After an interesting first round, the Premier League is rolling, and this weekend can be just as thrilling. Two very even sides are meeting in the second round; match of the week is between Aston Villa and Newcastle United. 

Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Premier League Round 2

Villa Park

23-08-2014 @ 12.45 BST

How are the two teams current form?

Aston Villa won 1-0 in the premiere against Stoke, on a goal by Andreas Weimann early in the second half. The match was rather even when it comes to chances, two shots on goal by each side, and could well have ended in a draw.

Newcastle only had one shot on target when they lost 0-2 to Manchester City last weekend. Manchester City were the controlling side in the match and Newcastle will hope to play a greater part against Aston Villa.

NUFC have won 6 of the last ten meetings with Aston Villa.

What are the probable line-ups?

Aston Villa are without Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak while Joe Cole is doubtful for the match against Newcastle. The guests are without Papiss Cisse, Ryan Taylor, Davide Santon and Tioté while Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is dubtful.

Guzan

Hutton - Senderos - Vlaar - Cissokho

Delph - Westwood

N'Zogbia - Richardson - Weimann

Agbonlahor

___________________________________

Riviere

Cabella

Gouffran - Anita - Colback - Sissoko

Dummett - Williamson - Coloccini - Janmaat

Krul

Worth keeping an eye on

Aston Villa: With Benteke and Kozak injured alot of the pressure is on Gabby Agbonlahor. The 27-year old striker scored four goals last season and with less than a year left of his contract he has to perform.

Newcastle United: Rémy Cabella looks to be a very interesting signing for Newcastle. The French attacking midfield scored 14 goals in 37 matches for Montpellier last season and develop to become the next great French player in the Premier League. 

What to expect from this match?

Last season was a rollercoaster for Newcastle with good periods and many bad periods. However, this season they are hoping for more continuity and have brought in some interesting signings. Many faces have left Aston Villa, and new have come in, and some of them will play against Newcastle. Despite the new faces in both squads, it is unlikely that things will change; this will be as tight as always. Given Newcastle's history against Aston Villa, they are my favorites, and their attack looks better on paper. However, football is not played on paper.

What are the odds?

Aston Villa to win: 8/5 (BetVictor)

Draw: 2 (Tokesport)

Newcastle: 12/5 (Ladbrokes)

Agbonlahor to score first: 7 (Bet365)

Alan Pardew has already been handed a £100,000 fine by his club, and today the FA gave him a seven match suspension and a £60,000 fine on top. Should Newcastle kick Pardew out of St James Park?

It's not the first time Alan Pardew have had to stand in front of a FA commission - in 2012 the manager was given a two match ban and £20,000 in fine for pushing an assistant referee. Furthermore, he has been warned of his future conduct after calling Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini "a fucking old cunt".

Pardew clearly has a problem with his temper, and the headbutt on Hull's David Meyler is yet another example of the manager overreacting. The NUFC manager admitted to an FA misconduct charge and will be banned with immediate effect. Three of the games will be a stadium ban, which means that Pardew will be completely banned from the stadia while the last four will be a touchline ban. 

With the manager being out in seven of the last nine rounds of the Premier League, and with Newcastle living a mid-table life, this might be the time for NUFC to find a new manager. Lee Clark, Roberto Di Matteo and Neil Lennon, are all favorites to become the next Newcastle manager according to the bookmakers, but despite Pardews controversies the board seems to keep confidence with him. 

A bad position in the end of the season could change that though.

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

Barclay Premier League 27th Round

St James Park

23-02-2013 @ 13.30 UK

How are the two teams form?

One win in five matches; that's the current situation for Alan Pardew and his Newcastle squad, who have lost the last four home matches before welcoming Aston Villa to St James Park. Aston Villa are also struggling at the moment, with 3 consecutive matches without a win. 

Despite, not haven won in the last four matches at St James, Newcastle have a good take on Villa as they have not lost against the Lions since April 2011.

