Round 1 fixture

Round 1

Spurs v Benfica

Spurs
---------------------- Lloris ----------------------
----------------------------------------------------
Walker ----- Gallas ----- Vertonghen --- Ekotto
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
--------------- Veloso ----- Modric --------------
----------------------------------------------------
--- Lennon ---------- Mata ------------- Bale ---
----------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Higuain ---------------------

Subs:
Friedal, Naughton, Dawson, Huddlestone, Parker, Defoe, Adebayor

Benfica

(4-4-2)
-------------------Brad Friedel

Maxi Pereira - Ezequiel Garay - Daniel Agger - Eric Abidal

Shinji Kagawa - Marouane Fellaini - Marco Verratti - Nicolas Gaitan

--------Robin Van Persie - Klass-Jan Huntelaar

Subs: Jack Butland, Cristian Zapata, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Ryan Giggs, Eduardo Salvio, Pablo Aimar, Suso


Newcastle v Porto

Newcastle

-----------------Krul
Lichtsteiner---Coloccini---Hummels---Santon
------------Pirlo---Tiote
-------Navas---Cazorla---Ben Arfa
--------------Ibrahimovic

Subs: Cabaye, Sterling, Scholes, Drogba, good, Alnwick, Campbell

Defence: Coloccini to keep tight to Suarez and wind him up in Spanish. Hummels to double up when needed but also to look for Pedro/Podolski coming inside. Wingers to backtrack and assist FBs when needed. Tiote to enforce midfield.

Attack: Pirlo to dictate ebb and flow of game with options ahead. Speed and trickery of wingers & Cazorla to open space in Porto defence, Navas is one of if not the best crosser in Europe so should feed Ibra all night. Ibra to hang on shoulder of last defender and time runs into box to meet crosses.

Porto

---------------------- César ------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ----- Mexes ------ Bonucci ------- Gibbs
--------------------------------------------------------
---- Schweinsteiger ---- Yann M'Vila ------------
--------------------------------------------------------
-- Pedro ---------- Sneijder ----------- Podolski -
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Suarez -------------------------

Subs:- Pinto, Lucio, Naughton, Contento, González, Sahin, Shelvey, Owen

Schalke v Lazio

Schalke

--------------------- Hildebrand ---------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Rafael -------- Howedes ---- Mertesacker ------- Cole
-----------------------------------------------------
------------- Cambiasso ----- Alonso ---------------
Reus ---------------------------------------- Draxler
------------------------ Kaka -----------------------
---------------------- David Villa --------------------

Subs
Unnerstall
Metzelder
Carvalho
van Bommel
Lampard
Maxi R
Berbatov

Lazio

---------------- Carrizo ----------------
- Konko – Luiz – Terry (c) – Bertrand -
-------- Ledesma – Hernanes ---------
---- Shaqiri –-- Holtby –-- Hazard ----
--------------- Mandzukic --------------

Team Talks:
We’ve got a lot of creativity in our ranks; I want short, sharp passes to feet. Schalke are beatable and have major weak points that we can exploit to our advantage.

Attacking Tactics:
* Ledesma, create from deep, supply the front men with accurate passes. Make them count
* Hernanes, look to get in advanced positions and create for our front four.
* Hazard & Shaqiri, look to get at their fullbacks. This is key area I want us to exploit. Rafael & Cole are going to favour getting forward leaving you with plenty of room to manoeuvre.
* Holtby, I want you to exploit the gaps. They’re going to want to close down Hazard and Shaqiri leaving you space to make them pay.
* Mandzukic, be a predator in front of goal. Look to get at Mertesacker, he’s prone to making mistakes.

Defending Tactics:
* Play a deep line to cope with the pace of their attack
* Luiz & Terry, be dominant and commanding in defence, win your battles and take no risks.
* Konko & Bertrand, Limit your runs, don’t leave us light at the back. Try to isolate their wingers.
* Holtby, look to stifle Alonso to reduce their playmaking chances.
* Ledesma, stay tight to Kaka. He’s getting on and not the player he used to be. Just a name.


