neilovan

Wow what a shower from Man United. Never saw that coming. Plan 'A' was poor, and there was no plan 'B'.
The style of play was awful. A mixture of the worst of Moyes and van Gaal. Back sideways, with no pace. No play maker, no directness.
Just awful.

Initially I was annoyed with the way Mourinho set up and played against Liverpool. But then I began to understand more...
In a busy week of Liverpool away, Fenerbache at home and Chelsea away, he could not afford to start the week with a loss. A proper hiding would have been very damaging, to moral, confidence, tactics and the team in general. It also would have a knock on effect on the next three games (Fenerbache, Chelsea away, Man City at home .... league cup). A very tricky run.
In addition a Liverpool win, would have given Liverpool so much more confidence so giving them 3 points was never really an option.
Also, by Man City slipping up against Everton, United could have a 'positive' week, gaining a point on the league leaders. 
But it is pretty obvious that he does not trust some of his players in certain formations. He trusted them against Man CIty at home and they were clueless. At this moment in time he has inherited just too much dead wood from van Gaal. Terrible to poor signings (Darmian (12.7m), dePie (25m) , Rojo (16m),  Schweinsteiger (14m), would have been better served by another potential superstar (de Bryne or Renato Sanches).
Make no mistake, Mourinho wants to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge like oxygen. He has kept his ego quiet, but he wants to rub his ex employers faces in the dirt. For me this game is really the focus of his week...If you asked him if he would take a draw and a win in two away games against Liverpool and Chelsea he would answer YES. Ask him where he would prefer to win... I think he would answer Chelsea every time.
I think Zlatan is a good player, but he is coming to the end of his time. Both him and Rooney are blunting United by their lack of pace.
Zlatan is not working hard enough, and I hate to see 'lazy offside' when a striker walks back from a deep position. For me that action should be fined !
Let United rather play a 442 and play Martial and Rashford upfront (mArtial needs some confidence but scored  17 goals in  one season under van Gaal). 
2 midfield starters are  automatic  Pogba, Mikatarian. Then choose  (Herera, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Lingaard, Schneiderlin ) for the other 2 spots. Choose accordingly. Rooney or Fellaini can play as holding midfielders, Mata and Carrick can create, Young and  Lingaard can provide width, Herrera and Schniederlin are versatile).
Standard back four with wing backs Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, and Luke Shaw. Realistically, I would like to see Fosu Mensah come in at right back at some stage. Young guy with level head and huge talent.
If Chelsea play a back three, I think they lose this game badly. They just don't have  the mobility to match a hard running midfield, that will overload them (wide), and then move the ball quickly. Terry is not quick enough, and is far more suited to a back 4. Cahill looks like he has a mistake in him almost every game.
For me United win here easily, with a Mourinho tactical masterclass.
 
Two teams gong in opposite directions are Stoke and Hull. Hull started with a bang, but have lost 5 of their last 6 games. Many predicted a 20th spot in the league, and I think they will be right at the bottom. The 6-1 thrashing from Bournemouth was very damaging, because it's a game where Hull would expect to compete, reasonably evenly. I think Stoke win here, probably to NIL. I would also consider the NO BTTS in this game.
 
