EPL Season Opener: Previews and Predictions
August 13th, the day we have all been waiting for. No more arguing arbitrarily about who will win the league. No more discussing things on paper. No more preseason blowouts. Just football.
The English Premier League kicks off its 20th season on Saturday after the long summer break. This offseason was relatively calm by modern standards. New UEFA financial rules made the overt spending of millions a little more difficult and kept the market stable.
However the rumors still flew about in obscure fashion, with little evidence, but taken as truth. Sagas unfolded involving players who had not intention of leaving their clubs and others who wanted out more than anything.
But all that junk and noise ends Saturday as the teams being their quest for the Premier League title. We finally get to see our signings in meaningful action and all the facts, stats, and analysis become useless.
Here is a preview and prediction for all nine games (the match between Everton and Tottenham was cancelled due to the riots) in week one.
Blackburn vs. Wolverhampton
1 of 9Saturday at 10am EDT
Blackburn
Blackburn had a decent attack last year netting 52 goals. However their vulnerability at the back kept them in check. They went out and signed Partizan defensive midfielder Radosav Petrovic. His arrival will give them more stability in defense and help stymie high-powered attacks.
Wolves
If Blackburn narrowly escaped relegation than Wolves missed out only by chance. In one of the most exciting last days of Premier League football, Wolves were on the lucky end of a day that saw six teams that all could go down. Wolves were the last to escape. With a disproportionate amount of 46 goals for and 66 against, they will have to close that gap if they are to survive. The signing of Roger Johnson will give veteran stability to that back line as the new captain.
Prediction
The season kicks off pitting two teams who narrowly escaped relegation last season with Blackburn and Wolves finishing only three and one point respectively ahead of the Birmingham City. Both teams would prefer a season where there fans aren't kept on the edge of their seats until the last whistle is blown and both have made moves to try and make that happen. But both teams are also aware of how valuable a single point can be. Expect a draw here.
Fulham vs. Aston Villa
2 of 9Saturday at 10am EDT
It is difficult to root against this small side from London. It seems that every game they play in they are the underdogs even though they finished eighth last season. With the man they wanted last season Martin Jol now in charge, they are poised to move up even further. John Arne Risse makes his return to the EPL to strengthen an already strong back line. Clint Dempsey also figures to be prominent in this years campaign as he did not play in the US friendly against Mexico on Wednesday.
Villa finished a disappointing ninth place last season. With four different managers through out the course of the season, the club never could quite seem to right the ship with James Milner and Steve Sidwell now gone. After an abysmal midseason form, they would end strong with two wins over Liverpool and Arsenal. They will hope that the way they clicked at the very end of the season continues into this one. The arrival of Shay Given will hopefully reduce the 59 goals they gave up last year.
Prediction
I must admit bias here, but Fulham is one of my favorite sides to root for in the league. With that said I think they are going to win in a closely contested match
Liverpool vs. Sunderland
3 of 9Saturday at 10am EDT
Liverpool
The Reds had a roller coaster of a season last year. Starting off with high expectations, they quickly found themselves on the bottom of the table. The sale of Fernando Torres in winter baffled some fans, but it ended up being the antidote to their problems. After being in 13th place in January, they would climNb back to finish sixth. Though they are missing out on European competition, many see them as being contenders this year on the backs of Suarez and new arrival Charlie Adam.
No one has been as busy this summer as Sunderland boss Steve Bruce. For a team that finished an even 10th place, 10 signings may seem a bit much. But the acquisition of the Man U defending pair Wes Brown and John O'Shea may be what they need to push them into the top half of the table.
Prediction
Sunderland has been making a steady climb up the table every season since they arrived in the EPL back in '07. But they will not start their ascent here. Liverpool should dominate and come away with a multi-goal win.
QPR vs. Bolton
4 of 9Saturday at 10am EDT
QPR
QPR had a sensational season in the League Championship last year winning the crown and promotion with relative ease. After 15 years away from England's top division, they return expecting to make some waves and get upset results. The play and leadership of young midfielder Adel Taarabt propelled them through the second division and they will rely on him to do the same here. As with any smart promoted club, they have used the summer to find some good signings. Former Blackpool striker DJ Campbell joins them and will provide some more offensive threat against stiffer defenses.
Bolton
At one point in the season Bolton was sitting comfortably in the middle of the table, but with five straight losses to end the season, they found themselves falling deeper into a relegation battle. They would escape with some room, but not after a lot of sweat and anxiety. The signing of Nigel Reo-Coker could be a well placed one if the player remains healthy and plays to his potential. Stuart Holden will also finally be healthy and play a much larger role in their season.
Prediction
Adel Taarabt will make his impact on the game and the league early. He is a fine young player and will be getting offers from everyone by winter. But for now he will guide the new club to their first win of the season.
Wigan vs. Norwich City
5 of 9Saturday at 10am EDT
Wigan
Wigan was another club who found themselves unsure of their future on the last day of the 2010/11 season. They would eventually escape to finish 16th. Roberto Martinez coached them to ties and two wins in their final four games to keep them in England's top division. Charles N'Zogbia scored four goals in that span as well. The team struggled offensively all year finding the net only 40 times, second worst for the whole league. Surprisingly no moves have been made for offensive help and they have even lost N'Zogbia to Aston Villa.
