Ken Borland

by Michael Bisset

Five clubs have managed to maintain a 100% record as the English Premier League starts their third round of fixtures this weekend, and there have been no draws in 2020/21 – a fascinating statistic.

But with some clubs having flattered to deceive thus far, I foresee that record falling this weekend as clubs jostle for early success this season.

Brighton and Hove vs Manchester United

Manchester United have shown promise under Ole Gunnar Solskjær but they should be wary of Graham Potter’s possession-based Seagulls. The south coast side faced a tricky encounter against Chelsea to start their campaign and in fairness they were worth more than a 1-3 defeat. Manchester United fans should not expect an easy win here, but I think they will take a 2-1 away win at the Amex Stadium.

Crystal Palace vs Everton

An unbeaten side will fall in this clash. Crystal Palace are arguably the weaker out of the two and Everton’s exceptional start should not be a surprise. Carlo Ancelotti is a world-renowned manager for a reason and his shrewd signings of James Rodríguez, Abdoulaye Doucouré & Allan has added real steel to the Toffees’ midfield. I predict a win for the Merseyside club by 2 goals to nil.

West Brom vs Chelsea

The Baggies should expect another loss when Lampard’s men visit the Hawthorns. Any other result would be a shock. Chelsea to win by 3 goals.

Burnley vs Southampton

An awful fixture to predict as Southampton have been torrid so far and Sean Dyche’s men play a defensive form of football that is not easy on the eye. I am biased towards the Saints and I can feel it swaying my decision here. Heart says 1-1 draw, but I think it is better to give the win to the gritty home side. It will not be pretty, but a clean sheet and a 1-goal advantage will suit the Clarets right down to the ground.

Sheffield United vs Leeds United

Wilder’s men have been massively disappointing up until this point. One could say that losing Dean Henderson has hampered their progress, but the lack of a lethal finisher is a more pertinent point. Leeds play an expansive and adventurous style of football and I think they will surprise a few this season. Going with a win for the Yorkshire side seems the best choice but the Blades are stubborn, so a 1-1 draw.

Tottenham vs Newcastle United

Gareth Bale is back in North London although Spurs hardly needed a bigger boost following their demolition job of Southampton last week. Newcastle capitulated to Brighton in the opening 20 minutes at home, so I only see one side taking the three points here. Spurs to win it, 2-0.

Manchester City vs Leicester City

These two have thrown up incredible ties in recent campaigns. Leicester caused a massive upset on Boxing Day in 2018. That win showed that the Foxes are not intimidated by the money pumped into the blue half of Manchester in any way. De Bruyne and his compatriots should have enough to see off the 2015/16 champions, but Jamie Vardy will get on the scoresheet. City to win 3-1.

West Ham United vs Wolves

David Moyes has seen a major drop-off in his luck and success since moving from Everton to Manchester United in 2013. West Ham are an anomaly because on their day, they can blow sides away as seen in the latter stages of last season. However, Wolves will be desperate to right the wrongs of their previous loss to Manchester City and take the three points. The London Stadium may be a factor in this, so we are predicting an exciting 2-2 draw.

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Scott Parker’s lads are yet to taste victory in their return to England’s biggest league. I am a firm believer that Villa are there for the taking. Fulham need to get onto the scoreboard if they are going to give themselves a chance of survival. Do not be surprised if this ends in a draw but we are backing the Cottagers by the odd goal.

Liverpool vs Arsenal

The final game of the weekend – well worth the wait. Mikel Arteta’s men have won the previous two encounters with Liverpool but Jürgen Klopp’s champions will not be fazed by that fact at all. Captain Jordan Henderson sits this one out, meaning that Thiago Alcântara is likely to enjoy his first Liverpool start. It will be entertaining and make Monday easier to bear. Liverpool to edge it, however Arsenal will get on the scoresheet. Either 2-1 or 3-1, depending on whether the Liverpool front trio gel.

Let us know what you think of these predictions. All feedback is greatly appreciated, enjoy the football!

Kyle Nipper, the 29-year-old Dolphins all-rounder, was watching the closing stages of the T20 Global League draft on Sunday, thinking that it was becoming an increasingly long shot that he would be involved in the much-anticipated new tournament that starts on November 3.

Nipper, slow left-arm orthodox and a left-handed batsman, lives in Pietermaritzburg and, just like the famous last runner to beat the clock in the Comrades Marathon that ends every second year in the KwaZulu-Natal capital, he was the focus of sporting drama on Sunday as he was the last of the 144 players chosen in the draft in Cape Town, picked by outgoing Proteas coach Russell Domingo for the Pretoria Mavericks.

“I had been out on the golf course during the day and once I got home I started streaming the draft. It was quite nerve-wracking and I thought it wasn’t going to happen for me, so it was a pleasant surprise to be the last guy chosen. I’m extremely excited about this tournament,” Nipper said on Sunday evening.

Nipper has spent a long time on the fringes of the Dolphins squad, having made his debut for them back in 2009/10, but has never made a fool of himself at franchise level, with an economy rate of 7.88 with the ball in the dozen T20 Challenge matches he has played.

