F – Friday night football
EPL football has always been a weekend affair with the odd game on Monday night but that is set to change. Seeing the rise of its own popularity, the Premier League has ensured that more games will be telecast and watched as they move 10 games to Friday night. However, if you’re an Asian fan watching football, good luck staying awake for many nights in a row (especially in a Champions League week).
G – Gaston Ramirez
The Uruguayan playmaker’s heroics helped Middlesbrough achieve promotion but the club were initially not interested in signing him on a permanent basis because of the pre-contract agreement with Uruguayan club Penerol. The 25-year-old was a free agent after he was released by Southampton and fans asked the club to retain him and use him in the EPL. But a work-permit poses a problem as he hasn’t played enough games for the national team.
H – Hull City return
Perennial relegation candidates in the Premier League and promotion candidates in the Championship, Hull City are back in the Premier League for the third time in a decade. Steve Bruce is still in charge of the club and ensured the Tigers made it back via the Playoffs. Can he improve on his FA Cup runners-up finish in 2014 and stay in the Premier League this season?
I – International audience
The Premier League will be broadcast in 225 territories around the world. An estimated 1.1 billion European viewers tune in to watch the EPL while the worldwide reach is estimated to be around 3 billion homes!
J – Jose Mourinho
The self-proclaimed Special One is back but he has traded the Blues for the Red Devils this term. Old Trafford has yearned for a powerful personality since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and they have signed a proven and pragmatic winner. Success usually follows Mourinho wherever he goes but so does disaster. What’s in store for the Portuguese boss and will he now become the ‘Selling Juan’?