Welcome back old friend.

This weekend the premier league returns and so does my match day previews.  Predicting results this early in the campaign can prove to be tricky and also with the transfer window still open some team selections can be effected.

 

LIVERPOOL v STOKE

Liverpool kick off their season in the early kick off at home against Stoke City.  Liverpool have signed several players again this summer and sold several players as well.  Toure, Aspas, Alberto and Mignolet have arrived but Liverpool have lost real experience with the loss of Carragher and Reina. Stoke have been a difficult opponents for Liverpool in recent seasons with Liverpool only winning one of their last three matches at home against them.  Stoke have been quite in the transfer window until now, the only purchases have been Muniesa from Barcelona and Pieters from PSV.  Stoke have had an outstanding defence in recent seasons but last year it started to leak at times.  This then coupled with their goal scoring problems left them embroiled in a relegation dog fight.  This season that is something Mark Hughes must rectify if they are to achieve safety.  Looking at the three games at Anfield only one of these matches saw more than two goals scored.  But we must remember this is a Stoke City in transition.  Looking at both of these teams during pre season they have both been in good form and showed defensive records.  Liverpool will be without Luis Suarez who is suspended but hope to have Daniel Sturridge available.  I will be siding with a Liverpool victory but it could well be a lot closer than some would expect.

 

ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA

Both of these teams finished the last season with promises from their managers that they would invest over the summer and must improve on results.  Strangely we come into the first game of the new season and neither have carried out any major restructuring of their teams.  Arsenal have spent the summer in pursuit of a striker and are still currently looking but they have trimmed the squad wage bill but selling seven first team members.  Whilst the main positive for Villa over the summer has been keeping Benteke.  They have recruited several young players but all are new to the premier league and only time will tell if they succeed.  Both Arsenal and Villa showed improvements in form over the last third of last season but the real test will again will be how they start this campaign.  Looking at the historical record of this fixture all of the last four matches have seen three or more goals.  That then coupled with pre season showing both of these teams have scored and conceded goals I will be siding with a home win and also a good chance for some goals. 

 

NORWICH v EVERTON

 

Norwich have invested heavily this summer in young players with exciting potential, how they perform over the course of a long premier league season could be very interesting.  The trend for young players show they can be inconsistent and this I feel could well be the case with Norwich.  After the money they have spent now securing premier league safety is vital and this will depend heavily on their home form.  Chris Hughton knew much like most punters that Norwich struggled for goals last season and that is the area he has invested mostly in.  The signings of Van Wolfswinkel, Fer & Redmond will definitely add pace and energy to their attack.  The only doubt is they are currently unproven in the premier league.  Their opponents come into the season under the stewardship of Roberto Martinez and he knows he faces a daunting task to improve on David Moyes recent record.  Roberto has added a few new faces with recruits of Kone and Alcaraz from Wigan. Also Deulofeu on loan from Barcelona could well be very interesting and profitable.  This is another fixture with trends of three goals or more in the last three meetings so I’m siding with a draw and a couple of goals in this match.

 

SUNDERLAND v FULHAM

Sunderland have possibly carried out the most transfers in the premier league this summer.  Sadly the majority of these players are unknown to the English league and supporters so how they perform could well be a lottery.  Paulo decided their needed to be changes made as he looks to stamp his mark on this Sunderland team and he has certainly done that.  The list of their signings includes Giaccherini, Ba, Altidore, Mannone, Karlsson, Diakite, Cabral, Roberge, Watmore.  I will certainly expect Sunderland to score more goals this season but their form could well be as volatile as their managers temper.  Fulham have also been busy with several interesting purchases and the expectation of more to come.  Fulham have become an established premier league team and now find themselves in a position of questioning if they wish to push on to the next level.  They have been taken over by Shahid Khan with the promise of investment.  I do not believe it will be reckless spending more of a measured approach in search of value for money.  Martin Jol so far this summer has brought in Adel Taarabt, Stekelenburg, Amorbieta and Derek Boateng and is still reported to be chasing Darren Bent.  The signings of Stekelenburg and Amorbieta interest me most and I will be interested to see how both adapt to the premier league.  If they can adapt they could well prove to be great signings for Fulham.  Strangely Sunderland haven’t beaten Fulham in any of their last three matches at home but I’m opting for goals and a home victory in this match mainly due to Fulham being indifferent in pre season.

 

WEST BROM v SOUTHAMPTON

The Hawthorns in the latest stopping point in the career of Nicolas Anelka and he has been prolific in pre season for the Baggies.  The only other players added by Steve Clarke are Diego Lugano & young Vydra who spent last season with Watford.  In truth West Brom knew they required additions in attack with Lukaku returning to Chelsea from his season long loan.  They will be looking for a similar start to last season which saw them hovering around the top four until November.  Southampton despite being linked with several players have been quite and with just two main recruits being Victor Wanyama and Dejan Lovren.  Southampton enjoyed a successful first season back in the premier league securing safety and gaining some impressive results at home.  They managed to tighten their early season leaking defence and with Lambert & Puncheon adapting well to the top flight the managed to score goals regularly.  I’m torn between a home win and a draw in this match mainly as West Brom have drawn two of their last three at home against Southampton either way I believe West Brom will avoid defeat.

