Well, thank christ that's all over. I hate international football when it isn't the tournament itself. In Europe it is particularly boring where there is such a huge chasm between some teams it is literally like men against boys at times. Why San Marino, Andorra and the like are allowed anywhere near proper football at this level is beyond me. But, as I said, thankfully the leagues all around Europe are back starting today so at least that's something.
Now normally I like to think I have a bit of an edge on the Turkish football as I spend quite a lot of time researching it and I doubt very much whether most bookmakers do. However, this weekend I may put a couple of matches up, but it is the first round of matches so it will be hard to pick with much certainty for a couple of weeks yet. This season in particular should be very interesting in the Super Lig as Fenerbahce are still coming to terms with the scandal around match fixing that engulfed them over the summer. They have mostly sold players with very little being added to the squad. Galatasasray reacted to their own poor season last time by signing all manner of players and are definitely the team to watch for me.
Musical recommendation this week is Osker with Strangled. I'm not sure if many, if any, of you actually enjoy this bit of the blog, but the album Idle Will Kill that this track comes from is fantastic.
Wolves v Tottenham, Saturday 1500
First pick this week comes from a game with two teams whose starts to the season have been very contrasting. Wolves had been something of a yo-yo club before they came up in 2009 under Mick McCarthy and Mick himself had a reputation as being a good manager, but not up to top level standards. But here we are in 2011 and Wolves are still here, and they have started the season looking very good. They will probably still find a European push too much, but they have built a decent squad and should comfortably avoid a relegation fight. The signing of Roger Johnson looks a very good one. The Birmingham defence was generally pretty sound and he was recognised as the better part of it. At Spurs Redknapp's stock continues to fall as the men for White Hart Lane look further away than ever from re-entering the Champions League. Nowhere is this more profoundly seen than with Man City viewing them as so little competition as to loan them Emanuel Adebayor. I'm sure Harry would cry his little eyes out at his 'tiny' squad and few additions, but if you examine his transfers into the club far too many have already been shipped out at a loss. At this stage of the season I think you've got to take them on. Back Wolves at a huge 3.12 with Victor Chandler.
Fulham v Blackburn, Sunday 1600
The afternoon match on Sunday brings my second tip for this weekend. Blackburn are making the trip down to Craven Cottage still looking for a point. They have looked truly hopeless so far and I am looking at the 4.5 I took on them being relegated as being nailed on already. Deadline day saw them finally sign some players, but whether they will be anything like enough to stop the rot is very dubious. The standout names are Scott Dann and Yakubu. Dann was injured for a lot of last season and centre half was not really where the problems lay so whilst I think he's a good player, I don't see that saving them at all. The Yak is an interesting one, he was a cracking player whilst at Portsmouth, but has struggled with 'fitness' issues for most of his time at Everton. He still looks a very large boy and it could take some time for him to bed in, if he does at all. Fulham have only got a solitary point so far as Martin Jol tries to shape the side how he would like. They have lost both away games, but for Fulham that isn't exactly a new story. As ever their problem has layed in scoring goals, with Clint Dempsey stepping up to be the new Tim Cahill and bringing most of their threat from midfield. The addition of Bryan Ruiz from Twente should add the creativity they have badly missed in the last couple of seasons as Danny Murphy's influence wanes. Back Fulham -1.0 asian at 2.25 with Paddy Power.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Kaiserslautern, Saturday 1430
I will avoid Italy's Serie A this weekend as it is the first matches and I'm keen to see how Napoli and Roma start before indulging over there. I'd also like to give Spain a couple more matches before I give any pointers over there. It is very hard to judge someone like Villarreal when they've been turned over by Barcelona as there is only one other team in that league of their quality. Germany is a much more level playing field, and is a big reason behind the growing popularity of the Bundesliga all over Europe. There tend to be goals in most matches and huge noisy crowds. This all adds up to a brilliant product to those who actually like watching the sport itself and the rest of Europe would do well to take a leaf out of ze Germans book. Four games in and we see Monchengladbach have started well with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. They have not lost at home and have scored 5 whilst conceding only 2 at home. Kaiserslautern have started poorly, as tipped by many with a close eye on the Bundesliga, and are yet to win. Looking at this there is only one team to back here. Back Monchengladback at 1.95 with Victor Chandler.
Wolfsburg v Schalke 04, Sunday 1630
The last match of the weekend in Germany sees Felix Magath taking his new side Wolfsburg to his old side Schalke. It's hard not to criticise Magath's management of both sides when you see Schalke flourishing at this early stage and Wolfsburg plunged into despair and with players and fans very unhappy already. Magath is something of a disciplinarian and whilst he has had success in the past, it is beginning to look like his methods have ceased to be effective. Wolfsburg have opened up with 1 win and 3 losses and Magath is already under pressure, pressure he has turned onto his players and seemingly made the problem worse. Schalke have started with 3 wins and 1 loss, they have won both at home and scored 6 whilst only conceding 1 in those two matches. Klaas Jan Huntelaar is finally beginning to find the form that made him such hot property in Holland a few years back and they look set to contend for a Champions League place at the least. I think you have to back Schalke at 2.87, again with Victor Chandler.
AJ Ajaccio v Valenciennes, Saturday 1800
At this early stage of the season in the terminally dull Ligue Un both of these sides look set to struggle. Both are without a win and are looking very poor. In a league renowned for it's lack of goals for newly promoted Ajaccio to have conceded 8 already in only four matches does not bode at all well for their season. Valenciennes have only scored 2 in four matches and currently sit bottom of the table. They have been on the slide for a couple of seasons as far as I am aware and will be unlikely to turn the season around enough to not be involved in the relegation battle. Looking purely at the stats you would have to imagine Valenciennes will get a couple of opportunities judging by Ajaccio's goal difference, but goals have been hard to come by for them. I think this will probably turn out a bore draw. Back the draw at 3.0 with that price widely available.
Montpellier v Nice, Sunday 1600
After four matches in France Montpellier sit proudly atop the league with 3 wins and a loss. They have won both matches at home and were only beaten by an injury time goal in their last match to destroy their unbeaten start. They have also scored 7 goals in their 2 home matches and conceded just 1. Nice have not started quite so well. They are still yet to win and have drawn 3 from 4 and also lost 1. The side was somewhat covered by Loic Remy's goals for a couple of seasons and in his absence they look very short of quality. I would be very surprised if Montpellier continued their form all the way through the season, but right now they are very impressive and Nice will not be looking forward to this match in their current malaise. I am confident Montpellier can get a comfortable win. Back Montpellier -1.0 asian at 2.35 with Bet365.
Eskisehirspor v Besiktas, Saturday 1530
The Turkish Super Lig restarts this weekend and there are a couple of players that should be pretty familiar to some in this country over there now. Eskisehir have signed ex-Rangers goal hanger extraordinaire Kris Boyd after his complete failure to do anything of note in the Championship. He ought to enjoy it more in Turkey though as generally the defending is pretty laissez faire and he will get opportunities. As mentioned there is no form at all at present so it is a mix of last seasons form and gut instinct on these tips. Besiktas did fine last season without setting the world alight like they wanted to after fairly major investment. Eskisehir were solid at home, but lacked goals to turn games, presumably where Boyd comes in. I think at this early stage Besiktas are worth opposing. Back Eskisehirspor Draw No Bet at 2.9 with Coral.
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