The Barclay’s English Premier League Returns!

By Scott Kerr

On the eve of a new EPL season, I can only compare my anticipation to that of a young child on Christmas Eve. The smell of cookies for Santa Claus, the aroma of the fir tree and the inability to keep my eyes closed for more than a few minutes of sleep is the closest feeling I can associate with my joy for the return of the Premier League. As we get ready to tear into the presents of the new season, here is a quick look at the slate of games on the opening weekend in England.

What better way to kick off a new season than under the floodlights at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in gloomy Manchester. Gloomy does more than describe the typical Mancunian weather though. Jose Mourinho has been in a dour mood most of the summer from lack of signings to the tour of the United States to continued friction with talisman Paul Pogba. Could the ‘3^rdYear Curse’ strike a Mourinho managed team again?

Leicester City has had a busy summer with six new signings but losing play-maker Riyad Mahrez to the light blue side of Manchester. Manager Claude Puel with have the Foxes primed for a fight lead by goal machine Jamie Vardy. It looks like Harry Maguire will still be at the heart of the Leicester defense barring a late transfer and Kasper Schmeichel had an excellent World Cup campaign. Can the Foxes counter-attack their way to victory at Old Trafford? I think not. Look for United to start the season on the front foot and take the three points.

If the situation at Manchester United seems slightly dysfunctional, how do you describe the conditions at Newcastle United? Their owner, Mike Ashley, has tried and failed to sell the team all the while failing to back his manager in the transfer window for the second summer running. Rafa Beneitz will once again be expected to conduct a managerial master-class to keep the Magpies out of the relegation zone.

Tottenham fans should be able to empathize with those less fortunate children who have no Christmas presents under the tree after Chairman Daniel Levy decided to stay put in the transfer window. Spurs will rely on the same group of players from last season’s 3^rd place finish with the core of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Erikson to chase down Manchester City at the top of the table. In this match, look for Benetiz to have Newcastle bunker down and try to limit Spurs’ scoring opportunities. On Tyneside, that may be enough for Newcastle to eke out a draw with Tottenham.

Two of last season’s promoted sides face off in this match at Vicarage Road hoping to stay up for another season. Watford staved off relegation to avoid the yo-yo between the Prem and the Championship with a respectable 41 points last season. Without the means to spend big, Watford has been judicious with their summer signings and will look to stay mid-table this season.

Brighton and Hove Albion made it to season two in the Premier League and want to push up the table this season. Manager Chris Houghton has seen his side pick up a few players during the transfer window and know they will be in for a season-long battle to stay up. The Seagulls love to play attacking football, so this match should be an open affair. Look for several goals in this match, but ultimately both teams with share the spoils at a point each.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side begin season three in the Prem looking to break into the top half of the table. The Cherries have been able to translate Howe’s attacking mentality into an exciting brand of football, but defense has been a source of frustration. Another side that has punched above its financial weight, Bournemouth will have to win their matches against the lower tier sides to see season four in the Prem.

Cardiff City returns to the Prem and look to keep Welsh hopes alive in England’s top division. The Bluebirds are managed by promotion wizard Neil Warnock, who will once again face the challenge of keeping a team up after hauling them there. Cardiff is looking for offense in the late stages of the transfer window and that doesn’t bode well for them against Bournemouth. I fancy the Cherries to take all the points on the South coast.

Huddersfield remained in Prem last season by four points and a repeat of that performance alone would be considered another successful season. Manager David Wagner’s star is shining brightly, but will be tested this season as he tries to keep the Terriers in the top flight. The issue for Huddersfield will be goals – who is going to score against the elite teams in the league?

Chelsea’s summer has been anything but boring. From canceling plans for a new stadium to the managerial circus to the late transfer rush, all that’s missing from this posh part of London is the big white tent. With Thibault Courtois late move to Real Madrid, the Blues will be scrambling to get some defensive cohesion on the training ground. New manager Maurizio Sarri comes highly regarded, but the instability at the club will make for a difficult start to life in the Prem. Luckily for him, Chelsea should be able to parachute into the Kirklee’s Stadium and come away with three points at Huddersfield.

