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It's Going To Be A Big Weekend For...
Manchester United
While it seems ludicrous to put pressure on the European Champions after only one game, the timing of their match with Portsmouth (Monday night) means that they could well be five points off the pace before they take the field at Fratton Park.
Given the way they clawed back a poor start last term, that might not be too much of a problem, but the difference is that this game comes before trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge. Given that they're also missing a league game for the European Super Cup, it's conceivable that at the end of the next Ronaldo-less few weeks they could be nine or ten points in arrears.
All of a sudden, the importance of a win against Portsmouth (who admittedly rolled over to have their collective belly tickled at Stamford Bridge) increases tenfold.
Stoke City and West Brom
Obviously, losing your first two games does not mean that relegation will inevitably follow. However, after failing to pick anything up on the opening day, West Brom and Stoke will have put themselves at a significant disadvantage if they don't manage a win in their respective home openers.
Of the two, West Brom will have the better chance. They played some decent football against Arsenal last weekend, but they can hardly have been expected to take anything from that trip.
This Saturday they face an Everton side in something of a pickle. They had to rely on Jack Rodwell (17) to start, and Jose Baxter (16) to come off the bench against Blackburn, and it looks unlikely that they will bring anyone else in by Saturday. They absolutely must strengthen before the end of the transfer window, but at present they are weaker than they are likely to be at any other stage of the season. Under normal circumstances West Brom could almost write these sort of games off, but given Everton's current state, this becomes a genuine opportunity for three points.
In theory, Stoke will not be quite as hopeful. After losing what must be considered one of their more winnable fixtures against Bolton, they meet an Aston Villa side fresh from ploughing through Manchester City, so logically you wouldn't give Stoke a prayer. However, Villa were a frustrating side at times last season, often following a good performance with a disappointing one (losing to Manchester City after beating Chelsea, to Wigan after thrashing Birmingham). Stoke should also be stronger this weekend, with new signing Andrew Davies likely to play, and last season's best player Liam Lawrence should figure after being curiously left out against Bolton.
While on paper they look like tough assignments, these games represent significant chances for the promoted clubs.
Mark Hughes
With a normal, patient, non-trigger happy owner, Mark Hughes would not be too concerned about a first-day loss against a rampant Aston Villa. Unfortunately, Sparky's boss is Thaksin Shinawatra. While the P45 won't be drafted if they lose against West Ham on Sunday, a poor opening to the season will have the Thai human rights enthusiast twitching.
The other thing for Hughes to worry about is his defence. While much of the focus has been on their lack of striking options, City defended abysmally at times against Villa. Gaby Agbonlahor's second and third strikes in particular were helped massively by a shambolic backline, something that will startle seasoned City watchers, especially when you consider the men at the back were Micah Richards and Tal Ben Haim, neither of them mugs.
The potential signing of Vincent Kompany probably won't help too much this weekend, and he is presumably a replacement for Vedran Corluka rather than additional cover. The other problem for City is that they are up against a striker in form, with Dean Ashton leading the West Ham line on the back of a brace last weekend, and looking to prove a point after frustratingly missing out on England duty.
If City are to surpass Eriksson's achievements of last season, as demanded by Thaksin, their defensive wobbles will need to be sorted out pronto.
Luka Modric
It seems likely that Juande Ramos is going to deploy his new Croatian signing as a playmaker in the heart of his midfield. However, Modric was anonymous against Middlesbrough, and if Spurs' uber-attacking, free-flowing system is going to work, then they will need Modric to start pulling the strings, and sharpish.
Djibril Cisse
In theory, Djibril Cisse is perfect for Sunderland's needs at the moment. With Kenwyne Jones injured they needed a striker with power and pace, two things that Cisse has in abundance.
However, Cisse has always been a player who has flattered to deceive. On paper he's almost the perfect striker, but such has been his inconsistency Rafa Benitez and now Eric Gerets at Marseille have deemed him surplus to requirements, despite a decent scoring record (37 in 77 games) in France.
Cisse looks likely to start straight away for his latest side, and he'll have a big point to prove on his return to England.
Nick Miller
