PREVIEW OF MATCH DAY 1 IN THE EPL 2013

Finally the wait is over, this promises to be any interesting season with a lot of changes in various teams across the league. It may surprise you to know that there are only two managers who have spent more than two years at their current club, and those managers are Arsene Wenger of Arsenal who have spent close to 17yrs at the club and Alan Padew of Newcastle who have only spent 3yrs at the club, the Closest to then is the Totteham Boss AVB. This goes to show you that this no longer business as usual in the Barclays premier League.
As the EPL kicks off today, soccer4life previews some of the crucial fixtures line up for this weekend;

LIVERPOOL VS STOKE 12:45GMT
Liverpool welcome Stoke to Anfield to kick start the new Premier league season, Liverpool who enjoyed a fine round of form during the closing stages of last season, with the understand that seem to grow between Coutihno and Daniel Sturridge a combination that brought with it series of wonderful goals, most notably was the 6 -1 thrashing of Newcastle with Sturridge grabbing a hat trick.
Liverpool Boss Rogers will be happy to finally get to the business of the day after enduring to answer questions regarding the future of Luis Suarez all through the summer, he has resounded his commitment of getting Liverpool back to the European stage where a club of that standard and history belongs.
Stoke on the other hand will love to play the part of the party spoilers when they come to Anfield this afternoon led by a new manager Mark Hughes. Mark Hughes who took over from Tony Pullis who seem to have become a familiar figure at Stoke City was quoted during one of his pre season press conference saying he is amazed at the talent the players of this stoke city squad possesses, and its been unfair that people criticise them for playing a ruby like pattern of football. He has also promised to bring the free flowing pattern of play back to the team from  Britannia.
Therefore this promises to be an interesting game to watch, one which ushers us into the new season.
Prediction : LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 STOKE

ARSENAL VS ASTON VILLA 15:00GMT
Arsenal will want to take advantage of the current situation in the premier league where they posses the presence of the longest serving manager in the league and also the advantage of beginning the season at home against a weaker opposition Aston villa.
Arsenal so far have not been able to bring in new faces to the Emirate with the exception of France under 20 striker Sanogo who will definitely find it difficult breaking into the first team especially now that Oliver Giroud have now decided to score goals.
Despite loosing some key players due to injury Arsenal are still favourite to win this one, a 3 points that will do so much good to their confidence as they embark on the journey of a trophy hunt this season after enduring an 8yrs trophy less spell.
Aston villa who have really had a very low key pre season, much haven't been heard about Villa all season, expect for the news that Darren Bent is definitely on his way out of the club, and the little transfer saga of key striker Christian Benteke.
Though Arsenal are considered favourite for this one, they will not expect to get all 3 points on a platter of gold with the presence of the big Belgian Beneteke ready to pounce on the Arsenal defence if they make any silly mistake.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 2 Aston Villa

SUNDERLAND VS FULHAM 15:00GMT
This definitely will proof to be a tough one with the two side ready to grab any available points early on in the season, so as to avoid the danger of relegation.
A new look Sunderland side with their charistmatic Manager Pablo Dicano will play host to Fulham team led by mamager Martin Jol. All eyes will be at the stadium of Light to see the performance of the Sunderland team, after so much hardwork and rebuilding during the summer break.
Martin Jol on the other hand will also want to show how strong his team have become after a near successful campaign last season where star striker Dimitar Berbatov enjoyed a fantastic run of form finishing as the teams highest goal scorer.
Prediction Sunderland 2 - 2 Fulham

SWANSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED 17:30GMT
David Moyes was quoted as saying during the week that he doesn't feel his team premiership fixtures were really picked rather there were fixed though to the fact that Manchester United had an easy ride to the trophy last season.
That not withstanding David Moyes will have to begin his reign as Manchester United manager with an away game at the Liberty stadium. United naturally don't fare well against Spanish oppositions, Swansea may not be a Spanish team but looking at the squad list of Swansea you will agree with me that they are more of a Spanish team that British.
Manchester United last encounter with the Swans ended in a 2 - 1 victory with Rio Ferdinand getting on the score sheet on the 90th mins. A game which marked Sir Alex Ferguson last home game in charge of Manchester United.
All eyes will be on David Moyes to see whether want away striker Wayne Rooney will be included in this team list for their away clash at the Liberty stadium.
The Swans side still basking in their Capital One Cup success as well as a convincing win in their Europa League third qualifying round against Malmo earlier this month will be looking to hand a defeat to David Moyes as a welcome gift as he takes charge of the Old Trafford Outfit.
PREDICTION Swansea 0 - 2 Manchester United

CRYSTAL PALACE VS TOTTENHAM
Another one of this summer's transfer sagas has surrounded Gareth Bale, but the Welsh winger will be absent when his Tottenham team-mates take to the field against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the early Super Sunday clash. Boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed Bale will sit out the season opener, with the constant speculation distracting from a promising summer of recruitment that has fuelled a belief they can secure a top four spot. Eagles boss Ian Holloway has found life tough in the transfer market since their Wembley play-off success but that will not stop a packed Selhurst Park providing a boisterous atmosphere when their first top-flight game in eight years gets underway.
Prediction Crystal Palace 2 - 4 Tottenham

CHELSEA VS HULL CITY
Super Sunday's second game sees the much anticipated return of the special one, Jose Mourinho, as Chelsea take on Hull City. The Portuguese's summer shopping has been a lot more modest compared to his first season with the club back in 2004, when the likes of Petr Cech and Didier Drogba arrived in west London. He remains hopeful though that a bumper deal can be done for Rooney before the transfer deadline. Hull have brought in no less that 10 players this close season as boss Steve Bruce hopes to keep the Tigers, back in the top flight after a three year absence, away from danger.
Prediction Chelsea 4 - 0 Hull city.