EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 1

How quickly has time passed us by. You were probably lamenting about your clueless weekends while the transfer market was abuzz with signings such that the new EPL season could be another cracking season. Leicester suffered after shocking everyone with the title previously and will Chelsea suffer the same fate after coping better than all last season and walking away with the title. How about the other teams shaping up?

While some parts of the world are suffering from wars, famines or just being impoverished, the soccer world has not even a recession. When Paul Pogba went to Manchester United for 100 million pounds, eyebrows got raised. His agent Mino Raiola made 41 million pounds, that raised eyebrow never got back into original position. Now Romelu Lukaku whom Jose Mourinho didn't play while both were at Chelsea is joining him at United for 75 million pounds with 15 million pounds add-ons. It's like 30 years back people here were talking about four figure salary and when you came to that, you realised that you should be needing five figures. Now go figure out what those above figures mean.

Now Neymar is going to PSG bankrolled by oily money. No disrespect to French soccer which is really good at international level, with PSG and Monaco doing very well at home and in Europe and their abundance of talents but Neymar's transfer from Barcelona for a stunning 222 million Euro (200 million pounds) has caused lots of people walking around without eyebrows. I thought there were lots of talk and action on financial fair play? So what happened?

Arsenal v Leicester - The Gunners have done a bit more. They have finally signed a true goal scorer (53m pounds) who could deliver 20 goals a season and in the mould of Ian Wright - Alexandre Lacazette  who is French like Oliver Giroud. Communication will not be a problem if they play together side by side if Wenger chooses to and they have added Sead Kolasinac who may be what the Gunners have been missing since Patrick Viera. However, keeping Alexis Sanchez is key as he was top notch combining his goals and assists (24 goals/10 assists) last season. Nobody does it better. Arsenal did well towards the end of last season when they too switched to 3-4-3. Will they continue with it? They have already won the Community Shield after penalty kicks with Chelsea. It does not mean they will win the title but did exhibit they are good and a psychological barrier was broken? Lacazette certainly looks good and if he could settle down quickly will be an asset as he offers something different to Arsenal. 

The Foxes has shored up their ageing defence by signing the impressive Harry McGuire from Hull and added 1.90m Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra and Iheanacho (ex Man City). If Riyadh Mahrez stays and rediscover his form of two seasons ago together with Jamie Vardy then Leicester could be something since Kasper Schmeichel has stayed. Can they play together with such high spirit and belief again like 2 years ago? Spare a thought for newly confirmed manager Craig Shakespeare whose early tasks involved Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool but they should be more solid with no more European distraction. 

Arsenal are still a very good team but must keep Ozil and Sanchez. They have many good players but not enough world class ones. At the Emirates, they are good enough to start with a win but Leicester should be better this season and shall give a good game. Expect the Gunners to control the match and the visitors to defend and counter attack with speed. Expect goals if you remember last season's opener.Alexandre Lacazette should score. So too Jamie Vardy. Prediction: 3-2

Watford v Liverpool - The Hornets have not done much in the transfer market. Not every team that adds players get better bit in Watford's case, not adding can't make them better. Do you still remember Sir Elton John and their players in the class of John Barnes on the left, Nigel Callaghan on the right and the powerful Luther Blissett in the middle up front? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyPmTpJIs5I (Luther Blissett)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_SdOPHCqo (Nigel Callaghan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEJfzUSH4e4 ( magic of John Barnes who also played for Liverpool)

Watford have added only 3 players including Cleverly. Manager is clever and a steady influence but will it be enough. Watford can play tough at home and have Liverpool learnt how to break down teams who defend deep and pack their defence? Will the Reds run amok from the word go? Will Watford say 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBwqdA7_4lo (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Elton John)

