EPL Preview: Swansea Ready To Deliver Opening Day Defeat for Mancini

Stoke vs Chelsea

Andre Villas-Boas will be introduced to do English football's philosophies literally when his Chelsea side to take on Stoke City. The physical nature of the game along with the long ball tactics may not be new to the Portuguese, who worked as a scout under José Mourinho.

However, there is every chance that he will look to get out with victory from his first Premier League game, which would relieve a lot of pressure. Villas-Boas will know that he must win either the Premier League or the Champions League this season or he will be shown the door. A win against Stoke is the first step toward winning the Premier League.

Stoke City's season has already started, as they have been involved in the Europa League games. They have also been quite impressive in that as well having just made it into the final stages. The experience in Europe is likely to work in favour for Tony Pulis and his men, contrary to reports that suggest that the Europa League usually drains the squad.

Fernando Torres has passed the fitness test after suffering concussion on international duty. However, Didier Drogba is more likely to start. Tony Pulis does not have any major injury worries.

West Brom vs Manchester United

West Brom will be having one of the toughest fixtures of the season on the opening day itself and Roy Hodgson is likely to look at it on both the positive and the negative front.

On the positive front, it does give the opportunity for West Brom to immediately get one of the toughest fixtures out of the way. However, a defeat could affect the team negatively. West Brom's chances of getting anything from the game seem low should Manchester United repeat the kind of performance that they showed against Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.

It was one of the complete performances, and it previewed the sort of football that we can expect from Manchester United this season. The addition of Ashley Young to the squad has given a new dimension to their set pieces, which are likely to contribute more towards the team's goals.

West Brom, though, can hope that Manchester United still have the away blues from last season. Apart from the signings of Shane Long and Ben Foster, Roy Hodgson has relatively been quiet in the transfer window, but he seems to have a good squad on his hands to take on Manchester United on the opening day of the season.

Manchester City vs Swansea

On one hand, Roberto Mancini will be happy to face the newly promoted side on the opening day of the season, but it is exactly where the pitfalls are present. So often than not, a newly promoted side has often done well on the opening day of the season, but given the quality at the disposal, Mancini should not worry too much about overcoming Swansea.

Even though the side were defeated by Manchester United last weekend in the Community Shield, Mancini will have every reason to believe that they can start this new season with a victory.

This will be the first match in the Premier League for Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers, and he will definitely know from his Mourinho days that a newly promoted side that plays attractive football rarely stays up in the Premier League. Hence, Swansea need to adapt if they are to get anything from the match against Manchester City.

Mancini could hand Sergio Aguero his first start, while most of the team that lost to Manchester United is set to be retained. Swansea's record signing Danny Graham is likely to start for the new promoted club.