EPL Game Week 1

After a three month hiatus, do you think we are up to it? Even if you are, do you think the players are? Returning from a long holiday of over-indulgence in food and drinks, putting on weight and lacking fitness. Don't you wish our work life to be like the soccer season with a three month break and we work only from August to May? That would be wonderful!

Every team would wish for a good start in a new season. For how not to start a season, just look at Arsenal last year. Will they make the same mistake again? Unlikely. They lost key players like Fabregas and Nasri without replacement and this time it would be van Persie but this time they have got a good looking replacement like Oliver Giroud.

Arsenal v Sunderland - I said Giroud is good looking but whether he will look really good on the business end is to be seen. Arsenal is looking like a more significant challenger for a trophy with Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla but will they go straight into the fray? Losing RVP their top scorer to Man Utd is a blow and could peck them back a bit unless the new signings shine. Another 4th place showing? Why didn't Arsenal bring back (on loan to Sunderland last season) striker Nicklas Bendtner and give him a chance as he shone at Euro 2012. Sunderland's main threat are midfielder Sessegnon and manager Martin O'Neill plus their physical style. The Gunners do not have a great record against the Black Cats and as you know black cats can sometimes bring bad luck but Sunderland has not added much and could be a skinny cat. 2-0.

Fulham v Norwich - Craven Cottage is not an easy place to go get a result especially if Clinton Dempsey is playing. If he is kept till later before Liverpool signs him then Fulham has a chance to ace this one. Having already lost Danny Murphy and possibly Dembele later to Real Madrid, Martin Jol will not have an easy season. The consolation is that they have signed Wigan's Rodallega. Norwich has a new probelm in that their able manager Paul Lambert has left for Villa Park. With a small squad, injuries to goalie John Ruddy, Pilkington or striker (former S-League) star Grant Holt would spell trouble. 2-1.

QPR v Swansea - QPR was saved by the skin last season and could still be a relegation candidate this time around. Mark Hughes has added Robert Green, Fabio, Park Ji Sung while Mackie and Bobby Zamora are still around. New manager Michael Laudrap was the famous Danish striker who has now brought Chico, Guzman and Michu to Swansea. The rest like Vorm, Williams, Dyer, Sinclair, Graham are still there but QPR seemed to have a good record against them. 2-1.

Reading v Stoke - Reading is an unknown quality and may be tipped to go back straight down. Stoke have been more than survival and are rumoured to be signing Michael Owen, the once precocious Liverpool and England star. 1-1.

WBA v Liverpool - Roy Hodgson did a great job at the Hawthorns and has now left for England. His successor is Steve Clarke who was no. 2 to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and no. 2 to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool. He has got Romelu Lukaku to join on loan from Chelsea. It will be a baptism for both managers, Clarke and Rodgers. Will Joe Allen and Borini start? How about Andy Carroll? Is Agger leaving for City? Liverpool must stamp their authority for a good start if they must get back to the top four. 0-2.

West Ham v Aston Villa - The Hammers has always played attractive soccer but often struggled and flirted with relegation in the top flight. They have been a constant supply of the England team over the years. Will they stay for the long haul this time? Villa themselves struggled last year. Though they both played to an almost same coloured home kit, I pick the Hammers to win 2-1.   

Newcastle v Tottenham - This will be the game of the week. Newcastle is the more stable side as AVB seeks to revamp Spurs but the Magpies may not fly yet as they were riddled with injuries to all key players like Ba, Cisse, Arfa and Cabaye facing fitness problems. 2-2.

Wigan v Chelsea - This is a no brainer. Yes, Wigan has caused some troubles to the top sides last season especially towards the tail end but Chelski has regrouped. No more Drogba but Torres seemed to be much sharper and they have Oscar, Hazard and a few others to inflict damage. If Barecelona and Bayern could not defeat them, not Wigan this time. 0-2.

Man City v Southampton - Another no brainer. The new EPL Champions v the new kid in town. Tevez, Balotelli, Aguero, Dzeko, Silva, Nasri. 3-0.

Everton v Man Utd - Alright Man Utd has got RVP and he will partner Shrek er, I mean Wayne Rooney. If you add up with simple arithmetic  they can contribute 50-60 goals a season but things do not work that way. Wenger built Arsenal around RVP and not everyone who left supposedly to be better got better. The Red Devils' defence cracked on numerous occasions last season and their midfield lacked an enforcer and finally they lacked a leader. Sir Alex Ferguson should really have retired at the top a few years back. Utd can still be strong with their experience but they may not be champions again soon. Everton has always been fighters. They have lost Tim Cahill to the MSL and Jack Rodwell to Man City. David Moyes is very good manager but the lack of resources may see them to a slow start. 0-1.

Chelsea v Reading - The soccer Gods are favouring Chelsea with the early season fixture. 2-0.

Well, most folks are thinking that the title will remain in Manchester. Liverpool and Tottenham are rebuilding. Watch out for London - Chelsea and Arsenal. Let the new season unfold.