The 20th Barclays Premier League campaign begins on Saturday and ends its Eighty Three day absence.18 of the 20 clubs start their season this weekend but the riots in london(and other parts of England) have in a way shifted the focus away from the big kick off.
Unfortunately the match at White Hart Lane between Spurs and Everton is off but safety cannot be assured in that part of london and hence Richard Scudamore and the Premier League really had no choice.In the end its the right decision as people's lives are more important than football.
Fortunately we still have 9 matches to look forward to and every single one of them is of real interest.I struggle to think of the last time there wasn't an early kick-off on the opening day but that is how it will be this time around.
The pick of the Three'o Clock kick-offs has to be Liverpool vs Sunderland.Kenny Dalglish will be keen to get Liverpool off to a good start and they will be favorites to get all three points at home.
There used to be a time not too long ago when Liverpool completely relied of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard.But they should be able to cope well without him considering the array of midfielders they have and I believe if Suarez starts on Saturday Liverpool should win.
Sunderland are a side many people will be looking at this season.Even though newly appointed Captain John O'Shea is out with a hamstring injury,There should be plenty of new faces on show for the Black Cats.All of that makes it a mouth watering opener.
Of course the late kick-off on Saturday will also be very interesting.I think Joey Barton joining Twitter must be one of the things all fans and journalists would have hoped for.One thing you are guaranteed with him is controversy.His entire footballing career has been controversial and he has made many mistakes but I believe he has done the right thing this time round.
There is clearly something wrong behind the scenes at the club and all Barton did was point it out.I know you are not supposed to talk in that manner about the people who pay your wages but in his position who wouldn't.
Carroll was sold for 35million...Where is that money??Why was Nolan allowed to leave for a championship club??Why is Enrique leaving for Liverpool??Is the club making any efforts to move forward??All these questions are very valid and need to be addressed.
Barton is a very good midfielder and I think he should leave the club now that they have decided to put him up for a free transfer(If they simply transfer listed him they would have got 3-4million for him.So to me it does not make any sense in giving him away).Surely many clubs should be all over him and Newcastle's opponents on Saturday could do much worse than him.
Speaking of Arsenal and transfers,It FINALLY looks like the Cesc Fabregas saga is over and he will be moving to Barcelona.There were a few rumors that he will be flying to Madrid to join up with the squad but these are unconfirmed as of now.
Arsenal also look set to lose Samir Nasri to Manchester City for a reported 22million pounds but Arsene Wenger did not give anything away in his early press-conference today.He even said "I do not expect to lose any more players" hours before the Fabregas deal was finalised.
Coming to the match itself,I think Arsenal should be looking for three points however it will be difficult at St.James Park.A draw might be acceptable for both clubs in their current state but no doubt both will be going out to win.
The 4-4 draw in this fixture last season was arguably the Match of the Season and if we get anything close to that we would have witnessed a really good match.
Manchester United start their campaign on Sunday at The Hawthorns against West Brom and they will be looking to put 3points on the board.The way they played last week against their City rivals must strengthen growing belief that this could be their season.
United completely dominated the match against Manchester City and a 3-2 scoreline flattered City.There is a real sense of swagger and confidence in the squad and a togetherness that is missing from most of their major rivals.
The pursuit of Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has not stopped yet but it seems as if it is unlikely a deal will go through.There is real problem regarding the wages of the Dutchman.He earns a basic 200,00 Euros salary at Inter and with the tax rate in England,It becomes a lot higher.
This would mean United would also have to increase Wayne Rooney's salary as he has a clause in his contract that makes him the highest paid player in the club at all times.So unless Sneijder is prepared to take a pay-cut(and it doesn't appear like he does),United will not be making any more signings this season.
But I think they can compete with the best without Sneijder and the performance of Tom Cleverly in the Community Shield showed that maybe he is ready to fill the gap left by Paul Scholes.
West Brom have recently acquired the services of Reading Striker Shane Long for nearly 6million pounds and I believe he can score goals in the top division.As far as the match is concerned,I can see only one winner here.United should win it but you never know what happens in football.
Looking at all the other fixtures,I see Stoke giving Chelsea a hard time.Manchester City must win to get their season up and running at home against newly promoted Swansea.Wolves should give Blackburn a good game.