Meanwhile, Liverpool have added depth with Scottish left back Andrew Robertson (from Hull). New signing Mohamed Salah is looking right and very good with his pre-season goals and not "salah" at all. With him Liverpool may go even faster or in case Mane is away. The there is Dominic Solanke, the young Englishman signed from Chelsea who has been scoring regularly in pre-season and whose goals helped England win the U-20 World Cup recently. He could be a star. The Reds have a better all round squad but are competing in the Champions League and it won't be easy and need a deeper squad. They need the 6ft 4in Dutchman Virgil van Dijk who is the only defender I know who will be a great asset to Liverpool - his aerial strength will help defend set pieces which they were poor at. His calm physical presence, power and speed allows him to mop out and he has good feet. The perfect player at the back for Liverpool's style of play pressing high up. Klopp must sign him since van Dijk has handed in a transfer request now. Naby Keita would have been a great acquisition as he is like Kante and even more when attacking. Lallana's injury may hurt them and what if they lose Coutinho to Barcelona for a reported 120 million pounds? With van Dijk and Keita, Liverpool should be challenging for honours otherwise, they may find the going tough with Champions League distraction. There was report of Coutinho throwing in a transfer request and may not feature in this match.

Coutinho committed a five year contract to stay at Liverpool only in January and became Liverpool's highest paid player and said: "I signed to stay here because it is a great honour for me. It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone and I am very thankful to this club for everything." He had probably forgotten to say ''when Barcelona comes calling, I'll be off in the summer''. Not a good start for Liverpool. Look around everywhere. Contracts are meaningless since they are often not honoured. When you throw in the towel at your team and friends at the very last minute, it was a very poor timing and choice. He should have handed in the transfer request before he signed the new contract. 

Liverpool have been impressive in pre-season and scored 3 goals on many occasions (including Bayern Munich) and Watford would probably defend deep and strike on the counter where Liverpool have been found wanting in the past. Against European teams, it is easier but in the EPL, teams some teams defend deep and in numbers. Still Liverpool must win if they have title ambitions. They need a good start for boosters. Prediction: 1-3

Chelsea v Burnley - This is the title defence. Costa's nuisance will be gone too. New signing Morata will play an important role as a prized catch. Expect Chelsea to be Chelsea again but if Hazard is out through injury, they will still be too good for the visitors though they may have to struggle a bit to break down Burnley. Their addition of Rudiger is to strengthen an ageing defence but the loss of Nemantic may be telling depending on whether new signing Bakayako will play. Manager Dyche has added wisely in Jon Walters (ex Stoke), Bardsley and Cork who are typically suitable players for Burnley's style of play. They have a low budget and need their manager to lead them out of tough terrains. This match is no issue to Chelsea but their thin squad may be exposed and stretched going farther. Prediction: 2-0

Crystal Palace v Huddersfield - Sam Allardyce saved them and left to enjoy his retirement. Frank de Boer will introduce Dutch play to them but there has been a lack of signings. It is de Boer's first time here so it could be tough. They have added Dutch defender Jairo Riedewald. Huddersfield have made two decisive signings and will play like a typical Championship team so they are likely to struggle when they faced quality opposition. Huddersfiled may surprise as it will be their fist time and the opener so a draw may be possible but I do expect experience to triumph on home ground. Prediction: 1-0

Everton v Stoke - The Toffees will be more balanced and overall should be stronger than last season. They have made England U-21 goalie Jordan Pickford (ex Sunderland) the most expensive goal keeper in Britain. He was outstanding last season and bought Ajax captain Klaasen, Ramirez from Malaga and up and coming defender Michael Keane (Burnley) and with the return of old boy Wayne Rooney have signalled their intention to do more than just 7th position. Wayne Rooney was waning and his signing could be a masterstroke of Ronald Koeman to rekindle his childhood passion and add experience. Key question is how to replace Lukaku'ss 25 goals last season. 

Some important stalwarts of the team has left Stoke - Walters, Arnautovic, Whelan and Bardsley so how will Mark Hughes cope. If no strengthening is done by August, he will face a difficult time with the fans especially after last year's performance. Prediction: 2-0

Southampton v Swansea - The Saints have been quiet on the transfer front. New manager Pelligrino has to re-invent the team after his own philosophy. Will he have time on his side? Especially if Virgil van Dijk leaves. Southampton have a rich supply of young and talented players over the years and have confound soccer fans with their reinvention each year even when some of their best players left and even their manager Ronald Koeman left. Paul Clement saved Swansea last season but they have an over-reliance on Icelandic international Sigurdsson but fortunately for them he is still here but remains an Everton target. It will be hard for the Swans to replace him if he leaves. Prediction: 1-1

