands to face Manchester City, Jack Lusby talks to Citizens’ fan Rob Pollard.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool. Etihad Stadium, Monday 25 August, 8pm.
Last season’s top two in the Premier League meet at Eastlands on Monday night.
Every Liverpool fan will have their hopes about the upcoming fixtures, with nerves and predictions abound, but how do the other half feel?
We spoke to Bleacher Report’s Manchester City correspondent Rob Pollard, who gave an insight into the Citizens’ summer and predictions for the coming game and the season ahead.
Hi Rob, are you happy with the way things have gone for City this summer?
Yes, absolutely. We needed to strengthen the squad in certain areas, and we’ve addressed those areas completely. We now have two players for each position who are all capable of playing for the first team.
Other than the very best – Yaya, Kompany, Silva, Aguero – there isn’t a player in our squad who isn’t looking over their shoulder at someone who could take their place in the starting XI, which is a great position for any side to be in.
Which signings are you most impressed by in particular?
Fernando Reges looks brilliant so far. He will tackle anything in sight and has a great engine, so he brings options to our midfield.
He allows us to rotate Fernandinho and Yaya more than last season and we can also go with a three-man midfield in tight away games against the very best.
Willy Caballero’s signing is also a big one. Joe Hart has had no competition for way too long. Caballero will keep him on his toes.
Who do you tip to break through into the City first team this season?
Youngsters? No one this season. The squad is set and our best young players have been loaned out to get proper experience elsewhere.
And will the current crop endure? Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko have all signed new contracts recently.
Yeah, we’ve tied up our best players for the foreseeable. The club’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has made it his mission to improve the club’s ability to sign players efficiently and without fuss, and sign our best current players to long-term deals. He’s doing a magnificent job.
And in case Rodgers is reading – City lined up with Dzeko and Jovetic up front against Newcastle, do you see this continuing on Monday or will Aguero come back into the side after scoring on Sunday?
Hard to say. We’ll know more on Friday after the manager’s press conference. Aguero looked sharp when he came on, so I think it’s likely he’ll start alongside Dzeko, but there may be a part of Pellegrini that doesn’t want to take a risk with a player so important to us and who has had injury struggles recently.
Rodgers has signed eight players so far this summer, who are you most impressed with and why?
You needed Dejan Lovren, that’s for sure. I’d say Adam Lallana overall, although he was very pricey.
And are there any young players coming through at Liverpool you’d like to see in sky blue in the future?
I genuinely believe Sterling is one of the finest young players in Europe. Obviously, there’s no chance Liverpool would let him go, but he’s actually underrated, if anything. The progress he’s made over the last 18 months has been staggering.
Who do you see as Liverpool’s main threat overall?
Daniel Sturridge. Great movement, can finish and is quick. He’s so hard to mark because he’ll drift into so many different areas. He’s turning into a top player. And Sterling, of course, who is just brilliant.
Who will score more – Sturridge or Aguero?
If Aguero says fit and plays the majority of games (unlike last season), then he will. He’s 30 goals a season guaranteed when fit.
How about your predictions for Monday night and the title race in general?
2-1 City and the title race will be between City and Chelsea.
And the bonus ball: With Liverpool close to signing Mario Balotelli this summer, what are your thoughts on the forward from experience?
Mario Balotelli has the natural ability needed to be one of the best players in the world. He’s big, powerful, fast and unbelievably skillful.
I’ve always said that a team is going to get him at the right time in his career, with the right manager to get the best out of him, and they’re going to have a world-class player on their hands.
£16m is a bargain, in my opinion.
Rob Pollard writes regularly on Manchester City for Bleacher Report and is editor of City fan site Typical City. Take a look at Rob’s B/R profile here, and for a closer look at the opposition, visit typicalcity.org.
What are you predictions for Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad on Monday night? Let us know in the comments below.
Jordan Henderson believes there is a “good mix in the group” at Liverpool and says players contribute to leadership in different ways.
