EPL 2014/15 Game Week 1

Three months has quickly gone by and the World Cup too and many things have since happened. The EPL is back this weekend. Who are the usual suspects you think will win it and who are dropping at the end of the season?

Manchester City will defend their crown which they won as Liverpool fell towards the end last season and have changed little. They looked insipid when they lost in the Charity Shield but were without their most senior regular players. City should be considered one of the favourites. I tell you it is easier to win than to win again. Sagna, Fernando and Mangala were key additions.

Liverpool will be without their biggest bite Luis Suarez so will they be the same? They have spent almost 100 million pounds but still could not get a top striker to replace Suarez. The top strikers do not think Liverpool a top club? Brendan Rodgers must prove them wrong. Can so many new players gel? Did Rodgers buy the players that fit his system and now have a deeper squad which they did not have last year? Will Europe be to much distraction. Their 4-0 demolition was impressive especially that tiki taka goal from defence to attack which ended with Henderson scoring with a tap in. Can Sturridge be the main man? This time around will be tougher as others also beefed up and know what to expect.

Chelsea will be one of the favourites if you believe the book makers. They did look awesome at times last season in the important matches. Mourinho has gotten his man Diego Costa ( whom seemed a flop at the World Cup) who fits his style. He has his various positions covered and shall now launch their bid to win. Tibault Courtois had a great season at Atletico Madrid and is back for good. Cesc Fabregas outstanding at Arsenal, still very good at Barcelona is back to the EPL. Ageing man-mountain Didier Drogba may still haunt defenders. I hope they can be a little bit more exciting. 

Arsenal won the F.A. Cup and though the Charity Shield does not really count, they played boldly and confidently. They have a squad of solid attacking players - Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey is back and if not for injury he could have challenged for player of the year. Walcott will be ready soon and he has matured with his strike rate and assist, Giroud has just scored a memorable goal in the Shield. Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell is no longer on loan. Everybody knows how good the Gunners are but they have not filled that crucial spot that Patrick Viera once occupied. Will they suddenly go soft again midway? This is key.

Manchester United will be better. That is a given. Louis van Gaal himself alone has given them a boost. They have done very well in their USA Tour and LVH seemed to have rejuvenated Wayne Rooney. Making him captain is a good move. However, do not expect them to win the title with LVH's first attempt but there should be some interesting World Cup magic from him. Their advantage was like Liverpool - no distraction from Europe.

So how will the openers pan out? Let us take a look:

Man Utd v Swansea - Old Trafford, Theatre of Dreams must return to its glory days. The Red Devils must transfer their pre-season form from their opening match and play with fervour. The players will be playing for their places. If van Persie starts, Swansea should expect trouble as Rooney looked sharp in pre-season. Gary Monk will have to carry on last seasons's work but the Swans have lost their talisman Michu who moved to Napoli but Michu was not the same as his first season so their man to watch is Bony their star striker last year who you'll expect to score often. Swansea need to start well so as not to struggle later but United will be confident with all guns blazing. 3-1.

Leicester v Everton - Newly promoted Leicester City have been around for a long time. How many of you know that when Gordon Banks won the World Cup for England he was playing for Leceister City? Remember the most stylish and elegant player Allan Clarke? He set two British transfer record when he left Leicester to join Fulham and then Leeds United. Gary Lineker was a star striker at Leicester. There was of course gentle giant Emile Heskey and the maverick Frank Worthington. In a most recent friendly, they defeated Everton and Werder Bremen 1-0. Peter Schmeichel's son Kasper is now with them. Leicester may be the best of the newly promoted. Roberto Martinez did such a good job at Everton and 5th was already punching above their weight. Everton is stable with largely the same players and now made Lukaku their own as a record signing. Draw at 1-1.

QPR v Hull - It was a quick return to the top for Harry Redknapp's boys. Rio Ferdinand has joined them and Loic Remy remains after failing to join Liverpool. Glen Hoddle has been enlisted to help transform them into a 3-5-2 formation. Steve Bruce was unlucky not to have won the F.A. Cup after leading Arsenal 2-0. He has now added Norwich's Snodgrass who should add with some assist and goals. 2-2.

