EPL preview: Opening day fixtures

After what seemed like an eternity, the Barclays Premier League kicks off again! These are the fixtures for the opening weekend.

Liverpool vs Stoke City

Stoke City, with a manager looking to prove himself again, are on the road towards change. However, the focus will firmly be on the home side, and on one player in particular, Luis Suarez.

Whether he starts the game or not, one question will be answered with clarity - what the fans think of him. Also expected are debuts for Liverpool’s new signings like Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet, while Liverpool old boys Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam return to face their former club.

Previous fixtures between these two clubs have been entertaining, with chances flying around everywhere. Let’s hope for more of the same.

Venue: Anfield

Kick off: Saturday, 12.45 GMT

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsene Wenger

This could be another match where the fans take their chance to voice their concerns. Arsenal have been active in the transfer window, but only in the departures section. With just one new signing Yaya Sanogo (who is unavailable for this game due to injury), Arsenal’s squad is just one injury/suspension away from a major rejig.

The squad looks extremely thin for now. Despite Wenger’s promises and widespread links, the marquee signing they were planning looks nowhere close to happening. Perhaps, the fans will remind Wenger that time is running out.

On the other hand, Aston Villa have managed to keep hold of Christian Benteke, who will be keen to prove that he isn’t a one-season wonder. This is a match one would expect Arsenal to win, but their current injury concerns does not make it as straightforward as it seems.

Venue: The Emirates Stadium

Kick off: Saturday, 15.00 GMT

Norwich City vs Everton

Norwich have been one of the busiest sides in the country during this transfer season, while Everton start the season with a rare managerial change. A number of debuts are expected here – the likes of Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Gary Hooper, Arouna Kone, Delofeu, Antonio Alcarez for instance.

Another interesting point to note would be the style employed by new Everton manager Roberto Martinez. Will he employ the possession based tactics here, like he did at Wigan? Everton, notorious for their slow starts, will be looking to correct that trend against what looks like, at least on paper, a weaker opposition. Norwich play at home, which balances that out. Both teams are equally likely to win.

Venue: Carrow Road

Kick off: Saturday, 15.00 GMT

Sunderland vs Fulham

The home team will look completely irrecognizable from the squad which flirted with relegation for most parts of last season. With upto 10 new signings and almost an equal number of departures, Sunderland have easily been the busiest club in the league. A winning start can vindicate Di Canio’s activity so far.

Their opponents for the day, Fulham, have not been as active. They were in a freefall towards the end of last season and would be looking to correct the form book with a good start away from home on the opening day. Neither side have too much flair to boast about in their ranks; expect a match high on work-rate and physical play.

Venue: The Stadium of Light

Kick off: Saturday, 15.00 GMT

West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton

West Brom started last season with a 3-0 home win over Liverpool, and continued their stunning form upto mid-season. They faltered a bit towards the end, else they could have definitely challenged for 6th or 7th in the table.

Southampton endured a horror start but climbed up the table as the season progressed. West Brom are a tough side to beat at home, and will look towards new signing Nicolas Anelka to provide assurances in their forward department while partnering him with the hard working Shane Long.

Southampton have kept hold of Luke Shaw, and added quality to their talented midfield by signing Victor Wayanma – signs of a successful shopping window. Both managers played a style that was easy on the eye last season, which makes this fixture one worth waiting with anticipation.

Venue: The Hawthorns

Kick off: Saturday, 15.00 GMT

West Ham United vs Cardiff City

Cardiff City will be the first among the new boys to get a taste of the action. Their opening fixture could not have been more challenging – a visit to Upton Park on the first day.

West Ham, under Sam Allardayce, have shown no inclination towards abandoning their route one tactics, quite understandably. On paper, the signing of Stewart Downing looks perfect to supply crosses to the big centre forward Andy Carroll. However, fans may fear whether this partnership may actually work, given their past struggles together at Liverpool.

Cardiff City are unknown entities in the top flight, with the exception of Craig Bellamy, who returns to face one of his many former clubs. Malkin McKay’s team would like to gain some early momentum in what is expected to be a long fight against the drop. With these promoted teams, you never know what to expect. Fingers crossed for this one.

Venue: Upton Park

Kick off: Saturday, 15.00 GMT

Swansea City vs Manchester United

Wayne Rooney

After quarter of a century, Manchester United begin a new season with a new manager. David Moyes faces a tough away trip on his Manchester United debut in the last match of the day. United’s central midfield woes have still not been addressed, which means, there may be a chance of seeing the likes of Adnan Januzaj or Jesse Lingaard on the pitch at some stage.

A winning start will go some way towards silencing the doubters for the moment. Swansea have not had such major changes, and fans expectantly wait to see their record signing Wilfried Bony in action. They will play their usual possession based game with a surprise long ball once in a while.

The focus, however, will be on one man. Wayne Rooney was deemed fit enough to play for England during midweek, which means he should be available for selection for his club. If Rooney is left on the bench, Moyes will be facing more questions on the forward rather than the match. A fairly even match to predict, with a more intriguing issue brewing on the sidelines.

Venue: The Liberty Stadium

Kick off: Saturday, 17.30 GMT

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur

Another match where the spotlight will be more on a particular player rather than the match itself. Gareth Bale is likely to be left out, officially due to injury. Spurs fans will be anticipating some on-field action from the likes of their record signing Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.

Palace must get used to starting league games without their former talisman Wilfried Zaha. In this clash of the Londoners, Spurs are expected to register a straightforward win. AVB would hope to keep his boys focused on job at hand, while their board handles the future of their star player. Crystal Palace are one of the favourites for relegation – if they get out of White Hart Lane with a point, it would be a job well done.

Venue: White Hart Lane

Kick off: Sunday, 13.30 GMT

Chelsea vs Hull City

The return of the godfather, just one loss in pre-season, no injury concerns, a promoted team to face first-up, at home. Things look very bright these days if you are a Chelsea fan. New signings Andre Schurrle and van Ginkel, along with returning loanees Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne, should get some taste of the action.

Chelsea are expected to maul the promoted Tigers in their opening game. Mourinho has never lost a league game at the Bridge, and never lost to promoted opponents in this league. The stats are all stacked against Hull City. Against an ecstatic home crowd and up against world class opponents, if Hull can snatch a draw here, it would be quite an accomplishment.

Promoted sides, high on motivation, can be dangerous opponents to face in your first match of the season though, so Mourinho and Chelsea must be wary.

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Kick off: Sunday, 16.00 GMT

Manchester City vs Newcastle United

Title contenders versus a mid-table team – the last match of the weekend sees the Toon army make the trip to Manchester. Manuel Pellegrini’s debut will be the major talking point in the build up to this. Will City start with their manager’s famous 4-2-2-2 formation? Will Yaya Toure’s free role in midfield be restricted? Which two among their four forwards will start? These questions will be answered in this late kickoff.

This is a fixture neither side would have wanted this early in the season. City are going to adapt to a new system, which may take a while to get into flow. Newcastle should look to take advantage of that slight uncertainty. If City can get into their stride early, Newcastle will find it hard to keep up with them.

For the home team, the result depends on how quickly the players adapt to new tactics. From Newcastle’s perspective, the midfield duo of Tiote and Cabaye must keep Toure, Silva and Fernandinho in check and exercise their own authority if they are to get anything from this match. City are firm favourites.

Venue: The Etihad Stadium

Kick off: Monday, 20.00 GMT

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The most followed football league in the world kicks off in just under twenty four hours; the wait is almost over!