HERE ARE THIS SATURDAY'S FIXTURES 8/18..........
Arsenal v Sunderland - Emirates Stadium
Arsenal - Even though the Gunners have lost RVP they will call upon new boys Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to fill in the void he has left. Along with the key addition of Sanit Cazorla, Arsenal looks poised to continue there preferred style of flashy, exiting football.
Sunderland - The Black Cats made a much needed signing recently, adding Louise Saha. The 34 year old has the potential to score at least 15 goals every season. If he can stay health it will be a much needed boost. Sunderland's weakness is the lack of ability to defend from the air. Last season they conceded the highest percentage of goals from headers (28%).
Player to Watch - Santi Cazorla (first appearance)
Prediction - Arsenal
Fulham v Norwich - Craven Cottage
Fulham - Fulham's biggest concern is currently off the pitch. With the future of Clint Dempsey in doubt, losing him would leave a large hole to be filled. Last seasons his 23 goals propelled them to finishing 9th and great form. Without him players such as Moussa Dembele as well as new summer signings Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric will be called upon early to lead the Craven Cottage side to victory. The Dempsey issue will be a road block this Saturday.
Norwich - Last years success was not seen by many as a possibility. They have re-upped the side with additions such as Roger Snodgrass, Michael Turner and the retaining of Grant Holt, more success looks to come. Norwich play physical and make every match a battle. Be prepared for another solid campaign.
Player to Watch - Grant Holt (form from last year?)
Prediction - Norwich
QPR v Swansea - Loftus Road Stadium
QPR - Loftus Road will be rocking this Saturday. QPR has done wonderful with there signings over the summer. Two that stick out is the addition of former England international and West Ham keeper Robert Green as well as Blackburn's Junior Holliet. Both are joined by numerous more, these two will be extremely vital. I believe Holliet will have a breakout year. Coupled with recent signing Jose Bosingwa from Chelsea, they look to have a great starting 11. Look for Holliet to become a much sang tune of the home side.
Swansea - Swansea, anchored by shot stopper Michael Vorm, did very well last year. Losing key cogs: Joe Allen and loanee Gylfi Sigurdosson, they have some work to do. Losing manager Brendon Rogers to Liverpool pins them to suffer a case of "second season syndrome". I fore see them struggling in this fixture.
Player to Watch - Scott Sinclair
Prediction - QPR
Reading v Stoke - Madejski Stadium
Reading - Premier League newcomers Reading have a long road ahead of them. They did keep 20 clean sheets last year in the Championship but only scored 69 goals. These two sides have never met before in the EPL, such be an interesting match. Welcome to the EPL boys!
Stoke - Stoke City play typical Tony Pulis ball. Not very attractive but successful. They have added US international and University of Rhode Island (GO RAMS!) Geoff Cameron. He impressed during the MLS season as well as a fantastic game against Mexico this week. If Stoke can find goals from Peter Crouch and the supporting cast, they such win easy.
Player to Watch - Jonathan Walters
Prediction - Stoke City
West Brom v Liverpool - The Hawthorns
West Brom - New manager, new forward, new form? Key loanee Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea has the hopes of the Baggies on his large shoulders. Named the new "Drogba" his inability to get playing time at Stamford Bridge has fueled his move to West Brom. I believe he will succeed but his task will be tough
Liverpool- Enter Brendon Rogers. The new managers has been given a tricky situation of returning Liverpool to the height of the EPL. The addition of former player Joe Allen and Roma striker Borini, lots of questions are being asked about the potential of his side. With Captain Steven Gerrard finally health, look to see many goals this Saturday
Player to Watch - Steven Gerrard (WHAT A BEAUTY!!! - Andy Gray, famous goal call)
Prediction - Liverpool
West Ham v Aston Villa - Upton Park
West Ham - After a year in the Championship the Hammers are back up. West Ham have lost there last two EPL season openers and this years will be a tough one. Under "Big Sam" Allardyce, they went 21 games unbeaten to finish out last year. West Ham will rely again on midfield bulldog Kevin Nolan and question marked forward Charlton Cole who scored 15 and 13 goals respectively. New keeper Jussi Jaasskelaien will be faced with many shots this weekend
Aston Villa - I am usually very reluctant to put confidence into Aston Villa. However, against the odds and most other predictions I think they will have a breakout year. Darren Bent struggled only scoring 10 goals last year but with help from new signing Brent Holman and midfielder who has the potential to excel, Charles N'Zogbia, he could blossom.
Player to Watch - Marc Albrighton (Young talent on his rise)
Prediction - Aston Villa
Newcastle v Tottenham - Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle - Newcastle are flirting with establishing themselves as a damn good squad. Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Ryan Taylor and new signings Vurnon Anita, the squad is jam packed with quality. Anita will be making his first start most likely, however Ba and company are in doubt due to injury. This win would be a hard one, the season though should be wonderful journey.
Tottenham - Questions aplenty. Modric leaving to Madrid? Lloris signing? Whose will start at forward? AVB replacing Redknapp success or failure? Those aside they still will win. Top 4 finish maybe be in doubt but the first match under AVB should be a W.
