United must improve against Brighton to maintain a winning start
Manchester United know they must improve against Brighton if they are to maintain a winning start to the Premier League season.
A frustratingly familiar performance against Fulham on the opening night of the new campaign saw United grind out a 1-0 win, before Brighton dispelled much of their pre-season concerns with a resounding 3-0 away win at Everton in manager Fabian Hurzeler’s first game in charge.
Brighton are still juggling a lengthy injury list, but will have Yankuba Minteh – who was forced off in the win over Everton – fit for the game.
Man Utd appear to have improved little from last season, though it remains early days in the new campaign. United will pose a tougher test than the Toffees, though Brighton look like a potentially trickier opponent than Fulham.
Credit:standard.co.uk
Arsenal travel away to tackle Aston Villa
Mikel Arteta and Unai Emerycollide in the West Midlands on Saturday evening, when the Gunners make the trip to tackle Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Both sides have three points on the board after one outing, as the Lions edged out West Ham United 2-1 on the opening weekend, while Mikel Arteta‘s team put two unanswered goals past Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Formerly prevailing in an astonishing 15 Premier League games in a row at their home ground in 2023, Emery’s side have since lost their consistency on their own patch in terms of victories, but not goals, having scored at least twice in their last eight matches at Villa Park.
However, the Arsenal of old appeared to be back for a brief moment and will continue to march to more convincing wins than last weekend’s, although some of Arteta’s troops may have still been shaking off the summer cobwebs.
However, Villa were the only team to achieve a Premier League double over Arsenal last season – winning 1-0 at home before a shock 2-0 Emirates success.
Arteta’s men can always be backed to keep things watertight – or close to watertight – in defence, but with Duran and Ollie Watkins carrying a potent threat up front for Villa, we can envisage Saturday’s contest ending in a hotly-contested draw.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Barcelona to continue winning start when they host Athletic Club Barcelona will look to continue their winning start to the La Liga season when they host Athletic Club on Saturday.
The Blaugrana came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 in a close battle on the opening weekend, thanks to a brace from veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. Athletic Club, meanwhile, surrendered a half-time lead to draw 1-1 at home to Getafe. Barcelona have won each of their last five home league matches against Athletic Club, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only one goal along the way. The Blaugrana are on a six-match winning run at home in La Liga.
Lewandowski’s brace against Valencia last time out extended an excellent run of form in La Liga, with the Polish striker ending last season with six goals in his last six league outings. Against Athletic Club, Lewandowski has scored two goals in four previous appearances, including one in a 4-2 Copa del Rey defeat in January. Barcelona have conceded just one goal in their last five home league meetings with Athletic Club, winning all of them.
After losing the title to Real Madrid last season, Barcelona will be looking to regain their crown. Barcelona are winless in their last two matches against Athletic Club across all competitions, but have won their last five home league matches against them with just one goal conceded.
Credit: squawka.com
AC Milan, Parma seek first Serie A win when they meet
Both teams had to settle for a point on the opening day, but Serie A giants AC Milan and promoted Parma will both seek victory when they meet on Saturday.
While Milan visit Stadio Tardini following a dramatic late comeback against Torino, their hosts frustrated Fiorentina upon returning to Italy’s top flight. Building his reputation as Milan’s go-to ‘supersub’, Noah Okafor once again sprang from the bench and saved his side last week, when the Rossoneri were perhaps fortunate to come out of their league opener with a draw.
New boss Paulo Fonseca therefore breathed a big sigh of relief, as with many fans sceptical about his appointment earlier this summer he could not afford to start with a home defeat.
Historically, at least, the Lombardy club’s dominance over Parma suggests he should have few problems in getting off the mark, as Milan are unbeaten in the teams’ last eight encounters, winning six.
Undoubtedly the underdogs again on this occasion, Parma may still believe they can cause an upset, taking advantage of the very first time that Emilian club has ever started a Serie A season with back-to-back home matches.
Even without Alvaro Morata, Milan boast plenty of attacking options and should score more than once at the Tardini; Parma may suffer their first Serie A defeat of the season, but they should push their illustrious visitors close.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
Premier League
Saturday 24th August
Brighton 12:30 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 15:00 West Ham United
Manchester City 15:00 Ipswich Town
Southampton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur 15:00 Everton
Sunday 25th August
AFC Bournemouth 14:00 Newcastle United
Wolverhampton Wanderers 14:00 Chelsea
Spanish La Liga
Friday 23rd August
Saturday 24th August
Sunday 25th August
Real Madrid 16:00 Real Valladolid
Deportivo Alavés18:15 Real Betis
Italian Serie A
Saturday 24th August
Sunday 25th August