What are the probable line-ups?

Coloccini, Tioté and Ryan Taylor are all out with injuries for the match against Aston Villa while Obertan is rated doubtful. Villa are without Kozák, N'Zogbia and Okore while Herd is rated doubtful. 

Krul

Debuchy - Taylor - Williamson - Santon

Anita - Sissoko

Gouffran - de Jong - Ameobi

Remy

______________________________________________

Agbonlahor - Benteke

Weimann - Delph - Westwood - Albrighton

Bertrand - Vlaar - Baker - Bacuna

Guzan

What to expect from this match?

Given Newcastle's history against Aston Villa with five consecutive matches without defeat, they are the favorites at St James on Sunday. However, Aston Villa needs a win just as much as Newcastle does, with only four points down to the relegation zone. De Jong is ready for his just fourth match for Newcastle and will be on the hunt for his first goal with Newcastle not scoring in their last four matches. I expect Newcastle to go into this match and win against an, at the moment, weak Aston Villa side.

What are the odds?

SportingBet has Newcastle as favorites with a 11/10 bet on a victory, compared to 888sports 37/13 on an Aston Villa win. A draw gives 12/5 at Ladbrokes.

According to several media Yohan Cabaye told Newcastle he wanted out last night, and within hours he was sold to Paris St Germain. The deal is still to be confirmed, but it looks as the French midfielder is a part of the past in Newcastle. Who will replace Cabaye? Great Dane Football Blog has looked at four opportunities.

Despite blaming Arsene Wenger for bringing in too many French players a couple of years back, Alan Pardew has now develop his own fling for the Ligue 1. That's why a player as Rémy Cabella or Clément Granier could be the replacement for Cabaye. 

23-year-old Rémy Cabella is an attacking midfield with a potential to become a regular part of the French international. The Montpellier-player has a future on the U21 French national team where he played 17 matches and scored 4 goals. Since his debut in 2010, Cabella has played 98 matches in Ligue 1 and scored 19 goals, 6 of them this season. Given his age, he could be a great player for Newcastle to bring in and develop further with a future sell in prospect.

Clément Grenier was linked to Arsenal last season, but apparently Olympic Lyon was not willing to let him go. The 23-year-old is best on the centre midfield but can also be used in the attacking midfield, just as Yohan Cabaye often was used in Newcastle. Grenier has been a part of the French youth national teams since he entered the U16 and have so far played 3 matches for the Senior national team. The problem with Grenier is that Newcastle probably will have to fight Arsenal to get the signature, and when it comes to money Arsenal will win. However, the prospect of becoming a star on the Newcastle team might be enough to persuade the French.

Another talented midfielder interesting for Newcastle is the 20-year-old Dutch Adam Maher. As Grenier, Maher is best in the centre midfield or the attacking midfield where he serves as a playmaker. Maher is the captain for the Netherlands U21 where he have played 16 matches and scored two goals. He has been linked with Newcastle earlier, but also clubs as Manchester City and Bayern Munich are keeping an eye on the talent. Joining PSV Eindhoven last summer, a transfer to Newcastle might be a bit to early, but for the right amount of money every player is for sale. 

A more experienced player is Aaron Hunt with nine years in the German Bundesliga. Hunt has been linked with several Premier League clubs that last couple of years, but with Cabaye leaving Newcastle could be the next destination for the German. The midfielder can also play the role as attacking midfielder or secondary striker, and this might add to his chances of joining the club. Furthermore, his contract ends this summer why this is the last chance for Werder Bremen to get some money for Hunt. Aged 27, there are still many years left in the German, and he can bring some extra experience to St James Park.

This was our four suggestions to Alan Pardew. What do you think? Are their other players more likely to be in the eye of the manager? Comment below or on our facebook page here.

Since last year, we have kept an eye on one of the Mensah brothers - Jeff Mensah. Today, we include his brother Kevin Mensah in our Keep an eye on archive.