The 24-year-old England international has been tipped by many to be promoted to vice-captain at Liverpool, and even eventually succeed Steven Gerrard as first-choice skipper.
Henderson has now made 133 appearances for the Reds can his rapid development under Brendan Rodgers has firmly established him as a first-team regular.
Leadership
Speaking to the club’s official website, Henderson explained how he tries to push the team on.
“I try to help people as much as I can,” he said.
“Whether that is giving them confidence or instruction, I try to do as much as I can to help the team. I think that’s important sometimes.
“That’s just the way people are; some people are vocal, some people aren’t. People lead in different ways, whether that’s setting an example on or off the pitch.
“It depends what type of person you are and everybody is different. I feel that we’ve got a good mix in the group.”
Father’s Battle with Cancer
This week it was revealed that Henderson has been effected by his father’s battle with cancer over the last year, but braved the family worry with performances on the pitch.
“It was a very emotional time when I had to break the news to the family,” his father, Brian, is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying.
“I went to speak to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool who was very understanding. He gave Jordan time off, and the people at Liverpool were amazing.
“They were very understanding and gave him a lot of support.
“I said to Jordan that the best thing he could do for me when he got back to playing was try to get man of the match in every game.
“People didn’t realise the pressure he was under. I was so proud of him.”
Targets
Now Henderson is setting himself new targets for 2014-15, and hopes to add more goals to his game to contribute to Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Henderson told the club’s official website, “I’ve spoken to the gaffer and getting more goals is one area of my game that I would like to improve.
“A lot of us have got to chip in with more goals, especially from midfield. Hopefully I can work on that and I can improve. I’ll try to do so.”
Jordan Henderson believes there is a “good mix in the group” at Liverpool and says players contribute to leadership in different ways.
The 24-year-old England international has been tipped by many to be promoted to vice-captain at Liverpool, and even eventually succeed Steven Gerrard as first-choice skipper.
Henderson has now made 133 appearances for the Reds can his rapid development under Brendan Rodgers has firmly established him as a first-team regular.
Leadership
Speaking to the club’s official website, Henderson explained how he tries to push the team on.
“I try to help people as much as I can,” he said.
“Whether that is giving them confidence or instruction, I try to do as much as I can to help the team. I think that’s important sometimes.
“That’s just the way people are; some people are vocal, some people aren’t. People lead in different ways, whether that’s setting an example on or off the pitch.
“It depends what type of person you are and everybody is different. I feel that we’ve got a good mix in the group.”
Father’s Battle with Cancer
This week it was revealed that Henderson has been effected by his father’s battle with cancer over the last year, but braved the family worry with performances on the pitch.
“It was a very emotional time when I had to break the news to the family,” his father, Brian, is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying.
“I went to speak to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool who was very understanding. He gave Jordan time off, and the people at Liverpool were amazing.
“They were very understanding and gave him a lot of support.
“I said to Jordan that the best thing he could do for me when he got back to playing was try to get man of the match in every game.
“People didn’t realise the pressure he was under. I was so proud of him.”
Targets
Now Henderson is setting himself new targets for 2014-15, and hopes to add more goals to his game to contribute to Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Henderson told the club’s official website, “I’ve spoken to the gaffer and getting more goals is one area of my game that I would like to improve.
“A lot of us have got to chip in with more goals, especially from midfield. Hopefully I can work on that and I can improve. I’ll try to do so.”
Teenage winger Mathias Pinto, who is currently on the books of Universidad de Chile, claims he is going to Liverpool for a trial.
The highly-rated 16-year-old is due to arrive in England on Saturday and will remain on Merseyside until September 1.
It is expected that he will figure for Liverpool’s youth side in a meeting with Manchester City this weekend, giving him the opportunity to catch the eye of the club’s coaching staff.
Should he impress, Pinto could be offered the chance to join the ranks at Anfield on a permanent basis.
