Premier League Opening Day Preview

It’s finally August and that can mean only one thing, the start of the new football season. The 2013/14 Premier League season is edging ever closer, and will kick-off on August 17th. In this article I will discussing the opening day fixtures, giving my predictions and outlining which players can make a mark on the Premier League this season.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Neither Arsenal or Aston Villa will want to drop points on the opening weekend of the Premier League, which sets up an interesting prospect. Arsenal suffered from chronic inconsistency last season, although they did end the season well as they went unbeaten in their last 10 games of the 2012/13 Premier League season. I’m confident that Arsenal will do better this year, especially if they can bring in some new players, whilst keeping the current squad together. Aston Villa also ended last season well as they managed to keep themselves in the Premier League. The Villains ended their season on as high as their young team gelled together well and began to play some good football, which then resulted in better results. Aston Villa also received another boost as Christian Benteke signed a new contract, he is sure to be key in Aston Villa improving on last season’s performance.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa, it will be a close game, but I can see Arsenal taking all three points at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool v Stoke City

I think this will be another close game, with both sides looking for all three points. Stoke are a formidable force at the Britannia Stadium although they don’t always recreate this form away from home.  Stoke are probably the hardest team to break down at times, although at Anfield I believe Liverpool will be able to do so. Although it looks like Luis Suarez will be leaving Anfield I feel they could have a considerably better season this year. I can see Daniel Sturridge being a handful for Premier League defenders next season and expect him to be one of Liverpool’s key players as they push for a Champions League place.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City, Liverpool will be on top for most of this game, although Stoke will be hard to break down and won’t ship many goals.

West Ham United v Cardiff City

This will be a very interesting encounter as we see Premier League new boys Cardiff City pit their wits against West Ham. Cardiff have made some notable signings this summer, they’ve brought in Danish striker Andreas Cornelius for £8 million and defender Stephen Caulker from Spurs for £9 million. These two signings will fill the Cardiff fans with confidence ahead of the opening day fixture, although I still think they could find it tough in the Premier League. There is no doubt that West Ham will be looking to take all three points in front of a home crowd at Upton Park. If West Ham can keep the likes of Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan fit, I feel that they could have a very good season under ‘Big Sam’.

Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Cardiff, home advantage will see West Ham win this one comfortably against the Premier League new boys.

Norwich City v Everton

Everton will be looking for another good start to the Premier League this season under new boss Roberto Martinez. Martinez is a very good manager and I feel he could lead Everton to a European place if he can hold onto key players Fellaini and Baines. Norwich fans will also be looking forward to the season ahead as the Canaries have been very busy in pre season bringing in a host of new signings. The likes of Gary Hooper, Leroy Fer, and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel will definitely improve the Norwich City team and could lead them to there best Premier League season in recent years.

Prediction: Norwich 2-2 Everton, this will be a very close encounter and the points will most likely be shared between the two teams.

Sunderland v Fulham 

Paolo Di Canio certainly won over the Sunderland fans last season, as the team beat the drop and beat Newcastle 3-0 in the process. Sunderland seemed to improve towards the end of last season and have also done well in pre season as they beat Tottenham and narrowly lost to Manchester City in the Asia Cup. Sunderland have also been very busy in the transfer window this summer bringing in a lot of new players including Vito Mannone and Emmanuel Giaccherini. Fulham are a very unpredictable side and can beat anyone when they are on form. Although Fulham were very poor away from home last season, and I’m worried that this poor away form may continue into the 2013/14 season.

Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Fulham, I expect Fulham’s poor away form to continue and Sunderland to take all three points.

West Brom v Southampton 

These two teams are sure to produce a great opening day fixture, which is hard to call. There is no doubt that West Brom will miss Romelu Lukaku who has gone back to Chelsea, but with the likes of Shane Long and Nichols Anelka they could still be a formidable force this season. Southampton will be looking for another good season after they played admirably in the Premier League last season. They have also strengthened their team by signing tough tackling defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama. I think Southampton will improve on their impressive first season with Jay Rodriguez and Ricky Lambert leading the attack.

Prediction: West Brom 1-1 Southampton, two attacking teams that will be locked in a stalemate and will share the points.

Swansea City v Manchester United

Swansea City enjoyed a truly marvelous season last time around, they impressed football fans worldwide by their free flowing football. Swansea could well challenge some of the top 7 teams this year, they have strengthened their squad further with the addition of the Ivorian striker Wilfred Bony, who will team up with Michu to create a deadly strike force. On the other hand Manchester United are going through a transition phase with David Moyes taking over from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes will want to implement his own style on the team and this will of course take time. Even with the possible addition of Fellaini, I think it will be tough for them to hold onto the Premier League title next year.