Kevin Niclas Mensah is the oldest of the two brothers, spending his entire career in Viborg FF where he also played during his youth years. Since his breakthrough in Viborg's youth department as well as in the Danish youth national teams, he has been considered as one of the greatest talents in Denmark. In 2005, several SAS-Liga clubs (Superliga today), was interested in the midfielder, but Kevin decided to stay in Viborg.

“At the time, Viborg was playing in the Superliga, so I didn’t feel it would be any different playing for one of the other teams," Mensah says.

The player does nor regret staying in Viborg, despite the club has been playing in the Danish 1. Divison the last couple of years. In fact, he enjoys playing in Viborg:

”Viborg is a great club with a lot of great people around it. We [the players] is getting along well, and within the last couple of years it has become more competitive. The competitive spirit in the squad has improved, which makes it more attractive for other players to join. We know we are getting better; it is a club in development and with ambitions and talent to at some point play in the Superliga.”

In 2007, Mensah's talent was discovered outside Denmarks boundaries as both Arsenal and Newcastle invited him for a trial. He joined Arsenal in Italy where they played a youth tournament against Inter, Vicenza and Cheivo. The team made it to the final, where the Dane played fulltime - unfortunately Arsenal lost 1-0. The experience was positive for Mensah:

"I was playing with some real talented players; one of them was Jack Wilshere, one of the 10th best midfielders in the world today. Of course, it is great to have played with a guy like him, but it is not something I think about in my every day.”

However, it stayed with the trial and Mensah is still to be found in Viborg where coach Ove Christensen is more than happy to have him.  The coach describes Mensah as a technical strong and talent players in his squad. Furthermore, he tells that the talent is one of the fastest in the squad.

Kevin Mensah had his debut in 2009 against Næstved in the Danish 1. Division, but long before that he had been included in the squad for a match against Aalborg in the Superliga. Despite his debut came in the 1. Division, the talent remembers the match with great pleasure:

“I was so proud; suddenly, everyone I know from this city saw me, a young guy on the pitch. As I remember I did well and despite losing the players and the fans welcomed me well,“ he says.

In Viborg Kevin has his younger brother Jeff in whom he finds strong support. According to Kevin, the two Mensah brothers are capable getting them best out of each other as well as seeing each others faults. However, the oldest of the two brother's doesn't hope that they will play together for the rest of their career's.

“I hope not; I hope both of us can take the next step. We are two individuals with separate patches and separate ambitions for our lives. However, it would be great to play together again as we do now, later in out career.”

Coach Ove Christensen is also happy to have the two brothers on his team: “It is a pleasure to have those two guys as Jeff has the same genes as Kevin. Jeff is also a happy and positive guy and has some physical and technical abilities. They are much the same, and both have some tactical things to learn. It is two guys that you can only like, and they are great ambassadors for the club.”

The Superliga club FC Nordsjælland invited Mensah for a trial in 2011, but Mensah returned to Viborg where he is ready to stay. At the moment,  Viborg is in a position to be promoted for the Superliga next season, why Mensah doesn't see any point in changing club. Instead, he would like to fulfill his potential in his current club.

However, he acknowledge that if he had played in a Superliga club he probably would have played more for the Danish youth national teams. However, injuries have also had an impact on the talents career, but he now feels that he has put the injuries behind him. In fact, one of his goals is to play for the Danish national team in the future. Mensah also has another possibility as he has Ghanian blood running through his veins. Unfortunately for Ghana, Mensah laughs and says:

"I've never considered playing Ghana!" 

Premier League Round 17

St. James Park

15-12-2012 @ 12.45 GMT

How is the two teams form?

Newcastle has so far not managed to live up to last years great season. They are currently 14 in the Premier League with seventeen points before tonight's match against Fulham. Last weekend, the Toons took a 3-0 victory against Wigan, and Demba Ba is getting in form.

Manchester City lost important points in the battle for the trophy against Manchester United last night. However, the blue from Manchester is only six points after their rivals and a victory Saturday can be crucial for their top position.