And now he is part of a squad that includes global superstars like AB de Villiers, Dwayne Bravo and Morne Morkel, as well as fellow spinners Keshav Maharaj and Johan Botha, the veteran former Proteas captain now based in Australia.

“I have no concerns about being in Pretoria, I would have taken anywhere. I feel like I am part of KZN and I’ve tried to be loyal as a homegrown player, although I am a bit disappointed that I haven’t played more because I believe I’ve proven myself more than I had to.

“But it’s awesome to be chosen by the Proteas coach, hopefully he’s seen a bit of potential in me. Obviously they know what they want and it’s nice to be involved in their plans. I hope I get to play a couple of games, but I’m very happy for Kesh, he’s taken to the international stage so well, he’s got that experience now and someone like Johan Botha has been around the world. So I’m very keen just to learn a bit more from them,” Nipper said.

https://citizen.co.za/sport/south-africa-sport/sa-cricket-sport/1629755/the-long-shot-that-nipped-in-last-in-the-t20-global-league-draft/

The continued misfortune of Rilee Rossouw has turned out to be the joy of Theunis de Bruyn, with the Knights captain called up to the South African Test squad for the first time on Wednesday, ahead of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka which starts on Boxing Day.

Rossouw, who toured Australia without playing in any of the Tests, has been ruled out of action by another foot injury and his place in the squad has been taken by uncapped Knights team-mate De Bruyn.

The tall 24-year-old has been considered an obvious future international for the last three seasons, boasting an impressive first-class average of 48.73 with six centuries in 32 matches including a double for  SA A against the England Lions. Convenor of selectors Linda Zondi told The Citizen that De Bruyn is considered a future star of all three formats.

“Theunis a good talent and has done well for both his franchise and SA A. Obviously we aren’t pleased with Rilee’s injury because he’s the next batsman in line, and Stiaan van Zyl would probably also have been in line had he not signed a Kolpak deal, but Theunis is next in the pecking order. It’s good to get him into the set-up because we definitely see him as a future star for the Proteas, playing in all the formats,” Zondi said.

“It’s obviously very disappointing for Rilee, I spoke to him in Australia and he really wants to do well for South Africa and was very happy with the way we backed him in the ODIs. He’s obviously an exceptional player and he will still do well in the future for South Africa and contribute immensely going forward because it’s still a long season ahead and he’s definitely still in our plans.”

Because the Proteas are now back on home soil, the squad has been reduced to 13 players, with Wayne Parnell the fast bowler called in to replace the injured Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. Wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and reserve wicketkeeper Dane Vilas are no longer part of the squad.

The likelihood of De Bruyn making his debut will depend on whether captain Faf du Plessis escapes a ban from his appeal for ball-tampering on Monday, but just being in camp with the Test team will be of immense benefit to the development of the elegant right-hander.

“Even if he doesn’t make the starting XI, he’s going to gain more experience and fitting into those surroundings and the culture of the team will only enhance his belief that he will be able to fit in at international level,” Zondi said.

http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-citizen-kzn/20161215/282209420496484

The Australian cricket team have arrived in South Africa and are looking forward to getting plenty of knowledge from their five-match ODI series against the Proteas that starts at Centurion next Friday.

That the Australians have at least one eye on the Test series they will host against South Africa in November is borne out by their selection for the ODI matches, with three uncapped pace bowlers included in Daniel Worrall, Joe Mennie and Chris Tremain, leaving John Hastings (23 ODIs) and Scott Boland (10 caps) to lead the attack. Leggie Adam Zampa, who has played just a dozen ODIs, is the frontline spinner.

South Africa, under pressure to arrest their slide to fourth in the ODI rankings, by way of contrast have chosen what is expected to be their Test attack in Australia, minus Vernon Philander.

“We do have quite a turnover of players in our ODI side but that’s because we want to give the Test players a break. The guys handle it very well, they’ve been fantastic, and it allows us to give players chances at this level, we chop and change the bowlers so Steve Smith knows he has a lot of depth in that department.

“We want to make sure everyone gets game time, we’re looking ahead to major championships and players must adapt. There are good reasons for Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood not being here – we have a Test series coming up and we want to give them a break.

“So this ODI series will be a challenge for some good young players and hopefully our fast bowlers can step up. We have pace and swing from the three debutants, John Hastings has done very well for us in the past and Scotty Boland did very well last year,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann said at their Sandton hotel on Wednesday.

“A few of South Africa’s bowling attack are also part of the Test squad so it’s a chance to play against them and hopefully get into rhythm against them. Their batsmen are also generally the same in Tests, so we can learn from bowling at them too,” captain Smith said.

Australia are fresh off a 4-1 ODI series win in Sri Lanka with George Bailey enjoying a prolific series, and with Smith and David Warner the obvious other threats in a strong batting line-up.

Both the captain and coach said South Africa were a top-class side in their own conditions.

“These conditions are probably the most similar to Australia, so it’s not so foreign, generally there’s good pace and bounce. It should be exciting one-day cricket with good scores, I’m sure it will be different to Sri Lanka,” Smith said.