 

WEST HAM v CARDIFF

The owners of West Ham have backed big Sam this summer with the signings of Andy Carroll & Stewart Downing.  Even though neither player achieved success at Liverpool I believe they should do well at West Ham.  West Ham were a tough prospect at home last season and I can see it will only be tougher this season.  This home form will be the back bone of any chance West Ham have of improving on last season final position.  Cardiff face a tough task in their first match in the premier league but they know already they face a tough hard season ahead and having struggled for victories in pre season confidence may be effected.  I have been surprised by the investment shown by their owner this summer.  A current total spend of 28 million on Gary Medel, Steven Caulker, John Brayford and Andrea Cornelius shows a serious intention of avoiding relegation but also would seriously questioned their finances should they go back down.  My worry for Cardiff is that they struggled for goals in the championship last season and this will only be increased in the premier league.  But on the positive side they have a wonderful stadium and vocal support that could be a major advantage.  West Ham have won two of the last three times in this fixture but goals have been at a premium so I’m backing a narrow home win.

 

SWANSEA v MAN UTD

The late kick off sees Manchester United start their new era post Sir Alex Ferguson away to Swansea.  The Liberty stadium has been a difficult venue for many teams in the premier league and I’m sure David Moyes would of wished for a easier first match.  Swansea have used the summer to boost their squad thanks to benefit of playing European football this season.  The additions of Shelvey, Bony, Amat, Pozuelo and Canas will add much needed strength to a small squad.  Swansea also have the benefit of having played competitive matches already this season in the Europa league as well as boasting an unbeaten record in pre season.  Manchester United have spent most of the summer looking to bolster their midfield and have so far been unsuccessful with bids for Fabregas and Modric.  This coupled with the on going Wayne Rooney saga and his absence from the team must have had a negative impact on pre season.  David Moyes will be desperate to add some numbers to his squad after seeing his rivals make several acquisitions.  I siding with a goal scoring draw in this match and I feel both teams will be happy with that result.

 

CRYSTAL PALACE v TOTTENHAM

The London derby is the early kick off on Sunday as Crystal Palace return to the top flight and face a Tottenham team possibly missing Gareth Bale.  Palace crept into the premier league through the play offs and most bookmakers have written them off already.  But in Ian Holloway they have a manager who nearly managed the impossible with Blackpool.  Palace have this week signed Chamakh from Arsenal on a season long deal in a effort to improve their attacking options.  Palace have several young exciting players and if they can adapt quickly they could well upset a few teams this season.  Tottenham have had a mixed summer with some good signings in Paulinho, Soldado, Chadli but face a massive task in holding onto Gareth Bale.  It seems the player has set his mind on leaving for Real Madrid but Daniel Levy will certainly drive a hard bargain.  Losing or retaining Bale could have a massive impact of Tottenhams expectations for this season.  If he is sold they will have limited time to find suitable replacements and will also find the prices will be highly inflated.  Both of these teams have been in reasonable form during pre season and it could well be a hard fought match.  I believe Tottenham will get a result in this match but it may well be the game doesn’t open up until late in the second half.

 

CHELSEA v HULL CITY

 

Sunday is the second coming of the special one to Stamford Bridge, we he be as successful in his second period only time will tell.  But if you look at his track record he must feel confident given the squad and financial backing available he stands a great chance.  Chelsea are my tip for the title this season, only because I believe Jose knows how to get results and has been around the premier league track before.  Experience could prove to be vital this season with his mostly likely rivals having little track record of league success.  Chelsea have been quite in the market with only Schurrle the major addition.  They still have an interest Wayne Rooney but they appear to have hit a dead end in that deal.  Steve Bruce could not of wished for a more daunting first match of the season for his team.  Hull gained promotion last season and much like Cardiff did so whilst struggling to score goals.  Steve has been working on a tight budget this summer and has attempted to resolve their goal problems with purchasing Sagbo and Danny Graham after his unsuccessful period at Sunderland.  In truth this could be a very long season for Hull and the trip to London is just the beginning.  I can’t see beyond a comfortable home win and effective performace from Mr Mourinho’s team.

 

MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED

The final match of the weekend will see Manuel Pellegrini make his debut as Manchester City manager.  Few can doubt the style his teams play with or his success on limited budgets in Europe and it is that success that has lead him to Manchester.  This will be the real test of his managerial abilities, he has a squad full of talent and anything other than winning the league will be deemed a failure.  He has made some great signings in Negredo, Navas and Fernandiho to add the the strength already at Eastlands.  I full expect open attacking football from City this season but expect them to be a close second in the league.  Newcastle come into the season after a summer of upheaval, how many times have we said that before.  The implementation of Joe Kinnear as director of football and lack of player arrivals has left the loyal support unhappy.  They also now face the possibility of losing Cabeye with several high profile clubs circling.  Newcastle struggled last season and the losing Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse losing form was one of the major factors.  Sadly they have done little to rectify this over the summer and must feel they could face another long hard season towards the bottom of the table.  I can’t see beyond a home win and a good possibility of a few goals.

 

 

Thanks for reading and good luck to everyone !!