Napoli v Roma

Napoli

--------------------De Sanctis
------Campagnaro---Cannavaro---Subotic
Maggio----------Inler--------Bender-------De Marcos
-----------Hamsik----------------Lavezzi
----------------------Cavani

Subs: Rosati, Zuniga, Gamberini, Dzemaili, Insigne


Roma

-------------Stekelenburg---------------

--Cassani---Burdisso---Castan----Balzaretti------------

-----------------------De Rossi (C)--------------

-----Gutierrez----------------------------Martin------------

---------------------------Pjanic---------------------------

----------------------Cisse------Ba---------------------------------

Team News: Marvin Martin, Matia Cassani, Demba ba, Papiss Cisse, Jonas Gutierrez all make their debuts in a strong looking Roma side

Captain: De Rossi

Subs: Lobont (gk), Marquinhos,Bradley,Perrotta,Totti,Osvaldo

First game of the season, let's look to hit the ground running. Put out a strong side for this game, with many debutants. Bound to be some rustiness in first 20 minutes however after that we will look to play free flowing football.

De Rossi is the midfield anchor, one of the best DM'S in world football will look to protect the back four and make sure the ball is distributed to the wingers at a good pace. Cassani at RB will look to get forward and support Gutierrez, whilst Marvin Martin will have to help Balzaretti out at LB. The wingers will look to beat the full backs, whilst also bringing Pjanic into the game who will look to thread the ball to the frontmen. Cisse and Ba are natural goalscroers and are in cracking form in RL. Both will look to get into the box for chances...however midfielders and strikers can shoot from range if the chance is there..

subs: 60mins: Totti for Pjanic. 70mins: Osvaldo for Ba. Bradley for Martin

Valencia v Atletico Madrid

Valencia

-------------------- Buffon

Pereira -------- Rami ----- Vidic ---------- Evra

--------------- Gago ---- Banega

-------------------- Xavi

Robben --------------------------------- Piatti

------------------ Soldado

T Howard
V Ruiz
A Barragán
D Albelda
S Canales
C Tello
N Valdez

Aletico Madrid

--------------Asenjo--------------
Godin----Puyol-------Rio--------Luis
----------------Yaya---------
---Turan--------Ozil-----------Ronaldinho
-----------------------------------
---------Falcao-----Tevez-----------

Subs: S Pereira, Raul Garcia, Abou Diaby, Diego Costa

ROMA TACTICS VS Napoli

-------------Stekelenburg---------------

--Cassani---Burdisso---Castan----Balzaretti------------

-----------------------De Rossi (C)--------------

-----Gutierrez----------------------------Martin------------

---------------------------Pjanic---------------------------

----------------------Cisse------Ba---------------------------------

Team News: Marvin Martin, Matia Cassani, Demba ba, Papiss Cisse, Jonas Gutierrez all make their debuts in a strong looking Roma side

Injuries: NONE

Captain: De Rossi

Subs: Lobont (gk), Marquinhos,Bradley,Perrotta,Totti,Osvaldo

First game of the season, let's look to hit the ground running. Put out a strong side for this game, with many debutants. Bound to be some rustiness in first 20 minutes however after that we will look to play free flowing football.

De Rossi is the midfield anchor, one of the best DM'S in world football will look to protect the back four and make sure the ball is distributed to the wingers at a good pace. Cassani at RB will look to get forward and support Gutierrez, whilst Marvin Martin will have to help Balzaretti out at LB. The wingers will look to beat the full backs, whilst also bringing Pjanic into the game who will look to thread the ball to the frontmen. Cisse and Ba are natural goalscroers and are in cracking form in RL. Both will look to get into the box for chances...however midfielders and strikers can shoot from range if the chance is there..

subs: 60mins: Totti for Pjanic. 70mins: Osvaldo for Ba. Bradley for Martin

Schalke 04 side (vs Lazio (H))