I think the Monday game against United will definitely help Liverpool against WBA. How to break down a defensive opponent ? Liverpool will have to develop this side of their game, because it's going to become the 'norm' as they get better and better.  Fergie's United could do it, and understood to do it, but it takes practice and practice. One thing Klopp has brought to Liverpool is the quick start. Dortmund did it for years, and blew teams away early. I think Liverpool are playing a similar style. High press, energy, catch em early. The Liverpool HT/FT WIN WIN is the way to go here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Initially I was annoyed with the way Mourinho set up and played against Liverpool. But then I began to understand more...
In a busy week of Liverpool away, Fenerbache at home and Chelsea away, he could not afford to start the week with a loss. A proper hiding would have been very damaging, to moral, confidence, tactics and the team in general. It also would have a knock on effect on the next three games (Fenerbache, Chelsea away, Man City at home .... league cup). A very tricky run.
In addition a Liverpool win, would have given Liverpool so much more confidence so giving them 3 points was never really an option.
Also, by Man City slipping up against Everton, United could have a 'positive' week, gaining a point on the league leaders. 
But it is pretty obvious that he does not trust some of his players in certain formations. He trusted them against Man CIty at home and they were clueless. At this moment in time he has inherited just too much dead wood from van Gaal. Terrible to poor signings (Darmian (12.7m), dePie (25m) , Rojo (16m),  Schweinsteiger (14m), would have been better served by another potential superstar (de Bryne or Renato Sanches).
Make no mistake, Mourinho wants to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge like oxygen. He has kept his ego quiet, but he wants to rub his ex employers faces in the dirt. For me this game is really the focus of his week...If you asked him if he would take a draw and a win in two away games against Liverpool and Chelsea he would answer YES. Ask him where he would prefer to win... I think he would answer Chelsea every time.
I think Zlatan is a good player, but he is coming to the end of his time. Both him and Rooney are blunting United by their lack of pace.
Zlatan is not working hard enough, and I hate to see 'lazy offside' when a striker walks back from a deep position. For me that action should be fined !
Let United rather play a 442 and play Martial and Rashford upfront (mArtial needs some confidence but scored  17 goals in  one season under van Gaal). 
2 midfield starters are  automatic  Pogba, Mikatarian. Then choose  (Herera, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Lingaard, Schneiderlin ) for the other 2 spots. Choose accordingly. Rooney or Fellaini can play as holding midfielders, Mata and Carrick can create, Young and  Lingaard can provide width, Herrera and Schniederlin are versatile).
Standard back four with wing backs Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, and Luke Shaw. Realistically, I would like to see Fosu Mensah come in at right back at some stage. Young guy with level head and huge talent.
If Chelsea play a back three, I think they lose this game badly. They just don't have  the mobility to match a hard running midfield, that will overload them (wide), and then move the ball quickly. Terry is not quick enough, and is far more suited to a back 4. Cahill looks like he has a mistake in him almost every game.
For me United win here easily, with a Mourinho tactical masterclass.
 
Two teams gong in opposite directions are Stoke and Hull. Hull started with a bang, but have lost 5 of their last 6 games. Many predicted a 20th spot in the league, and I think they will be right at the bottom. The 6-1 thrashing from Bournemouth was very damaging, because it's a game where Hull would expect to compete, reasonably evenly. I think Stoke win here, probably to NIL. I would also consider the NO BTTS in this game.
 
