1 down, 37 to go

Hindsight can make things look so much more obvious. Take a glance at last season’s opening day and you’ll see what I mean. 5-0 wins for Fulham and Swansea set the tone for a strong season for both of those teams, whilst their opposition, QPR and Norwich, both struggled for large portions of the season, Norwich finding some form towards the back end but QPR ultimately doomed. West Ham’s victory against Villa signalled the start of a great season for the newly promoted Hammers whilst Villa were destined to scrape by. Reading’s late equaliser against Stoke suggested promise but ultimately, despite a few late battles, they were ultimately quashed, whilst Stoke had a pretty poor season themselves, with Pulis sacked at the end of it. West Brom also set the tone early, murdering us and it was obvious that not only were the Albion in for a good year, but we were really not.

Chelsea got off to a flyer against an atrocious Wigan side but settled down after scoring a couple (a feat they repeated this weekend) and they had a good but ultimately hit and miss season, whilst Wigan were unceremoniously dumped out of the league. Judging by their defending in the opening 20 minutes of this game, I’m not surprised. As for City, they laboured to a hard fought victory against a Southampton side that fiercely battled and this summed up both teams seasons, as City failed hopelessly to stop United and Southampton battled their way to a solid position. United meanwhile, lost on the opening day, and whilst it may seem odd to say this set the tone for their season, the simple fact was (and remains in truth) that they look rather out of sorts without Robin Van Persie. But this game said more about Everton than it did their opponents as Fellaini set the tone by bullying and harrying a strewn together United back 4 and Everton had a brilliant season.

Of course, not every game will show this. Some games you look back on and see no clues of what was to come. The two North East clubs got off to great starts against the two North London clubs, as Sunderland held Arsenal 0-0 and Newcastle beat Spurs 2-1. If you’re being really pedantic, you could make a point about Arsenal’s result being slightly better but ultimately these were flukes. Arsenal scored a bucket load of goals whilst Sunderland had a dreadful season and Newcastle had an even worse one, barely escaping relegation. Spurs were on fire for much of the first half of the season, once Bale hit top form.

And so we come to this year’s opening day. What can we glean from our opening set of fixtures?

Liverpool v Stoke:

Not a lot in truth. I said to my brother before this game kicked off that the Liverpool team looked very similar to the team that finished last season, with Toure and Mignolet straight swaps for Carra and Reina and Aspas in to the attack the only real change. And we played like we finished last season, dominant, Coutinho creating chance after chance, Gerrard and Lucas running the midfield and when Sturridge found the net it looked good. But we still have a shocking inability to finish off a game and this nearly hurt us with that late penalty. As for Stoke, they look to have changed their playing style but they never got much of the ball to play with. They constantly looked a threat from set pieces, which has always been the case and, as we all already knew, Stoke need a new penalty taker (seriously, when I realised it was Walters taking it, I was already 50% more confident he’d miss).

Arsenal v Aston Villa:

Arsenal need to make signings. In truth, this didn’t need an opening day humiliation to be obvious but nevertheless, the lack of new players was painfully on show as Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat to Villa. Struck forcefully by injuries, Arsenal have gone nowhere while teams around them are improving. Villa keeping Benteke is a huge boost for them but Gabby Agbonlahor was their star man, ripping apart Arsenal's defence. I think Villa will be stronger this season than last, but I wouldn't back them for a top half finish. And as for the refereeing, it's as under the spotlight as ever. The first penalty, in my mind, should've been a red card but to counterbalance that, no way should Koscielny have gone. His first booking may have been a penalty but not from the angle the ref was looking at and the second yellow was harsh at best. A tough day for the man in the middle.

Norwich v Everton:

Feed the Wolf and he will score. Words used in regard to Norwich's new striker Van Wolfswinkel and he showed off his abilities with a thumping equalising header. That and a wonderful solo goal for Whittaker were the highlights in an otherwise poor game for Norwich fans, many of whom cannot deny they should've been beaten. Everton had the most passes and possession of the teams playing on Saturday and Sunday but the lack of clinical edge could cost them this season. Ross Barkley looks a very fine talent, and his left-footed thunderbolt showed not only a brilliant technical ability but a confidence and an inability to be affected by pressure, both of which are rarely seen in a gifted 19 year old. Keeping Baines and Fellaini will be crucial to Everton's season, but I think that they should take a leaf out of Norwich's book and get themselves a goalscorer because I don't think either Jelavic or Kone will cut it. 

Sunderland v Fulham: 

A perfect start for a Fulham side that many believe will struggle this season. I am not one of them. Martin Jol is a great manager and in Dimitar Berbatov they have a world class striker. Stekelenburg looks a good replacement for Mark Schwartzer and they have a good, solid team. Sunderland, meanwhile are in a stage of transition. I like Paolo Di Canio and what he is doing at Sunderland. I like their signings and I like the methodology but nevertheless, they need to get points on the board early if they're to avoid a dogfight. I fancy them to stay up, but they lacked an ability to finish or in truth to carve out chances on Saturday that will be alarming Di Canio. They need goals and quick.

