GW 3 – Ones to Watch

Ally: It’s been a somewhat surreal start to the season, with fewer games than normal while we await the restart in the lower divisions, games spread right across the weekend for TV purposes (usually depriving us of at least one or two of the “big” Premier League teams) and playing in empty stadiums. However, what certainly hasn’t been lacking over the first two Gameweeks are goals, which are what The Ultimate Goals is really about!

For my first ‘One to Watch’ this week I’m heading to The Hawthorns, where big spending Chelsea will be looking to get their season back on track with a win against West Bromwich Albion. The visitors have made a stuttering start, with an unconvincing 3-1 win at Brighton in the opening week, followed by a 2-0 home defeat by new champions Liverpool last weekend. Newly promoted West Brom already look like they are in for a tough season, having shipped 8 goals in their first two Premier League outings, first conceding 3 at home to Leicester before a 5-2 hammering at Everton last weekend.

Blues manager Frank Lampard is building an exciting side and has splashed the cash this summer following the end of their transfer ban, bringing in England left back Ben Chilwell plus highly rated Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech and much coveted German attacking duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, the latter netting his first goals for his new club with a midweek EFL Cup hat-trick. With the Baggies’ shaky defence this could be a long afternoon for Slaven Bilic’s men, while Chelsea were superb on the road last season so I can only see the points going back to west London.

My second pick puts me on less familar territory as they are normally more accustomed to fighting relegation, but Cambridge United have made a flying start to the new League Two season under manager Mark Bonner with two thumping wins and will fancy their chances with a home fixture against Tranmere Rovers. Opening day saw them record a 3-0 win over Carlisle, while last weekend saw an even more impressive 5-0 victory at Morecambe to occupy top spot in the early season standings. Their 8 goals so far puts them joint top of the TUG scoring charts alongside Scottish champions Celtic.

Rovers meanwhile have not got off to the best of starts as they are yet to register a league goal, and have just a solitary point thanks to an opening day 0-0 draw at Mansfield, while last weekend saw them lose 3-0 to Cheltenham at their Prenton Park home. With confidence surely riding high throughout the ranks, I’m hoping The U’s can get among the goals again this weekend.

Good luck with your selections.