The youngster has only recently made his senior bow for his current club, but he feels ready to take a step up in his career and is looking forward to linking up with Liverpool.
He told El Grafico Chile: “I truly feel I am ready to play for the first team. I am aware the tempo is different, but it is up to the player and I hope that more opportunities come my way.”
On his trip to England, Pinto added: “I will show that we South Americans are the best players.
“They saw me in Bolivia (at the South American U15 Championship in 2013) and I could have gone in March but that didn’t happen due to personal problems.
“Then they scouted me again and reached an agreement with Universidad de Chile to ensure that the trial became a reality this month.”
Teenage winger Mathias Pinto, who is currently on the books of Universidad de Chile, claims he is going to Liverpool for a trial.
The highly-rated 16-year-old is due to arrive in England on Saturday and will remain on Merseyside until September 1.
It is expected that he will figure for Liverpool’s youth side in a meeting with Manchester City this weekend, giving him the opportunity to catch the eye of the club’s coaching staff.
Should he impress, Pinto could be offered the chance to join the ranks at Anfield on a permanent basis.
The youngster has only recently made his senior bow for his current club, but he feels ready to take a step up in his career and is looking forward to linking up with Liverpool.
He told El Grafico Chile: “I truly feel I am ready to play for the first team. I am aware the tempo is different, but it is up to the player and I hope that more opportunities come my way.”
On his trip to England, Pinto added: “I will show that we South Americans are the best players.
“They saw me in Bolivia (at the South American U15 Championship in 2013) and I could have gone in March but that didn’t happen due to personal problems.
“Then they scouted me again and reached an agreement with Universidad de Chile to ensure that the trial became a reality this month.”
Mario Balotelli is on his way to England for a medical ahead of his proposed move to Liverpool, Sky sources understand.
The AC Milan striker said his farewells to his team-mates after training on Thursday after a fee of around £16m was agreed between the clubs.
Balotelli's discipline on and off the field was questioned in his stay with Manchester City from 2010 to 2013 and it was reported later on Thursday that Liverpool were demanding a good behaviour clause in his contract.
He scored 17 goals for Milan last season but was booked nine times and sent off once.
Balotelli is reported to be arriving on a private jet later on Friday for a medical but the move will not be completed in time for him to make a debut against his former side on Monday night after the midday deadline passed.
Liverpool have been looking for a striker since the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier this summer, although boss Brendan Rodgers previously stated Balotelli was not one of his targets.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has mixed feelings about Balotelli's impending arrival at Anfield, telling Sky Sports: "They definitely need a striker, there’s no doubt about that.
“At the moment they only have Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert - it looks like Fabio Borini is going to move on - and you need strikers.
“Would he be the final piece of the jigsaw? Would he make the starting XI if everyone was fit and firing? Who knows?
“At the moment Daniel Sturridge has got 36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool and at this moment he is the main man up front.
“Would Brendan then accommodate another striker, whoever that may be, like he did with Luis Suarez?
“He has lots of options now, Brendan Rodgers, and I don’t think he will play the same team too often so they do need those options.
“The main thing for any player is what they do on the pitch. Both of those players had issues off the pitch, but I think it’s fair to say Suarez did a lot more on the pitch.
“You will always get a little bit more freedom if you’re producing on the pitch, that’s the main thing for any player.
“Balotelli is a player who has been here before and did a lot of stuff that was good for us in the media. He probably didn’t quite show his potential at Manchester City and that, coupled with his off-the field problems, probably saw him depart.
“He’s the Italian number one striker and you want to see good players here. Liverpool do need a striker.”
Watch Liverpool take on Manchester City on Monday Night Football from 7:00pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Mario Balotelli is on his way to England for a medical ahead of his proposed move to Liverpool, Sky sources understand.
The AC Milan striker said his farewells to his team-mates after training on Thursday after a fee of around £16m was agreed between the clubs.