Villa will be looking for 3points against Fulham at Craven Cottage.Norwich could surprise Wigan with a good result in the north-west and Bolton will have a tough opener at Loftus Road against QPR.
Only a day remains to the start of the season and as Kenny Dalglish said:"I suppose it's a wee bit like Christmas Day for the kids isn't it?"
Unfortunately the match at White Hart Lane between Spurs and Everton is off but safety cannot be assured in that part of london and hence Richard Scudamore and the Premier League really had no choice.In the end its the right decision as people's lives are more important than football.
Fortunately we still have 9 matches to look forward to and every single one of them is of real interest.I struggle to think of the last time there wasn't an early kick-off on the opening day but that is how it will be this time around.
The pick of the Three'o Clock kick-offs has to be Liverpool vs Sunderland.Kenny Dalglish will be keen to get Liverpool off to a good start and they will be favorites to get all three points at home.
There used to be a time not too long ago when Liverpool completely relied of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard.But they should be able to cope well without him considering the array of midfielders they have and I believe if Suarez starts on Saturday Liverpool should win.
Sunderland are a side many people will be looking at this season.Even though newly appointed Captain John O'Shea is out with a hamstring injury,There should be plenty of new faces on show for the Black Cats.All of that makes it a mouth watering opener.
Of course the late kick-off on Saturday will also be very interesting.I think Joey Barton joining Twitter must be one of the things all fans and journalists would have hoped for.One thing you are guaranteed with him is controversy.His entire footballing career has been controversial and he has made many mistakes but I believe he has done the right thing this time round.
There is clearly something wrong behind the scenes at the club and all Barton did was point it out.I know you are not supposed to talk in that manner about the people who pay your wages but in his position who wouldn't.
Carroll was sold for 35million...Where is that money??Why was Nolan allowed to leave for a championship club??Why is Enrique leaving for Liverpool??Is the club making any efforts to move forward??All these questions are very valid and need to be addressed.
Barton is a very good midfielder and I think he should leave the club now that they have decided to put him up for a free transfer(If they simply transfer listed him they would have got 3-4million for him.So to me it does not make any sense in giving him away).Surely many clubs should be all over him and Newcastle's opponents on Saturday could do much worse than him.
 |
| Arsenal will miss the creativity of Nasri and Fabregas |
Arsenal also look set to lose Samir Nasri to Manchester City for a reported 22million pounds but Arsene Wenger did not give anything away in his early press-conference today.He even said "I do not expect to lose any more players" hours before the Fabregas deal was finalised.
Coming to the match itself,I think Arsenal should be looking for three points however it will be difficult at St.James Park.A draw might be acceptable for both clubs in their current state but no doubt both will be going out to win.
The 4-4 draw in this fixture last season was arguably the Match of the Season and if we get anything close to that we would have witnessed a really good match.
Manchester United start their campaign on Sunday at The Hawthorns against West Brom and they will be looking to put 3points on the board.The way they played last week against their City rivals must strengthen growing belief that this could be their season.
United completely dominated the match against Manchester City and a 3-2 scoreline flattered City.There is a real sense of swagger and confidence in the squad and a togetherness that is missing from most of their major rivals.
 |
| Sneijder has had a very successful spell at Inter. |
This would mean United would also have to increase Wayne Rooney's salary as he has a clause in his contract that makes him the highest paid player in the club at all times.So unless Sneijder is prepared to take a pay-cut(and it doesn't appear like he does),United will not be making any more signings this season.
But I think they can compete with the best without Sneijder and the performance of Tom Cleverly in the Community Shield showed that maybe he is ready to fill the gap left by Paul Scholes.
West Brom have recently acquired the services of Reading Striker Shane Long for nearly 6million pounds and I believe he can score goals in the top division.As far as the match is concerned,I can see only one winner here.United should win it but you never know what happens in football.
Looking at all the other fixtures,I see Stoke giving Chelsea a hard time.Manchester City must win to get their season up and running at home against newly promoted Swansea.Wolves should give Blackburn a good game.
Villa will be looking for 3points against Fulham at Craven Cottage.Norwich could surprise Wigan with a good result in the north-west and Bolton will have a tough opener at Loftus Road against QPR.
Only a day remains to the start of the season and as Kenny Dalglish said:"I suppose it's a wee bit like Christmas Day for the kids isn't it?"
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