West Brom v Everton Permier league match preview

Yannick Bolasie is in line for debut when Everton travel to West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday.

The winger has signed a five-year deal after joining from Crystal Palace, saying the move was a “no-brainer”.

Everton, who drew with Tottenham on the opening day, have also been linked with moves for Joe Hart and Lamine Kone, although manager Ronald Koeman refused to comment on either when asked in his pre-match press conference.

“What I don’t like is to talk about rumours,” he said. “They could go on for two weeks more, with so many players linked with Everton.” Naija and Bet

West Brom boss Tony Pulis has been talking about potential transfers ahead of the match, saying he wants striker Saido Berahino and defender Jonny Evans to stay.

“Nobody is more keen for Saido to stay than me,” said Pulis.

There has been speculation that Arsenal are interested in Evans, but Pulis said: “The most important thing is that Jonny is with us and we want him to stay because he’s an outstanding player.”

The Baggies beat Crystal Palace 1-0 last weekend thanks to Salomon Rondon’s second-half goal.

Team news

James Morrison is fully fit for West Brom after making his return from injury at Palace last week.

The midfielder suffered a hamstring problem in January but was a late substitute at Selhurst Park and is available again for Saturday’s encounter.

Swansea City v Hull City preview

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Hull will look to build on their shock opening-day win over Leicester when they travel to Swansea on Saturday.

The Tigers put a turbulent summer behind them to beat the Premier League champions 2-1 last weekend and start with a victory on their return to the top-flight.

They will still be without several first-team players for their trip to Wales and are yet to make any signings in the transfer window.

However, caretaker manager Mike Phelan said: “We are trying to work together to try to improve things at this club. It’s not easy. Naijabet.com

“It’s always difficult when as late as we are. We are actively trying to bring players in but time is getting short. I said last week that this could be a big week for us but not a lot has happened. It doesn’t mean to say we haven’t done anything in terms of phone calls and searching for players.”

Swansea started their campaign with a 1-0 win at another newly-promoted side, Burnley, but they too have injury troubles.

Match Preview : Watford v Chelsea

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Walter Mazzarri and Antonio Conte will resume their rivalry when Watford face Chelsea at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The pair clashed on several occasions when they were managing in Italy, with Conte apparently annoyed with implied suggestions that he had copied Mazzarri’s formation.

However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s fixture, Conte said there is no feud between the pair.

“The relationship is very normal and I have great respect for him and his work. I think he is a great manager and I will shake his hand, no problem,” said the Chelsea boss. Naija and Bet

Conte and Mazzarri met seven times in Serie A as managers, with Mazzari only coming out on top once.

While Conte started his Chelsea career with a 2-1 win over West Ham on Monday, Mazzarri’s Watford drew 1-1 at Southampton.

Match Preview : Tottenham v Crystal Palace

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Michel Vorm will start in goal as Tottenham look to pick up their first win of the season at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Spurs came from behind to draw 1-1 at Everton on the opening day, but lost first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to injury midway through the first half.

The France international now faces around four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

“We trust in Michel and he was doing well in the pre-season,” says Spurs boss Maurico Pochettino. “He played a lot of friendly games, he is ready to compete.

“He is a goalkeeper who has a lot of experience in the Premier League and in internationals. There is no doubt about his quality.” Naija and Bet

Palace suffered a 1-0 home defeat to West Brom on the opening day and lost to Spurs both home and away in the league last season.

Match Preview: Villarreal vs Monaco

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Villarreal host 2004 Uefa champions League finalist ‘Monaco” for the first leg of their Uefa Champions group Stage qualification clash.

Villarreal are in search of their first Uefa champions group stage ticket since the they last appeared in 2011/2012 edition. The yellow submarine will be looking forward to replicate the great show they pulled in this stage of the competition in 2011/2015 season, when the defeated Denmark based side ‘Odense Fc” 4-0 over 2 legs to book what was their last appearance in the prestigious competition.

Monaco defeated Fernabahce to book their plays in the last play-off before the Group Stage. The French giant and 2004 UCl finalist pulled a great performance at home to turn thing around in a close battle with the Turkish side.

Villareal vs Monaco: Key Facts

  • Villareal maintains 3 games losing streak going into their first Uefa Champion League game since 2011/2012 season
  • Villareal maintains 4 straight games winning streak in 4 European competitive game (i.e. Europa league), and haven’t lost a game to any French team at home
  • Monaco has 1 win in their last 5 games, and this win was produced in their qualification game against Fernabahce
  • Monaco have lost 7 of their last 8 clashes against a Spanish side away

Villareal: Team News

Garcia Toral Marcelino will be missing is top amn for tis clash against Monaco. Roberto Soladao suffered a tear on is right knee during is side re-season clash with Deportivo la Coruna.