Balotelli's discipline on and off the field was questioned in his stay with Manchester City from 2010 to 2013 and it was reported later on Thursday that Liverpool were demanding a good behaviour clause in his contract.
He scored 17 goals for Milan last season but was booked nine times and sent off once.
Balotelli is reported to be arriving on a private jet later on Friday for a medical but the move will not be completed in time for him to make a debut against his former side on Monday night after the midday deadline passed.
Liverpool have been looking for a striker since the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier this summer, although boss Brendan Rodgers previously stated Balotelli was not one of his targets.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has mixed feelings about Balotelli's impending arrival at Anfield, telling Sky Sports: "They definitely need a striker, there’s no doubt about that.
“At the moment they only have Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert - it looks like Fabio Borini is going to move on - and you need strikers.
“Would he be the final piece of the jigsaw? Would he make the starting XI if everyone was fit and firing? Who knows?
“At the moment Daniel Sturridge has got 36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool and at this moment he is the main man up front.
“Would Brendan then accommodate another striker, whoever that may be, like he did with Luis Suarez?
“He has lots of options now, Brendan Rodgers, and I don’t think he will play the same team too often so they do need those options.
“The main thing for any player is what they do on the pitch. Both of those players had issues off the pitch, but I think it’s fair to say Suarez did a lot more on the pitch.
“You will always get a little bit more freedom if you’re producing on the pitch, that’s the main thing for any player.
“Balotelli is a player who has been here before and did a lot of stuff that was good for us in the media. He probably didn’t quite show his potential at Manchester City and that, coupled with his off-the field problems, probably saw him depart.
“He’s the Italian number one striker and you want to see good players here. Liverpool do need a striker.”
Watch Liverpool take on Manchester City on Monday Night Football from 7:00pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Paul Merson is backing Chelsea, Spurs and Man United to win in the Premier League this weekend, with draws coming at Everton and Man City.
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Villa had a great result last week in a game nobody expected them to win. Now all of their supporters will turn up expecting them to beat Newcastle. Not many teams win away at Stoke, so instead of doom and gloom the fans will be looking for their team to win this early game and go top of the table for a while! Villa looked decent enough last week and who knows, they might have a good cup run and a good season? I don't see much between these two teams and I expect a draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Chelsea v Leicester
Chelsea were slick on Monday night. Usually a team takes about five games to click, but they were all singing off the same hymn sheet straight away at Burnley. There was nobody on Radio Luxembourg on that day, they were all on the same wavelength. If they get going against Leicester they could win 4-0 or 5-0 because you can't stop that passing and moving. Leicester had a great result against Everton, but the thing is they played very well and still let in two goals. I won't go mad and predict a hiding because Chelsea sometimes switch it off after a while, but I will go for a comfortable 2-0.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Crystal Palace v West Ham
The team I was most worried about last weekend was West Ham. I looked at their team and I didn't even realise some of those players were there, never mind playing in the first team. They have no real forward and while I think Enner Valencia is a decent player, he is a big gamble because they need him to hit the ground running; I don't think he's got weeks to settle in. Crystal Palace were unlucky against Arsenal and despite all the problems off the pitch, Keith Millen knows how hard they worked under Tony Pulis and he won't let that drop. The players won't be able to sit back with him around and they worked their socks off at Arsenal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
Southampton v West Brom
I was shocked by both of these teams last week. West Brom deserved to beat Sunderland because they were much better and I felt Southampton were very good at Liverpool and didn't deserve to lose. I was worried about them before the season started and it's still early, but they look like they have a bit about them. With Victor Anichebe being fit I don't think West Brom can be too disheartened at the minute because he will hold the ball up and give his defence time to get out and have a breather.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Swansea v Burnley
This is a different game for Swansea because they expected to lose at Old Trafford and any other result was a bonus. However, they will feel they have to win at home to Burnley and that's the problem. Burnley huffed and puffed against Chelsea and I was well impressed with Danny Ings, but I will still go for Swansea. If you can't take confidence from a win at Old Trafford and kick on then when can you?