--------------------- Hildebrand ---------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Rafael -------- Howedes ---- Mertesacker ------- Cole
-----------------------------------------------------
------------- Cambiasso ----- Alonso ---------------
Reus ---------------------------------------- Draxler
------------------------ Kaka -----------------------
---------------------- David Villa --------------------

Subs
Unnerstall
Metzelder
Carvalho
van Bommel
Lampard
Maxi R
Berbatov

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTO FC STARTING 11:-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------- César ------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ----- Mexes ------ Bonucci ------- Gibbs
--------------------------------------------------------
---- Schweinsteiger ---- Yann M'Vila ------------
--------------------------------------------------------
-- Pedro ---------- Sneijder ----------- Podolski -
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Suarez -------------------------

Subs:- Pinto, Lucio, Naughton, Contento, González, Sahin, Shelvey, Owen

Spurs v Benfica

4-4-2

Brad Friedel

Maxi Pereira - Ezequiel Garay - Daniel Agger - Eric Abidal

Shinji Kagawa - Marouane Fellaini - Marco Verratti - Nicolas Gaitan

Robin Van Persie - Klass-Jan Huntelaar

Subs: Jack Butland, Cristian Zapata, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Ryan Giggs, Eduardo Salvio, Pablo Aimar, Suso

Newcastle v Porto

Krul
Lichtsteiner---Coloccini---Hummels---Santon
Pirlo---Tiote
Navas---Cazorla---Ben Arfa
Ibrahimovic

Subs: Cabaye, Sterling, Scholes, Drogba, good, Alnwick, Campbell

Tactics

Spoiler:

PREDICTIONS ARE NOW OPEN!!!

Spurs 2 - 1 Benfica
Mata -------- Van Persie
Modric

Spurs took all three points but were pushed to the wire to earn it as Benfica came close to a late equaliser when Huntelaar's strike smacked the bar. Earlier on Mata combined with Higuain and raced clear to tuck it under the keeper's legs for the opener. Benfica attacked and RVP's header was a derserved equaliser and that gave them momentum. However it was Spurs that scored after Bale countered and raced through and squared to Modric for the winner.
----
Newcastle 1 - 1 Porto
Ibrahimovic ------ Suarez

Both strikers for either team were on target but neither could get a second goal to claim all 3 points. The home side started brightly and gained an advantage after Ben Arfa whipped a terrific cross in and Ibrahimovic volley it in with ease. Porto began to quicken their passing and Suarez was finding space away from Tiote and it was Suarez's movement that made it easy for him to equalise. Suarez ran forward and then bolted backwards onto Sneijder's pass and shot low and hard to equalise.
----
Schalke 1 - 1 Lazio
Reus ----------- Mandzukic

Schalke will be kicking themselves after they spurned several chances to increase their lead when Reus curled a beauty. Alonso was fed by Reus and he shot wide. Lazio became more comfortable and passed more effectively but again Schalke had to thank Carrizo after he stopped Kaka's shot when he should have scored. Shaqiri then tricked his way past both Draxler and Cole and found Mandzukic who volleyed for the equaliser. Schalke tried to pile pressure but Lazio held firm and took the draw.
-----
Napoli 1 - 1 Roma
Hamsik ---- Ba

Naopli started the game with 3 at the back and it seemed a good tactic initially as Roma were outnumbered in midfield and it showed as Hamsik and Lavezzi attacked without much resistant from Roma. De Rossi needed help from Gutierez but that meant that Roma would pushed back. However, Cisse dropped back to help and left Ba on his own which made a difference. Cisse regained the ball and found Ba in acres of space and he dazzled Cannavaro before sliding his shot neatly around the keeper. Roma changed their shaped and pushed Lavezzi further forward and he caused havoc by moving the Roma defence. It was Lavezzi's clever movement that allowed Hamsik space and he drilled home the equaliser.