I think the Monday game against United will definitely help Liverpool against WBA. How to break down a defensive opponent ? Liverpool will have to develop this side of their game, because it's going to become the 'norm' as they get better and better.  Fergie's United could do it, and understood to do it, but it takes practice and practice. One thing Klopp has brought to Liverpool is the quick start. Dortmund did it for years, and blew teams away early. I think Liverpool are playing a similar style. High press, energy, catch em early. The Liverpool HT/FT WIN WIN is the way to go here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Initially I was annoyed with the way Mourinho set up and played against Liverpool. But then I began to understand more...
In a busy week of Liverpool away, Fenerbache at home and Chelsea away, he could not afford to start the week with a loss. A proper hiding would have been very damaging, to moral, confidence, tactics and the team in general. It also would have a knock on effect on the next three games (Fenerbache, Chelsea away, Man City at home .... league cup). A very tricky run.
In addition a Liverpool win, would have given Liverpool so much more confidence so giving them 3 points was never really an option.
Also, by Man City slipping up against Everton, United could have a 'positive' week, gaining a point on the league leaders. 
But it is pretty obvious that he does not trust some of his players in certain formations. He trusted them against Man CIty at home and they were clueless. At this moment in time he has inherited just too much dead wood from van Gaal. Terrible to poor signings (Darmian (12.7m), dePie (25m) , Rojo (16m),  Schweinsteiger (14m), would have been better served by another potential superstar (de Bryne or Renato Sanches).
Make no mistake, Mourinho wants to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge like oxygen. He has kept his ego quiet, but he wants to rub his ex employers faces in the dirt. For me this game is really the focus of his week...If you asked him if he would take a draw and a win in two away games against Liverpool and Chelsea he would answer YES. Ask him where he would prefer to win... I think he would answer Chelsea every time.
I think Zlatan is a good player, but he is coming to the end of his time. Both him and Rooney are blunting United by their lack of pace.
Zlatan is not working hard enough, and I hate to see 'lazy offside' when a striker walks back from a deep position. For me that action should be fined !
Let United rather play a 442 and play Martial and Rashford upfront (mArtial needs some confidence but scored  17 goals in  one season under van Gaal). 
2 midfield starters are  automatic  Pogba, Mikatarian. Then choose  (Herera, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Lingaard, Schneiderlin ) for the other 2 spots. Choose accordingly. Rooney or Fellaini can play as holding midfielders, Mata and Carrick can create, Young and  Lingaard can provide width, Herrera and Schniederlin are versatile).
Standard back four with wing backs Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, and Luke Shaw. Realistically, I would like to see Fosu Mensah come in at right back at some stage. Young guy with level head and huge talent.
If Chelsea play a back three, I think they lose this game badly. They just don't have  the mobility to match a hard running midfield, that will overload them (wide), and then move the ball quickly. Terry is not quick enough, and is far more suited to a back 4. Cahill looks like he has a mistake in him almost every game.
For me United win here easily, with a Mourinho tactical masterclass.
 
Two teams gong in opposite directions are Stoke and Hull. Hull started with a bang, but have lost 5 of their last 6 games. Many predicted a 20th spot in the league, and I think they will be right at the bottom. The 6-1 thrashing from Bournemouth was very damaging, because it's a game where Hull would expect to compete, reasonably evenly. I think Stoke win here, probably to NIL. I would also consider the NO BTTS in this game.
 
I think the Monday game against United will definitely help Liverpool against WBA. How to break down a defensive opponent ? Liverpool will have to develop this side of their game, because it's going to become the 'norm' as they get better and better.  Fergie's United could do it, and understood to do it, but it takes practice and practice. One thing Klopp has brought to Liverpool is the quick start. Dortmund did it for years, and blew teams away early. I think Liverpool are playing a similar style. High press, energy, catch em early. The Liverpool HT/FT WIN WIN is the way to go here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Just looking at 4 different viewpoints for the upcoming weeks games. Lawrenson (bbc), Merson (Sky) , Ian Wright (from TV football today) and myself.
All four have gone for an Arsenal win against Swansea. 2-0 being the most popular predicted scoreline. In this game I think the NO BTTS will also be a winner, and probably the Arsenal to win to NIL.
Bournemouth also have a 4 of 4 predicting a win for them. They drew last game out but hit the woodwork 3 times, scoring 2 goals as well.
Spurs to win away at WBA also had a 4-0 pundits sweep. WBA to fail to score in all 4 selections. Southampton also expected to win. All 4 going for the home win here.
 
 Looking at the Liverpool v Man United game you need to understand two things.
1) Teams are not as bad as people think they are, and on the flip side, not as good as you think they are. This is especially true in a low scoring sport like soccer. Realistically Stoke should have been buried by HT against United. They have 1 half decent attack, the keeper saves it, it bounces off the cross bar and falls at a Stoke players feet. Pogba misses a sitter late in the game as the ball crashes (again) into the cross bar. 
2) In sport there is a fair element of luck involved. Penalties that are not given, offside decisions that are wrong, shots that hit the bar and stay out, deflections that score goals, strikers that miss from 5 yards out, general weird stuff that is totally unplanned. And this is magnified in soccer because scoring goals is so difficult ! 
Man United just have such a good record against Liverpool in the League. They have beaten them 7 times in 9 games. In my opinion United will get better and better this season. Small adjustments like Rashford starting, Herrera instead of Fellaini in midfield (a much smarter, technically better player), Rooney on the bench, Pogba not trying to do too much, a fit Luke Shaw and Mikatarian will make a big difference. They have HUGE scope for improvement ... how much better can Liverpool play ? I'm not sure. Maybe they could get a replacement for Moreno ...  Eventually the high tempo, high press, high work rate takes it's toll. Injuries and burnout happen, so it's almost like Klopp needs a perfect balance between that game, and a more energy conserving approach... It's may work in the Bundesliga, with a winter break, but players could be flat/outta gas in early January in the EPL...
The key to United's game is to beat the high press. They know what Liverpool are about, and would have been working on beating the press for a week at least. I expect them to have a game plan that will do this, and this is going to create a very open game, with goals. Expecting a Liverpool easy win here is a mistake.
 