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1
Tottenham v QPR
I didn't think QPR deserved to lose to Hull last week because they created enough chances, including a penalty. Tottenham didn't deserve to lose to West Ham, but I'm not sure they deserved to win the game either. They looked a bit toothless if I'm being honest and they didn't really look like scoring a goal until the right-back popped up in the last few minutes (I'm not sure what he was doing up there...) I just expect Tottenham to win at home in their first game under a new manager, but Harry Redknapp has been in the game too long to panic about that.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Everton v Arsenal, 4.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1
This is a massive test for Arsenal. I thought they were lucky against Crystal Palace, but they got a very good result at Besiktas on Tuesday, which was one of the best 0-0 draws you'll see. Last season they beat all the lesser teams and struggled against the big ones, including the trip to Everton when they got absolutely rinsed. They need to get a result to show they have improved and if they can go there and get at least a draw it would be a step forward. If Everton get their best players on the pitch they can give anyone a game, but with all the money they have spent there is pressure on them now. They haven't bought the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy to finish seventh!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Hull v Stoke, 12.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
Stoke will be disappointed after losing to Aston Villa last week, but they will get better as the season goes on. Bojan will need a bit of time to settle into the league and I don't think someone like that will come into this league and set it alight straight away. They will be alright, but this is a game they can't lose because their next game is Man City away and if you lose your first three games and you're bottom for the international break it's really hard to get out of it. This is a must-not-lose game, but Hull fell over the line in their game last week and I think QPR should have got at least a draw. I think we'll see a draw here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Sunderland v Man Utd, 3.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
I watched Sunderland play West Brom on Soccer Saturday last week and I thought they were second best in that game. Jack Rodwell aside, the team isn't much different to last year and they haven't got Fabio Borini, who had a little bit about him. However, Man United are nothing special at the moment and are three world-class players short of being competitive. Was Marcos Rojo a panic buy? Why didn't they buy him three weeks ago if he was who they wanted? It feels like things have changed because they lost to Swansea. I will go for a narrow Man United win because I can't remember the last time they lost their first two games of the season, but I'm only making this prediction because they're called Man United if I'm being honest.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-1
Manchester City v Liverpool, 7pm, Monday, Sky Sports 1
This is a big game. Liverpool were lucky to beat Southampton, but winning when you're not playing well is the name of the game. You can't play well for 38 games. As for Man City, they were comfortable against Newcastle and had more gears left. I'm giving Liverpool a chance here because it's so early in the season. If this game was half-way through the season with a few injuries and Champions League matches taking their toll then it might be different, but I think they might get a result in August. There should be goals because Liverpool can play on the counter-attack and they'll have a go when City come at them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
Paul Merson is backing Chelsea, Spurs and Man United to win in the Premier League this weekend, with draws coming at Everton and Man City.
