Pre-Match EPL 14/15: Week 1

The EPL will be back this weekend and The Writer wants to give his brief analysis on all those 10 matches scheduled. This season will surely have another close race at the top to the title and at the bottom towards relegations. With Luis Suarez gone, the race for the EPL’s best player will also be up for grabs…

Manchester United vs Swansea City

This is a good opener for the new EPL season. Everyone is excited to see Louis van Gaal and his new team. Wayne Rooney will be motivated to start strong as the new United’s captain. Swansea on the other hand is a new team. Many players come and go. The identity of the club that won the League Cup two years ago is diminishing. Gone are Michu, Chico Flores, Michel Vorm, Pablo Hernandez and the scorer in the final, Jonathan De Guzman. United will win this game to at least prove LVG is the man to take them forward and Swansea will take time to rebuild.

Leicester City vs Everton

Leicester is an unknown quantity and has nothing to lose against Everton. Playing at home, they may cause an upset. But expect Everton to win this one with hopefully Ross Barkley scores a screamer just like last season’s first game. He looks to be another Wayne Rooney than another Jack Rodwell.

QPR vs Hull City

This will be a tight game. Hull City is on fire at the moment. They won almost all their friendly and passing the Europa League qualifier with flying colours, although through a late goal. QPR is not in good form but Harry Redknap will know how to motivate his team with the help of Rio Ferdinand’s influence and Glenn Hoddle’s new tactical advice.

Stoke City vs Aston Villa

Bojan Krkic. The Writer hopes this name will be on the scoresheet at the end of this game. Cause he really needs it to resurrect his free-falling career. Chances are high for Stoke to win this game because they are quite excellent in pre-season but Villa players will be afraid to upset Roy Keane so early in the season. They have to at least give a fight against Stoke.

West Brom vs Sunderland

This is predicted to be a game of relegation battlers. Gus Poyet is a good motivator but he needs to bring more players to replace the key players of great escape last season. West Brom may struggle this season and they need their own wonderkid, Saido Berahino to mature faster and be their savior. A draw for both teams.

West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham beat Spurs last season with the solo goal from Ravel Morrison being the highlight. On paper, Spurs looks stronger but The Writer expects a nervy game from them to impress their new manager. Spurs may play safe with West Ham and a draw is likely. Unless Ravel Morrison pops up once more to run himself free into the Spurs goal net.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

What??? The Palace has crumbled again. Once more they lost their manager early in the season. But this time, the season has not even started yet. They will surely hoping to hire another type of Tony Pullis. However, the players will be very much disappointed to see Pullis gone and there is no way a comeback of 3 goals down against Liverpool last season can be repeated with this kind of motivation at such a crucial time. Arsenal will hit them hard at home. Aaron Ramsey and co will have no mercy, for sure.

Liverpool vs Southampton

Trio of Rickie, Adam, and Dejan will be anxious to wait for this fixture. But only Rickie and Dejan get the chance to play in it as Adam is out injured. Ronald Koeman will want to show the new exciting batch of Southampton's young fledglings in this match and prove that the club is still the real deal even after losing their stars. Liverpool is desperate to win this match to ease the pressure of having to face ManCity in the second fixture. Raheem Sterling and Coutinho will have to grow up and be the main men faster.

Newcastle vs Manchester City

Yaya Toure will love this game. He likes to score against Newcastle. City will continue their momentum of winning from last season's finale. Just hope that Alan Pardew doesn't headbutt any City player during the match. Steven Jovetic will be nervous to wait whether his fine pre-season form is good enough to warrant him a place in the starting eleven.

Burnley vs Chelsea

Ginger versus Grey. Different version of Mourinho. That's what the people are calling the Burnley manager, Sean Dyche. Dyche will hope he can be the new special one at least for this match by beating the star-studded Chelsea team. But expect Diego Costa to save Mourinho and prove he is better than the returning Didier Drogba.