WBA v Bournemouth - Tony Pulis has never been relegated. Not much changes going on with only the proven Rodriguez joining. They have always been a tough team but they seem more vulnerable this season if no players are added. Eddie Howe's Bournemouth plays good football and he has added more experience to his team by signing Jermaine Defoe, Begovic and Ake. No risks in these players at all. Howe is a brilliant young manager and the Cherries should do even better than last season. Prediction: 1-1

Brighton v Manchester City - Brighton had a good promotion campaign but no experience players from the Premier League except manager Hughton. Hardly adequate so they may bring on a hard physical game as they welcome of all teams City. With the money they have, City continue once again to have the best squad just like last season. They have made heavy investments in summer and the pressure is huge to win something. That is what to expect with Guardiola. Bernado Silva, Ederson (goalie), Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy. Silva was a key player for Monaco, Walker had his best season for Tottenham last year, Danilo is the Brazilian right back form Real Madrid and Benjamin Mendy, a French left back who played for Monaco and reputed to be one of the best crosser of the ball. This is a baptism of fire kind of welcome to Brighton to the Premier League. Can Brighton spring a surprise as City have sometimes been caught? Newly promoted teams can be trouble. Prediction: 1-3

Newcastle v Tottenham -The Magpies are back but the same problem are restricting them again and may frustrate manager Benitez and give the Toon Army at St. James Park and their team a hard time again. Newcastle must be good to be able to win promotion as champions at the lower division and have a high quality and experienced manager in Benitez. There will be a great atmosphere to charged on the Magpies. Tottenham were third and then second. Will this time be first? They have a young and settled team and playing very good football led by Pochettino. I consider them a strong contender especially with Kane and Eriksen. Unfortunately, moving to play at Wembley may have some effect on them. Tottenham must remember to get off to a good early start to be champions. Can they win here? Prediction: 1-2

Manchester United v West Ham - Jose Mourinho cannot complain this time of conspiracy theory as the Red Devils have such nice opening fixtures - West Ham, Swansea City, Leicester City and Stoke City. They should be topping the league by then especially when he must have spent at least one billion pounds on talent. Lindelof will make their mean defence meaner they hope, Matic is big and strong and Lukaku to get the goals. Typically a Mourinho team - which is big strong players, strong defensively, very hard to beat. Then for Lukaku to bang in the goals. People are already saying they will be challenging for honours as Mourinho has a record to suggest that in his second season in charge he could win the title. I beg to differ. A manager of Mourinho's class with the money to spend must play a brand of attacking soccer that excites. Perhaps this is finally coming for I am still waiting for an attacking Mourinho team.

Bilic has made sensible signings for West Ham and they should be more stable this season. Some may have doubts over Bilic who was in trouble before they were rescued last season. On loan Joe Hart and ex Chelsea defender Zabaleta will add experience while signing of Stoke's Arnautovic will give them fresh attacking impetus. Having secured the services of Mexico's all time leading goal scorer in striker Javier Hernandez from aka Chicharito from Bayer Leverkusen where he was outstanding should ensured scoring success. Will United take the new season by storm? Somehow Old Trafford was where they have drawn many matches last season. The Hammers could surprise. This is why you must play an attacking game. Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City are favourites. Chelsea may be next even if they do not look like it.  The Red Devils are looking better on paper and Mourinho tended to win a trophy in his second season. Arsenal have added a proper striker and back in the fray. Tottenham have been good but gotten short in the last two seasons. Liverpool could win their first title in 18 years? Well, if they got Virgil van Dijk to plug the leaky defence, secure Naby Keita and/or not lose Coutinho. Coutinho has chosen to drop a bomb on his ''beloved'' team at the eleventh hour which to me is not honourable at all despite him being a courteous person but has surely been ill advised by his agents. Well, these are the book makers' thinking.

After this, do not discount former champions Leicester City, Southampton and now ambitious Everton. 

Newly promoted Huddersfield are favourites to go back down followed by fellow newcomers Brighton. Burnley who missed out so narrowly last season could be the next. Then Watford and Swansea may struggle and so too back-to-the-premier-league Newcastle. 

Let the season begin!