EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 1

It gets more difficult is it? Fore reigning champions Leicester City to defend their prized crown? Fortunately, Vardy stayed put which is good for him for there is always the temptation for more money elsewhere or say more continued success with Arsenal but nothing is guaranteed as there were good players who moved and became a debacle. They have lost the influential Kante and may later lose Mahrez. Even then, most will know better to find a way to counter their game. 

An intriguing season awaits us for sure as Arsenal and Tottenham have stable squads with small additions to strengthen their teams. The Gunners still lack another top striker and defender in my opinion even though they may now have Xhaka to enhance the midfield and Tottenham looking so solid all season only to crumble towards the end but now have Janssen to play alongside or deputize Kane. Manchester City have upgraded with the finest manager in the world in Pep Guardiola who also have an almost similar squad save for new boys John Stones, Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Nolito. It should be interesting to watch how City transform under him. City should benefit from his experiment at Bayern Munich.

Then you have the return of Jose Mourinho for Manchester United. To me they are a match only because Mourinho is devilish enough but save for a short spell at Chelsea where they played quite brilliant attacking soccer, most of his teams are quite boring. Luke Shaw is back, Jesse Lingard just scored a brilliant solo goal in the Community Shield, Mkhitrayan is an interesting addition as German player of the year and Armeni'as greatest with the continued development of Marcus Rashford and then we have the enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He is a world beater and one of few players in the world who could stand alongside Messi, Ronaldo and Bales but at 34 and in the Premier League it can be a different kettle of fish altogether even as there are great players who have excelled at a later age and as Zlatan proved by having scored in the Community Shield. Then we have the more than a 100 million pounds Paul Pogba. Nobody is worth that much. Only Messi comes close followed by Ronaldo and Gareth Bales. United let him go for free and that is the biggest slap on the face. David Moyes must be wondering if life is fair. If only he had been given the same money to splurge. Take note that very often and most likely that the team that wins the shield do not win the title. 

Liverpool may continue to be the best team on the day that could beat everyone and also the worse by loosing to anyone. They showed it in the 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona and their own 0-4 demise to Mainz. There is also the training and pressing game they play could be the reasons for their string of injuries. The addition of Mane, Wijnaldum and Grujic looked good. Will they fulfil their promise this season? Klopp is doing the right thing by not buying success but can the Kops wait any more? Is the honeymoon over this season?

Chelsea has acquired a solid manager in Conte. Conte like Mourinho will make Chelsea hard to beat. You could see his Italian team at the Euro to visualize. The signing of Kante will surely make them more solid and Batshuayi shall provide them some option and firepower. Which team, manager and players will shine?

Hold your breath. Everyone starts from scratch. Let the new season unfold.

Hull v Leicester - The Tigers are back so Steve Bruce has done a good job. I only remember a few of their names like Huddlestone, Livermore, Snodgrass and Dawson. When they last met a year ago, the Foxes could not beat them but since then what a different year they have had. Then, at this same venue, they drew one apiece. To be number one is one thing but to maintain it is much harder. Leicester showed in an entire season that they are fighters. This season will definitely be much tougher. A good start can make a difference. Expect Vardy to score. 0-2.

Burnley v Swansea - It was also quick return for Burnley. I know they have a good goalie, at least enough to be called up for England duty. Liverpool loan Flanagan to them too. They fought hard and achieved some surprised result when they were in the premier league. Swansea play good soccer and slumped midway but found their way back towards the end of last year. Swansea are the better team and could squeeze a narrow win here. 0-1.

Crystal Palace v WBA - Alan Pardew has a good team but they faltered and got back in time to salvage their status. They have welsh goalie Wayne Hennessy, defender Scott Dann who had a good season, signed Hammer Tomkins, Ward at LB, added Townsend, interesting players like Zaha, Cabaye, Puncheon and Wickham. Both play a physical game but Palace have fast players and the Baggies can match them if Lambert and Berahino are on song. Tony Pulis has this reputation to make a limited team very hard to beat and he could jolly well prove it here in their first match but the home team have enough match winners to clinch full points. 2-1.

