Get ready for Premier League drama
THE Barclays Premier League gets under way this weekend and could shape up to be one of the more unpredictable editions in recent times.
The action kicks off in earnest when former champions Manchester United tackle shock 2016 winners Leicester City at Old Trafford. It will be Jose Mourinho’s third season in charge of the Red Devils with a successful campaign shaping up as a non-negotiable.
Having endured a stressful pre-season, the club will be hoping for a positive turnaround having failed to win any silverware last season.
Die-hard United fan Trevor Moodley, of Pietermaritzburg, is hoping for a good season.
“I believe it will be third time lucky for Mourinho. We have a World Cup winner in Paul Pogba, and he will run our midfield. I expect at least two trophies,” said a passionate Moodley.
A bumper Saturday will see Harry Kane’s Tottenham taking on Newcastle in the lunchtime fixture. Can Mauricio Pochettino’s men finally go all the way? Newcastle, on the other hand, will be hoping to avoid another relegation battle.
Chelsea then travel to Huddersfield, with the Blues looking to put their previous season behind them, in which they dismally failed to defend their crown. New manager Maurizio Sarri will instil a steely edge to the London club, but will probably fear for his job from day one.
The club has a really poor track record of hiring and firing even the most successful coaches. Antonio Conte won the FA Cup and was sent packing by erratic owner Roman Abramovich.
Bournemouth then welcome Cardiff City to Dean Court, while Watford will entertain Brighton, in what should be a keenly contested encounter. Fulham will be hoping for a successful return to the league when they host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.
They day’s final game will be Wolves up against the blue end of Merseyside when they take on Everton. Proceedings then move to Sunday when Southampton take on Burnley FC, who impressed last season, with both teams gunning for all three points.
Liverpool, who have spent wisely in the off season, will play host to West
Ham United, and the club will be quietly confident of challenging Manchester City this time around.
Record goalkeeping signing Alisson Becker completes the Jurgen Klopp puzzle as the charismatic boss takes aim at a first-ever trophy with the Reds.
Match day one then rounds off with the game of the weekend as the Sky Blues travel to the Emirates Stadium to kick off their title defence against a new-look Arsenal.
The defending champions are clear favourites to retain their title but getting the job done won’t be quite as straight forward as their record-breaking 2017/2018 season, in which they managed to surpass the 100 point mark.
The Gunners, on the other hand, will be without Arsene Wenger for the first time in over two decades. Can new manager Unai Emery take the London club back to its glory days?
An exciting, mouth-watering season lies ahead in the world’s most popular league.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: FRIDAY: Manchester United v Leicester City – 9pm (DSTV Channel 203); SATURDAY: Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur – 1.30pm (Channel 203); Huddersfield v Chelsea – 4pm (Channel 203); Bournemouth v Cardiff City – 4pm (Channel 207); Watford v Brighton – 4pm (Channel 209); Fulham v Crystal Palace – 4pm ( Channel 206) and Wolves v Everton – 6.30pm Channel 203); SUNDAY: Southampton v Burnley – 2.30pm ( Channel 211); Liverpool v West Ham – 2.30pm (Channel 203) and Arsenal v Manchester City – 5pm (Channel 203).