- 11/08/2023
Lee Sobot and Will Rooney look ahead to the start of the Premier League this weekend.
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00:00 Hello there. Welcome to the Footy Forecast. This is your new show from National World,
00:06 where we look ahead to the Premier League games over each round of fixtures and the
00:10 return of the Premier League is finally here. So we'll get stuck in and have a look at this
00:14 weekend's games. And I'm joined today by Will Rooney from Liverpool World, fresh from his
00:18 outing at Jurgen Klopp's pre-match presser ahead of a huge game this weekend. How are
00:23 you doing, Will? Nice to have you with us. First and foremost, how did that go seeing
00:26 Jurgen at his pre-match press conference? Yeah, interesting wasn't it? Obviously, overnight
00:32 the Moises Kassé's old source of news broke that Liverpool had agreed a deal and Jurgen
00:36 Klopp, it was a bit of a surprise, he said he can confirm that we've agreed a deal with
00:41 Brighton. He didn't say too much on that. I'm surprised normally you get, 'Oh, I don't
00:47 comment on other people's players', etc. So obviously at that moment Liverpool were confident
00:51 but as we speak now, you know, it looks like Chelsea haven't given up in the pursuit. So
00:55 really interesting considering that the two sides are going to lock horns on Sunday.
01:01 Yeah, a real backdrop saga that one, absolutely. Not just the Harry Kane saga going on at the
01:04 minute, all sorts happening in the transfer world. Obviously two clubs clashing on Sunday
01:09 that have both been very busy this summer in Chelsea and Liverpool. That is really,
01:13 I suppose, the game of the weekend, the main one we'll look to. We'll run through all the
01:17 fixtures this weekend. But I mean, in terms of that first test of the season, I mean,
01:21 how do you see that one going? I mean, how do you see Liverpool's chances at Stamford
01:24 Bridge in that game?
01:25 Well, I mean, the past four meetings between the two sides have ended in nil-nil draws.
01:31 Two of them at Wembley over 120 minutes and these penalties. And yeah, the last one at
01:37 Stamford Bridge wasn't the greatest of affairs. But I think this one, there will be quite
01:41 a few goals in it just because Liverpool have looked excellent in a test, looked really
01:46 potent in pre-season. But the frailties are still there in defence. And you'd probably
01:52 say the same for Chelsea. I mean, they've got so many players, haven't they? You wonder
01:55 what sort of team, Richo Pochettino's pick for his first game and who's going to be fit
02:00 and available, etc. And obviously, they've got a few injury issues themselves at the
02:04 back. So, yeah, an interesting one. I don't think it's going to be a drop-stale-mate this
02:10 time around.
02:11 Yeah, I definitely wouldn't think so of all the attacking talent on the show. What have
02:15 Liverpool been like in pre-season then? But I mean, basically the theme from what I can
02:18 tell from them is goals, no shortage of goals, which is not a surprise with a team like that
02:22 with the attacking talent they've got. But how have they looked in pre-season so far?
02:25 Yeah, as you say, they've looked really good going forward. I mean, they've got five top
02:29 attackers and I think you could probably play any three of them. I mean, Mo Salah will be
02:33 playing on the right, but you've obviously got Giorgio Otto, Cosi Gaspo, Darwin Nunes
02:37 and Luis Dias. And I think Jadon Clough, Victoria and Wipo. I think the only one you'd probably
02:41 say won't start is Darwin Nunes because he's still adapting. He's scored goals in pre-season,
02:47 but he's still very much adapting. The new lads as well, Alexis McAllister and Dominic
02:52 Subbosola, I think maybe they've sloughed a little bit because in pre-season Liverpool
02:56 haven't had a proper defence with midfield. They're obviously selling Fabinho and Jordan
03:00 Henderson, they're not featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold's moves in there. But he hasn't looked all that
03:05 natural at actually anchoring the midfielders. But again, at the back, I said it before,
03:11 they're still having those problems with Alexander-Arnold playing the hybrid role and going into the
03:15 midfield. So when I happen to cover that gaping hole, it gets left and Liverpool, for the
03:21 two goals they conceded against Bayern Munich, got exposed in that area. Three goals, I beg
03:26 your pardon, three of the four. And the other night against Darmstadt, he also didn't look
03:34 too good there as well. So it's a big problem for Jadon Clough. He knows, he says we know
03:39 how to solve it, but it won't happen overnight. So you can certainly see Chelsea looking to
03:43 target them there. But yeah, as you say, one forward, they've looked superb.
03:47 Do you think they'll be the real deal as such this season? Obviously, you know, the difficult
03:50 time of it last season. We're used to such high standards at Liverpool, obviously. I
03:53 mean, everybody's sort of forgiven a bad season as such. But with the recruits they've got
03:57 and obviously the players coming back and everything, I mean, I think they're about
04:00 third favourites, aren't they, for the title Liverpool this season. Obviously, Man City
04:03 are odds on, which you'd expect Arsenal are second favourites, but not a lot between them
04:06 and Liverpool. So, I mean, a few people are fancying them for a title shot. I mean, how
04:10 do you see it? Is that a bit step too far maybe?