Everton v Tottenham - The Toffees collapsed last season resulting in Roberto Martinez's sacking. They have not beaten Tottenham in at least five outings, not even at Goodison Park. Tottenham who has the look of champions collapsed quite spectacularly at the end of last season. Super scorer Harry Kane has a lot to prove despite 25 goals in the previous season more so for his failure at Euro for England. Everton have three main stars in John Stone Ashley Williams, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku but to me it is their new manager Ronald Koeman who will make a big difference. They have lost Stones to City and will be somewhat weakened. Did you not witness how he turned Southampton around despite losing many of their top players? Tottenham have a solid squad that could still challenge for honours. Now Kane has a new partner or back up in Janssen. Manager Pochettino has familiarity all around. Koeman will surely be good for Everton but it may be too early here for him to get a good result. I think the visitors are too strong. 1-2.

Middlesborough v Stoke - Newly promoted, their most famous player is Stewart Downing but they have battled to come up this level. Stoke have transformed under Mark Hughes  and have a top goalie in Jack Butland. Captain Shawcross is a season campaigner but still 28. They have added Joe Allen from Liverpool and still have Shaqiri, Bojan and Arnautovic that can be an exciting attack. Somehow they too faltered midway last year. Perhaps Boro could rattle them at home but Stoke could surprise. 1-1.

Southampton v Watford - The Saints have lost their manager Ronald Koeman and Italian striker Pelle but most of the rest are intact and still have Charlier Austin, J. Rodriguez and Shane Long. They were very good under Koeman and now have a new French manager Claude Puel who once trained Thierry Henry. Watford are a decent side and both Deeney and Ighalo can score. WIth home advantage at the St. Mary's I expect the Saints to continue their end of season form and win over the Hornets. Watford have never beaten SOuthampton in their last five meetings.  2-1.

Manchester City v Sunderland - Can you imagine Pep Guardiola losing in his first match? Jermaine Defoe scored quite some goals to keep them up but their former manager Sam Allardyce who led the great escape has left  to become England manager. Welcome back David Moyes. David can be counted to make teams difficult to beat. I thought he actually did very well at Everton. Sunderland have never won at City. Being the season opener and City being already a good team under Pellegrini, Pep would have enhanced them quickly by now. Home win. 2-0.

Bournemouth v Manchester United - In December 2015, Bournemouth beat the Red Devils 2-1. So, if the visitors think it is a walk in the park, think again. In their last four home matches, they were unbeaten against United. On paper, Manchester United look way too strong for Bournemouth and for Mourinho, he could not fail especially after spending so much and especially for the opening game which can be used as a gauge for things to come. Expectations are high here but this is an easier start than for Arsenal and Liverpool. 0-2.

Arsenal v Liverpool - The Gunners have a superior head to head result against Liverpool. If you were to look at their pre-season, Arsenal have been impressive but Liverpool's have been topsy-turvy - winning very impressively and then failing quite badly, just like their past seasons. While it shall be a great and interesting match as both are attacking teams, Arsenal should start as favourites but the Gunners have started in a similar vein before many times only to fall flat surprisingly at times like this. Klopp has brought a new dimension to Anfield but to me he still lacks a deadly super striker to convert all the creation just like their host. Someone in the mould of Luis Suarez. They do have on in Daniel Sturridge but the guy is made of paper or porcelain I suspect. A draw would be a good result for both as they warm up and lay in wait of their other enemies like both teams from Manchester, Chelsea and the likes. 2-2.

Chelsea v West Ham - Chelsea lost so much confidence last season under the same guy that Manchester United paid so much for you wonder if they will fully recover by this season. In new manager Conte they have someone with the work ethics and tactical ability to transform them. The question is by when? One thing is he can't do worse than Mourinho. As for the Hammers, they had an amazing last season where they could beat any team and in Dimitri Payet, a very special player. Chelsea have never lost to West Ham at Stamford Bridge in the last ten times since early 2000s. However, last year, things has changed as the Hammers were unbeaten twice winning 2-1 at Upton Park and drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will be a better team this term but West Ham have gone up a few notches. Draw. 1-1.