What is the probable starting XI?

  

Both Newcastle and Manchester City is struggling with injuries at the moment. Given NUFC is playing tonight, and I, unfortunately, can't foresee the future the probable starting line will look as:

Krul

Simpson - Williamson - Coloccini - Santon

Obertan - Tiote - Birigimana

Ba - Cissé - Gutiérrez

 ______________________________________

Agüero - Tevez

Silva - Toure - Barry - Nasri

Clichy - Kompany - Natastic - Zabaleta

Hart

What to expect from this match?

What are the odds?

According to oddschecker.com, Manchester City are the favorites with 1.67 as the best odds. A draw gives back 3.9, while a Newcastle victory gives staggering 5.5!

 

 

St. James Park (Sport Direct Arena)

18.08.2012 at 17.30 BST

What is the status for the two teams before the match?

Newcastle United is without Shane Ferguson and Cheick Tiote while Sammy Ameobi, with some luck can be ready for the match. Their opponents from Tottenham currently has the midfielder Scott Parker and the winger Giovanni Dos Santos out of the match. As it is the first match of the season, there are no bans.

Both teams have new players to show their fans as Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana can have their debut for Newcastle, while Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen are ready for the Spurs.

How is the two teams form?

NUFC has not won a match against Tottenham since 2008 and their last meeting ended in a massacre as the Spurs won 5-0. Even so, the two teams are often very equal as the last ten matches has ended with four wins each and only two goals separating them.

The Magpies has won their two last pre season matches against Hartlepool and Cardiff with an impressing overall score at 9-2 and seems to be in great shape before the match. However, their opponents have been as tough as Tottenham Hotspurs. The londoners have met teams as Valencia and New York Redbull.

What to expect from this match?

We can expect a Newcastle team determined to revenge their 5-0 loss last season. The Toons will test the Spurs defense with their fast attacker Papiss Cisse, as well as the winger Demba Ba. On paper, Newcastle is the underdogs in this match, but they will do whatever they can to prove that the are here to stay in the top of the Premier League.

André Villas-Boas is ready for his first official match for Tottenham and will look forward to show Chelsea that they did wrong to sack him. Tottenham has been strengthen with their signings of Vertonghen and Sigurdsson, and if they play they will probably give that little extra to convince the fans that they are the future.
We can expect a match with two attacking teams. However, the Magpies might hold it back a little to avoid the same situation as last meeting. Here, Tottenham was in front by four goals after 39 minutes.

Who will win?

Even though, Newcastle seems to have the most dangerous man on the pitch, I can't see them win this match. Papiss Cisse can't do it all by himself, and the team's shock effect from last season might be gone. At the same time, Tottenham does not seem to be weaken even though they have sold out some players. On paper, Tottenham has the best squad, and I believe it will be shown in this match.

What is the odds?

 The bookmakers have announced some tight odds for the match. However, Tottenham is a small favorite to win the match at all the bookmakers.

The Premier League is starting next weekend. We have waited a long time since the dramatic ending of last season, and this has given Great Dane Football Blog the opportunity to think of what we are looking forward to see this year. 

1. The Battle of Manchester

Once upon a time there were only one winning team in Manchester. However, a bunch of money has brought City in front as the greatest club in town. At least in the last season. It Is going to be interesting to see whether or not the Red Devils will take back the trophy and once again be the best team in Manchester. The question is if passion can beat money?

 2. How is Arsenal going to play this year?

Arsenal started miserable last season – once again some might say. There are a lot of questions about the Gunners at the moment. Is van Persie going to stay? Can they win without the Dutchman? No one knows, but right now it seems that Wenger has lost his golden star either to Manchester United now or after this season. However, the French has made some interesting signings in Podolski, Cazorla and Giroud and rumours says that one or two players might join the club before the season start. This season can be quite interesting for Arsenal. They now have a team combined of routine and talent. It might be new days for Gooners. 