 
 
 
 

Man United v Leicester
At some stage Man United will get better. First they have to understand that pace and a fast tempo, makes space and leads to goals. You either have to have players with pace, or you have to move the ball quickly. The slow van Gaal build up just does not work in today's game. Miles have been written about finding a place for Rooney, and getting the structure right. Yet, there are other, simpler things that can be solved immediately.  Show some love and smile a little. In such a position of privilege, why are people not enjoying it more !!! Put in some effort and sweat some. Leave it out there. I see professional players walk around, and not produce a drop of sweat. What is that ? Look at Rafa Nadal, he sweats buckets ... win or lose, he knows he gives 100% every time.
Easy Man U line up for me  de Gea     Bailly   Smalling   Blind   Shaw      Mikatarian  Pogba  Herrera  Carrick        Zlatan    Rashford
I think this one will be a very open game. Leicester don't really press the attacker. They are happy to surrender possession  and play a counter attacking game. At this stage it's a game Man United have to win, and I think they will do it. I think Rooney playing midweek is a big clue that he probably does not start today.
Arsenal v Chelsea.
I have not been impressed that much with Chelsea this season. I thought they would be a lot better. They have played Liverpool, Swansea, Burnley,  Watford and West Ham. Apart from the Liverpool game, it looks like 4 games against this seasons bottom half of the league.
Here's quite an interesting stat for you ... Arsenal have not lost a 1st half in any of their last 16 league games. They finished last season 11 games unbeaten in the 1st half, scoring 13 conceding 4 (best 1st half goal diff in league with Leicester). This season they have scored 6 and conceded 2 in 5 games.  FOr me this season's Arsenal team is better than last season. They are still missing a 20 goal striker (another story), but I think they will get past Chelsea  2-1 or 3-1.
Stoke v WBA  ... West Ham v Saints
Struggling teams can only do one thing to stop the slump. They have to tighten up defensively. If it means that you lose some of your goal threat, then so be it.  They cannot afford to go a goal behind. In addition, even at such an early stage, they can't afford to have direct competitors take 3 points (Burnley v Watford or Sunderland v Crystal Palace).
Stoke, West Ham, Hull, Sunderland and  Bournemouth are all struggling. I think these teams in the situations that they are in, produce low scoring games. Realistically they have no choice !
 
 

These games scare me. Nothing is known about the team/combination the managers put out. How can you predict anything ?
Is the manager playing his best 11 or is he resting people. ie. Do Newcastle care about the Cup, or are they really only focused on getting back into the premier league ? What kind of team will Rineiri put out against Chelsea ?
What will Jose do ... he surely expects whatever team he puts out to beat Northampton, but its a double edged sword. Everyone he plays in this game gets the 'I'm second rate feeling', so they start off demotivated and pissed off . Hopefully he pulls the trigger and experiments a little with his starting line up and formation.
These games are landmines !
 

Wow, watched the United game and it was painful. For a second there I thought van Gaal was still in charge 
You could see how badly he spent 200 million pounds, because not one player he bought had any impact on the game.
Energy - low, Pace - low, Speed -low,desire -low, intensity - low.
It took them into the 90th minute to have a shot on target. 1 SHOT ON GOAL IN 91 MINUTES. !!!
It also does not help when the Feynoord player was offside when getting the through ball.
Glad I dodged this bullet 

Good call.  

