EPL EPIC STARTER

Hello everyone, we could feel your loud heave from here, it was a long wait, spiced by the ever inconsiderate inconsistencies of the transfer window, but the new season is upon us, get in here bookies, let's make some money! Where will the first goal come from? There can only be one winner at the end of the thirty eight round bout, it's a marathon, the new managers want the title, the longest serving Frenchman somewhere in north London got points to prove, the rookies that made statements last term, predominantly from north and west London will try again, but how will the first round go? Here's our take at the predictions table.

Saturday 12th August

Hull City vs Leicester City
KCOM stadium
12:30pm
Who would have thought it rightly, 365 days ago that Leicester City would be filing out on a day like this as a league defending champions? Not even the best of crystal ball custodians would have predicted that, but here we are, the champions travel to new comers Hull for the first duel of the new season, nothing much has changed for the champions, Kante is still wearing blue, but this time somewhere in London, they do have a Polish forward and the fleet footed Nigerian striker cum winger in Ahmed Musa, how well can the foxes defend their title? Jamie Vardy's U-turn against Arsenal would be under the spotlight as well as Riyad Mahrez staying put. For the hosts, they've been here before, they're the underdogs here, but they can take solace in the fact that their foes here were on that tag even till their final fixture at Stamford Bridge last season.
Verdict: Leicester to start brightly with a win

Burnley vs Swansea
Turf Moor
3:00pm
The first of the royal rumble at 3:00pm takes place at another new comers' den, Burnley would be remembered for beating Manchester City at their last try, this isn't a too difficult fixture but they play a team that blows hot and cold on opening days, they travelled to Chelsea first last season and stole a point, one disastrous start that Chelsea didn't get over throughout the campaign. Swansea lost their long standing captain to Everton, as well as their top striker of last season, Andrew Ayew, but they have Spanish import Fernando Llorente, a World Cup winner, euro championship winner, Serie A winner t name few of his achievements, how will Swansea respond to the exodus of their forwards? For Burnley, avoiding relegation would be the dream, how that plays out starts here.
Verdict: Swansea to pick a point at least

Crystal Palace vs Westbrom
Selhurst
3:00pm
Next up we're at Selhurst park, Crystal Palace have what looks like a team that will challenge high up the table, they've been daring in the market, they got French international Steve Mandanda in goal, Andros Townsend on the flank and they have tabled offers for big names across Europe, Westbrom have their squad intact but uncertainty trails the person of Saido Berahino as always. They both need jet packs, they both must start very well, although good starts sometimes doesn't mean it will end well as Crystal Palace did last season, the Eagles were in the top four for a good while before going on a nightmarish run that ultimately plunged them down the ladder. Tony Pulis has the reputation of having his teams staying up, how will they both start?
Verdict: Palace to win or draw

Everton vs Tottenham
Goodison Park
3:00pm
Everton have new owners, big money to throw around but worries over want away striker Romelu Lukaku, they got a new defender in Swansea big man Ashley Williams and they're still gunning for Juan Mata, but they play a compact Spurs side that were almost going to be champions last season but for a late capitulation. This could go anywhere, two teams that love to play and take risks, Everton have a more disciplined manager now in Ronald Koeman but how well has he prepared this bunch for this test? Spurs are daring, hungry and maybe wounded after losing out at the death last season, Victor Wanyama is the major new boy at Spurs tho they also brought in new faces but one can bet that the old boys would still get the early nod. For Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier, they have to do it again, for Koeman, he needs to repeat his Southampton legacy of confidence, hunger and discipline.
Verdict: Both teams to score

Middlesbrough vs Stoke
Riverside stadium
3:00pm
Referee Kevin Friend would lead us out at another new ground, maybe not very new but it's great to see Boro back in the league, they host Stoke City, managed by a premier league veteran and a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson, Mark Hughes. Aitor Karanka shipped in Spanish big names, Manchester City misfit, Alvaro Negredo and Victor Valdes who failed to impress at the other half of Manchester, big dreams they have their at Riverside; Welsh Xavi, Joe Allen is the major new face at Stoke but they would be happy to welcome back their goalkeeper Jack Butland after an injury that kept him out of Euros. We have a tough fixture here with philosophical clashes from the dugout, Middlesbrough won't want to go down quickly, but how well can they go with Victor Valdes in goal?
Verdict: Draw

