The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsSo the waiting is finally over and in less than 24 hours, the football season will be underway and fans across the country can breathe a huge sigh of relief and get ready for what is sure to be an action packed season in the Premier League once again.
For all the Premier league clubs, they will be hoping to get off to the best start possible, with each side laying down a target, whether it be avoiding relegation, mid-table safety or a tilt at the Premier League title. Clubs have been busy across the transfer market and fans will be hoping that their club’s new signings will gel quickly into their side and that they can be the inspiration for a better season than hoped.
Here at The Sports Lowdown, we will bring you a preview of each weekends action for the Premier League, so don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @TheSportLowdown and also please like our page on Facebook.
Saturday
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – Kick off -12:45 – Old Trafford
Manchester United will be without David De Gea, who has been left out of the squad with his head reportedly not in the right frame of mind with a move to Real Madrid still on the cards. That should mean youngster Sam Johnstone will get the nod with new signing Sergio Romero likely to not be considered as he’s only just signed. United will likely give debuts to Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian.
Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris could make a return in goal after his wrist injury but is likely to be given more time to get match fit whilst new signings Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld are likely to go straight into the line-up as manager Mauricio Pochettino hopes he can challenge for a Champions League place.
AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa – Kick off – 15:00 – Dean Court
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has a fully fit squad to choose from as they embark on their first ever season in the Premier League. The experienced Slyvain Distin should go straight into the line-up whilst Max Gradel and Lee Tomlin could also make their debuts.
Aston Villa have been busy in the transfer market and could hand debuts to a number of players though the experienced Micah Richards will likely start. They have injury concerns over Jack Grealish, Carles Gil and Carlos Sanchez, whilst Jores Okore is definitely out injured. Rudy Gestede could start as could Jordan Ayew and Idrissa Guyeye for Tim Sherwood’s new look Villa side.
Everton v Watford – Kick off – 15:00 – Goodison Park
Everton have a number of injury concerns ahead of their game against new boys Watford with Gerard Deulofeu a doubt with a hamstring injury, whilst Romelu Lukaku is also struggling and may not make the opening game. Everton will hand a debut to Tom Cleverley, though Steven Pienaar is definitely out. John Stones should be passed fit as should Kevin Mirallas, fresh from a new 3 year contract.
Watford are missing new signings Miguel Britos who is suspended and Steven Berghuis and through injury though former Tottenham man Etienne Capoue is fit to start. Almen Abdi is a doubt for new Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores as they embark on their return to the Premier League.
Leicester City v Sunderland – Kick off- 15:00 – King Power Stadium
Leicester have an almost fully fit squad to pick from with only long term absentee Matty James unavailable. New Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri could hand a debut to Christian Fuchs and will assess the fitness of new signings N’Golo Kante and Yohan Benalouane before picking his side, whilst the fight to start up front is likely to see Jamie Vardy and Leo Ulloa win the battle.
Sunderland could hand debuts to Jeremain Lens and Younes Kaboul with boss Dick Advocaat looking to make a good start to the season and keep the Black Cats away from a relegation battle. Other new signing Sebastian Coates should slot into the defence after playing part of last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and subsequently joining permanently from Liverpool.
Norwich City v Crystal Palace – Kick off – 15:00 – Carrow Road
Premier League new boys Norwich face a tough start to life back in the top flight and go into the game with a number of missing players with Youssouf Mulumbu out with a broken foot and Martin Olsson and Kyle Lafferty also missing. Andre Wisdom and Robbie Brady could make their debuts for Alex Neil’s side. The Canaries have not won on the opening day for 13 years and will be looking to end that sequence.
Crystal Palace could be the surprise package this season with boss Alan Pardew building a quality squad. He is likely to start his former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye after his move from PSG and Connor Wickham could also make a debut. Long serving goalkeeper Julian Speroni is out with a finger injury so Wayne Hennessey is likely to deputise for the Eagles.
