Manchester United vs Swansea
Louis Van Gaals men host Swansea in the first match of the 2014/2015 premier league season. This is one that could be wide open, as United have several defensive players missing with injury. Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, and possibly Rafael will not feature. This doesn’t bode well for a side with an already thin defense, and it surprises me Van Gaal hasn’t dipped into the transfer market for a defender.
With a healthy Wilfried Bony and Nathan Dyer returning from injury, it could be a rough home start for Van Gaal. Swansea can play superb football at times, something United know all too well from last season. However, the mystique of Old Trafford will do Van Gaal justice in his opener. I see this one as an open contest, ending 3-2 in favor of the Red Devils.
Leicester City vs Everton
The season hasn’t even started yet and people are already writing off Leicester city as a relegation team. This may be the case, but lets at least give them a chance before we declare them a Championship side once again. Jamie Vardy, last seasons top scorer is in doubt, while Matthew Upson will not appear due to an ankle injury. Everton, meanwhile, are on the rise.
The permanent capture of Lukaku makes for an exciting second season for Robert Martinez on Merseyside. Seamus Coleman is doubtful, as are Kevin Mirallas and the previously mentioned Lukaku, but other than that Martinez has a full squad and plenty to choose from in selection. The Everton defense will put in a shift tomorrow and earn a clean sheet in a 1-0 away win to begin the season.
QPR vs Hull City
Premier league football returns to Loftus Road on Saturday as Hull City visit London to kick off the season against Queens Park Rangers. QPR have likely learned from their last stint in the premier league that big name signings aren’t everything, as they look primed for a longer stay this time around. Steven Caulker and Loic Remy join the squad, along with Chilean Mauricio Isla.
Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce brings a reinforced squad from last season into the opening weekend. Jake Livermore has joined permanently from Spurs, Robert Snodgrass joins from Norwich, and Tom Ince will likely make his premier league debut. This should be an evenly-matched contest, but I see Hull scraping by with three points away from home 2-1.
Stoke City vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa arrive at the Brittania Stadium with a banged up squad; Joe Cole, World Cup star Ron Vlaar (who thought we’d ever be saying that), and Charles N’Zogbia doubtful, with Christian Benteke sidelined as well. Vlaar will probably play given his frame as a brick outhouse, but the absence of Benteke will hurt Villa on the road.
Mark Hughes conducted a fair amount of business in reinforcing his squad this summer, bringing in Bojan Krkic from Barcelona, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf, and Phil Bardsley. The already defensively stout Potters add another attacking dimension with Krkic, who is looking to rejuvenate his career at Stoke. A Ryan Shawcross red card wouldn’t surprise me in this one, but Stoke win it 2-1 at home.
West Brom vs Sunderland
West Brom were a stingy team to play against last season and proved to be a miniature nightmare for the top clubs. Yusuf Mulumbu is a tank in the midfield, while Claudio Yacob and Stephane Sessegnon always pose a threat in the midfield for Albion. Joleon Lescott is out with a knee injury, so West Brom could be a little thin at the back.
Vito Mannone will look to retain the #1 jersey following an outstanding year under Gus Poyet. Jozy Altidore will be the main attraction for Americans watching in the states, but the real excitement in this game is the debut of Jack Rodwell for Sunderland. Poyet made Rodwell the club’s record signing this summer, while there’s still hope for this once sought-after talent to make a player out of himself. Rodwell will be man of the match and Sunderland will bag three points away from home 2-1.
West Ham vs Tottenham
Can Mauricio Pochettino shock the league and bring this club back from the dead and into the Champions League hunt? We’ll see, but with a year under the belts of last summers transfer influx, Spurs could be on the rise. Christian Erikson continues to impress, but the main man for Tottenham this year could easily be Erik Lamela. Lamela cost a fortune and it would be a shame if he didn’t pan out for the North Londoners.
Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll will both miss this one, as will Ravel Morrison and the on-loan Carl Jenkinson. Sam Allardyce still has captain Kevin Nolan, his very own teachers pet, to lead the Hammers who will be hoping to be blowing bubbles all day long at Upton Park, which is always a tough venue to visit. Keeping with the theme of excitement, this game will end 2-2.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Surely Crystal Palace’s fortunes couldn’t take a turn for the worst could it? The resignation of Tony Pulis shellshocked the Eagles this week, and it doesn’t get any easier as they face a strong Arsenal squad at home. Coming off an impressive display in group B for Australia, Mile Jedinak will be Palace’s main man in the middle of the park, a lot of the defensive organizing and responsibility on his shoulders.
Alexis looks to make his competitive Arsenal debut, while Aaron Ramsey just seems to keep getting better after his terrific term last year. Olivier Giroud looks fresh after several months rest, and there’s really no telling how Arsene Wenger will set up his side on Saturday. Even without Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski, and Theo Walcott, this should be a relatively easy game for Arsenal against a club who has just lost its excellent manager. 2-0 to Arsenal.
Liverpool v Southampton
Undoubtedly the most anticipated game of the opening weekend, Southampton travel north to face Liverpool at Anfield. Ronald Koeman has dealt with the departures of several star players, but Southampton are by no means a bad team. James Ward-Prowse should emerge as another star this season, and it looks like Morgan Schneiderlin could feature as well, a huge morale booster for the Saints.
Adam Lallana will regrettably miss this fixture, the former Saints captain sidelined for six weeks with a knee ailment. Jon Flanagan and new boy Lazar Markovic will be unavailable for the Reds, but new signings Emre Can and Dejan Lovren should see the field at some point. Even with Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama in the middle of the pitch, I still expect Liverpool to unleash some attacking firepower in a 4-1 victory.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
New boy Eliaquim Mangala is out for City, as is Alvaro Negredo. Apart from that however, City enter the season very healthy. Sergio Aguero is still hampered by a groin injury but could still start. David Silva and Yaya Toure will spearhead the Blues’ attack from the midfield, and every player who missed the Community Shield against Arsenal will be up for selection.
Newcastle will be without Cheick Tiote, whose midfield enforcing anitcs will be missed against a team like City. Darryl Janmaat will make his Newcastle debut at right back, summer signing Jack Colback could also feature, but new boy Siem de Jong will miss the opening game with a foot injury. Manchester City struggled to get it done on the road, and off the heels of an unconvincing loss at the hands of Arsenal, I see Newcastle scraping by with a point at home in this one. 1-1.
Burnley vs Chelsea
On the heels of their successful promotion, Burnley open the season hosting Chelsea. Not the most ideal fixture to start the premier league season, but I honestly know the least about this Burnley side of any team this season. Danny Ings, the Championship’s top scorer last season, is the player to watch for them. Expect them to pack it in against the top-class Blues.
Chelsea are the consensus favorites to win the league this year with the additions of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Felipe Luis, and the return of Thibault Courtois from loan. This could be the strongest Chelsea side ever, with world class depth at every position and a manager accustomed to winning trophies. Chelsea will make a statement in this opener, winning 3-0 on the road.
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