Premier League's Top Five Player Vs. Player Matchups of Week One

Manchester United vs Newcastle:

Wayne Rooney vs Steven Taylor

Manchester United at Old Trafford as your opening game of the season sounds like a very daunting task; however, Newcastle should be quietly confident about having the face the Red Devils in their season opener, as United tend to start off slow and then build momentum going forward into the season.

If Newcastle are going to have any chance of taking anything from this game the need to nullify Wayne Rooney up front. Not only do they need to stop him from scoring, but they need to take him out of the game.

Rooney showed against Chelsea in the Charity Shield that he does not need to score to heavily impact the game.

United play better and strong as a team when Rooney is on form and it is up to Steven Taylor to prevent him from hitting form. Taylor is going to have to stay tight to Rooney and try and get under his skin to prevent him from being a threat.

Maybe a few sly remarks about South Africa could see Wayne Rooney seeing red. If Newcastle prevent Rooney from entering the game but still lose the match, their defense can be credited for taking away the most potent threat, but if they let Rooney steamroll them they are asking for trouble.

Liverpool vs Arsenal:

Steven Gerrard vs Holding Player

It would not be an Arsenal Premier League campaign without a long list of injured or unavailable players, but what a mouthwatering opening week encounter.

The centre of Arsenal’s midfield to start against Liverpool is an absolute mystery and that may been a slight advantage to Arsene Wenger and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will have no idea who his midfield triangle will be playing opposite.

Liverpool are unlikely to have Fernando Torres in their side for their opening game battle against Arsenal. Due to that, the burden of responsibility will fall back on Steven Gerrard. If Arsenal can stop him from weaving his magic and making darting runs in and around the box, Arsenal have a strong chance to take all three points.

Who will be the anchor in the Arsenal midfield is undetermined as both Denilson and Daiby face late fitness tests. But whoever it is that is handed the task, it is imperative that they prevent Gerrard time and space on the ball.

Liverpool has made wholesale changes to their squad since Hodgson took over and they will need some time to gel together. Arsenal also has some issues at centre back with a new partnership forming in defense so whoever occupies the anchor role in midfield will have to keep Gerrard at bay to help out his back line.

Tottenham vs City:

 Luka Modric vs Yaya Toure

The Premier League fixture list has served up a mouthwatering season opener. Tottenham and Manchester City for the final Champions League place all the way to the wire last season, and City will be bitter that Spurs tipped them to it.

Tottenham have done very little in the transfer window, so it safe to assume that their starting 11 will be somewhat identical to last year’s, while guessing Manchester City’s starting lineup would require a psychic.

Luka Modric is Tottenham’s biggest threat from midfield and his craft and vision could tear holes through the City back line. Even if he starts on the left he will work his way inside, and that will bring him into the path of Yaya Toure.

City paid a lot of money to Barcelona for Toure and even more to Toure himself in wages. As the highest paid player, he will have to keep Modric very quite to justify his wages.

City’s back-line is still not as solidified as one would hope and Toure will have to snuff out any threats before his defense is exposed behind him.

Aston Villa vs West Ham:

 Stiliyan Petrov vs Scott Parker

This game is going to come down to the midfield battle. Neither team is prolific in front of goal. Both teams frailty in front of goal cost them points last year and that is something that both clubs will be looking to put behind them.

Scott Parker is West Ham’s best attacking player. He is the one that links everything going forward. His has great vision, sublime passing ability and he is very good at making late runs around the box that lead to goals.

If West Ham are to succeed in any manner Scott Parker will be at the heart of it. Stiliyan Petrov will have to stay close to Parker an inhibit everything that he tries to do. The amount of space that Petrov allows to Parker will determine how dangerous West Ham will be.

Petrov will not only have to stick to Parker, he will also be expected to win possession and use it offensively. Parker will be on the defensive against Petrov when he is not in possession and whichever player comes out on top in this player matchup could decide the entire match. 

Bolton vs Fulham:

Gary Cahill vs Bobby Zamora

Both of these teams will be hoping to push themselves up the league table this year under the guidance of new managers.

Owen Coyle was at Bolton last season, but this will be his first year starting a season as Bolton manger, while Mark Hughes will be in the Fulham dugout for his first competitive match as manger.

Owen Coyle will want to bring a more flattering style of football to the Reebok Stadium and in doing so his defense will have to step up and ensure that they are not broken down easily at the back.

Gary Cahill will have a chip on his shoulder after yet another failed opportunity to get into the England side. His task will be to keep Bobby Zamora—who did make the England side for their match against Hungary—out of the game.

Zamora was on fire for Fulham last season and he will hope to do the same this time around. Everything that Fulham do going forward goes through Bobby. As the lone striker, it is his knock-ons, knockdowns, and holding of possession that brings his midfield teammates into the game.

Cahill will have to ensure that he will every high ball, and does not allow Zamora to gain possession easily and bring the likes of Duff and Dempsey into play around the Bolton penalty area.