Tracksuit managers striking gold
Saturday’s first TAB Soccer 10 pool is a gem you don’t want to miss. Six English Premiership clashes comprise the bulk of an intriguing mix of games in the pool, which also contains two PSL matches and an Inter Milan-AC Milan derby. Even better it’s a carryover-boosted pool set to total some R2 million, so there are loads of cash to be won by those who get all 10 games correct!
One of the intriguing elements of the English Premier League is the growing reputation of several coaches from the generation of so-called “tracksuit managers”.
Eddie Howe took Newcastle United to a top-four finish in 2022-23 and a place in Champions League this season, while Roberto de Zerbi ensured Brighton will also play in Europe this campaign. Thomas Frank has led a revolution at Brentford and Steve Cooper kept Nottingham Forest in the topflight after a tough first season.
This weekend all have a chance to create further havoc. Italian De Zerbi takes his unique approach to Old Trafford on Saturday to meet Manchester United, who have problems in morale and discipline, and are not making much progress in Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge.
Brighton like to retain possession in their own half, making a lot of short passes to move the opposition around the pitch and destabilise their structure. It could be a formula that unsettles Manchester United in their backyard.
Newcastle are at home to Brentford, who have not yet lost yet this season. Frank’s team are difficult to break down and will take on Newcastle toe to toe, so what on paper seems three points for the Magpies may not prove that easy.
Nottingham Forest have Burnley at home on Monday and must be fancied to inflict further pain on Vincent Kompany’s newly promoted side.
For many, West Ham’s start this season has come as a surprise, but manager David Moyes has shown his resilience time and again. His own self-belief is rubbing off on a squad that won the Europa Conference League last season and have 10 points from their opening four games in this campaign.
They are at home on Saturday to Manchester City. The champions have made a 100% start to the season and will be hot favourites, but are unlikely to find this an easy game to win.
At home, Kaizer Chiefs will be fancied to keep up their momentum when they host Royal AM at Soccer City on Saturday night. And on Sunday there’s a key game for AmaZulu and Cape Town City, who have made a poor start and will be wanting to find some form.
AmaZulu have only scored in one match while City are on an almost inexplicable run of four successive losses. A few more and their coach Eric Tinkler could get a call to go and see management.
HIRED/FIRED: Lamontville Golden Arrows have had a coaching pair in charge over the last season, but Vusimuzi Vilakazi has jumped ship to Chippa United leaving Mabhuti Khenyeza in charge. He starts his solo tenure at home to Stellenbosch on Saturday.
BACK IN ACTION: Lionel Messi is back from international action with Argentina, but Inter Miami won without him last weekend in Major League Soccer and might be tempted to rest him for Saturday’s game at Atlanta.
WHO’S HOT: Sandro Tonali has quickly become a fans’ favourite at Newcastle despite being reluctant to move from AC Milan in the off season.