Some ridiculous offside rulings and incredible misses

I think Liverpool will beat Chelsea. My feeling is that Luis is a liability, and missing John Terry is huge.
I just don't think Chelsea have the legs to deal with Liverpool's movement, and will lose in an open game shoot out !

Wow, watched the United game and it was painful. For a second there I thought van Gaal was still in charge 
You could see how badly he spent 200 million pounds, because not one player he bought had any impact on the game.
Energy - low, Pace - low, Speed -low,desire -low, intensity - low.
It took them into the 90th minute to have a shot on target. 1 SHOT ON GOAL IN 91 MINUTES. !!!
It also does not help when the Feynoord player was offside when getting the through ball.
Glad I dodged this bullet 

7 teams have not won a 1st half of any of the 4 games played this season.
Stoke, Swansea, Sunderland, Southampton, West Brom, West Ham, Crystal Palace.
Stoke have just 1 1st half point, Swansea, Sunderland and Southampton just 2 points. In addition, neither Stoke, Swansea or Sunderland have scored a 1st half goal. These slow starts are actually quite predictable. These teams are battling. Out of form, losing players, poor transfer windows,  lacking in confidence.  My feeling is that for Stoke, West Ham, Southampton and Crystal Palace, this is just a slow start. They have the players to win games. They will climb the table and be safe.
The other 3 (Swansea, Sunderland, WBA) have got real problems.  Their managers understand one thing. You have to keep it tight for 45 minutes and if possible, don't concede the 1st goal. Then build on this and try and win it in the second half. If these teams have to play catch-up, they are in big trouble. They don't have the players to do it !!! All three of these teams had poor transfer windows, but realistically Sunderland are in the worst spot because they lost Allerdyce.
I have excluded Hull from this group of teams because they are showing unity and a more than decent team spirit. They are also winning games !
This weekend I see more pain for Sunderland in a tough away game to Spurs.
ANything could happen with WBA and West Ham, but West Ham have so much more potential than WBA at this moment. Just have to rectify their showboating trainsmash from last week.
Southampton and Swansea are struggling, and I can't see Swansea getting more than a point away.
So the bottom dwellers struggles will continue for another week.
This season looks to be one where the relegation battle will be some way off 40 points. Having watched plenty of games, I just can't see where some of these teams are going to get 35 points.

I would be wary of Man United tonight. Mourinho can say the Europa League is a hindrance, but if United were in the Champions League, van Gaal would still be in charge, and Mourinho would still be on holiday. A double edged sword for him.
United won't be good tonight. Nobody that is starting is match fit. They have all played bits and pieces. I expect a low degree of cohesion, and that United will really struggle  for at least an hour.  If I was betting on United I would be avoiding this game and backing them against Watford. At least you get the 1st team, fitter, with more miles on the feet.  
Feynoord are a decent defensive team, probably one of the better ones in the Eredivise. I would be backing the 0-0 HT draw here, if I was taking a bet.
Two low priced bankers for me would be Anderlecht (1.49) and AZ Alkmaar (1.38) both to win.
One other game jumps out at me and its Standard Liege playing Celta. I've watched Celta twice this season and they are average to poor. Standard at 18.5 to 10 is a great price for the HOME WIN
 
 
 

Football form is a true statistic. You can't switch it on and off. Man City have been excellent under Pep. Munchen Gladbach
have been really poor away from home.
Man City have won 6/6 games, and 5/6 have been won HT and FT. In 4 of 6 games Man City have scored 2 or more 1st half goals.
In the EPL no team has more than 2 HT wins in 4 games. City have 4/4. 
For me the HT/FT Man CIty win/win is the way to go, at a seriously  nice priced 2 (bet 365).
 
A game I would be interested in, but not betting is SPurs v Monaco. SPurs to have a real battle here.
 

