Arsenal Vs Sunderland - The news ahead of this game is that Alex Song is set to complete his transfer to Barcelona; this meaning that he won't be available for selection. That obviously goes along with Robin van Persie's departure yesterday. So with all those players being unavailable who can play? Well new boys Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski are likely to start, but Olivier Giroud will only make the bench. One of the keys to this game will be how the players react to the upheaval of two star players in the same week. If they can keep their heads straight then the three points will be no problem.
Sunderland however, will dispute this. Martin O'Neill and his men had a good second half to last season which is something they are undoubtedly looking to build on. With new signing Louis Saha hoping for a start, I'm sure he can have an influence on the score line as well.
Prediction - Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Fulham Vs Norwich:
This will be an interesting game, as both of these sides have had a fairly big summer. Fulham having sold on several strikers and having lots of big name departures, Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembelé to name a couple. With Dempsey refusing to play, it seems that moral may be down and because of this I think it could be a struggle, and game the fans will need to see them through.
As for Norwich, well after Paul Lambert left for Villa at the start of the summer, Chris Hughton was given the chance to be a Premier League manager again. He had to get down to business fast though, with Grant Holt's contract situation a major part of the summer. But getting his signature took the club in the right direction, and they'll be upbeat and ready for kick off come 3:00 PM.
Prediction - Fulham 0-0 Norwich
QPR Vs Swansea:
Now this is a game I'm looking forward to. QPR have had another summer filled with players going in and out; it didn't work for them last season, so how Mark Hughes can get the team to gel should be interesting. However aside from those players gelling, he has generally signed a few top players. Take Park-Ji Sung and Bosingwa, both have Champions League winners medals and vast experience, and that experience will rub off on the likes of Fabio and Junior Hoilett.
Swansea also need to get used to new surroundings fast. The new manager Michael Laudrup has brought in some top players, most notably Michu from Rayo Vallecano for €2m; this could well be the deal of the summer if it comes off. Laudrup will also implement the same style of possession, attacking football that 'The Jacks' are used to, so expect frustration for QPR.
Prediction - QPR 2-2 Swansea
Reading Vs Stoke City
This game marks The Royals' return to the Premier League, Five years since they last started a season here. Brian McDermott's men have a good record on the Premier League's opening day, having won one game and drawn the other, and he'll be hoping to keep the unbeaten run alive this season. With Stoke City visiting though, they'll have their work cut out. New signings Danny Guthrie, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Garath McCleary have looked sharp in Pre-Season and if they take it into the game against the Potters, then Tony Pulis' men will have a tough game instore.
As for Stoke City's chances, well they've been quite quiet in this transfer window, only signing Michael Kightly. Due to the competition for places, Kightly may need to hit the ground running or Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington will be chasing his place in the side down. However Peter Crouch keeping up his good form of last may well be key to getting a result.
Prediction - Reading 0-2 Stoke City
West Brom Vs Liverpool
West Brom have had a mixed summer, with highs of signing Romelu Lukaku on loan and keeping most big players. The downside is, however, that last seasons' manager Roy Hodgson left for England, leaving his assistant Steve Clarke to take charge. Whether he'll be able to match Hodgson's success may become apparent in this game.
Liverpool also have a new manager, the only difference is, that Liverpool's managerial switch was their own choice. Brendan Rodgers' side will frustrate West Brom, with plenty of possession, however the question is, can they start converting the chances they wasted last year?
Prediction - West Brom 1-3 Liverpool
West Ham Vs Aston Villa
West Ham are back following a one season absence, and Sam Allardyce has gone into the transfer market showing his intent to stay up. Against Villa they'll have their credentials tested to the full and they will have to be fired up to a maximum if they're to get anything.
Aston Villa are now a refreshed and revitalised club. The new manager Paul Lambert has stamped his authority on the squad and no doubt we'll see him implement his attacking football against 'The Hammers'
Prediction - West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa
Newcastle Vs Tottenham
Alan Pardew's men will have to be at their best when AVB's new-look Tottenham side visit Tyneside. With not many signings, but also no departures, you wouldn't bet against a similar lineup from Newcastle as it was last season, although don't be shocked if they are to go 4-4-2 to suit Demba Ba's needs.
As for Spurs, well you can expect a totally different approach to the game. You can look forward to the ball being played out the back Barcelona-esque, and a 4-2-3-1 style formation. New signings Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen could be crucial players, if they do well, Spurs have a good chance of three points.
Prediction - Newcastle 1-1 Tottenham
Wigan Vs Chelsea
Roberto Martinez's Wigan pulled off a spectacular escape from relegation last season, defying belief after they'd seemed gone around March. Victor Moses was crucial in that survival run, however it looks as though he could be off to Chelsea before the end of the window, either way he could be the turning point in this one.
Chelsea have had a great summer. After signing Champions League winning manager Roberto Di Matteo to a full contract, they also signed Eden Hazard and Oscar, as well as Marko Marin. These new signings could be the key to unlocking the Wigan defence.
Prediction - Wigan 1-4 Chelsea
Man City Vs Southampton
Manchester City will be looking to build on the maiden Premier League title last season by sending a message to the rest of the league, and to do this they will need David Silva and Sergio Agüero firing on all cylinders, this as well as the team settling into the new new 3-4-1-2 formation.
Southampton. Poor Southampton; they've been given the mammoth task of a trip to the Ethiad on the opening day. I don't think anyone expects them to get anything, me included. If they are to do something though, new £7m signing Jay Rodriguez may lend a hand in it.
Prediction - Man City 5-0 Southampton
Everton Vs Manchester United
David Moyes will be a little bit disheartened by their open day fixture, especially when you take into account their usual 'slow start' to the season. However, despite a game against United is never being easy, I'm sure that Moyes will think his team can upset Fergie's men.
Manchester United will travel to Goodison Park with a new player in their squad; Robin van Persie. This signing will surely give everyone that little boost and adrenaline rush to drive a team to victory. United will also have Shinji Kagawa in their ranks, another game-changing player, who will help this seasons title push no end.
Prediction - Everton 1-2 Manchester United.
No comments:
Post a Comment