Villareal: Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)

Asenjo: Bonera, Costa, Ruiz, Mario: Soriano, Santos, Ndiaye, Mauel- Pato, Bakambu

Monaco: Team News

Jardim Leonardo decided to drop two of his top (i.e. Falcao & Germain) in their league game against Guingamp. In addition, 39 years old Italian goal keeper “ De Sanctis” won’t be available for this game due to injury issue.

Monaco: Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)

Subasic: Sidibe, Raggi, Glik, Mendy: Fabinho, Moutinho, Dirar, Lemar: Falcao, Germain.

Villareal Vs Monaco: Head to Head

Both sides haven’t met in the 21st century, and since the beginning of a new era in club European competition.

However, Villarreal have a lot of good experience playing French side. The yellow Submarine, have yet to loss any game in the 4 times they have met a French team in the competition.

Moreover, Monaco has more experience locking horns with Spanish club compared to Villarreal experience with French side. The French giant has recorded 18 meeting with Spanish club, winning 6, losing 8, and 6 ending in a draw.

Villareal Vs Monaco: Prediction

Villarreal will be playing a fully fit Monaco side, has the french club have been involve in more competitive game than them.

However, the massive support of the fan who will be the 12th man could push Villarreal all the way to a maximum point. Monaco will be looking to start a new form of great performance in their visit to play as Spanish club. The French giant has lost 7 times in their last 9 away games with Spanish side.

Therefore, it will be an evenly poised clash with 50:50 chance of victory for both side getting the maximum point in this first leg

BETTING VIA (NaijaBet.com)

Preview: Porto vs Roma

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2004 Uefa champions League winners “ Fc Porto” host Roma for the first leg of a two legged Champion league qualifier affair.

Porto finished 3rd at the end of 2015/2016 Portuguese Primeira league campaign, will fight for their place in their group satage of 2016/2017 season Uefa Champions league. Nuno Espirito Santos led team, started their the league season with an emphatic 3-1 away victory over Rio Aves. The Portuguese will however be hoping to replicate such great performance and result when Roma comes visiting on Wednesday

Roma finished 2015/2016 season with 2 point adrift of the position for a straight Uefa Champions’ league group stage ticket. Luciano Spalletti led side gathered 82 point to claim the 3rd position at end of the 2015/2016 Seria A season. Though the Seria A season as not started (i.e. 2016/2017), Roma have been getting busy with many friendly, in which they have produced some nice performances. And will hoping to go through to the next round in what is their first Uefa champions league play-off.

Porto Vs Roma: Key Facts

  • Porto maintains 5 game unbeaten runs
  • Porto won 3 of their last 5 competitive game at home, and lost 2
  • Roma maintains 5 games winning streak going in to this clash
  • Roma are also unbeaten in 5 away games in a competitive match.

Porto: Team News

Nuno Esprito who is just joining the Portuguese giant, will be going into this game with is best squad, as he as no major injury headache

Porto: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)

Casillas – M.Pereira, Felipe, Marcano, Telles – D. Pereira, Herrera – Corona, Andre, Otavinho –  Valente.

Roma: Team News

Spalletti will be without the services of 3 defenders for this clash due to knee injury suffered by the trio. Nigerian Abdullahi Nura, German Antonio Rudiger, and portuges Mario Rui are the three men that would be out of this one.

Roma: Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3)

Szczesny – Florenzi, Vermaelen, Fazio, Juan – Nainggolan, De Rossi, Gerson – Iturbe, Totti, Salah.

Porto Vs Roma: Head to Head

Both side haven’t met in the 21st century, and since the beginning of a new era in club European competition.

However, Porto have a lot of experience with playing Italian side with the unforgettable one been their 1-0 loss to Ac Milan in the 2003 UEFA Super Cup that took place in Monaco.

Same goes for Roma experience with Portuguese team. The Italian giant has 12 encounters with a Portugal based club, and lost 3 times, with 2 of the 3 defeat been in one of the legs played in Portugal

Porto Vs Roma: Prediction

Porto will be more composed going into this one, as the Portuguese league kick started on Friday which will serve as a competitive game playing advantage to Porto compared to Roma.

Both side are looking to redeem their image when it comes to playing in this competition, as they both failed to score in their last 3 European competition game.

Moreover, it will be soar fight that I think will be won over two legs but I see Porto nicking this one on Wednesday.