Player to Watch - Gareth Bale (as usual)
Prediction - Tottenham
Arsenal v Sunderland - Emirates Stadium
Arsenal - Even though the Gunners have lost RVP they will call upon new boys Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to fill in the void he has left. Along with the key addition of Sanit Cazorla, Arsenal looks poised to continue there preferred style of flashy, exiting football.
Sunderland - The Black Cats made a much needed signing recently, adding Louise Saha. The 34 year old has the potential to score at least 15 goals every season. If he can stay health it will be a much needed boost. Sunderland's weakness is the lack of ability to defend from the air. Last season they conceded the highest percentage of goals from headers (28%).
Player to Watch - Santi Cazorla (first appearance)
Prediction - Arsenal
Fulham v Norwich - Craven Cottage
Fulham - Fulham's biggest concern is currently off the pitch. With the future of Clint Dempsey in doubt, losing him would leave a large hole to be filled. Last seasons his 23 goals propelled them to finishing 9th and great form. Without him players such as Moussa Dembele as well as new summer signings Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric will be called upon early to lead the Craven Cottage side to victory. The Dempsey issue will be a road block this Saturday.
Norwich - Last years success was not seen by many as a possibility. They have re-upped the side with additions such as Roger Snodgrass, Michael Turner and the retaining of Grant Holt, more success looks to come. Norwich play physical and make every match a battle. Be prepared for another solid campaign.
Player to Watch - Grant Holt (form from last year?)
Prediction - Norwich
QPR v Swansea - Loftus Road Stadium
QPR - Loftus Road will be rocking this Saturday. QPR has done wonderful with there signings over the summer. Two that stick out is the addition of former England international and West Ham keeper Robert Green as well as Blackburn's Junior Holliet. Both are joined by numerous more, these two will be extremely vital. I believe Holliet will have a breakout year. Coupled with recent signing Jose Bosingwa from Chelsea, they look to have a great starting 11. Look for Holliet to become a much sang tune of the home side.
Swansea - Swansea, anchored by shot stopper Michael Vorm, did very well last year. Losing key cogs: Joe Allen and loanee Gylfi Sigurdosson, they have some work to do. Losing manager Brendon Rogers to Liverpool pins them to suffer a case of "second season syndrome". I fore see them struggling in this fixture.
Player to Watch - Scott Sinclair
Prediction - QPR
Reading v Stoke - Madejski Stadium
Reading - Premier League newcomers Reading have a long road ahead of them. They did keep 20 clean sheets last year in the Championship but only scored 69 goals. These two sides have never met before in the EPL, such be an interesting match. Welcome to the EPL boys!
Stoke - Stoke City play typical Tony Pulis ball. Not very attractive but successful. They have added US international and University of Rhode Island (GO RAMS!) Geoff Cameron. He impressed during the MLS season as well as a fantastic game against Mexico this week. If Stoke can find goals from Peter Crouch and the supporting cast, they such win easy.
Player to Watch - Jonathan Walters
Prediction - Stoke City
West Brom v Liverpool - The Hawthorns
West Brom - New manager, new forward, new form? Key loanee Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea has the hopes of the Baggies on his large shoulders. Named the new "Drogba" his inability to get playing time at Stamford Bridge has fueled his move to West Brom. I believe he will succeed but his task will be tough
Liverpool- Enter Brendon Rogers. The new managers has been given a tricky situation of returning Liverpool to the height of the EPL. The addition of former player Joe Allen and Roma striker Borini, lots of questions are being asked about the potential of his side. With Captain Steven Gerrard finally health, look to see many goals this Saturday
Player to Watch - Steven Gerrard (WHAT A BEAUTY!!! - Andy Gray, famous goal call)
Prediction - Liverpool
West Ham v Aston Villa - Upton Park
West Ham - After a year in the Championship the Hammers are back up. West Ham have lost there last two EPL season openers and this years will be a tough one. Under "Big Sam" Allardyce, they went 21 games unbeaten to finish out last year. West Ham will rely again on midfield bulldog Kevin Nolan and question marked forward Charlton Cole who scored 15 and 13 goals respectively. New keeper Jussi Jaasskelaien will be faced with many shots this weekend
Aston Villa - I am usually very reluctant to put confidence into Aston Villa. However, against the odds and most other predictions I think they will have a breakout year. Darren Bent struggled only scoring 10 goals last year but with help from new signing Brent Holman and midfielder who has the potential to excel, Charles N'Zogbia, he could blossom.
Player to Watch - Marc Albrighton (Young talent on his rise)
Prediction - Aston Villa
Newcastle v Tottenham - Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle - Newcastle are flirting with establishing themselves as a damn good squad. Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Ryan Taylor and new signings Vurnon Anita, the squad is jam packed with quality. Anita will be making his first start most likely, however Ba and company are in doubt due to injury. This win would be a hard one, the season though should be wonderful journey.
Tottenham - Questions aplenty. Modric leaving to Madrid? Lloris signing? Whose will start at forward? AVB replacing Redknapp success or failure? Those aside they still will win. Top 4 finish maybe be in doubt but the first match under AVB should be a W.
Player to Watch - Gareth Bale (as usual)
Prediction - Tottenham
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