Spurs v Benfica
2-1 Higuain, Mata - RVP
Would like to see the Spurs manager put more of his stamp on the team but it does have a nice balance to it. Veloso is for me a poor guy to bring in to assist Modric in the centre, Parker would have been better.
For Benfica his midfield is possibly a bit naive, Fellaini is increasingly getting forward and Verratti whilst full of promise is only a handful of games into his PSG career as a 19 year old. Also not keen on Kagawa being stuck out on the wing whilst RVP & Huntelaar is not a partnership that I believe works. Promising start to the build Marky is making but still a fair bit to be done to give balance.

Schalke v Lazio
1-1 Reus - Hazard
Love the blend of experience and youth in the Schalke set up though I do think defensively they look very vulnerable on the right hand side with an attack minded Rafael not going to get much help from Reus who tends to operate very high up the pitch. Cambiasso is not the player he was and is very much living off past performances in these type of leagues and Villa is struggling in RL to regain his form prior to injury.
For Lazio I think the attacking midfield options are fantastic and in Manduck a great steal up front, Hernanes I personally think needs to be further upfield and I can see this leaving them a little light on strength in the midfield.

Napoli v Roma
1-0 Cavani
Italian grudge match here and I could see both sides ending with 10 men. Inlet v De Rossi should be a great battle in the centre with De Rossi not the player he was. Think that Napoli will be very hard to break down with that set up all season and the forward trio have wonderful understanding. Roma have brought in the trio from Newcastle but I don't think Ba and Cisse click that well together, one always seems to blow hot whilst the other cold. Personally I'd be looking to improve the Roma wings.


Valencia v Atletico
2-3 Xavi, Soldado - Falcao x2, Tevez
Two teams that some real top names but both that I don't think have got a good chemistry going yet. For Madrid they have 2 centrebacks in the twilight of their career and if faced with pace I could see them really struggle, Id personally look to use just one of those and have a paced centreback to assist. Xavi I prefer in a deeper controlling role and Id have a 4-3-2-1 formation probably. Valencia's midfield whilst strong on paper I think is too cavalier, Yayas strength is bulldozing through teams but with Ozil ahead he'll not have the remit to which is a shame, the front pairing though of Falcao and Tevez sounds fantastic.

Predictions:

Spurs vs. Benfica

2-2
Mata & Higuain - RVP & Huntelaar
A tight contest, I think the midfield battle would be an interesting one. Veloso is a weak point IMO. He’s not the player that he was touted to be. Spurs have excellent options going forward but need to improve defensively. Gallas is an obvious weak point but believe Spurs defence as a whole, IRL have been. With the likes of RVP and Huntelaar running at them they’re going to struggle.

Newcastle Vs. Porto
1-0
Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic going up against Bonucci and Mexes, there is only one clear winner. Defensive improvements need to be made. Mexes is a liability and believe he has shown that over his career. I believe Ibrahimovic would walk all over the especially with the supple of Pirlo, Cazorla and Navas. Porto suffer going forward as Suarez isn’t an out and out striker. He needs to be playing off someone to get the best out of him.

Napoli vs. Roma
2-1
Cavani & Lavezzi - Ba
Soddy did right in bringing Lavezzi back to the Stadio San Paolo, putting the effective trio of Cavani, Hamsik & Cavani. Napoli would dominate from start to finish. Don’t see anything coming from the Roma team. Maybe the odd goal from either Ba or Cisse but from out of nothing rather than good play. I think they need improvements, bring in someone who dictate the play, like Pirlo.

Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid
3-2
Soldado x2 Robben – Falcao & Tevez
I think this would be a high scoring game with both teams having plenty of talent going forward and not having enough defensive quality. Puyol and Rio are passed it and they’d struggle with Godin playing RB. Especially going up against Piatti. I think Valencia are slightly better with Rami but need to improve on Vidic, don’t think he’s had much football IRL in recent months.