Prediction: Swansea 2-2 Manchester United, Swansea will do well to get a point at home, probably the best time to play Manchester United.

Chelsea v Hull City

The Tigers will be looking forward to playing in the Premier League this season, but even with new signings I think they could struggle to stay in the Premier League, with a battle against relegation looking likely. Jose Mourinho will want to come back to Chelsea and win a trophy, there’s no doubt about it. Chelsea stars Mata, Hazard and Oscar all settled into the Premier League well and there are also rumors that Rooney could be on his way to Stamford Bridge. I think Chelsea could be the ones to beat this season and I expect them to set a good early pace in the Premier League.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Hull City, you just can’t see Chelsea not picking up all three points on the opening day at home to the new boys.

Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

Palace will look to get off to a good start in the Premier League at home to Spurs, although it could be tough. I think Crystal Palace have the players to stay up under the guidance of Ian Holloway, but they may find their opening day fixture tough, even if they aren’t facing Gareth Bale. Soldado has completed his move to Spurs and could be the missing piece in the Tottenham challenge for Champions League football, although its looking more likely that they will lose Gareth Bale to Real Madrid this summer.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Spurs, I don’t think Palace have the fire to break down Spurs, who will be too strong for the premier league new boys.

Manchester City v Newcastle United

Monday night football is back and plays host to two great Premier League sides, who look set to give us a juicy encounter. There’s no doubt that under Pellegrini Manchester City will be looking for goals, goals and more goals this season. City have also strengthened their team again this summer with Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic. Newcastle will be looking to vastly improve on last seasons campaign, they have so far managed to improve their squad by signing Loic Remy on loan from QPR and are also understood to be in talks with Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle, City will win the game but it wont be easy with Newcastle putting up a tough challenge.

Transfer Gossip #2

Welcome to the second installment of Transfer Gossip!

Tottenham want Ince.

It is being reported this week that Spurs are interested in 21 year old Blackpool winger, Tom Ince. Tottenham are supposedly preparing a £6.5 million bid for the young winger who has scored 18 Championship goals this season. Ince has been in impressive form an has attracted interest from many top flight clubs.

Arsenal to put in a shock bid for Schneiderlin?

It has been reported today that Arsenal may put a shock £10 million bid in for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. He would be brought into the squad to replace the forever injured Abou Diaby.

Galatasary look to strengthen squad.

The Turkish side are looking to strengthen their squad in the summer. They are supposedly lining up a bid for Manchester City’s Gael Clichy. They are also said to interested in Bayern’s Arjen Robben and will offer the German team £12 million.

West Ham to turn to Jelavic?

The hammers may try to buy Everton striker, Nikica Jelavic, this summer. They have decided that the £17 million price tag that Liverpool have set for Andy Carroll is extortionate. The London club reportedly offered £10 million for Carroll which Liverpool completely dismissed. Liverpool are sure to lose money on the £30 million that they paid for Carroll.

Cristiano Ronaldo set to leave Madrid.

There have been reports throughout this season that Ronaldo will leave the Galacticos. Manchester United are said to be interested in their ex-player. However they face stiff competition from Paris St.Germain who have made Real Madrid a “substantial offer” for the Portuguese star.

PSG want Wenger.

Paris St.Germain are said to be confident that they will be able to prize Arsene Wenger away from Arsenal to manage the French giants. This has come after news that Carlo Ancelotti is expected to become the new Real Madrid boss when Mourinho leaves at the end of the season.

Frieburg to hold onto young star.

Frieburg have said that starlet, Matthias Ginter will not be leaving the club during the summer transfer window. Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all said to be on the trail for German defender.

Danny Rose to snub Sunderland in favor of Spurs stay.

Andre Villas-Boas is trying to persuade England Under 21’s star, Danny Rose to snub a move to Sunderland to stay at Tottenham. The young left-back has been very impressive whilst out on a season long loan at Sunderland, who are reportedly looking to sign him on a permanent basis for around £8 million.

Arsenal looking to sign a Goalkeeper.

Arsenal are said to be interested in signing a new goalkeeper this summer. Lots of names have come up including QPR’s Julio Cesar who is set to leave after Rangers were relegated to the Championship. Another name that has come is Hamburg’s Rene Adler, however the German club are insisting that Arsenal have not approached them about a potential move for the German shot stopper.

Jovetic could snub Arsenal for a move to Milan.

It has been reported today that long term Arsenal target Stevan Jovetic may snub the North London club in favor for a move to AC Milan. It seems as though Arsenal will be facing some stiff competition as they look to try and sign their number 1 transfer target. It would be a huge disappointment for Arsenal if the young Montenegrin was snatched by AC Milan.