Poullie has to be doing something right physically after games. Three five setters in a row, should be terminal, but he has come back looking strong every time. I thought he would lose to Agut and he won there, and to come back and break Nadal twice in the 5th was freaky. It's all quite interesting because Monfils, Tsonga and Poullie are probably playing their best tennis in some time. Monfils has definitely had an easier run to this point : Muller (37), Satral (227), Almagro (48), Baghdatis (44).

I have this as an easy victory for Keys. For me Wozniacki is so 1 dimensional.  Solid from the baseline, runs hard, can't overpower anyone. Osaka blew a 5-1 lead, but it's tough when you are 95 in the world with a chance for a huge win. It builds experience, and in hindsight, she has had a great tournament. I think Keys overpowers wozni. 
What a great day of tennis ahead. Really looking forward to it. Nadal v Pouille, Novak v Edmund, and Tsonga v Sock

For me the beauty of men's major tennis is that it's over 5 sets. It removes the rough edges, and over such a long game, the better player normally prevails. Also, there is a latent effect of fatigue that accumulates. Just weird to see Simon go belly up yesterday. At one stage he dropped his serve 7 times in 9 tries, which say's he was carrying an injury. Dimitrov showed some heart
 
4 Bankers for me.
Cilic over Sock. To much power, in a mismatch !
Del Potro over Ferrer especially after Ferrer went 5 sets yesterday. Del Potro cruised to easy/low stress victory yesterday.
Agut over Poullie . I liked Poullie to go far, but he's also had two brutal games back to back.  I thought he would walk over Chiudinelli, but he dug himself a big hole. Takes mega effort to get out of it. Agut has been rock solid , and should be much fresher.
Dimitrov , low priced against Sousa, but showed some serious heart to come back and win last 2 sets 64 62. For me it's a terrible match up for Sousa. 
 
I think John Isner will struggle against Edmund. He's had a 5 setter and a 4 setter and there have been no easy sets in 9. Against Darcis, the trainer was on for knee trouble. Pity the weather is so mild today, because a hot day would push him into the red zone. For me Escobedo was a beautiful matchup for Edmund, a nice warm up for this game. Edmund to win it. He must stay out there and grind Isner down
 
On an offbeat note, I hope Kyrgios loses. For me he's a human cockroach , on the same level (or lower) as Tomic .  They disrespect the game, their opponents and themselves 
 
 
 

For me Lendl is the catalyst for Murray's resurgence. He just stops his nonsense, period. Murray was getting to the point of ridicule for his outbursts towards  Delgado and  Mauresmo.  Lendl doesn't tolerate it for a second, and it is showing. For me Murray is the only one of the top 4 that has grown as a player in the last 12 months. Novak has peaked. Federer is a fading star, Nadal is brutalizing his body to a point of breakdown. He had this terrible weakness of starting slowly, and drifting in matches. Does not happen any more. Next few years is Murray time !

Was looking at the head 2 head for David Ferrer v Fognini. Ferrer holds a 9-0 record . He has beaten him in straight sets the last 4 meetings. It's a terrible matchup for Fognini, because they play a similar style, and Ferrer will outlast him easily. 
 
Tsonga and Anderson match. Having watched the Pospisil v Anderson game, it was bizarre to see how well Anderson served on the big points. He would just bazooka Pospisil with three bombs, whenever the guy had a sniff. The man is a giraffe (6ft 8), and it's ridiculous to return 133mph bombs, delivered from that height. It's a combination of speed, height and angle. The huge advantage these guys have,  especially serving 1st, is they know they can hold their serve, so they have a 'freedom' to attack the opponents serve (Del Potro simiilar).  Anderson is very similar to Isner, but moves much better (Cilic is similar but better than both of them). I think it also may throw Tsonga off his game, where he tries to match serving power/speed (it's like playing golf against someone who hits it 30 meters past you every drive...your tendency is to hit the ball harder) . For me the 2.83 on Anderson to win here is the bet of the round.
 