Stoke v Villa - Stoke will be playing their same game and they have done well under Mark Hughes last season. Now they even have former Barcelona striker Bojan on their pay roll. At home, Stoke can strike fear in many teams. Villa Manager Paul Lambert will have a tough season again. The owner is looking for a buyer. Not a good way to start. Peter Lim already bought Valencia. Why don't some Singaporean billionaires combined to buy it. Maybe George Quek? Advertise boldly in front of their jerseys "BreadTalk". They have a good goalie in Brad Guzan but he has not much good protection. Ron Vlaar was outstanding for Holland in the World Cup but nobody knew him when he was playing for Villa. Their key must be Christian Benteke who was injured last season and missed the World Cup for Belgium. Villa once have great stories in the top flight and were European Champions. Sad. They need a knight on a white horse to save them. A home win for Stoke. 2-1.

WBA v Sunderland - The Baggies struggled last season but survived. Not much have changed. The Black Cats were almost doomed but made the most remarkable escape and survived to fight another season. Maybe Sunderland will carry on last season's ending form for a surprise away win. 1-2.

West Ham v Tottenham - Sam Allardyce is not as popular. His soccer style he said was necessary for survival but Hammer's purists won't like it. With Andy Carroll forever injured, the Hammers may face a similar situation as last season, a lack of firepower but they just had Sampdoria beaten 3-2 at Upton Park in pre-season. The London derby would mean a bit more spice as they fight for bragging rights. Tottenham spent huge sums on players from Bale's sale but profitted little but this season they have Mauricio Pochettino who will now probably make Spurs play like Southampton - a high pressing, aggressive attacking game. They have just routinely beaten Schalke in their last pre-season friendly. Pochettino will certainly make them play pretty but to win and go top is not a forte. It depends on how much time is given. Expect the home team to harass for a draw. 1-1.

Arsenal v Palace - The Gunners are getting better. They were the most suffered lot last season in terms of injury. They have players recovered and some good ones added but they still do not have a midfielder who could break up the opposition. Arsenal is a great team with a soft centre. Arteta who takes over the Captaincy from the departed Vermalaen is not a dynamic defensive midfielder though he can be tidy and neat. Wenger must that "player". If Palace surprised them they will suddenly go into disbelief. Tony Pulis is a very good coach for getting Palace their results last year. Palace can combat the hosts with their physical style. From what I saw of Arsenal, the Gunners shall be too strong but beware, Palace killed off Liverpool's title hopes. 3-0.

Liverpool v Southampton - Liverpool were oh so close last season. It was their title but they lost it. This time things will get harder because they have to travel in Europe, more people know how they play and will be trying to stop them and they have lost Suarez but they have a deeper squad. They were impressive when I saw them against Borussia Dortmund. Rodgers borrowed the style employed by Dortmund as masterminded by Klopps. For a start, they must thank Arsenal, Man Utd and themselves for signing almost all key players that the Saints have produced over the years. Liverpool helped themselves to three - Lovren, Lambert and Lallana. If Rodriguez were not injured, he may be at Anfield too. However, Lallana is out with injury. Lovren is what Liverpool needs at the back. You now how difficult how the less rich teams cope. Southampton will virtually have a new team with possibly some very young players. Dutchman Koeman has been installed as their new manager as Pochettino left for Tottenham. A bright start for Liverpool and a tough one for the Saints. 3-0.

Newcastle v Man City - The Magpies early season form last year saved them as they did so badly in the second. Man City have the same core team of their championship season with a few additions but they shall surely be targetting for major improvements in the European competition. If City produce what they are capable of, then things may not look nice at St. James Park if the Magpies do not play a tight game. But City are much more experienced now and are not going for a century sprint. I do not see Alan Pardew producing magic and even if Newcastle play better, Expect City to start with a win. 1-3. 

Burnley v Chelsea - Burnley was a founding member of the football league way back n 1888! They are known as the Clarets due to the dominant colour of their home shirts. Only two other teams have similar colours - Aston Villa and West Ham. At one time they were near oblivion. They had good pre-season wins over Verona (3-1) and drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo. Unfortunately, they are opening as host to Chelsea who have beefed up with a deep and complete squad according to the wish of Jose Mourinho and willbe challenging for trophies this season. Chelsea's greatest strength is in defence and they have an array of players that could hurt Burnley. Away win. 0-2.

By next week after the opening games, I shall have a glimpse into the crystal ball of the full season ahead.