The topsy-turvy Premier League season continues, and we have the first update of our BullorBear JOE League too…
Madchester
Just when you think you have a handle on this season’s Premier League, the picture changes again. Following Manchester City’s demolition of Manchester United last week we thought Manuel Pellegrini’s side had found their stride.
Instead, they went down to Aston Villa – a Villa side without Benteke as well – and once again they look like a team of new faces, which we guess they are.
Over at Old Trafford, West Brom emphatically played the Red Devils off the park on Saturday, leaving United a massive eight points behind league leaders Arsenal. The Baggies’ goals were beautifully taken, but defensively United looked very shaky, and Rio Ferdinand’s early-season workload may be taking its toll already.
There’s still lots and lots of time to turn it around, and both managers are still searching for their best first XI, but this season is certainly not business as usual in the home of the last two champs.
Back with a bang
Though he failed to score against United in his comeback game in midweek, Luis Suarez looked very sharp for a guy out of league action for five months. So it should be no surprise that when he was given a shot at bottom-of-the-table Sunderland, the Uruguayan found the net. Twice.
Even before Suarez’s return, Liverpool looked dangerous and capable of goals via Daniel Sturridge. Now Suarez and Sturridge have linked up again and they look even more potent. The talk of them being the best front pair in the league right now is hard to disagree with and if they can continue to fire them in as easily as they did against an admittedly moribund Sunderland, then their current position in the top four will be maintained.
Toffees refuse to come unstuck
And, after six games, the only unbeaten team in the Premier League is Everton. Who predicted that in the aftermath of the departure of David Moyes? While city rivals Liverpool may have the best front two in the league, Everton may have the best one-man front line in Romelu Lukaku.
The Chelsea loanee was sensational last night as Everton hung on to beat Newcastle 3-2. Powerful, skilful, a lethal finisher, it is frankly bizarre that Jose Mourinho allowed Roberto Martinez to have him for the year.
Add in the ‘mature beyond his years’ abilities of Ross Barkley and the blue half of Liverpool are pretty decent up top too. Like Martinez’s Wigan side, Everton are leaky at the back and they almost fecked away the three points last night by conceding two in the second half but so far the balance between forward elan and defensive grit is working out just fine.
BullorBear JOE League Update
Well, we hate to say we told you so but we told you so. When we launched the BullorBear JOE prediction league last week we warned you that you were facing a team of footballing obsessives and sitting proudly at the head of the pile after week one is yours truly.
Okay, I got both Manchester results wrong, like everybody else, but six correct out of 10 is not bad, while I also got the correct number of goals in Arsenal/Swanse to sit on top of the table with eight points.
In fairness, my early lead is just a solitary point, with Brian Connolly, Matt Alcorn and Richard Smith all on seven. With three weeks to go, that money is not in my hand just yet. But it is getting closer and I wish the rest of you all the worst luck in the world with the remainder of your selections.
BullorBear Leagues is a completely new online football betting game, which allows players to set up and run their own personal football predictions league.
You go up against your mates to take down the pot and all the bragging rights that go with it!
Your friends, your game, your league!
