THE EPL IS ABOUT TO GET HOTTER!

A very good morning to y'all once again ... its another Barclays Premier League weekend and as usual, the excitement, the buzz and the paparazzi it brings awaits the fans. Before the Match Day 1, i predicted some matches and i was ashamed of myself because only 2 predictions came to pass out of 10! Arghhh, this is why i dont play Nairabet or 360bet or whatever ... i know football is not predictable, especially as Manchester United's loss to Swansea would have broken so many hearts, in my area i heard many people saying "Swansea spoiled my ticket" lol ... wonder why people take football like mathematics, this is the EPL where Burnley can wake up one day and hammer Manchester City 3-0! Wake up dudes! This is not La Liga where Barcelona will surely hammer Levante by 7-0!

So, whats been happening lately in the EPL? Finally, LVG decided to sign a qulaity CB in Mojo, sorry, Marcos Rojo, an exciting defender that can play either as a centre back or left back, i remembered he scored against #Nigeria at the #World Cup in Brazil, what else can i say about him, maybe i should say yeah, he's got nice tattoo ... ask any Manchester United fan too, they won't know what to say about him, he is relatively unknown but he is a descent player. The problem i have is, where is he playing in Manchester United's new 3-5-2 formation? CB? where will Evans play? LB? where will Luke Shaw play? Well, like the fans will say, he is the tactical master so he knows best, hmmm ... agree with them? I agree with them, we all say his tactical skills again Swansea last week *Holds laughter* ... so, welcome Mr Mojo, what a time to come when the weather is COLD :) .... 

So, also in the deal, Nani has moved the opposite direction to join Sporting Lisbon, that is good for Man United, the next players to leave should be Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick and Welbeck ... they are not the calibre of players that should be with such club, Welbeck should be plying his trade in the Championship with Doncaster Rovers or Sheffield Saturday, is it Wednesday, whatever ... Sheffied oneday .... Fletcher should be playing for Bolton Wanderes and Anderson should be playing for Chelsea ... yeah, Bully team ... or Stoke City. Anyway, we shall see who is coming next to the Old Trafford.

So, the trending transfer news right now should be Mario Ballotelli's Liverpool move and it is likely to be completed later today as the striker is expected to fly to Liverppol for his medicals. *Sigh* Balotelli again? Okay, i am 100% sure he wont last in Liverpool, quote me, his skills and abiliy is unquestionable but his behaviors? Well, if Liverpool can cope with a vampire, why not a boxer? I wont be surprised if he is asked to sign a behavioral kinda paper too.

I mentioned something on twitter yesterday that if the English press can free him, Balotelli will be a success at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers looks too cool to coach Balotelli though, even a strong-headed coach like Mancini couldn't handle him, they had issues several times, how will Rodgers do it? we shall see, i also hop[e he can complete the whole formalities before the Monday clash with Manchester City.

Now that Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira have both rejected new deals at Real Madrid, where will they be heading? Di Maria is rumoured to be heading to Manchester United while Chelsea and Arsenal also want Khedira but if  you ask me who needs Khedira most, it has to be Arsenal. Chelsea has got Ramires, Matic and Mikel while the gunners has no defensive midfielder and thats where they need to strengthen .... I will be amazed to see Angel heading to the Old Trafford though but if no other team except Manchester United is showing interest, then he will have no other choice than to go there because he already asked to leave the club.

Lets look at the weekend's fixtures and as usual, my predictions hehehehe, Nairabet players ....

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

This is a tricky tie. Judging Newcastle by their last game against Manchester City will be a mistake, they are a good side and will prove that against Aston Villa, who won their first game against Stoke City.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1 Newcastle United 1

Chelsea vs Leicester City

This is no contest at all as Chelsea will easily romp Leicester City. Maybe we will see another game that will spoil tickets ... lol, i dont think so, i expect FabrePass to show another performance that will make Chelsea fans say he is the best in the world! 

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Leicester City 1

Crystal Palace vs West Ham United

A London derby, Crystal palace showed sparks against Arsenal the last time out and if they play that kind of game again, then the Hammers are in trouble. Chamakh is looking very sharp and should show himself here.

Prediction: Crystal palace 2 West Ham United 1

Southampton vs West Brom Albion

I will give this game to Southampton, they should 'kick-off' their season from this game, they've lost so many players but they've added few players and should find their way past the Albions.

Prediction: Southampton 2 West Brom 0

Swansea vs Burnley

Swansea is set to continue its 100% record against Burnley by grabbing the 3 needed points. An outstanding performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford signals their readiness for the season. Easy victory expected in this encounter

Prediction: Swansea 4 Burnley 0

Everton vs Arsenal

Okay, this is a tough duel. Arsenal know that they wont find it easy against the Tofees, the last time they met, it was a resounding 3-0 victory for Roberto Martinez's boys. The only problem i have is that Ross Barkley is out injured and that will be very hard for Everton while Arsenal has all its players fit except for Arteta. So, its gonna be a very interesting game!