3. A new Tottenham?

André Villas-Boas has taken the steering-wheel of Tottenham after the Spurs surprisingly sacked Harry Redknapp. The Portuguese immediately announced changes in the squad, which he has now begun. Several players have been rumored to have been transfer listed by their new manager while exciting players as Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen has joined the club. Harry’s work seems to be shattered into pieces by AVB, and a new Tottenham is about to rise. This season will show whether or not it is the right decision! 

4. Laudrup in Swansea

Not many had seen Michael Laudrup as the manager of Swansea. Many Danes where surprised that the legend would sign a contract with an English team, given his background in Spain. However, it seems Laudrup is doing his best to give Swansea the same success as they had under Brendan Rogers. One thing is for sure: The Spanish past has made its way into the Welsh team with the signings of Cuesta and the former Villareal player De Guzman. I’m looking forward to follow Laudrup this season. 

5. Can Newcastle do it even better this       season?

Newcastle had a great run last season, and has managed to keep their profiles so far in the transfer window. However, before the transfer window opened, several players were interested in joining the Toons, but so far they have only signed an Australian talent and Birigimana. Last season’s team was good, but they surprise-effect of Cissé and Demba Ba is gone now. Even so, I think we will see the black and white stripes in the top of the Premier League this year!

The Twente striker ended as number two on the Dutch topscorer list, with 25 goals, and was a vital part of the club's season. Newcastle has already lined up De Jong, if Demba Ba should leave the club, but he is also on the short list in Liverpool. However, the Dutch himself is keener on playing for Bayern Munich in Germany.

De Jong will be a pleasant signing for Liverpool, who has been missing a striker since Torres left for Chelsea. He will fit perfect in the Liverpool offensive together with Andy Carroll. Newcastle has in Cisse and Ba two quality strikers, and one of them needs to leave in order to make room for de Jong.

2.    João Moutinho

     Target for: Chelsea

Moutinho has been on the Chelsea short list since Mourinho was managing the team. This summer might be the time for the transfer as he already has admitted that he is ready to leave Porto. 

Chelsea has a history of bringing Portuguese players to the club, and Moutinho will fit into a midfield that needs new and younger players. A transfer could be just around the corner, but some great performances at the EURO can bring the prize at a level that Chelsea will not pay. However, as the player has already announced that he is ready to leave Porto, the club may have to accept any offer.

3.    Javi Martinez 

      Target for: Manchester United and Manchester City

Javi Martinez is on several European top clubs short list, including both Manchester clubs. The Athletic Bilbao midfielder has announced that he is ready to leave the Spanish club, but the question is who will win the transfer race.

Real Madrid is reported to have started negotiations with the player, but this has not been verified. A transfer to Manchester City might not be the right option for the young player, as he will be just another name in the squad. However, in Manchester United the player might have a chance of playing some first team football, as he can turn out to be the future on the midfield for the Red Devils.

4.    Tomáš Pekhart

      Target for: Sunderland

The Czech has a past in Tottenham, where he never made his breakthrough. However, Pekhart might be playing in the Premier League next season. The Nuremberg striker has been short listed by Sunderland since last summer, and a well played EURO might be the tipping point for a transfer to the North English club.

Pekhart might be the giant hitman that the Black Cats need up front after Nicklas Bendtner has left the club and will fit in the ambitious team.

5.    Mario Götze 
      Target for: Arsenal

Earlier this year Mario Götze signed a new contract with Dortmund, to great disappointment for Arsenal. Even so, the German could transfer to the London club this summer. Götze is a profile in Dortmund and will not be cheap to buy, and it is not going to be any easier if he plays a great EURO.

Right now, Rennais’ Yann M’vila is the hottest player for Arsenal, but should a transfer go wrong Mesut Özil will be next on the short list. Arsenal needs a midfielder that can be creative and at the same time has some defensive abilities. Özil can be the one.

