ClapThe new Premier League season is right around the corner, as fans of all 20 teams prepare for another nine months of panic, stress, joy and chaos all in equal measure. Alas, while we may be excited about the prospect of football’s top division returning to our screens, there are still a few hurdles that must be navigated.
One of those hurdles is the Premier League Asia Trophy, as reported by PL.com and Manchester Evening News, which is a tournament that a lot of fans question the existence of. Aside from giving Chinese fans a chance to see some of their favourite teams and players, it isn’t seen to be much of an advantage outside of the financial gain side of things.
Before we get to the previews, we do want to clarify our stance: we believe it to be a bit of a waste of time, as a few of the teams involved have already alluded to. The next few weeks should be designated to domestic friendlies and the summer transfer window, because once the actual season starts for real, you’re thrown straight in at the deep end and that’s just the way it is.
Manchester City vs. West Ham United
Manchester City are going to be the clear favourites to get the win here, and that’s even with the consideration of them playing some younger stars in order to give them game time. They’re fresher, they are the reigning champions of the Premier League, and they just seem poised and ready to make a real impact over the course of the next year or so.
West Ham, on the other hand, aren’t messing around with their summer transfer window as they attempt to go after a spot back in Europe. They’re really starting to get after it as they attempt to fulfill their potential, with Pellegrini seemingly being the perfect man at the helm of the club.
This should be a somewhat entertaining game, but City will be too much for West Ham to handle.
Newcastle United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
You’d have to imagine that both of these teams are a bit more concerned about what’s happening off the pitch as opposed to what is happening on it at this moment in time.
Newcastle are struggling to find a replacement manager for the outgoing Rafa Benitez who, after departing, caused a great deal of upset amongst Magpie fans. It was nothing he did, obviously, but it was just the fact that the club let him slip through their fingers so easily.
Wolves, on the other hand, need to bring in some summer signings and fast. They just don’t seem to be pushing forward in an urgent manner in the summer transfer window, which is odd, given that they’ve got a Europa League campaign to navigate their way through.
If they are serious about continuing to push their way up the Premier League table, they’re going to need a series of reinforcements.
In terms of a prediction, we’re going with Newcastle.