Leicester City - As defending champions, the Foxes must be respected but it can only get harder. They are more experienced and should be a team to reckon with but they should be managing expectation. There is also the distraction of Europe. They should enjoy themselves but unlikely to repeat as champions again. Ranieri said get 40 points as target first and the fans continue to sing ''we are staying up''. They know how to have fun!

Arsenal - The Gunners came closer but short again. They have added moderately but could have done more. They need a forward with twenty goals or more in a season, someone to command and clean up the midfield and a most solid defender to mop up. Is Xhaka the one? They should have the most stable team but are they enough to go one place better? They are still rumours of Ozil leaving. They are still hunting for that top striker and teams know how to play them. They need something new and a little more. 

Tottenham - You can say that if not for Leicester's extraordinary season and their own undoing towards the end, Tottenham could have been champions. The potential is definitely there. Have they recovered and become even stronger? Pochettino is excellent and has built a solid team. Sometimes when you missed it you may have to wait a little longer. Other teams have beefed up.

Manchester City - Pep is a winner at Barcelona and Bayern Munich but this is the premier league. Their possession game is there thanks to Pelligrini who made them attack. There are no major clear out but also no major acquisition but a few good additions. They are the most balance squad. Interesting to find out how Pep is special and what he could bring to the table. He is the most innovative. 

Manchester United - Mourinho has spent big and has big ambition. He has added some quality. Bailly has pace at the back but that is all. Pogba is dynamic but will he be burdened by the price tag and is he really at that level or just over hyped? Ibrahmovic will add class and Rashford will be even better. They will be more interesting again but unless Mourinho having spent that much dare to attack, nothing much will change except that they now have more flair players but Mourinho could surprise like he did at Inter. He was the biggest flop of last season despite many successes. 

Liverpool - The Reds created the most chances but they need to convert. Daniel Sturridge certainly has the ability but he is crocked. Who then to deliver the goals to turn to points. Mane will be very good but they need someone like Suarez to turn loss into a draw and a draw into a win, home or away. Well, at least I think they got an excellent manager in Klopp. I do not think they will win the title but they were in two finals last season. So something good is happening. Their main problem is consistency. Klopp works to a certain system where players must work and flow seamlessly for it to work best. Liverpool could surprise but I think Klopp needs another year.

Chelsea - Conte will build a solid team that should do no worse than the one Mourinho got the sack from. Sometimes in life, you got the sack and then got a better job. But Conte is no superman. I saw how he brought in Zaza just at the end of extra-time presumably to take a penalty kick and I said to myself, I think he was going to miss it as he hardly got a kick of the ball and I was right. Conte is also a master tactician and disciplinarian with great work ethics so Chelsea could spring a surprise.

West Ham - The Hammers acquired Ayew, their club record signing for only 20.5 million pounds. Look at what some clubs are paying these days. He is very good as I saw how he featured for Swansea. Most of their players are intact, most important of all - Dimitri Payet. If they could maintain last season's form they could be better. Now they have a big stadium to match their rivals too. The future looks bright.

Everyone of the above teams have the potential to win it but truth be told, most should start with aiming for a top four finish. That is where the money is but most have missed out on something like the title for sure conceded to Leicester. Others missed out on being second or third more importantly at least fourth. I think Arsenal and Manchester City have the best chance. Leicester and Tottenham may find it hard to end up with the same position as last season. Liverpool shall surely and must surely be better than their previous 8th position and dare to go at least 4th. A club like Manchester United must be playing in Europe. Both  Liverpool and United can focus on the domestic title with no European distraction.

Manchester City are my favourites for the title followed by Manchester United. Arsenal or Chelsea a close third/fourth. Liverpool/Tottenham fighting for 5th/6th and Leicester/West Ham for 7th and 8th.

Besides all new signings to watch, you have the stars of last season but most intriguing would be the managers and their rivalry. Mourinho v Guardiola in Manchester Derby. Mourinho crossing swords with Wenger again. Or how will Conte or Klopp fare against each other and the rest? How does Pochettino square up to all? What about Ranieri and Bilic? Whose eyes will Mourinho gouge out? This is to me better than hunting for Pokemon. Let the season begin!