The Big Weekend Preview

The quirks of the fixture list pit many of last week’s winners and the losers in the Premier League head-to-head this weekend, with the potential for some teams to claim an unlikely six out of six at the start of the season. But the weekend kicks off with the battle for gold in Beijing.

Nigeria v Argentina

Some question if the Olympics are important. Judging by the celebrations of the Argentineans on the bus after trouncing rivals Brazil, it most certainly is.

It seems that only a sadist would bet against Argentina in the final. They have been spellbinding throughout the tournament, led by the mercurial Lionel Messi and his entourage of superstars, and having taken Brazil to town in the semis, landing the gold almost seems a closed book.

Yet the Super Eagles have reason to believe. The last time the two nations met at the Olympics was in the 1996 final, where the Nigerians became the first Africans to win the gold beating Argentine 3-2 in Atlanta. Can lightening strike twice?

101 Predicts: Nigeria 2 – Argentina 4

Blackburn v Hull

Both these sides defied the doom-mongers on the opening day of the season, registering impressive wins against Everton (away) and Fulham (home) respectively. Both Blackburn and Hull were tipped to struggle badly this term, yet a win for either team will give them a firm base to continue their challenge to reach the magical 40 points.

Rovers are the favourites on Saturday. Hitting three goals at Goodison Park will have instilled a buoyant mood in Lancashire. Roque Santa Cruz, scorer in week one, remains on the club’s books and that means Rovers will fancy their chances of scoring goals. Hopefully Ince will also choose to release Carlos Villanueva on the Tigers, which could be the perfect game for the Chilean playmaker to make his mark in England.

Riding a high from their home win, Hull will be full of confidence going to Blackburn. Phil Brown will know however that just as Fulham had a 15 minute spell in the second half last week where Hull were hanging on in the game, the pressure Rovers will dish out in front of their own fans will require far greater defensive concentration. Sadly, Hull look likely to be robbed of the services of George Boateng, who was brought in exactly for these types of games.

101 Predicts: Blackburn 2 – Hull 0

Tottenham v Sunderland

White Hart Lane will host two of the losers from week one. Having both spent money in recent seasons, Juande Ramos and Roy Keane are both been charged with leading an assault on the top half of the table.

Spurs will hope one of their players will get on the scoresheet this weekend. Logic says that with Dimitar Berbatov still on the payroll, there are no qualms in putting the Bulgarian to work. But having pulled the old Paul Ince stunt in Sofia airport, Berbatov’s inclusion is politically controversial, leaving Darren Bent with the task of proving he can really lead the line. Otherwise, Tottenham fans hope King can displace Dawson and show his fitness is not a problem.

Packed with Spurs rejects Chimbonda, Malbranque and Reid (Tainio is out injured), there will be extra incentive for many of the Sunderland starters to prove themselves this weekend. And spirits will have been lifted with the additional firepower secured in the week, Djibril Cisse and David Healy could well make their debuts for the Black Cats. Yet history tells us that Spurs have beaten Sunderland ten times in the league, making the North London side the Wearsider’s bogie team.

101 Predicts: Tottenham 2 – Sunderland 1

Lyon v Grenoble

No-one would have expected Lyon-Grenoble to be a top of the table clash as Ligue 1 heads into its third round of matches.

Lyon’s stranglehold over the French league has been absolute for the past seven seasons. And all signs suggest that Claude Puel’s side remain the big dog over the pond, housing (amongst others) Benzema, Fred, Juninho, Kallstrom, Grosso, Mensah, Govou, Makoun, Baros and Toulalan in their ranks.

But romantics will be praying for a Grenoble upset. The newly promoted minnows proudly sit alone at the top of the table with their 100% record intact, but will struggle to keep that streak alive at Stade Gerland, where Lyon lost just once in 19 games last season for the best home record in the league.

101 Predicts: Lyon 3 – Grenoble 1

Werder Bremen – Schalke

Weser Stadion hosts the first meeting of two of the big guns in the Bundesliga. Bremen and Schalke both habour championship dreams, and this face off may have a huge bearing on their eventual title hopes.

The visitors have the momentum having started the season in fine form, firstly beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and then beating Hannover last week.

By contrast, Werder were frustrated by Armenia Bielefeld in week one as an Artur Wichniarek double cancelled out a brace from Markus Rosenberg. Since, Claudio Pizarro had been reunited with his former club, and he will be hoping to add to his 100 Bundesliga goals and three league titles after his troubled time at Chelsea.

101 Predicts: Werder Bremen 1 – Schalke 2

Real Madrid – Valencia

In the first leg of the Super Cup last Sunday, the Mestalla was treated to a five-goal thriller that saw the home side edge out the champions. Goals from Juanma Mata, David Villa and Vicente cancelled a Ruud Van Nistelrooy double to ensure that Valencia has the slight advantage heading to the Bernabeu.

Real will be looking to prove themselves on the pitch, having had hard another week in the backpages. Robinho’s staying/going situation only fuels disharmony in the squad, which has also suffered from the long-term absence of Wesley Sneijder in recent weeks.

For Los Che, life seems far more positive following a horrific 12-months of drama. With the club seemingly set to hold onto the services of David Villa and David Silva, there is no reason why Valencia can not return to form and compete for the League title this term, and beating the champs in their own backyard will be a show how far they have come.

101 Predicts: Real Madrid 2 – Valencia 2