04:13 I think so, yeah. I don't think it's extreme, but it's a bit reminiscent of Klopp's first
04:17 season in full season in charge where getting into the Champions League was the aim. Again,
04:22 it was still obviously he was putting a stamp on things and it's a bit of a transition this
04:26 season when I got my feel as to who were going to be the future of Liverpool, which it needs
04:30 is Sir Boz Lyon, McAllister, of the Ecclesay-Dohan, that's massive. But if they get Romuald Lavier
04:37 in, then he's going to need a year to adapt. So I think Liverpool fans just getting back
04:42 into the Champions League would be the main aim, to be quite frank. I personally wouldn't
04:47 have them down as third favourites. I can understand why that they are. Maybe Man United
04:53 might be just ahead of them, but obviously they've brought a few in that need to be to
04:57 bed in as well. So I think third favourites is probably right. So yeah, get back in the
05:02 Champions League and maybe of course run in the Europa League as well because the advantages
05:07 that Liverpool can rotate the scores in the Europa League now and that might play into
05:10 hands for the league then.
05:12 It's always incredibly hard anyway to pick correct football scores and whatever. Sometimes
05:17 it's easier than others, but the opening weekend of the season is always a nightmare time because
05:20 you really don't know what you're going to get. I mean, obviously you've got a bit of
05:22 insight into Liverpool, obviously haven't seen them pre-season. Chelsea, we just don't
05:25 know really. I suppose obviously they've made lots of signings and Kunku is obviously going
05:29 to be out injured, which is a big one for them obviously. But I mean, there's so much
05:31 talent there. But I don't know, first game of the season, they've got Liverpool down
05:35 as favourites, even though they're away from home. I think they're on about the 11-8 marker.
05:38 I mean, do you see that? Do you see an away win for Liverpool this weekend? Or I mean,
05:42 what would your prediction be if you had to put your neck on the block for this one, Will?
05:45 As I say, I think there'll be goals in it, definitely. I think there'll be a good few
05:49 goals even before half-time. I see both teams, you know, having that adrenaline coming straight
05:53 out of the blocks. So I could see at least four goals in the game, 2-2, 3-2. I think
06:02 a 2-2 draw, an entertaining 2-2 draw, most people would take that on the opening day.
06:07 But what would be surprising? 11-8, it's not a bad price away from home, is it? But yeah,
06:12 I think a 2-2 draw for me would be my prediction.
06:15 So you'll go for a draw, yeah. I definitely agree. I can see goals as well. I mean, I
06:18 think I'll maybe just edge with Liverpool or just fill them out with a bit of momentum.
06:21 But it's one of them games where nothing but surprise really. Let's go through the other
06:24 games this weekend. Then obviously, Friday night start, the Champions Manchester City
06:28 in action away at Burnley. How do you see that one going? Is that a bit, I mean, obviously
06:31 Burnley back in the Prem. Do you see that as a bit of a foregone conclusion or not necessarily?
06:35 It's a tasty one, isn't it? Obviously, I think, well, it's certainly Vincent Kompany
06:42 playing against his old side, his old manager. The script's there to be written. But yeah,
06:46 as you say, it's hard to back against Manchester City, isn't it? I mean, the one advantage
06:50 that the Burnleys do have is that Manchester City tend to start a little bit slower. And
06:53 as we've seen last season, they get better and better as the season goes on. So if you
06:57 want to play Manchester City, it's probably early, isn't it? You want to play it. So again,
07:01 there could be goals in that one as well. We've seen last season, the Championship,
07:04 Burnley were a free-flowing side and Vincent Kompany looks like he's putting together a
07:09 real squad. And I can't see them struggling at all this season, but I'd probably back
07:14 City to come away with the win.
07:16 Yeah, I think they're about four to 11, which is probably understandable, really, even though
07:18 they're away from home. And if you're looking for the banker of the weekend, so to speak,
07:21 which everybody will, I suppose everybody does to a certain degree. Does this come on
07:25 Saturday lunchtime when Arsenal are at home to Nottingham Forest? I mean, you know, obviously,
07:28 you know, it fell apart a bit for the Gunners at the end of last season, but made rapid
07:31 progress under Mikel Arteta. One to five, they are, amazingly. I mean, I'm not surprised
07:35 really against Forest. And I saw Forest play Leeds in pre-season and Forest didn't look
07:39 great, to be honest. They've probably improved a bit since then. But would you sort of agree
07:42 that's the banker of the weekend, Arsenal at home to Forest?
