Liverpool fans are repeating their annual mantra of “This Is The Season”, Arsenal fans are hoping you can actually win things with kids, United fans are smugly expecting another double at the very least, Chelsea fans still don’t care that nobody likes them and the rest are chattering about their slimmer than a supermodel’s lunchbox hopes of breaking in to the top four, snatching a UEFA Cup place, finishing in the top half of the table, avoiding relegation or in the case of Hull how they’re going to enjoy every second of being in the Premier League. Right now reality can be suspended and the “what ifs” have yet to become “if onlys”. Just one game can knock those hopes though, so who’ll still be believing after the first game of the 2008/2009 Premier League season?

With the tradition of starting all opening games at three o’clock on a Saturday defunct, Arsenal and West Brom get a head-start at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were less than impressive against Steve McLaren’s game if limited FC Twente despite winning two nil in the Champions League. If West Brom get close to Arsenal from the start then there is the chance of an upset but Arsenal are comfortable at home and the result, if not the performance in Holland, will give them a boost of confidence. The likelihood is that Arsenal, even without Fabregas, will prove too much for the Baggies and should win by a couple. Arsenal 2-0.

Saturday’s three o’clock matches are all tough to call with Everton’s home game against Blackburn the most interesting. The Toffees are struggling with an injury hit squad which is small at the best of times, whilst there seems to be unrest in the Blackburn camp with Warnock now looking to leave and Roque Santa Cruz and Bennie McCarthy linked with moves away. It appears Paul Ince has yet to get things settled and a trip to Merseyside isn’t the easiest way to start his Premier League managerial career. Even with Cahill and Pienaar out David Moyes still has a very strong backline, Arteta and the under-rated Osman in the midfield and Yakubu fit up front. It doesn’t promise to be an exciting one but the home side should sneak it. Everton 1-0.

Stoke’s trip to Bolton has the smack of a draw with the enthusiasm of the Premier League newboys being enough to match the limited Wanderers. 0-0


Roy Hodgson has had a busy summer, bringing in nine new faces and getting rid of ten. The most important player he’s kept is undoubtedly Jimmy Bullard but there are a few decent players amongst his new recruits. Mark Schwarzer, Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora are players who should make immediate impacts and if Hodgson can recapture the spirit which saved Fulham from relegation then they’ll be too much for relegation favourites Hull. Fulham 2-1.

West Ham at home to Wigan looks like another draw with neither side making any great improvements to their squads, hopefully they’ll offer up a couple of goals at least. 1-1.

Tottenham have impressed in pre-season but the departures of Keane and Berbatov are big blows. It could be the case that Juande Ramos wants to build his own team after a disappointing league campaign in his first season in charge. He has made some very interesting and potentially exciting signings as opposed to Gareth Southgate who hasn’t. Look for Spurs to impress in winning this game and go on to be around the European places come May. Spurs 2-0.


In Europe Liverpool were even worse than Arsenal and were lucky to escape from Belgium with a 0-0 draw. Gerrard was predictably missed but so to was Mascherano as Plessis and Alonso failed to take control in midfield. At least the captain will be in the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light. Keane and Torres will need time to gel so in the meantime expect the Gerrard and Torres Show to be Liverpool’s most potent source of attacking play. Roy Keane is another who has had a busy summer and there’s no doubt he’s improved his squad. Sunderland will give the Reds a tough game and a late goal might decide it either way. With Gerrard back though Liverpool are a different animal and have enough to come away with the win. Liverpool 2-1.


On Sunday one manager whose squad has been upset by transfer talks faces another manager whose squad has been upset by transfer talks. Mark Hughes Man City may be the one with more to deal with at the moment and unless Jo proves an instant success they’re pretty toothless up front. Aston Villa may still have Gareth Barry but even without him in the side this is a game Martin O’Neill will know he can win. Villa 2-0.

Just what Scolari will do to Chelsea we may get a glimpse of in this game with Portsmouth. Bosingwa and Deco are quality signings and with no significant departures the blues aren’t especially different in terms of personnel but there will certain changes in their style of play. Chelsea will push United again this season and Harry Redknapp’s little and large show may have to wait to put on a performance. Chelsea 3-0
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The Champions start their defence in Old Trafford with Newcastle the opponents. The Ronaldo saga seems settled for now and while an incident like that could rock another manager Ferguson will find some way to use it to his advantage. Newcastle will have another rollercoaster season, starting off with a low against a Man Utd team that’ll probably end up being inspired by Ronaldo. United 2-0.