Adrian Durham’s Premier League Preview

Matchday Live's Adrian Durham runs us through all the fixtures from the Premier League this weekend.

SPURS v MAN CITY

What a fascinating game to kick off the Premier League season. Spurs have an amazing record against City, and doubled them last season. As we get the campaign going it’s all about questions – will money make prizes for City? Are Spurs going to continue improving? I think it’ll be some achievement if Mancini fails to take City above Spurs and into the top 4 this season.

ASTON VILLA v WEST HAM

Is Martin O’Neill the last of those dinosaur managers who think they are bigger than a club and its fans? I hope so. TalkSPORT told you months ago he would quit, but not even we thought it would be at such an awful time. I still think they’ll be too good for West Ham whose owners have talked about signing David Beckham and Thierry Henry, instead the fans got Tal Ben Haim and Frederic Piquionne. Avram Grant is well liked only because he was treated badly by Chelsea. Another struggle for the Hammers regardless of the opening day result. But they’ll lose at Villa Park.

BLACKBURN v EVERTON

Watching Phil Jagielka for England on Wednesday made me realise just how much we should stand back and admire the amazing work David Moyes is doing at Everton. Arteta has signed again, and Rodwell is quite simply amazing. How Capello can’t see it is beyond me. Everton made a horror start last season but I can’t see that being repeated, while Blackburn have done nothing this summer to suggest they’re going to be special this season. Another interesting point is that both clubs went on tour to Australia this summer, but Blackburn got back less than 2 weeks ago…

BOLTON v FULHAM

Owen Coyle transformed Bolton last season and he’s been busy signing attacking players this summer – Klasnic is back, Petrov from Man City is a really good capture, Robbie Blake will be a good squad player, and young Tom Eaves from Oldham has ability. I’m worried about Fulham because I don’t actually think they’re very good. But then I might be wrong. Roy Hodgson galvanised a group of players. Can Mark Hughes carry that on? Big question.

SUNDERLAND v BIRMINGHAM

Expectation should be high for these two clubs. Sunderland’s net spending is among the highest in the division but there’s been no return. A stretch between November and March without a Premier League win killed their season. Birmingham did well last season, but Joe Hart is no longer there, and in 6’ 7” Nicola Zigic they have signed a striker who I can’t ever remember seeing play well. McLeish said if Zigic: “He’s a big presence in the box.” They might as well have signed a streetlight. Going into the season I am not excited about either of these two sides.

WIGAN v BLACKPOOL

No matter how much you might love Ian Holloway, you can’t see anything other than record-breaking relegation – it’ll be the biggest downhill rollercoaster Blackpool’s ever seen. Wigan survived last season, and in Mauro Boselli I’m intrigued to see how the £6m Argentine striker gets on. The national side have an abundance of striking talent, so Boselli can’t get a look in. But he’s decent.

WOLVES v STOKE

Now then, Wolves have Kevin Doyle and Stephen Fletcher up front. That’s around £13.5m of strikers. No excuses for Mick McCarthy. He says he’d be happy with 15th spot. That’s garbage – he should be competitive with that much splashed on strikers. Stoke are interesting – Kenwyne Jones has bust their transfer record (it was previously Robert Huth!!??!!), they’ve started playing some football, Etherington has stayed. I’m keen to see how Stoke get on, but you can’t see them getting relegated can you?

CHELSEA v WEST BROM

Talksport’s live commentary on Saturday evening and you can’t see beyond a comfortable win for the champions. Graham Dorrans is a doubt for this game but his decision to stay at The Hawthorns is the big news of the summer for the Baggies. I love Chris Brunt as well, he’s just a really good footballer. I expect the Albion to survive. Chelsea letting Carvalho go days before the start of the season sums the club up this summer. Deco, Belletti, Ballack and Joe Cole all gone, now Carvalho. And who’s come in? That’s why Chelsea will struggle to repeat last season’s success.

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL

A classic fixture! Can’t wait! Liverpool have signed some quality in Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and youngster Jonjo Shelvey. Torres (although unfit) and Gerrard have hung around and I can even see Liverpool launching a title bid. Arsenal keep getting written off so I’ve made a decision this season that I will not write Arsenal off. They’re going to win everything.

MAN UTD v NEWCASTLE

A distinct lack of signings must worry Newcastle fans. Sol Campbell won’t bridge the gap between Championship and Premier League. Big season for Andy Carroll – I rate him very highly and I hope he proves me right. United will compete again but have they got anything to make them better than last season? Not sure. This should be a comfortable home win.