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Villa had a great result last week in a game nobody expected them to win. Now all of their supporters will turn up expecting them to beat Newcastle. Not many teams win away at Stoke, so instead of doom and gloom the fans will be looking for their team to win this early game and go top of the table for a while! Villa looked decent enough last week and who knows, they might have a good cup run and a good season? I don't see much between these two teams and I expect a draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Chelsea v Leicester
Chelsea were slick on Monday night. Usually a team takes about five games to click, but they were all singing off the same hymn sheet straight away at Burnley. There was nobody on Radio Luxembourg on that day, they were all on the same wavelength. If they get going against Leicester they could win 4-0 or 5-0 because you can't stop that passing and moving. Leicester had a great result against Everton, but the thing is they played very well and still let in two goals. I won't go mad and predict a hiding because Chelsea sometimes switch it off after a while, but I will go for a comfortable 2-0.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Crystal Palace v West Ham
The team I was most worried about last weekend was West Ham. I looked at their team and I didn't even realise some of those players were there, never mind playing in the first team. They have no real forward and while I think Enner Valencia is a decent player, he is a big gamble because they need him to hit the ground running; I don't think he's got weeks to settle in. Crystal Palace were unlucky against Arsenal and despite all the problems off the pitch, Keith Millen knows how hard they worked under Tony Pulis and he won't let that drop. The players won't be able to sit back with him around and they worked their socks off at Arsenal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
Southampton v West Brom
I was shocked by both of these teams last week. West Brom deserved to beat Sunderland because they were much better and I felt Southampton were very good at Liverpool and didn't deserve to lose. I was worried about them before the season started and it's still early, but they look like they have a bit about them. With Victor Anichebe being fit I don't think West Brom can be too disheartened at the minute because he will hold the ball up and give his defence time to get out and have a breather.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Swansea v Burnley
This is a different game for Swansea because they expected to lose at Old Trafford and any other result was a bonus. However, they will feel they have to win at home to Burnley and that's the problem. Burnley huffed and puffed against Chelsea and I was well impressed with Danny Ings, but I will still go for Swansea. If you can't take confidence from a win at Old Trafford and kick on then when can you?
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1
Tottenham v QPR
I didn't think QPR deserved to lose to Hull last week because they created enough chances, including a penalty. Tottenham didn't deserve to lose to West Ham, but I'm not sure they deserved to win the game either. They looked a bit toothless if I'm being honest and they didn't really look like scoring a goal until the right-back popped up in the last few minutes (I'm not sure what he was doing up there...) I just expect Tottenham to win at home in their first game under a new manager, but Harry Redknapp has been in the game too long to panic about that.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Everton v Arsenal, 4.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1
This is a massive test for Arsenal. I thought they were lucky against Crystal Palace, but they got a very good result at Besiktas on Tuesday, which was one of the best 0-0 draws you'll see. Last season they beat all the lesser teams and struggled against the big ones, including the trip to Everton when they got absolutely rinsed. They need to get a result to show they have improved and if they can go there and get at least a draw it would be a step forward. If Everton get their best players on the pitch they can give anyone a game, but with all the money they have spent there is pressure on them now. They haven't bought the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy to finish seventh!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Hull v Stoke, 12.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
Stoke will be disappointed after losing to Aston Villa last week, but they will get better as the season goes on. Bojan will need a bit of time to settle into the league and I don't think someone like that will come into this league and set it alight straight away. They will be alright, but this is a game they can't lose because their next game is Man City away and if you lose your first three games and you're bottom for the international break it's really hard to get out of it. This is a must-not-lose game, but Hull fell over the line in their game last week and I think QPR should have got at least a draw. I think we'll see a draw here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Sunderland v Man Utd, 3.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
I watched Sunderland play West Brom on Soccer Saturday last week and I thought they were second best in that game. Jack Rodwell aside, the team isn't much different to last year and they haven't got Fabio Borini, who had a little bit about him. However, Man United are nothing special at the moment and are three world-class players short of being competitive. Was Marcos Rojo a panic buy? Why didn't they buy him three weeks ago if he was who they wanted? It feels like things have changed because they lost to Swansea. I will go for a narrow Man United win because I can't remember the last time they lost their first two games of the season, but I'm only making this prediction because they're called Man United if I'm being honest.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-1
Manchester City v Liverpool, 7pm, Monday, Sky Sports 1
This is a big game. Liverpool were lucky to beat Southampton, but winning when you're not playing well is the name of the game. You can't play well for 38 games. As for Man City, they were comfortable against Newcastle and had more gears left. I'm giving Liverpool a chance here because it's so early in the season. If this game was half-way through the season with a few injuries and Champions League matches taking their toll then it might be different, but I think they might get a result in August. There should be goals because Liverpool can play on the counter-attack and they'll have a go when City come at them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
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