Prediction: Everton 0 Arsenal 1

Hull City vs Stoke City

Stoke City should pick up their pieces against Hull City. They just got Victor Moses in their ranks and despite Hull City playing in Europe, they haven't really strengthen their squad enough to compete both in the EPL and the Europa League. Stoke City wont go down easily. I cant also stick out my neck for Stoke City, they can disappoint when least expected.

My Prediction: Hull City 1 Stoke City 1

Tottenham Hotspurs vs Queens Park Rangers

Normally, we should say this will be very easy for Spurs but there is something about QPR that you cant just ignore. The coach, Harry Redknapp is also a former coach of Spurs and as much as you will wanna say that doesnt matter, QPR has got qualities in their rank just as Spurs so i expect a very keenly contested match.

Prediction: Tottenham 3 QPR 1

Sunderland vs Manchester United

Okay, Robin Van Persie is back, so the goals are gonna keeping rushing, Mojo has also joined from Sporting Lisbon while Nani has gone the opposite way. Everything seems to be working fine for them right now except on the pitch, so this game is the perfect opportunity for them to return to reckoning ... but yet, with that 3-5-2 formation still there, Sunderland could spring a surprise.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Manchester United 1

Manchester City vs Liverpool

This is the game of the week! i will be expecting a heavy traffic because of the mad rush to get home to see this game. Like i said earlier, i hope Balotelli's transfer will be finalized today so he can play on Monday. it will be interesting to see how he plays against his former side. The two sides have qualities. I really cant predict this but i have no choice than to do so.

Prediction: Manchester City 2 Liverpool 0

So, as i was rounding this up, i read a gossip that Welbeck is ready to leave Manchester United, good for him, Enyimba is still recruiting ... i hope Aba fans will like him. Thank sfor reading mare.

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AND HERE WE GO .... THE EPL KICKS OFF

... and finally, the big season is kicking off today, and just like every other season openers, the fans talk about which team is likely to win the league even without a ball being kicked! That is the fans for you, any yeah, things seem to have changed now with Arsenal's 3-0 thumping of manchester City in the community shield ... many analysts and fans alike are beginning to think Arsenal might just end the Premier League drought this season especially with the captures of Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers, David Ospina and Matt Debuchy and of course, with Wenger saying he is still in the market. So, we have to watch out for the gunners.

And of course, we still have to remember the all time favorites, Manchester United. With their new coach, Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, Man United fans feel they've finally landed the man who could do what the great Sir Alex Ferguson did for them with many trophies and the sign is already there with 100% record in their pre-season games and victories over big teams including Real Madrid, that is something to be positive of. The only problem i have is the formation he is employing, with 3-5-2 in the premiership, this is not the dutch league, its the premiership, with that formation, i see teams like arsenal having a easy ride with their speedy players, we saw that when Netherlands played against Argentina at the semi-final of the world cup, Argentina dominated fully with Di Maria and Messi tormenting at the flanks but then, this is not Argentina but Manchester United. So, lets wait and see.

Manchester City is also determined to defend their title and will be stronger when the season begins, i feel the 0-3 loss to Arsenal in the community shield was just a DEMO, they still have the armory to succeed and remain a real contender. They have not been the old City side that spends big in bringing in players every season but however they've brought in Mangala, a french defender from FC Porto for a huge price and of course they've got Bacary Sagna to warm their rich bench and some other players but i am particularly looking forward to see what they wanna do with wizkid, Kelechi Iheanacho; yeah, y'all thought i was gonna say Wizkid the singer, wetin that one know?

So, Chelsea fans, i dont know but really, i am not apologising but i just dont like your team, mouth too much ... but it doesn't take away the fact that Chelsea is a real contender too. The addition of Cesc Fabregas is so significant, thats a very good sign of seriousness, even though i still feel Lampard should have been retained, he is a club icon and i see no reason why he can't be kept, Mourinho and the chelsea board make a mistake of letting him go and allowed Man City to get him, remember Man City snapped up Patrick Vieira too, they like getting what other teams have worked all their lives for. If Mourinho is saying he released Lampard because he is old, why did he bring back guy called Drogba? Well, like most Chelsea fans will say, he is THEIR special one even though Arsenal fans still think he is a specialist in failure hehehehe, ok, not laughing ....