Manchester City’s almost has the budget to sign who they want, and they have done so. This has brought a championship to the blues from Manchester and congratulation to the club and their fans. Whether or not ‘buying’ a Premier League title is deserved, is another discussion. That said, Manchester City has shown some amazing football this season, and it has been worth watching.

This may be Robin van Persie’s best season ever, with 30 goals. European clubs are standing ready to sign the Dutch if Arsenal fails to negotiate a new contract. However, van Persie is almost a saint on the level with Thierry Henry, for the Gunners fans, and I am sure Wenger will give him whatever he wants for staying. If not, he will have to build up a new team around a new player.

3.    Managing West Bromwich is enough for FA

He was not the fans favorite, and looks like a panic signing by the FA. Roy Hodgson is the man, signed to bring glory to England in this summer’s EURO 2012. Indeed, he has done a great job in West Bromwich and has surprised everyone by ending the season on the 10th. However, the manager has never won any serious glory, and I doubt he will do it with England. 

Or at least that is what the FA means. John Terry may have said some racist words to Anton Ferdinand, but no one knows for sure. If he is guilty, he needs to be punished no doubt about it. However, FA’s decision to penalty the Chelsea defender, by sacking him as captain for England, before the trial is even started is terrible. Not only is it a direct sign of saying, "you did it!" to Terry, they also lost a great manager. Good job FA (read: sarcasm)

Two signings, £10m spent, 29 goals scored and two men in the top ten of the Premier League top scorer list. That is the cold, hard fact of Newcastle’s signings of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse. Who will the Magpies sign next? I am waiting, for them to bring the next profile to the Premier League. Come one guys, I know you can!

Newcastle United is back in the top of Premier League for the first time since the 2003/04, and this time, it looks like they are staying.

The 2008/09 Premier League season still causes cold sweats and wet eyes for the Newcastle fans. Even though, most of them was determined that their team would be back in the best English division, only a few of them could have dreamed of NUFC in the top five within two seasons. This is now reality.

The football team from the cold north have had a terrific season and have surprised most of the football critics with their strong defence and deadly offensive. Much of the credit is to be given to Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley (I know he is a hated man, but let’s face it: Newcastle cannot live without him), who have managed to sell players on the right time and use the money wisely. I here refer to the £35m transfer of Andy Carroll to Liverpool where he – and I am being kind now – has become an expensive failure.

Papiss Cisse

Instead of spending the money from the Andy Carroll transfer on one or two superstars, The Magpies, has managed to scan the market and bought young development players, as well as established players. The free signings of Demba Ba and Sylvian Marveaux as well as the £4.9m transfer of Davide Santon and the £10.5m signing of Papiss Cisse has turned out to be great. There is no doubt that Pardew right now is building a long lasting football team in Newcastle, and with an average squad age of 25,4 there  are many years left in the current players.

Rumours have already sent several talented players to St. James Park (I know it is named The SportsDirect Arena, but we all know it is a shitty name). Players as Romain Amalfitano from Reims and Douglas from Twente are a sign of Newcastle wanting to continue to develop players rather than buying Manchester City-style. A spot in a Europa Cup next season may even bring more established players to Newcastle.

Krul & Coloccini

However, with success comes interest. Especially in the world of football and it is very important that the club can keep players as goalkeeper Tim Krul, who has shown great form this season, and Captain Fabricio Coloccini, not to mention Cisse, Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa.  I doubt Newcastle can say now to a great offer, given the financial situation, but perhaps they should in order to keep the up going form. Alan Pardew has shown great potential in NUFC and might be interesting for other teams, as well.

I am pretty sure that Newcastle will be a team feared by the other teams in the Premier League. This season has shown that even though The Magpies has suffered from big losses they have been able to get back on track. I am confident that we will see Newcastle in the top of the league, the next many years. However, they need to keep developing and to keep their profiles, as well as their broad players. I am looking forward to see Newcastle in Europe next year...  Keep of the good spirit, Toons!