The EPL will finally begin this weekend. With every club ready to make an instant impact and lay down a marker for the coming season, we look at all the ten games that will take place in the opening week of the Premier League.
Liverpool vs Stoke City
As a difficult summer rolls on at Anfield, Liverpool will be looking to come out all guns blazing and show a sign of intent early on.
They will have a point to prove to their outcast striker Luis Suarez. With no major injury concerns and with the new boys ready to take center stage, Reds will be looking to start off the campaign with all three points.
Mark Hughes can possibly take advantage of the unhealthy situation of his opponents. Potters grabbed a 0-0 draw in last year’s corresponding fixture and will be hoping to repeat the same feat this time around. Flying under the radar, Potters can possibly cause a few surprises. Not at Anfield though.
Prediction: Liverpool Win
Possible Score: 2-0
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Despite being the underdogs for a Top 4 spot at the end of the season, Arsenal will be looking for a thunderous start to the campaign and there is no better way to do that except in front of their faithful at the Emirates. With everyone seemingly fit, Arsenal will look for a quick start to knock off the nerves and put on a show.
Christian Benteke will try to remind Arsenal what they missed out on. Paul Lambert’s team can play some exciting and free flowing football at times, but on the other hand can capitulate when it comes down to the knuckle.
Which Villa team will turn up in the opening round is yet to be observed. They are certainly capable of sneaking a draw with a full strength squad, however, doing that at the Emirates will be too much to ask for.
Prediction: Arsenal Win
Possible Score: 3-1
Norwich City vs Everton
The Canaries will be looking to get off to a winning start at Carrow Road. They have bought well and will be looking to use these players in full effect.
They will be without the services of Gary Hooper, as the Englishman injured himself their 2-0 friendly win over Panathinkaikos on Saturday. The Green and Gold will be looking to make a statement, just like they did in the transfer market.
Everton begin life under new manager Roberto Martinez in what, they know, will be a very tough encounter. Toffees fans will be pleased to see an attaching, short-passing game employed from the off.
Arouna Kone will love to get on the scoresheet on the first day of the season. Scotsman Darren Gibson is a doubt for the opener.
With the future of Marouane Fellaini still in doubt, Everton might not be able to get the desired result.
Prediction: Draw
Possible Score: 1-1
Sunderland vs Fulham
Paolo Di Canio underlined his potential as Black Cats boss at the end of last season. The Italian will be fancying a heavy win this time around and will be eager to improve on his side’s 2-2 draw with Fulham last season.
An exciting line-up including Adam Johnson, Stephane Sessegnon, Emanuele Giaccherini and Jozy Altidore will bring Sunderland to life.
Fulham’s new-look defence might struggle to cope with Sunderland’s attacking prowess. West Londoners’ attack is of wonderful quality with the arrival of Adel Taarabt, it becomes all the more special. Their away form last season wasn’t the best.
Martin Jol will be trying to blend in a few new faces in the squad. Despite no injury concerns, West Londoners will struggle to hold on to a point.
Prediction: Sunderland Win
Possible Score: 2-0
Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion
How West Brom will manage without Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is yet to be seen. The Hawthorns witnessed many solid home victories last season, and will be looking to build on those on the opening day.
French veteran Nicolas Anelka will be looking to have the same impact as the young Belgian. Even with Zoltan Gera and Chris Brunt set to miss the match, the team from midlands will be looking to kick off the season with a victory.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Southampton will be ready to highlight their summer improvements with a stylish display. The Argentine manager’s first pre-season with the club saw the Saints fully adapt his type of football.
Expect Southampton to keep the ball at their feet, interlink well and try to muscle their way through the Baggies team. Whether this will be enough to salvage a point against a highly experienced West Brom squad is highly doubtful.
Ricky Lambert will have to be at his best and Gaston Ramirez would need to get a grip of the game instantly.
Prediction: West Brom Win
Possible Score: 0-1
West Ham United vs Cardiff City
Sam Allardyce’s men always compete with a relentless physical approach, especially at the Boleyn Ground. Without the services of Andy Carroll, Hammers might just struggle on the opening day.
Cardiff will be looking to start their long overdue life in the English Premier League campaign in high spirits. Besides a slight knock to Welshman Craig Bellamy, there are no major injury concerns to any key players.
The Bluebirds will be looking to give their manager Malky Mackay, a solid start with at least a point. Both sides are bound to come up short in the striking department. Expect early season rust and a fatigue filled match with slow play and a lack of goals.
Prediction: Draw
Possible Score: 0-0
Swansea City vs Manchester United
The Swans will be looking to start their season off with a win, and not just a normal win, but with three points against the champions. The pressure on David Moyes and Manchester United at the moment will give the Welsh club an array of confidence in which they would love to pile misery on the Red Devils.
Michael Laudrup will have a full squad to select from and will be looking to steer his club to a famous victory at the Liberty Stadium.
Manchester United come on the back of a solid win in last week’s Community Shield final against Wigan. They will be looking to build on that victory after their string of poor performances in the pre-season.
Rafael is expected to miss up to five weeks, with Nani, Javier Hernandez and Ashley Young all in doubt for the opening clash. Wayne Rooney will definitely miss out as his transfer saga drags on.
But as everyone around the world now knows, you can never count Manchester United out, whether it is with or without Sir Alex Ferguson.
Prediction: Manchester United Win
Possible Score: 0-1
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham
Crystal Palace will have nothing to lose when they begin their life in the Premier League against London rivals Tottenham.
The signing of Marouane Chamakh by Ian Holloway came at the right time as the Eagles did not have may options up front.
Palace faithful will be praying that Gareth Bale does not get a nod, with his long standing move to Real Madrid edging ever closer.
Jan Vertonghen looks set to miss out on the opener with an ankle injury as Andre Villas Boas looks to show off his new signings. With new signings still finding their feet in the squad, it might not be as one sided as many hope it would be.
Prediction: Draw
Possible Score: 1-1
Chelsea vs Hull City
All eyes will be on Jose Mourinho as the Portugese kicks off his second spell at the Blues. The West Londoners will be looking to begin their campaign with a bang and the predicted champions will be hoping to leave their mark on the table nice and early.
Besides a slight knock for David Luiz, who might be a doubt for the match, Chelsea have no injury woes whatsoever.
Hull City couldn’t have asked for a harder start this campaign, but will go in this game with nothing to lose. Regardless of the result, Steve Bruce will be relieved to get possibly the hardest fixture of the season out of the way in August.
Prediction: Chelsea Win
Possible Score: 4-0
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
New Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has plenty of work to do at the Etihad, with virtually a new attacking line-up at his hands.
With a frightening array of strikers to deploy, City will try to get the wheels turning nice and early. With Matija Nastasic being the only real injury concern, Pellegrini will be gunning to avoid dropping points against a Newcastle side, which will come out with an improved determination this year.
Speaking of the Magpies, they look like a re-invigorated club this season. Now that Alan Pardew’s star men are all fit for the opener, they should definitely be taken serious. The chain of new boys will be looking to impress and run the midfield and there will be no better test than Manchester City at the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester City Win
Possible Score: 1-0
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