Spurs vs Benfica

4-2: Modric (2) Ekotto (1) Lennon (1) Fellaini (2)

Newcastle vs Porto

3-1: Tiote (1) Ben arfa (1) Navas (1) Podolski (1)

Schalke vs Lazio

2-0: Villa (2)

Valencia vs Athletico

1-1: Soladado (1) Puyol (1)

Spurs 2-1 Benfica
Mata, Higuain
van Persie

This game was end-to-end stuff as both of these sides are notably better in attack. Indeed, both defences could do with some reinforcement and this was exploited through careless goals from both sides. Robin van Persie continued his great run, capitalising on lacklustre defending from Gallas to put Benfica ahead. Spurs going forward are always a threat, Juan Mata particularly impressing, and it wasn't long before the Spaniard began to pull strings. He scored himself before a fantastic diagonal was met by Higuain who volleyed past the keeper.

===

Newcastle 2-2 FC Porto
Ibrahimovic, Cazorla
Pedro, Schweinsteiger

Again, this game was full of action as both sides' defences have been neglected. Newcastle have a fantastic front-quartet and Ben Arfa and Cazorla caused Porto problems all day. Ibrahimovic revelled against a weak Porto backline, scoring the opener as he rolled his man to head in at the far post. Porto are not short of offensive talent, the in-form Pedro scoring with his first touch. The tricky Spanish winger then grew in confidence and dominated the game, cutting it back to Schweinsteiger to steer Porto ahead. Although Porto are superior in midfield, M'Vila was surprisingly caught napping as Cazorla strolled into the area to equalise late on.

===

Schalke 04 1-0 Lazio
David Villa

Schalke are the stronger side but made hard-work of beating a resolute Lazio side. The German outfit's midfield is particularly impressive, Cambiasso and Alonso forming a balanced partnership which will overwhelm the majority of midfields at the moment. Lazio have been sensible in the transfer market and their defensive solidarity looked set to earn them a well-deserved point, but for a moment of magic from David Villa. The enigmatic striker jostled with Terry before volleying from no less than 25 yards into the top corner.

===

Napoli 0-0 AS Roma

This was easily the worst game of the week as both sides lacked a will to go and win the game. As could be expected with two Italian sides, the emphasis was on not losing the game and, in that respect, both sides succeeded. Napoli's formation was mind-boggling at times, so much so that their players even seemed confused throughout. Roma have made scarce improvements in the transfer market and, unfortunately, it's clear that both of these sides need renovation if they are to avoid propping up the table.

===

Spurs 3-1 Benfica
higuain,bale,mata
rvp
A good game overall with lots of goals, Spurs were to strong for benfica as bale,mata,higuain
were threats throughout and capped off fine individual displays with a goal each, rvp however
managed to score for benfica but it was not enough Huntelaar and rvp caused some problems
for benfica but were unable to find the back off the net.

Schalke 1-0 Lazio
villa
very close match, which overall Lazio probably shaded, but it was Schalke who came away
happy. A strike by Villa in the second half after breaking a strong Lazio defense who looked
set to score first. it was Mandzukic who caused problems for Schalke who managed to score
but was given offside. Both teams came close to score when villa miss judged the ball from
kaka and headed wide and it was Hazard who hit the cross bar.

Napoli 1-1 Roma
Lavezzi
ba
A nice performance from both sides saw them divide the points between themselves and some
good goalkeeping from both keepers to prevent more goals. Roma took an early lead when
de rossi's amazing through ball found ba which was chipped over the goalkeeper and found
the back off the net. Napoli however came strong in the second half and a moment off brilliance
from Lavezzi who scored with a mazy run and a tidy finish into the corner of the net.


Valencia 1-1 Athletico
robben
Falcao
This was a match between the best attack in the league against the strongest defence. Again a
very good and close game which Ended in a draw. It was Valencia who scored first when Robben
put them infront with a strong run and snap shot past Asenjo. however falcao did managed to
score later in the second half when tevez found falcao who tapped in to level the game again.

