2. Sebastian Coates - QPR vs. Liverpool 3-2

3. Papiss Cissé - Chelsea vs. Newcastle United 0-2

4. Luka Modric  - Bolton vs. Tottenham Hotspur 1-4

5. Hatem Ben Arfa - Newcastle United vs. Bolton  2-0

 

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!

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!