West Brom v Southampton:

Two sides that had mixed fortunes last season and I feel they'll both finish in a similar position this time out. I worry about how West Brom are going to replace the strength, power and goals that Lukaku brought them last season. Anelka is a good striker but does he still have what it takes to bang in 15 goals in the top division? I am a fan of Shane Long but his goal-scoring record leaves a lot to be desired and West Brom are another side that need to hit the ground running, although I can't see them going down. As for Southampton, they look good. Osvaldo is a big signing for them and it remains to see how he'll integrate into the team but they played very well on Saturday. What I like about them is that they're using a lot of young, exciting English players, like Luke Shaw, a clearly very talented left back. And for me, the fact that Rickie Lambert hasn't been snapped up by a big club is fantastic for Southampton and I really hope he can continue his brilliant form at the top level. This could be a good year for them.

West Ham v Cardiff:

West Ham have a very good team here. Joe Cole looks reborn at them, and they're hoping that the signs that Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing will be too prove correct. Jarvis is another good winger and in Noble, Diame and Nolan they have a very very good central midfield. Top half finish for them? I'd say so. As for Cardiff, they didn't put up too much of a fight, but were they ever going to? It remains to be seen whether or not this Cardiff side have what it takes to survive and if they've brought in enough players. Goals, as ever, will be an issue but so will keeping clean sheets. It'll be a struggle for them.

Swansea v Man United:

Swansea are another team I really like. They play good football and in Michu and Bony they have goalscorers. Chico Flores and Ashley Williams are a solid centre-back partnership and they should be on for another very good season. Although the scoreline wouldn't suggest it, they played pretty well against a United side that never really outplayed them. The United backline looked a tad shaky at times but in the end, the simple fact is United have players capable of winning games. Robin Van Persie was immense, scoring two brilliant goals and playing his part in another. Valencia played a brilliant ball for Welbeck's first and as much as I hate to admit it, Welbeck and Rooney's link up play for goal no.4 was stunning. But this United team look like they're relying on Van Persie to make things happen and I don't fancy them for the title if something should happen to him.

Crystal Palace v Spurs:

Palace gave a very good account of themselves in their first league game back in the top division. They defended very very well and I like left back Moxey, despite him conceding the penalty that cost them the match. They created one or two decent openings but if they can defend like this against other sides, they'll get points. But they have a real lack of experience and goals in their side. Kevin Phillips is getting to the stage of his career where he'll be reduced to cameos and neither Wilbraham nor Chamakh look like they'll grab more than half a dozen. I like the look of young Gayle but I fear for Palace. They were helped out by a Spurs side with a real lack of creativity. Considering how well they played last season, it was a surprise to see them struggling to break down Palace. They've brought in a lot of new players and Soldado upfront looks like a man who will score 20 goals plus, which is great news for them. But they were underwhelming on Sunday and they can do a lot better.

Chelsea v Hull City: 

For the opening twenty minutes of this game, Hull looked like the side that we would watch be washed away. Their defence looked very weak and they could barely hold onto the ball as impressive Chelsea got in time after time. However, as the game went on, Hull played some very good football. However, Chelsea took their foot off the gas and I still feel as though Hull will struggle to stay up. They've got some good passers in their side, and in Huddlestone, Livermore and Graham they have made some excellent signings but I can't see them keeping enough clean sheets to stay in this division. As for Mourinho's Chelsea, they have been clear favourites for the title ever since he announced his return. I think they're in for another disappointing year though, we've seen this kind of optimism too many times over the last few years. Nevertheless, they look good and will certainly challenge in every competition, I'm certain they'll win something, just not the league. 3rd for me.

Man City v Newcastle: 

Before this game, I said I thought City would win the title and Newcastle would go down. Nothing I saw changed my mind. City look fresh, exciting and dangerous and played the best football of the weekend. Even with big players on the bench, they ran riot here. Dzeko has never played so well, their big three of Silva, Toure and Aguero all scored and their defence looks rock solid. Navas, Fernandinho and Negredo all looked impressive and not even the injury to Kompany will dampen their spirits, as long as he's back for the United game, I can't see any of their opposition before then troubling them. Newcastle on the other hand were wretched. They lack quality in all areas of the pitch. Cisse and Ben Arfa aside, they have no attacking flair, and if they lose Cabaye, their midfield loses its only spark. Collocini is a great defender but he lacks back up and Steven Taylor was awful before he got himself sent off. Pardew and Kinnear are a disaster waiting to happen and Newcastle are in for another year of pain. 

To sum up then, my predictions for the season are as follows. The top 3 are in a league of their own, but City for me have to be favourites. The two North London sides will be battling with Liverpool for 4th spot, but as far as I'm concerned, it's Spurs for the taking. Swansea, Everton and the Hammers should all make up the top 10 and then come the likes of WBA, Fulham and Southampton. Norwich and Villa should be alright, as they have the fire power but Stoke and Sunderland will struggle. All three newly promoted sides are in for a tough season, but I suspect Cardiff will escape the drop at the expense of Newcastle.

1. Man City

2. Man Utd

3. Chelsea

4. Spurs

5. Liverpool

6. Arsenal

7. Everton

8. Swansea

9. West Ham 

10. Fulham

11. Southampton

12. West Brom

13. Norwich

14. Aston Villa

15. Stoke 

16. Sunderland

17. Cardiff

18. Newcastle

19. Hull

20. Crystal Palace

And before I sign off, a quick shout out to Northants Cricket Club, who pulled off a stunning victory to claim the Friends Life T20 Final by over 100 runs. Brilliant work lads.