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11/08/09

By Mark Carter

The opening fixtures of the Premier League have proved historically tough to predict.

Which teams will hit the ground running? Have key players reached match fitness? What affect will the 1,000’s of air miles clocked up over pre-season have? Who will succumb to opening-day jitters?

The action begins early Saturday afternoon with Chelsea playing host to my relegation favourites – Hull City. This match goes against the precedent and does offer a highly predictable outcome.

Chelsea will be brimming with confidence following their Community Shield shoot-out victory last Sunday and as the final whistle blows at Stamford Bridge, the team will be celebrating again.

The side will bear too much power, guile and ability for a side that capitulated in the second half of last season, and that has thus far failed to strengthen sufficiently in the transfer market.

Jozy Altidore’s season-long loan deal will provide more potency in attack and the arrival of Nigerian midfielder Olifinjana from Stoke City should give more bite to their midfield, but this will not be enough to trouble Chelsea.

An impressive victory is predicted for the west-Londoners.

Roberto Martinez will be pitting his wits in the Premier League for the first time as his Wigan side travel away to Aston Villa.

This should prove an intriguing contest. Wigan have lost Valencia – the side’s biggest threat last season – and may struggle to create chances against a well-organised Villa defence; albeit one missing the presence of Martin Laursen.

That said, Martinez sets his teams out to play flowing and intricate football; if the players put his ethos into practice they could still stand a chance.

Fabian Delph will be looking to impress should he be given his chance and Ashley Young will be ‘biting at the bit’ to carry on where he left off last term.

Most of Villa’s shallow squad struggled with fitness towards the business-end of last season, and will be looking forward to showcasing their ability once again having enjoyed a well-earned rest during close-season.

I believe Villa’s eagerness to impress their fans with an opening-day home win will prevail with a narrow victory over the Latics.

Man City fans will be full of expectation as their side face Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Predicting Mark Hughes’ selection for Saturday’s game is as difficult as it once was for Liverpool under ‘Rotating Rafa’ before he came to his senses during the last campaign!

If Carlos Tevez, Adebeyor and Robinho find their way onto the pitch together for kick off, a City win would be on the cards.

The trio will pose a threat too great for a Rovers side now missing former star striker Santa Cruz – who recently completed an £18 million move to City – and I cannot see Allardyce’s men reciprocating the threat.

The toughest game to call on Saturday is the evening fixture at Goodison Park as Everton take on Arsenal.

Everton have proved extremely difficult to break down under David Moyes, and their opponents will be suffering alongside Blackburn, having also fallen victim to Man City’s millions as Adebeyor followed Santa Cruz’s lead to Eastlands.

Arsenal will sorely miss Adebeyor’s presence. Robin van Persie will be expected to play further up the pitch, but his game is not played with his back to goal. Arshavin will be the Gunners’ biggest threat, and has been in unstoppable form since his arrival in January.

Everton’s influential playmaker Mikel Arteta is still recovering from tearing his cruciate ligaments and is set to be unavailable for the game, however, the Toffees have proved that they are capable of sneaking a goal or two even without a recognised striker!

I see this game finishing in a score draw.

The remainder of Saturday’s fixtures are: Bolton v Sunderland (away win), Portsmouth v Fulham (away win), Stoke v Burnley (goalless draw), and Wolves v West Ham (away win).

Sunday will provide us with a (ever so slightly…!) bigger clue as to where the title may end up.

Manchester United take on Birmingham City at Old Trafford, and Liverpool travel to White Hart Lane to face Spurs.

It would be hard to predict anything other than a home win for United, especially as Birmingham boss McLeish is facing the prospect of filling his bench with academy players following a chronic injury crisis.

Despite their defeat to Chelsea in Sunday’s Community Shield clash, United showed signs of why they should be taken seriously as title contenders. Nani looked promising, as did Evra, Fletcher and, of course, Wayne Rooney.

If Owen is given a chance from the start, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bag a goal or two in what would be his home debut at the club.

I predict a United win by a two-goal margin.

Liverpool will be facing a much tougher test than their arch rivals at White Hart Lane.

A lot will depend on the performances of Tottenham’s new signing Sebastien Bassong – set to replace the injured Woodgate – and that of Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas – set to ‘fill’ the boots of Alonso.

Liverpool will be determined to start the season with an impressive victory, and I believe the attacking duo of Gerrard and Torres will prove too strong for a newly-formed defensive partnership at Spurs – with one of the two bagging the winning goal.

Check out more of Mark Carter’s insightful views @ http://markcarteramatteroflifeordeath.blogspot.com/.