Betting odds (via NaijaBet)

Preview: Chelsea vs West Ham

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Chelsea kick off the new Premier League season with a tough home clash against London rivals West Ham in the first Monday night fixture of the campaign – a game that is sure to hand Blues manager Antonio Conte plenty to think about.

The Italian has overseen a largely successful pre-season tour of the US and Europe, with Chelsea beating the likes of Liverpool and AC Milan on their travels.

Conte has used different tactical formations during that time, from 4-2-4 to 4-3-3, but the former Italy and Juventus manager will now have to decide on his strongest team as the West Ham game draws ever closer.

The Hammers may not have the best Premier League record against Chelsea – with the Blues having won 22 and lost just 11 of their top-flight fixtures against the east Londoners – but Slaven Bilic’s side did get the better of Chelsea last season.

Indeed, West Ham beat the Blues 2-1 at Upton Park in October before narrowly missing out on another win in the reverse fixture as a late Cesc Fabregas penalty sealed a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

And despite enduring a mixed pre-season – West Ham won only two games – their narrow 3-2 loss to European heavyweights Juventus on Sunday will give the club belief they can open the new campaign with a win over a Chelsea side still finding their feet under a new manager

Form guide

Chelsea lost to Rapid Vienna (2-0) and Real Madrid (3-2) in pre-season but beat RZ Pellets (3-0), Liverpool (1-0), Milan (3-1) and Werder (4-2).

West Ham, meanwhile, began their pre-season with a 3-0 loss to Seattle Sounders before drawing 2-2 with Carolina RailHawks and FC Slovacko and then being beaten 3-0 by Rubin Kazan.

The Hammers next overcame Karlsruher SC 3-0 before their Europa League qualifiers saw the club lose 2-1 away to NK Domzale but win 3-0 at the Olympic Stadium. They ended off their preparations with a 3-2 loss to Juve.

One to watch

Chelsea fans will be keen to see how Kante fares against West Ham after the Frenchman played a huge role in Leicester City storming to their first-ever Premier League title last season.

For Hammers fans, though, all eyes are likely to be on the return of Euro 2016 finalist Dimitri Payet although if record-signing Andre Ayew makes an appearance, he will be the man to keep a close eye on following his impressive debut season in England with Swansea City last term.

Betting odds (via NaijaBet)

Burnley v Swansea preview

Fernando Llorente is set for his Swansea debut

Record signing Borja Baston will have to wait for his Swansea debut as he sits out the Premier League opener at Burnley on Saturday.

Borja completed a club record £15.5m move from Atletico Madrid on Thursday, but Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin will not integrate the 23-year-old Spaniard into his squad until next week.

Burnley will be hoping to kick off their third Premier League campaign with victory at Turf Moor, as Sean Dyche’s side attempt to avoid relegation from the top flight for the first time since 1975.

Jon Flanagan will not be able to make his Burnley debut at Turf Moor. The Liverpool loanee barely featured in pre-season for his parent club prior to his switch and Dyche wants to see his conditioning improve before he thrusts him into action.

One full-back who may feature is Stephen Ward (hamstring) though striker Ashley Barnes, who is suffering from a similar problem, is unlikely to play in a game which could see Icelander Johann Berg Gudmundsson make his senior bow.

With Borja not in the squad, fellow new signing Fernando Llorente is set to lead the line for Swansea following his recent arrival.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will be among the substitutes for Swansea even though he has only just returned to training following Iceland’s summer exploits, while Wales defender Neil Taylor is not included as he builds up fitness after his post-Euro 2016 break.

Opta stats

Swansea have won four of their last five league meetings with Burnley (W4 D0 L1), including two 1-0 wins over Burnley in the 2014-15 Premier League season.

This will be the ninth occasion in the last 10 seasons that Swansea have opened their league campaign away from home.

There have been 21 goals scored in Swansea’s five previous Premier League matches on the opening weekend, an average of 4.2 per game.

Burnley striker Andre Gray was the Championship top goalscorer last season with 25 goals (23 for Burnley, two for Brentford).

Burnley didn’t manage to win a Premier League game until November 8 (11th match) in their last Premier League season back in 2014-15.

Swansea are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games played in the month of August (W5 D2 L0).

Since 2007-08, 47 of Llorente’s 104 league goals have been headers (45 per cent) – only Cristiano Ronaldo (48) has scored more with his head in the big five Euro Leagues in this period.

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Swansea has 2.84  odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Burnley  has 2.60 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.03

Match preview : Manchester City v Sunderland

Pep Guardiola gets his tenure as Manchester City boss underway by hosting Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium in their Premier League opener on Saturday evening.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss will likely hand a debut to John Stones in central defence, after he joined from Everton for £47.5million earlier this week.