Marin Cilic v Sock. Cilic all day here. He is just floating through matches, quick straight sets, gone. Reminds me of the adverts that they used to run at WImbledon time when Pete Sampras was dominating.  GET SET, GET SET, GET SET , GO !  He is also a giant (6ft 6) in the prime of his life  . His form is unreal, coming off a win in Cincinnati, which is so similar to NY weather wise (beating Murray, Dimitrov, Coric, Berdych, Verdasco, Troicki for an $800k payday ). Cilic has won the last 8 sets he has played .  
 
I have a strange feeling that Novak is really going to struggle with Youzny. I think Youzny could easily win at least 1 set. Not sure if the walkover against Vesely really helped Djokovic that much. He would have liked to work in a solid win, but is probably grateful for no wear on the tires. Youzny has nothing to lose here, and that makes him dangerous. Also, when he wants he can really play !
 

Was looking at the head 2 head for David Ferrer v Fognini. Ferrer holds a 9-0 record . He has beaten him in straight sets the last 4 meetings. It's a terrible matchup for Fognini, because they play a similar style, and Ferrer will outlast him easily. 
 
Tsonga and Anderson match. Having watched the Pospisil v Anderson game, it was bizarre to see how well Anderson served on the big points. He would just bazooka Pospisil with three bombs, whenever the guy had a sniff. The man is a giraffe (6ft 8), and it's ridiculous to return 133mph bombs, delivered from that height. It's a combination of speed, height and angle. The huge advantage these guys have,  especially serving 1st, is they know they can hold their serve, so they have a 'freedom' to attack the opponents serve (Del Potro simiilar).  Anderson is very similar to Isner, but moves much better (Cilic is similar but better than both of them). I think it also may throw Tsonga off his game, where he tries to match serving power/speed (it's like playing golf against someone who hits it 30 meters past you every drive...your tendency is to hit the ball harder) . For me the 2.83 on Anderson to win here is the bet of the round.
 
Marin Cilic v Sock. Cilic all day here. He is just floating through matches, quick straight sets, gone. Reminds me of the adverts that they used to run at WImbledon time when Pete Sampras was dominating.  GET SET, GET SET, GET SET , GO !  He is also a giant (6ft 6) in the prime of his life  . His form is unreal, coming off a win in Cincinnati, which is so similar to NY weather wise (beating Murray, Dimitrov, Coric, Berdych, Verdasco, Troicki for an $800k payday ). Cilic has won the last 8 sets he has played .  
 
I have a strange feeling that Novak is really going to struggle with Youzny. I think Youzny could easily win at least 1 set. Not sure if the walkover against Vesely really helped Djokovic that much. He would have liked to work in a solid win, but is probably grateful for no wear on the tires. Youzny has nothing to lose here, and that makes him dangerous. Also, when he wants he can really play !
 

Sorry, thought I had posted the above reply but I had not saved it.
 
I like 3 games coming up.
 
Mikail Youzny to beat Pella
Lukas Poullie  is my dark horse to go deep. He is lousy price of 2 to 10 but I think he wins easily.
My other sleeper, who has so much talent, and athletic ability is Gregor Dimitrov.  He gets his head together and starts to believe, he can beat anyone !
He plays Chardy and he should win. The treble is not  much but its 12 to 10 and looks solid.
As an outsider I like Zverev to beat Jack Sock. Sock went walkabouts against Talor Fritz, and it cost him at least 2 extra sets on court. They guy served like a club player (15 doubles, which is a joke at this level). Zverev is only 19 but a serious up and comer.
I GOT THE WRONG ZVEREV !
If I was betting woman's games, I would only look for upsets. 2 possible ones are;
I think that Allertova at 2.49 is good value to beat  Larsson (gotta be feeling great after knocking out Ivanovic/Schweinsteiger).
I is possible Venus Williams could get her marching orders from Camila Georges. AT 3.37 Georges is also great value.
 
 
 
 
 

Again not looking for anything fancy. In soccer betting I like to take trebles, and I don't repeat teams. A repeated team/player that loses destroy's your bets. Also I don't like to mix and match. I'll go 3 low priced favorites, or 2 outsiders, but not in the same bet.
 