Southampton vs Watford
St. Mary's Stadium
3:00pm
Two new managers, lofty expectations, almost the same teams. Serie A veteran, Walter Mazzari takes on Claude Puel, big stage for strong impressions by both sides, Watford kept hip old of their front two despite interests from the champions while the Saints have Nathan Redmond from Norwich coming in for the departed Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle. Walter Mazzari is a big fan of the 3-5-2 formation, something that relegated Wigan, contributed to LVG's early problems at Old Trafford and proven difficult in a league of fast wingers but the world is changing. The Saints have to move on, they seem to be the biggest losers in the ongoing window having earlier lost their sleek manager to Everton, they must brace themselves and fight here, they have points to prove.
Verdict: Saints to pick a point at least

Manchester City vs Sunderland
Etihad Stadium
5:30pm
Pep Guardiola will file out for the first time in the premier league with his blue half of Manchester lads, he got the men he wanted, John Stones arrived from Everton during the week as well as Leroy Sane from Shalke 04. He has no excuse, he must deliver. Sunderland would be on the wrong cards as a likely candidate for the infamous drop but the acquisition of the former Manchester United manager, David Moyes may have changed that. The Scott went back to his old bunch to poach two defenders but to what end? This should be a straightforward run for the Citizens. Raheem Sterling must prove his qualities to Pep, and in fact the world, his price tag is under scrutiny, the place of Joe Hart will also go under the lights with Cabalero proving unworthy again in the defeat to a near second string Arsenal. Welcome to the premier league Pep
Verdict: Straight win Manchester City

Sunday 13th August

Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Vitality Stadium
1:30pm
Jose Mourinho is back in the premier league, months after being relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge after a season to forget, he will file out as a widely accepted successor to the philosophical Louis Van Gaal. Bournemouth, with their youthful and adventurous manager, Eddie Howe will host a new Manchester United, quite different from the one they famously beat last season for a record they will cherish till the end of time. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will spearhead the Red Devils attack, after coming through with a late header at Wembley to seal the shield trophy, runaway Frenchman Paul Pogba is back with a Big Bang, mega transfer and the world is waiting for his response to the pressure that comes with such transfer. Anthony Martial, Ander Herrera and the emerging lads will have to wait but their time will come. For Bournemouth, they'll hope for better luck with injuries, but not sure it will be a good start to their sophomore year.
Verdict: Manchester United to win

Arsenal vs Liverpool
Emirates
4:00pm
Arsenal are in the same hole as always, and one would wonder why they'll expect a different result from the one they've been having for a decade now. Liverpool look rejuvenated, now Klopp can banish the marks of Brendan Rodgers on the squad, with Sadio Mane in town, they can ship out Christian Benteke, Georgio Winaldum is in town, they could get over the sale of Joe Allen. Arsenal got Xhaka to bolster an already choked up middle, but with injury already rearing heads even before the blast of the whistle, it makes business sense, how about the need for a center back following injuries to Metersacker, Gabriel and fitness concerns around Koscielny, how about getting a striker that would score week in week out? They face Liverpool without key players, but it's been long since Liverpool last win at the Emirates. This is Wenger's last season of gamble, it will take lots of foolishness to see him at the gunners dugout next term if failure persists.
Verdict: Liverpool to win or draw

Monday, 14th August

Chelsea vs Westham
Stamford Bridge
8:00pm
Premier league football returns on Monday for the first time at the home of the former champions, Chelsea host a team they couldn't beat last season, in fact Westham were one of the teams that sent Jose Mourinho packing. Westham are relatively unchanged, apart from loan players that returned to parent clubs and Aaron Cresswell that will sit out due to a nasty injury, Westham made a huge statement of intent by holding on to Dmitri Payet but their hosts have testimonies too. Chelsea remain intact, bolstered and ready to challenge, Antonio Conte will be focus on a title assault with no European distractions, one the big boys will envy. N'golo Kante will come in to cement the midfield while Mitshu Bashuayi will help with goals upfront, Chelsea will have no excuse this term.
Verdict: Chelsea to edge this




Strictly the writer's opinion. Bet responsibly.