The Big Weekend Preview

Get the beers in, turn off your phone, and be prepared to hunker down for an over-extended session on your couch this weekend, as a jam-packed marathon of top class football is about to be played out. The festivities kick off on Friday night in the super-rich playground of Monaco, while we also welcome the start of the Serie A and La Liga seasons.

Manchester United v Zenit St. Petersburg

The UEFA Super Cup sees Champions League winners Manchester United take on UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg in a match that many feel is a pompous waste of time. And to compound a match already fighting to save its credibility, the choice of venue, the Stade Louis II in Monaco, is a disappointment being one of the least passionate football grounds in Europe.

Manchester United’s spirited 1-0 win at Fratton Park last time out will have buoyed the double winners who will be looking to add another trophy to Sir Alex’s already-bloated winner’s cabinet. United will use the game as an opportunity to help with squad building, with Owen Hargreaves and Nani all making belated competitive starts to the season, while Gary Neville should get another run out at right back.

Their opponents, Zenit, have been in a summer-long personal battle with several Premier League clubs looking to rob Dick Advocaat of his prized-assets. Andrei Arshavin remains on the club’s books and many will expect nothing less than a sparkling performance from the playmaker to prove all the hype is justified. But watch out for Aleksandr Anyukov and Konstantin Zyryanov bombing down the wings, who could well be the best avenue for the Russians to breach United’s defence.

101 Predicts: Manchester United 2 - Zenit St. Petersburg 1

Arsenal v Newcastle

It’s been all too Jekyll and Hyde at the Emirates in the last few weeks. First they get outplayed at Fulham only to play FC Twente off the pitch in the Champions League. Then we are left to level Arsene Wenger’s statement that “for 17 more years [Arsenal have to free up] an annual surplus of £24m to pay for our stadium,” while now Danny Fiszman’s claims “this constant suggestion that the stadium is bleeding us dry is crap.”

This weekend everyone connected with Arsenal will be demanding consistency.

But Newcastle have already shown that they are no pushovers this season. Not only did they draw at Old Trafford in week one, but they kept their nerve at Coventry in the League Cup, winning a type of match they are notorious for losing. The problems for the Toon though are that they have far too slim a squad, and despite Michael Owen bagging two in two, devoid of the services of Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka and Damien Duff, and having seen James Milner move to Aston Villa, Kevin Keegan has very little options with his starting XI.

101 Predicts: Arsenal 1 - Newcastle 0

Chelsea v Tottenham

Chelsea’s dominance against Spurs is as long as it is almost absolute, and adding to the daunting task ahead of Juande Ramos’s side is the knowledge that Chelsea last lost at home against Arsenal back in February 2004 and remain unbeaten this term.

By contrast, if Spurs lose again this weekend, it will be the North Londoners worse start to a Premier League season ever. Roman Pavlyuchenko’s transfer has still to be completed, leaving Darren Bent likely to lead the so-far toothless front-line, as Dimitar Berbatov sulks on the side.

101 Predicts: Chelsea 3 - Tottenham 0

Celtic v Rangers

The first Old Firm derby of the season is always a big occasion. Making Sunday’s meeting at Parkhead even tastier however is that, after aimlessly chasing Celtic for some time, Rangers presently sit level with Celtic on seven points in the league. If, and it’s a big if, Rangers could get the away win it would be a huge boost for the blue side of Glasgow over their Green enemies after a difficult start to the season.

Much of the focus will fall on Kenny Miller, who is sure to face a hostile reception as he prepares to face Celtic for the first time since rejoining Rangers. Gordon Strachen however would probably still love to have Miller on his books this weekend, having to contend with the loss of his first-choice striking partnership of Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

101 Predicts: Celtic 2 – Rangers 2

Fiorentina v Juventus

The big game in Serie A this weekend sees two of the challengers for the top honours face off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Juventus were busy in the transfer market this summer, Claudio Ranieri bringing several new faces despite a distinct lack of a wow signing. The most hyped signing, Amuari, has so far looked capable of living up to his promise as a lethal striker. While defensively, the much unloved Christian Poulsen and seasoned-Villa defender Olof Mellburg have been brought in to sure up the back. However the main question facing the Bianconeri this season will be if they will be good enough to turn last season’s title halting 12 draws into wins.

But the Viola were formidable last season, finishing just one place below Juve in fourth spot. They have also added fresh recruits, Alberto Gilardino has come in from AC Milan while Peruvian left-back Juan Vargas has been tipped by some (or Gabrielle Marcotti) as the potential buy of the summer in Serie A (see goals from Vargas against AC Milan and Brazil). And based on their record of 12 wins out of 19 games at home last season they will be looking to win at home on day one.

101 Predicts: Fiorentina 2 – Juventus 3

Deportivo La Coruna v Real Madrid

While Real are beginning their assault to retain their title, one single issue is clouding the start of their new season, as everyone waits to see whether Robinho will be in the starting XI at the kick off at the Riazor. It has been an overall dark summer for Madrid, having failed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, and only seeing one big summer signing in Rafael van der Vaart. Yet, after having VDV sent off in the Super Cup, along with Ruud van Nistelrooy, both players are serving suspensions on matchday one, while Wesley Sneijder is sidelined until November.

Deportivo boosted their confidence on Thursday with a 2-0 victory away to Hajduk Split that put them in the first round of the UEFA Cup. Depor however would have always gone into this game full of confidence, Madrid has not won there since 1991.

101 Predicts: Deportivo La Coruna 1 – Real Madrid 1