07:44 Yeah, I'd probably watch it. It's not much of a price, is it? One to five. I mean, especially
07:49 the early kick-off. You don't want your coupon to be busted before you get to the three o'clock
07:54 game for Arsenal's business this summer has been shrewd, hasn't it? Stan Kroenke is really
08:00 behind Mikel Arteta and Arteta will be determined to kick on next season, as you say, Forest.
08:05 Few people tipping them to struggle. Steve Cooper is obviously massive behind them and
08:11 how they might fare, but it's difficult to see past that, isn't it?
08:14 Definitely. Let's just rattle through these other ones then and we'll just say quickly
08:17 what we think for them. Bournemouth v West Ham, what are you going with that one?
08:19 I'll go with a score draw on that one.
08:23 Yeah, I could see a draw there. Sheffield United, Crystal Palace?
08:25 Palace. I think just Palace.
08:30 We can't all go for the same, everyone. It'd be a bit boring if we do that, won't we? So,
08:34 I'll go for the Blades on the Premier League return there. Brighton v Luton. Now, if it
08:38 isn't Arsenal the banker of the weekend, you might say it's Brighton one to three at home
08:41 to Luton. Agree?
08:42 Yeah, absolutely. I wasn't for it to see Luton in the Premier League and then all the
08:48 supporters, Kovacic getting into that Kemmelworth role to always stand up. Yeah, can't see past
08:54 Brighton.
08:55 Everton, again, obviously another team you probably know a lot about. How would you see
08:57 them going at home to Fulham?
08:59 Yeah, an interesting one with Everton. They've got a few injuries. Dwight McNeil being one
09:03 of them. Dominic Halbert-Lewins, I doubt. But Fulham as well, haven't had the most straight
09:08 fours of pre-season. I've seen Mitrovic's future has been up in the air and Parly and
09:12 his south-injured Pereira's a doubt. Willian's speculation over his future. So, good time
09:18 for Everton to play Fulham. They've been unbeaten in pre-season, so probably be the odd goal
09:22 in this, I'll be honest with you. I could just see Everton nicking it.
09:25 Yeah, I see that. Their home form is always usually quite good, isn't it, and what carries
09:28 them. So, I think they might get off to a winning start there. Newcastle, Villa, we
09:30 go Newcastle then. A club obviously massively going places in rapid time.
09:34 Yeah, a tasty one, isn't it? But actually, I think Villa will just come away with this
09:39 at quite a high year. I've got a feeling Villa might kick on this season, whether they can
09:43 get into the Champions League or not. It might be a little bit of a step too far. But yeah,
09:48 Unai Emery is a shrewd operator and might get the credit he finally deserves in this
09:52 country after that spell at Arsenal. So, I actually fancy Villa too, to get the job done.
09:57 That's maybe a good value shout this weekend, then. That's maybe what people won't look
10:02 at as much. Obviously, I think Villa are around about seven to two and Newcastle are odds
10:05 on, as you can imagine, because obviously they're at home at St James'. So, if you're
10:07 looking for a value one, or to maybe put in something down this weekend that is a bit
10:13 different, then maybe that's the one. On to Sunday's games, obviously we talked about
10:15 the Super Sunday, Chelsea-Liverpool beforehand, Brentford vs Spurs. I mean, obviously, the
10:19 Harry Kane saga is continuing. Who knows where he'll be come Sunday afternoon? But how do
10:22 you see that? I mean, Brentford are a pretty good side at home.
10:24 Yeah, they are, yeah. But no, I haven't told me, obviously, as well, which is a massive
10:29 blow. Thomas Frank, he's a superb manager. He did well last season. He'll be looking
10:34 to kick on. I don't think they'll have as good of a season this time around, for
10:37 instance. So, I think that one might end on a even.
10:41 Yeah, on a even. I think I'll just go with Spurs, with a knick and a whey win, even if
10:45 they haven't got Kane in that. And then, finishing off Monday night, it's a sort of
10:47 weekend of bankers, short-priced ones, if you like. Manchester United at home to Wolves.
10:51 I mean, obviously, there's been a change of gaffer at Wolves, but I mean, do we see
10:54 Man United basically just having too much for them at Old Trafford? Probably so.
10:57 Yeah, I think even if Lopetegui was still in charge, you'd still fancy United, the club
11:04 in disarray, aren't they? Not a lot of players and haven't brought many in so far. And United
11:10 look like they're going forward this season. So, I'd say it's another banker.
11:15 I think so. Right, so there's a few bankers this weekend. We've got a good sort of value
11:18 tip there from Will Rooney as well, of Aston Villa. We've been promised absolutely 100%
11:23 definitely goals on the menu in the Super Sunday game. So, cue another 0-0 draw. But
11:27 no, I think we will get goals in that one. Will, thank you so much for joining us. It's
11:30 good the season is finally here. Enjoy the action, everybody. We'll be back with the
11:34 next round of games to preview those. But for now, let's get stuck in. The Premier League
11:37 is finally back. Stick with us on National World for all the previews of the games every
11:41 week and midweek as well. Cheers.
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