BET #1)
Carreno-Busta  to beat I Ivashka. 2/10 , Viktor Troicki to beat Radu Albot (2.2 to 10) 
Fognini to beat Gabishville,   Ferrer to beat Dolgopolov (bad matchup for Dolgopolov)
 Tomic to win    all for about 1.9 to 1 4 units
 
BET #2)
Kolschriber to beat Mahut   --  Del Potro to win in straight sets  -- Verdasco to win 1st set  (gives about 5-1 2.5 units for me) . Del Potro wants a quick three setter and out of the heat. Verdasco is at least 50-50 to win 1st set, and Kolschrieber is just a solid player, always getting terrible 1st round draws in majors (finally now he gets a good one).
 
BET #3)
Verdasco to beat Wawrinka  (think Warinka in the heat will really struggle, against a guy that has a winning record against him.)
Borna Coric to beat Lopez,  coming off fantastic form beating Nadal, Kyrigos and Paire in Cincinnati.  (about 7.2 to 1) , small bet for me (2 unit)
 
BET #4)
Sousa to win, P-H Mathieu to win, Thiem to win, Simon to win (too hot for 37 year old Radek Stepanek to last the distance. Has Stepanek played any singles after Wimbledon ?      (2.5 units here)
 
Bet #5) Longshot 
Gianessi to beat Kudla, Coric to beat Lopez, Tosarevic to beat Querry  (gives 26 to 1 for 1 unit for me)
 
If I had to pick 2 upsets or very close games in the woman's  section
Camila Giorgi to beat Stosur (Stosur is so brittle and I like the way Giorgi plays)
Julia Georges to beat Wickmayer
 
 

I gotta say that West Ham have been atrocious this season. In the two games I watched they were awful. I think City smack them by 2 or 3 goals.
Is this the week that Diego gets sent off. Chelsea flying by the seat of their pants at the moment...
Would like to see Man. U drop Martial this weekend and play Marcus Rashford instead. Martial drifting out of games, and having no impact. Surely Mata has to sit and make way for Mikatarian ?
 Liverpool have beaten Spurs in 5 of their last 7 league games. The other 2 were draws. In each of those wins Liverpool scored 3 or more goals. Look, they are probably the most inconsistent team in the league at the moment, but somehow they get up for these big games. Spurs have not impressed me. Also, they are sitting there like virgin at an orgy (not bringing in any new blood), holding hands with Arsene Wenger 
For me Bournemouth just have no firepower. They huff and puff and work hard, but have no huge quality upfront. The half chances, when they count, seem to be missed too often. Palace are awful at the moment, but it's rock bottom for them. They will get better. Just to much firepower upfront now to not score goals.
WBA will not win, unless they score 2 goals. They have not scored 2 in a league game for a while (I think it's 11 or 12 games), so I can't see it. Low draw here.
The big problem for Arsenal is that they have left their transfer business go to late. It does'nt matter now, because you will have to pay more than you want, and it still takes weeks before a player settles in. Man United and Man City, by doing their business so early, pick up a massive advantage. Arsenal have had a Summer transfer disaster ! Wenger is looking for that uncut diamond (Thierry Henry, for me the best player ever to play in the Premier League), which he will not find again ...
 
as a footnote: Merson is kicking my in my pundit challenge, which is making me 
 
 
 

B
BTTS is just too tough. BTTS is dependent on the away team having the ability to score. 
For me the over 2.5 is an easier option to achieve, especially when your feeling is that BTTS could occur. And the odds are normally quite close.
An over 2.5 with a strong BTTS possibility is probably nicer than an over 2.5 with lower BTTS (ie 3-0, 4-0 etc). 
If you are going those 5 games BTTS, you should be asking yourself if the away team in each game can hold up their side of the deal.
I think Swansea and Watford are going to battle. Southampton are a solid team, and Burnley have been involved in 9 low scoring games in their last 10 at home.
 
Also , I think the begin of the season is just too risky for a 5 legged bet. It will take some weeks to settle down.
 
However, I do wish you excellent fortune and some luck