Alright, if you ask me, those 4 teams are gonna end up being in the Top 4 this season, can't predict their positions yet but Top 4 is sure for them. Liverpool's inability to get anothr top notch to replace Vampire Suarez is a major concern, they've bought over 9 players so far this season but ain't no one yet like that animal Suarez, a lethal goal scorer, all round complete footballer, the reason why BarKAlona paid such amount for his services. They tried to lure Alexis Sanchez though but Alexis just wanna play good football and that is the reason he went to the Gunners. Well, the transfer window is still open widely self, so we will see what Brendan Rodgers will do before the window closes. Not just Liverpool, most teams will still do something in the market especially Arsenal and Manchester United.

Well, lets check out the fixtures for the weekend .... i am so looking forward to it. First lets go to Old Trafford ...

Manchester United vs Swansea:

Okay, this is gonna be a straight 3 points for Manyoo. I don't expect it to be a easy ride though but they will get the needed result for sure, its pleasing to know that it is the season opener as it will be played around 12 and 1 pm ... we all wanna see whether the hype on Louis Vendor, sorry Van Gaal will pay off.

My Prediction: Man United 2 Swansea 0 ....

Leicester City vs Everton

I was football manager recently, i resigned at Marseille to go coach Everton after they sacked Mourinho for talking too much and i started the season exactly like this, my first game was against Leicester City and Everton won by 3-1 but with Lukaku playing this game, i don't wanna predict 3-1 but maybe more goals for Everton, Leicester City are however the Championship winner last season, so it wont be an easy ride for Everton ... ermmm, okay, i'll take a chill pill

My Prediction: Leicester City 1 Everton 1

Queen Park Rangers vs Hull City

Okay, this game will be one of the boring game of the week so it will be hard to predict and trust me, one of this teams will go down at the end of the season ... i just know. QPR are still keeping Loic Remy with them and that is an advantage, aside that they've got veterans in that team too, Rio Ferdinand and the coach lol. well ....

My Prediction: QPR 2 Hull City 0

Stoke City vs Aston Villa

This will go down to a draw. Stoke City are good in the attack, Odemwingie, Crouch and new recruit, Bojan. I am still looking forward to see that Aston Villa of those days, when Ashley Young was there running things and Agbonlahor doing his own thing. They were good then and posed threat to all the big teams back them but something similar will return when Benteke returns to fitness.

My Prediction: Stoke City 2 Aston Villa 1

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

This is not expected to be a duel where the gunners need to sweat on at all, coupled with the fact that Tony Pulis just departed the eagles, wondering why though but i think he has done a decent work there and should have been retained. Arsenal no doubt, the best team in tEngland right now having beaten the EPL Champions and will wanna maintain that form. 

My Prediction: Arsenal 4 Crystal Palace 0

 

West Brom Albion vs Sunderland

West Brom got a real coup signing Nigerian striker, Brown Ideye for a club record of $10m. He is not the best when it comes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria but his goalscoring record in Europe is excellent, i am sure West Brom Manager knows this when he signed him up. Sunderland on the other hand *sigh* they will only try but i can see a draw in this tie.

My Prediction: West Brom 1 Sunderland 1

West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspurs

Okay, a tough duel this will be. I know most people will be like its gonna be easy for Spurs but this is a London derby, Its always not easy when Londoners play. I will boldly say West ham United wil ......... okay, lose. Tottenham will override them aha.

My Prediction: West Ham United 0 Spurs 2

Liverpool vs Southampton

Okay, this match is a must watch for me, i dont know about you. This is a game between a rich man and a supermarket ... Southampton lost Lallana, Lovren and Lambert to Liverpool and aside Lallana who is out injured, the other Ls are set to face their former team. Southampton is so depleted right now and they wont escape being beaten by Liverpool. Yes, with goals as well.

My Prediction: Liverpool 3 Southampton 0

Newcastle United vs Manchester City

This is another tough game but Newcastle will just try thier best but Manchester City will show their superiority over the magpies. Newcastle made some couple of deals as well, as usual buying unknown players and turning them to world class players, Manchester City on the other hand are noy fully fit yet for the season, we all saw that against the Gunners last Saturday and maybe a surprise sha but wait for it. Its gonna be an interesting game.

My Prediction: Newcastle United 1 Manchester City 2

Burnley vs Chelsea

Okay, in this case, i just wanna say i pity Burnley, thats all. Well, it will also be interesting to see who mans the post for Chelsea, will it be Courtois or Cech? We shall see ... and i also wanna see Fabregas.

My prediction: Burnley 0 Chelsea 4

So, as i go right now, all of you that plays Nairabet or naijabet abi its 1960, you can use my prediction and i'll bet you will win, trust me. Sha send my own cut or else ehn! 

Till tomorrow .... Follow @gr8akin