Fulham returns to the Premier League after several seasons down below and have been very active in the transfer market. The Cottagers boast one of England’s brightest young talents in Ryan Sessegnon and brought in highly sought after midfielder Jean Michael-Seri and forward Aleksander Mitrovic during the summer window. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic should be able to field a strong starting XI and beat the relegation drop.

Crystal Palace finished last season on fire, garnering 13 of a possible 15 points during the run-in. In-form and in-demand winger Wilfried Zaha leads the line for manager Roy Hodgson. A terror when playing in the friendly confines of Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace will need to be better away from home if they want to improve on last season’s finish. This London Derby will not be kind to the guests. I look for Fulham to take the three points at Craven Cottage to start their return to life in the Prem.

The day’s late match sees newly promoted Wolves host Everton. Wolverhampton has as many nicknames (Wanderers, Wolves, etc) as they do new faces. Wolves won the Championship last season to gain promotion and have refused to stand pat with their squad. Adama Traore, Rui Patricio, Leander Dondoncker are some of the new arrivals for manager Nuno Santo. The Wolves will attempt to continue with their attacking ways but may find the Premier League defenses to be a different challenge altogether.

Everton has had as much upheaval as any team in the division this summer. New manager Marco Silva finally will occupy the first seat in the Toffee’s dugout, but he’s not the only new face in Everton blue. Forward Richarlison and defender Lucas Digne are two of the new boys and will look to propel Everton back toward the top of the table. This battle at the Molineux Stadium will be another open affair, but I give the nod to Everton by a goal.

Southampton avoided relegation last season by a scant three points last season and will hope to avoid that kind of late season drama in 2018-2019. Mark “Sparky” Hughes led the late season charge to keep the Saints in the top flight and seemed to get the best of the squad during his time in charge. While not many new faces have joined this summer, the Saints should bounce back after some bad luck last season contributed to their poor showing.

Burnley was last season’s big revelation, threatening the break up the top six party all season. Eventually their push faltered, but Sean Dyche did secure another chance in Europe’s second level competition. The Clarets did just pick up Ben Gibson, but they are known more for spotting young talent then signing established stars. The fans at Turf Moor are understandably excited for another successful season, and I think Burnley will take three points from the Saints at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Liverpool has been tipped by many to be the main challengers to Man City’s throne, and Jurgen Klopp’s squad will be tested right off the bat by West Ham United. Securing the services of Allisson in goal is seen as a cure to many of Pool’s shortcomings, but the defense as a whole will need to improve to challenge City at the top of the table. Offense shouldn’t be an issue for the Reds though, with 2017-2018 Golden Boot winner Mo Salah returning to lead the line with Sadio Mane and Roberto “Bobby Chompers” Firmino.  

West Ham has a lot of shiny new toys, from new manager Manuel Pelligrini to a host of new players (Arsenal ex-boys Jack Wilshere – Lucas Perez – Lukasz Fabianski, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Robert Snodgrass). Performances on the pitch will need to improve quickly as the Hammers were one of last season’s more drab sides. Offense will have to come from Marko Arnautovic and the oft-injured Andy Carroll to move West Ham up the table. I don’t see this happening at Anfield on opening day – Liverpool begins the season with three points.

Unai Emery – welcome to life in the Premier League! For the first time since the Emirates Stadium opened in 2006 and for twenty-two seasons overall, someone other than Arsene Wenger will lead the Gunners into battle on the best pitch in the league. Arsenal has made several signings to go along with the new manager – Lucas Torreira probably the most important on paper – in an effort to get back into the Champions League places. The backline still looks to be Arsenal’s Achilles Heel, which is bad news when facing the offensive might of Manchester City.

The title holders haven’t made a lot of moves this summer, with Riyad Mahrez the only notable addition. Don’t be fooled however. There aren’t many players capable of improving the squad as it is currently constructed. Pep Guardiola has been pushing his squad hard, insisting there is room for improvement this season. While domestic success is assumed, it’s the Champions League targe that Pep and City are taking aim. That spells trouble for the Gunners, and even at the Emirates I think City takes all three points in a 4-1 run out.