Newcastle 1 - 1 FC Porto
Ben Arfa : Podolski

Two strong sides on show here. I like the additions that Newcastle have made, strengthened in the right areas. Porto's midfield is tugable, has the right balance and has all the necessary skills between them. The defence could do with some work though, I think this is where Newcastle will exploit Porto, especially down the flanks. Overall, a draw is a fair result.

Schalke 2 - 1 Lazio
Villa, Rafael : Hazard

Schalke side looks good and will be too much for Lazio, at home. If I had to pick holes, would improve the wings and the keeper. The bench resembles a nursing home, but a lot of quality there. Lazio have made improvements, but could do with a master in the sticks and an enforcer in the middle - someone to grab games by the balls and be a warrior. Yaya-esc.

Napoli 0 - 0 Roma

A pretty dull affair between two sides trying to find their feet with the new signings. Roma's attacking duo threatened constantly, but Napoli's defensive trio and goalkeeper put in a shift to hold them out. Hard to see where the goals are coming from with the two formations cancelling eachother out.

Valencia 2 - 2 Atletico
Vidic, Robben : Falcao, Yaya

Two good sides here, made good additions in the right areas. Good midfield battle with plenty of quality for both sides. Honours even here (again) Atletico will take the draw, towards the end Valencia were dominating and another 10 minutes would have seen them win, bench is looking a bit bleak.

Newcastle 3-2 Porto
An open game with all the flair players on show, but I feel the pairing at CB of Coloccini and Hummels did a lot more than Mexes and Bonucci did, and it was the difference as while plenty of goals were scored, Coloccini and Hummels did more to stop Suarez and Sneijder than Mexes and Bonucci did to stop Ibrahimovic and Cazorla.

Schalke 0-1 Lazio
A tight game, both sides seemed to cancel each other out except when Hazard was up against Rafael, this is where the game was won as Hazard tormented Rafael and created the only goal on a plate for Mandzukic who is in fine form.

Napoli 2-1 Roma
Roma look strong going forward but seem to lack the defence to handle Napoli's front three, Lavezzi and Hamsik creating the goals for Cavani. Napoli's 3 CB's play well to limit Cisse and Ba to only 1 goal between them, and with plenty of missed chances Napoli get the win.

Valencia 1-3 Atletico Madrid
Valencia are a very strong team, but Atletico appear to be the Galacticos this season. Falcao and Tevez are unstoppable, and with Ozil behind them there's only so much Vidic and Rami can do. Soldado with a late consolation.

Tottenham 2 - 1 Benfica
Mata -------------- RvP
Higuain

Benfica are well set up and hard to break down but overall Spurs have the greater quality especially up front where Mata and Higuain formed a fine partnership. Defensively Spurs have their weaknesses and the quality of RvP got his side back into the match but utlimately they were unable to force a draw.


Newcastle United 0 - 1 Porto
-------------------------- Suarez

These are going to be two very good sides if the initial investment is maintained. Hero, as ever, has done well at Newcastle and brought in some quality. Captainunited has done a superb job at Porto and now has a formidable midfield with quality out wide and up front. Not much between these two today but that extra quality from the visitors was enough to take the points with a fine finish from their Uruguayan marksman.


Napoli 1 - 0 Roma
Cavani

Napoli's front 3 are re-united and today they were instrumental in claiming the points for the home side. The midfield area was so crowded especially with Roma playing so narrow that the away side struggled to make inroads into the Napoli defence. The home side played with 2 wingbacks and they got in round the outside to provide the greater chances for their front men. Cavani with a cool finish midway through the first half scored the only goal.


Valencia 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid
Soldado
Xavi

Atletico are very much in transition for me. They have some top players but the balance of the side is not right at present. Yaya had to stay deep and his qualities supporting the attack were missed. Ronaldinho will have some good days but they will be the exception rather than the norm. Overall the balance meant they were not able to compete with the home side who dominated the majority of the match and scored either side of half time for an opening day victory. They too need to strengthen in certain areas but overall look a decent outfit. Atletico also need to strengthen defence where lack of pace is a real concern.