EPL Weekend Picks: Will Reds Make New Owners Proud?
By MICHAEL DA SILVA
From lawsuits to tracksuits: Liverpool FC has finally been sold. And who do they face next? Ah yes, that would be bitter Merseyside rivals Everton.
Although new owner John W. Henry has said he will not be at Goodison Park on Sunday, preferring to introduce himself at Anfield, club boss Roy Hodgson is delighted that a new era can finally begin at the club. And where better to state your intentions than at the ground of your city rivals?
Everton (+140) vs Liverpool (+200)
The Reds will make the short journey across Stanley Park to Goodison, where they will meet an Everton side whose struggles on the field pale in significance to the turmoil endured by their rivals off it. One thing is for sure, Everton will relish the visit of Liverpool, on this weekend, even more than any other.
When John W. Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox, completed the takeover of Liverpool late on Friday afternoon, he said: “We are here to win. We have a tradition of winning in America and we will do whatever it takes to win with Liverpool.”
As if the struggle wasn’t enough for Hodgson to think about, he has been inflicted the additional headache of injuries to Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger, who both hobbled out of international duty in midweek. Kuyt’s ankle injury, the more serious of the two, is expected to keep him out for a month.
Liverpool’s last Premier League outing ended in a humiliating home defeat to Blackpool and, with just six points on the board after seven games, this sluggish play goes down as Liverpool’s worst start to a top flight season since 1953-54, when they were relegated.
But Hodgson is boosted by the return of Fernando Torres (+120 to score any time), who hobbled off with an abductor strain in the first half against Blackpool. After missing Spain’s 3-2 win over Scotland in Glasgow last week, Torres is rested and should start the derby. As should left-back Paul Konchesky.
"Konchesky has made a good recovery as has Fernando Torres so all being well we can welcome those two back,'' said Hodgson on Friday. "Fernando's season needs to kick-start, he's been hampered a bit by injuries and what happened at the World Cup.Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.
"We get two good ones back, but lose a good one in Kuyt.''
But just as Liverpool are hampered by the loss of Kuyt ahead of this huge fixture, Everton have been hit by the news that Marouane Fellaini faces up to six weeks out with a hamstring injury suffered on international duty. Defender Phil Jagielka is also unlikely to feature and joins Everton’s growing injury, which already includes key players Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha.
Always competitive, this game is likely to throw up a few key battles which could be enough to decide it with Steven Gerrard (+240 to score any time) vs Mikael Arteta (+300 to score any time) crucial to the outcome of the game.
Gerrard is always fired up for these games so Arteta will have a tough job keeping Liverpool’s No. 8 quiet and inspiring his side to victory in the absence of key playmakers such as Pienaar.
Although I expect Everton to score, given Liverpool’s very shaky defense, I expect the Reds to come out fighting and eager to prove themselves - not only in front of a new owner, but after the miserable loss to Blackpool. And miserable is exactly how you can describe Everton’s home form this season, after two draws, one loss and no wins.
Pick: Everton 1-1 Liverpool (+500)
Manchester United (-400) vs West Brom (+1100)
Manchester United fans will have watched the Liverpool saga unfold with a keen eye, given the similar hatred towards their owner, Malcolm Glazer.
But luckily for Manchester United, they have a firmer footing on the field and in the table.
But United have not come close to hitting top gear yet, and the encouraging early season form of Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Nani bodes well for the challenges to come.
West Brom, despite claiming a shock win at Arsenal, are unlikely to have enough ammunition to repeat the feat at Old Trafford, even if Peter Odemwingie has surprised everyone with his sharp eye for goal.
United always have a more resolute look about them when Rio Ferdinand partners Nemanja Vidic at the heart of defense and Ferdinand’s return to fitness will give confidence to a back line that was chewed up and spat out by Bolton’s Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander last time out.
Berbatov (-150 to score any time), in the most consistent form of his Manchester United career, will be confident of finding the net again. As will Nani (+150 to score any time), who has assumed the right-midfield berth successfully in the absence of Antonio Valencia.
This has been achieved during a period of significant under performance by Wayne Rooney, who this week publicly disputed Sir Alex Ferguson’s statement that he had been suffering with “a niggling ankle injury”. Rooney muddied the waters by claiming he hasn’t had an ankle injury. Read into that what you will.
Along with Odemwingie (+400 to score any time), West Brom possess the potent threat of Chris Brunt. The wide man has claimed one goal and three assists in seven games this season.
In all honesty, United will be too strong for the Midlanders, with or without the M.I.A. Rooney.
Pick: Manchester United 3-1 West Brom (+900)