Norwich had an impressive two seasons in a row, winning promotion to the Championship in 09/10 and now to the Premier League in 10/11. There is little hope of them continuing the streak into Champions League, but they are a good solid side. Their leading goal scorer Grant Holt will be a threat to any side. They have also made moves for a group of young players, suggesting they are looking to build a team to compete for the future.
Prediction
Wigan barely escaped relegation last year and unless they make some moves soon, they will probably find it this time around. Luckily for them they open against a lower side. These first three points for Wigan will look very important by seasons end.
Newcastle vs. Arsenal
6 of 9Saturday at 12:30pm EDT
Arsenal
Wenger seems to be standing on increasingly thinning ice at Emirates. He has made no big signings this summer and looks to lose the two best players on the team. Fans of the Gunners seem more livid than ever as they enter their sixth straight season without silverware. With the teams above them improving, as well as some below, Arsenal needs some early wins to calm the fears of the faithful, and secure the boss’ job.
Newcastle
After a short stint in the League Championship, Newcastle bounced back last season to finish a solid 12th place in a very clustered middle of the table. This preseason has seen them make some changes toward youth, letting go of their aging veterans and apparently raiding the French National side. The signings of Gabriel Obertan and Yohan Cabaye will give some much needed strength to a lacking midfield. They will look to continue there climb of the table this year, and with these young players, for years to come.
Prediction
Arsenal and Newcastle met in the last game of the 2010/11 season for the two clubs. Arsenal took the game easily with a 4-0 victory, but Newcastle did not have as much to play for as the Gunners looking for automatic qualification into the group stages of Champions League. Don’t expect a blowout this time around, but Arsenal should silence some of their critics by winning with ease.
Stoke City vs. Chelsea
7 of 9Sunday at 8:30am EDT
Stoke finished last season in 13th place, but with an FA Cup final appearance they can claim a successful year. With Europa Cup added to the list of competitions, manager Tony Pulis will have to do a good job of balancing playing time on this already short squad. The addition of Jonathan Woodgate was a big one and shows they are really making a push to improve on last year performance. However, Kenwyne Jones will have to be more productive up front if they wish to do so.
New manager, but same players. The team has spent the offseason in pursuit of some pretty highly valued targets. With the exception of Romelu Lukaku, they have been unable to land one. With that said, they do not look like they are in any real need of help. They had a productive preseason and are coming together at the exact right time. Fernando Torres will miss this game with a head injury, but is expected to play a bigger role for the rest of the games. They may not have quite figured out the midfield yet, but this first game will be a good indication of whether much time needs to be spent on that.
Prediction
Stoke got a tough draw here against Chelsea. Andre Villa-Boas wants to make sure that he shows what he is all about to the rest of the league right away. Stoke could become a whipping boy in an easy Chelsea win.
West Brom vs. Manchester United
8 of 9Sunday at 11am EDT
West Brom
West Brom took the league by storm last year finishing an impressive 11th place, high considering they ahd just been promoted to only their fifth Premier League season the year before. Manager Roy Hodgson is looking to use the same magic he did with Fulham and turn this side into a contender for a European spot. The addition of goalkeeper Ben Foster will hopefully help their defense that gave up 71 goals, second most of anyone in the league. He also brought in his former Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera. The Hungarian can at times provide that spark needed to help lift his side.
Despite losing Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar to retirement, Manchester United is still odds on favorite to win the league. Fergie has used his tools, talent, and funds to procure the services of Ashley Young, Phil Jones, and David de Gea. They have had one of the best preseasons of any club, getting a win over Barcelona and looking comfortable doing it. Nani has come alive and seemed to evolved into their new Christiano Ronaldo. The Community Shield win last Sunday showed that the team may have a new look, but it will be the same old story.
Prediction
Against anyone else, West Brom would at least have a punchers chance. But Man U is just too good and too strong. De Gea will be glad that this is his introduction to the Premier League after a shaky start last Sunday This may not turn into a blow out, just because United historically don't play their best in the opening of the season, but a comfortable win can be expected.
Manchester City vs. Swansea City
9 of 9Monday at 3pm EDT
Many see the big spending club as the favorites to challenge their local rivals United for the title. But after Sundays embarrassing loss in the second half to United, the team is a far way off from being where they would like. The summer signing of Sergio Aguero has been the biggest by any Premier League side, but the loss of Carlos Tevez has been equally as massive. They are going to have to look hard to find where they will get those 20 goals from this season, and even harder to replace the leadership and worksman attitude he brought the to team. Roberto Mancini will feel a lot more at ease if he was able to figure out the enigma that is Mario Balotelli and finally get him to play to the level he is capable of.
Winning the Championship playoff saw Swansea become the last team to book a place in the Premier League and their first since 1983. Now that they are here they are making moves to stay. The signing of Jose Moreira from Benefica gives them a reliable keeper after the loss of their own. But the arrival of Wayne Routledge and Danny Graham will bolster an already potent offense. Scott Sinclair will most likely not have the incredible season he did last year, but will be a good winger to compliment the new players.
Prediction
City will dominate to game from start to finish. They will have well over 50 percent possession and scoring opportunities will be heavily favor them. With all that said, it will end in a tie. City do not quite have the mental fortitude to grind out wins yet and the adrenaline that many newly promoted teams have at the beginning of the season will be enough to keep Swansea in it.
