The 2012/2013 Barclays English Premiership is back, in our usual manner, we shall preview some of the games that will be played on match day one. All opening day matches will be played at 14.00 UTC
West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool
These two teams have appointed new managers during the summer. Roy Hodgson left his role at 'The Hwathorns' to take up the England manager's job with the FA while Kenny Dalglish was sacked despite his victory in the Carling Cup and a FA Cup final appearance. Brendan Rodgers took over from the Scot in June and he has signed three new players. The Reds are on a three match winning streak starting from their 1-0 win over FC Gomel of Belarus on August 2. The Carling cup champions defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-01 in a friendly last Sunday some few days after a 3-0 bashing of FC Gomel at Anfield. Suarez and Borini will be expected to lead the Reds line up against Steve Clarke's team. Clarke was Dalglish's assistant last season and the Briton has stated that he doesn't have any negative feelings ahead of the Saturday kick off. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie will be expected to create some problems for the Reds' defence. Luis Suarez scored a brace the last time these two teams met at 'The Hawthorns'.
Prediction: West Brom 1-3 Liverpool
Arsenal vs Sunderland
This is a match that will generate a lot of interest from across the world. Thomas Vermalean has just been named as the new Arsenal captain after Robin Van Persie signed for Manchester United on Friday. Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Oliver Giroud will be expected to make their debuts for the 'Gunners'. Sunderland is a team that is capable of creating problems for Arsenal based on previous matches. The inability of the Black Cats' to secure a permanent deal for Nicklas Bendtner might work against them. K. Jones is the only notable striker for the visitors. Arsene Wenger is not expected to parade Alex Song who has been linked with a switch to the Nou camp. Oxlade Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielney have been ruled out of this fixture due to injury. Arsenal will be expected to win their first match at the Emirates in the new season.
Prediction: Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Newcastle United finished last season in the fifth spot behind AVB's men. Papiss Demba Cisse and Demba Ba are still part of Alan Pardew's team and the Senegalese duo scored a total of 28 premier league goals last season. Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote are struggling to regain full fitness ahead of this match.Luka Modric is not going to play this match following his impending move to Real Madrid. The Croat was fined twice during the pre-season period and he also failed to travel with the team when they toured North America. Andrea Villas Boas will lead his team to the Sport Direct Arena.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Wigan vs Chelsea
Victor Moses will be expected to feature for Roberto Martinez's men despite his unsettled transfer to Chelsea. The Nigerian international has been linked with a move away from the DW stadium since May 2012. Chelsea's new players will make their debut on Sunday afternoon. Roberto Di Matteo's career as the permanent manager of the reigning European club champions must not end in a defeat. The Italian was not the first choice of Chelsea's Russian owner during the summer. The pressure to win his first game of the season cannot be ruled out. Oscar and Eden Hazard are some of the players that will be part of the new-look Blues' side. Fernando Torres is the team's top striker after the departure of Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.
Prediction: Wigan 2-4 Chelsea
Manchester City vs Southampton
Gaston Ramirez could be watching this game from the stands on Sunday. The Uruguayan and Bologna midfielder who was linked with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool has travelled to hold talks at the Saint Mary's stadium. Southampton will be making their return to the top flight of English football after three year absence. The team played against Arsenal in the FA Cup final in 2005. Roberto Mancini's men will be expected to start their title defence with a comprehensive victory at the Etihad stadium. The defending champions won last weekend's Community shield match against Chelsea. Mario Balotelli is a major doubt for this game while Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez are the main strikers that should start this game. Eden Dzeko could be introduced later in the match if he is not listed on the starting line up. Jack Rodwell will be on the bench for this game.
Prediction: Man City 5-1 Southampton
West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool
These two teams have appointed new managers during the summer. Roy Hodgson left his role at 'The Hwathorns' to take up the England manager's job with the FA while Kenny Dalglish was sacked despite his victory in the Carling Cup and a FA Cup final appearance. Brendan Rodgers took over from the Scot in June and he has signed three new players. The Reds are on a three match winning streak starting from their 1-0 win over FC Gomel of Belarus on August 2. The Carling cup champions defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-01 in a friendly last Sunday some few days after a 3-0 bashing of FC Gomel at Anfield. Suarez and Borini will be expected to lead the Reds line up against Steve Clarke's team. Clarke was Dalglish's assistant last season and the Briton has stated that he doesn't have any negative feelings ahead of the Saturday kick off. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie will be expected to create some problems for the Reds' defence. Luis Suarez scored a brace the last time these two teams met at 'The Hawthorns'.
Prediction: West Brom 1-3 Liverpool
Arsenal vs Sunderland
This is a match that will generate a lot of interest from across the world. Thomas Vermalean has just been named as the new Arsenal captain after Robin Van Persie signed for Manchester United on Friday. Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Oliver Giroud will be expected to make their debuts for the 'Gunners'. Sunderland is a team that is capable of creating problems for Arsenal based on previous matches. The inability of the Black Cats' to secure a permanent deal for Nicklas Bendtner might work against them. K. Jones is the only notable striker for the visitors. Arsene Wenger is not expected to parade Alex Song who has been linked with a switch to the Nou camp. Oxlade Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielney have been ruled out of this fixture due to injury. Arsenal will be expected to win their first match at the Emirates in the new season.
Prediction: Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Newcastle United finished last season in the fifth spot behind AVB's men. Papiss Demba Cisse and Demba Ba are still part of Alan Pardew's team and the Senegalese duo scored a total of 28 premier league goals last season. Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote are struggling to regain full fitness ahead of this match.Luka Modric is not going to play this match following his impending move to Real Madrid. The Croat was fined twice during the pre-season period and he also failed to travel with the team when they toured North America. Andrea Villas Boas will lead his team to the Sport Direct Arena.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Wigan vs Chelsea
Victor Moses will be expected to feature for Roberto Martinez's men despite his unsettled transfer to Chelsea. The Nigerian international has been linked with a move away from the DW stadium since May 2012. Chelsea's new players will make their debut on Sunday afternoon. Roberto Di Matteo's career as the permanent manager of the reigning European club champions must not end in a defeat. The Italian was not the first choice of Chelsea's Russian owner during the summer. The pressure to win his first game of the season cannot be ruled out. Oscar and Eden Hazard are some of the players that will be part of the new-look Blues' side. Fernando Torres is the team's top striker after the departure of Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.
Prediction: Wigan 2-4 Chelsea
Manchester City vs Southampton
Gaston Ramirez could be watching this game from the stands on Sunday. The Uruguayan and Bologna midfielder who was linked with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool has travelled to hold talks at the Saint Mary's stadium. Southampton will be making their return to the top flight of English football after three year absence. The team played against Arsenal in the FA Cup final in 2005. Roberto Mancini's men will be expected to start their title defence with a comprehensive victory at the Etihad stadium. The defending champions won last weekend's Community shield match against Chelsea. Mario Balotelli is a major doubt for this game while Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez are the main strikers that should start this game. Eden Dzeko could be introduced later in the match if he is not listed on the starting line up. Jack Rodwell will be on the bench for this game.
Prediction: Man City 5-1 Southampton
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