Guardiola will face off with David Moyes in the late kick-off, who returns to management for the first time since being sacked by Real Sociedad last season.

Moyes replaced Sam Allardyce at the Black Cats, after he left to take the England job last month having kept Sunderland up in impressive fashion last season.

Nicolas Otamendi requires a fitness test after a tendon problem while captain Vincent Kompany (thigh) is sidelined and Eliaquim Mangala has lacked match fitness after his late return to training following Euro 2016.

Two other summer signings in Ilkay Gundogan (knee) and Leroy Sane (hamstring) are injured but striker Nolito and midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko could make debuts.

New signings Adnan Januzaj, Paddy McNair and Donald Love will go straight into the Sunderland squad for Saturday’s opener at City.

Midfielder Januzaj, who completed a season-long loan move on Friday, will be joined in the travelling party by permanent signings McNair and Love, who are both defenders, although Moyes has a decision to make over wantaway centre-half Lamine Kone.

However, the Scot will definitely be without Seb Larsson, who is facing up to six months on the sidelines following knee ligament surgery, while fellow midfielders Lee Cattermole (groin) and Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring) and full-back Billy Jones (hip) are also out.

City are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League opening weekend fixtures (W6 D1), including winning each of the last five.

Guardiola has won the opening league game of the season as a manager in each of his last six seasons (three for Barcelona, three for Bayern) – he lost his first league game as Barcelona boss (0-1 at Numancia), however.

Sergio Aguero is the top scoring player in the Premier League so far in 2016 (17 goals in 18 games).

Jermain Defoe has scored in 15 different Premier League seasons and will be looking to become only the eighth different player to net in 16+ seasons in 2016/17.

Moyes is 5th in the all-time Premier League standings for most games managed (P461 W190 D129 L142).

The newly appointed Sunderland boss has won five times at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League – the only visiting manager with more wins is Arsene Wenger (6).

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Manchester City has 1.22 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while sunderland  has 11.50 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 6.12

Match Preview : Middlesbrough v Stoke

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Middlesbrough mark their return to the Premier League after a seven-season absence by taking on Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium.

Aitor Karanka’s side sealed their top-flight return on the final day of last season with a 1-1 victory over Brighton to finish second in the Championship behind Burnley.

It’s been a busy summer at the Riverside with Alvaro Negredo, Victor Valdes, Viktor Fischer, Marten de Roon and Antonio Barragan all joining the club and they will be looking to make a fast start in front of their home fans on the opening day.

Meanwhile, Stoke have been handed a boost with the news Marko Arnautovic and midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri have both been passed fit for Mark Hughes’ side’s trip to newly promoted Middlesbrough.

The visitors, who are winless in their last six opening day fixtures, were the victors the last time these two sides met in the Premier League back in 2009 with Ryan Shawcross striking late to score the only goal of the game.

Team news

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has no fresh injury problems as he prepares to send out his team for the first time in the Premier League against Stoke.

Defenders Dani Ayala, who has recovered from a troublesome ankle injury, and Bernardo Espinosa have returned to training after minor knocks and are available.

That leaves only midfielder Grant Leadbitter (hernia surgery) and full-back James Husband (dislocated shoulder) missing for promoted Boro.

Stoke’s former England right-back Glen Johnson is doubtful for the Potters’ Premier League opener at Middlesbrough with a quadriceps injury.

Wales midfielder Joe Allen, the £13m summer signing from Liverpool, is in contention to make his debut.

Forward Jon Walters is available after being eased through pre-season but midfielders Stephen Ireland (broken leg) and Ibrahim Afellay (knee) are long-term absentees.

Opta stats

Middlesbrough have won just four of their last 15 league meetings with Stoke City (W4 D3 L8).

Middlesbrough have won just two of their 14 previous season openers in the Premier League, including in their last campaign in the top-flight vs Tottenham in 2008/09 (2-1).

Indeed, they’ve never won on the opening weekend of a Premier League season as a newly-promoted team (D2 L1).

Mark Hughes has lost just one of his last eight Premier League meetings with Middlesbrough as manager, winning six (D1).

Stoke’s only previous win on the opening day of a Premier League season came against Burnley in 2009.

The Potters are winless in their last six Premier League opening weekend matches, losing four (D2).

Alvaro Negredo scored eight goals in his first 17 Premier League appearances, but netted just once in his subsequent 15 appearances in the competition for Manchester City in 2013-14.

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Middlesbrough has 2.25  odd to win the match on NaijaBet while stoke has 3.35 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.07