The long wait is over for football fans in England and Spain as the
glitz, glamour and razzmatazz of the Premier League and La Liga
return this weekendwith champions Manchester United and Barcelona
flagging off their campaign against Swansea and Levante respectively.
After beating Wigan 2-0 in the season heralding Community Shield on
Sunday, David Moyes will have his first bite of the Premier League
cherry as Man Utd coach as his charges hit the road to play Swansea
City. Moyes will be banking on Robin van Persie to fire the Red Devils
to a morale-boosting opening win to stave off early pressure from
rivals Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
With all clubs set to play 38 gruelling matches in a season ending on
May 11, 2014, they will be keen to begin on a winning note.
For Chelsea, who face new boys Hull City on Sunday at Stamford Bridge,
Coach Jose Mourinho will be the star attraction as he makes his return
to the EPL after leaving in 2007. Blessed with a full compliment of
stars like Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Jon Mikel Obi,
Victor Moses and Fernando Torres, Mourinho will fancy his chances of
starting his EPL return with a convincing home win, to send out a
message to his rivals that he is the real deal in the absence of Sir
Alex Ferguson.
For Manchester City, winners in 2012, life under Manuel Pellegrini
starts in earnest with a Monday night match against Alan Pardew's
Newcastle at the Ethihad Stadium. City have arguably bought the best
buys of the summer transfer with the additions of Jesus Navas, Alvaro
Negredo, Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic and Javi Garcia all joining an
already impressive stars' list, who were unable to flourish under
former coach Roberto Mancini.
In other games holding this weekend, Liverpool host Stoke City in the
lunchtime kickoff, Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates
Stadium, West Brom are at home against Southampton, Everton are on the
road to battle Norwich City while Crystal Palace entertain Tottenham.
Over in Spain, the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid take a
new turn under new coaches Tata Martino and Carlo Ancelotti
respectively, as the La Liga begins with champions Barcelona hosting
Levante at the Nou Camp while Real await Real Betis at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
With La Liga losing some of its best strikers in the summer transfer
market, the coast seems clearer forBarcelona and Real to further
dominate the scene for another year.
The addition of Brazilian Confederations Cup winner, Neymar to the
Barcelona line-up is expected to make the Catalan side better up front
But Ancelotti is spoilt for choice in Real midfield. Xabi Alonso or
Illarramendi look set to be tasked with the role of bringing the ball
out of defence but the impressive displays by Casemiro and Modric in
the centre have given the former PSG coach food for thought.
Casemiro has been the great revelation of Real's pre-season campaign
and has gone from a stand-inplayer to a man worthy of a starting
place. Considering the fact that Khedira played for Germany on
Wednesday and Casemiro will have had a good rest, it would not be
surprising if the Brazilian is picked to start against Betis on
Sunday.
He can play as a holding midfielder in front of the back four, and can
partner another anchorman in the middle of the park and he can also
play on the right side of Ancelotti's sometimes-used midfield
triangle. Modric and Özil have been regular starters but would have to
battle for their shirts.
A Messi-Neymar combination seems a romance made in heaven but it would
be foolhardy to bet against the Ronaldo-led Real side to hold their
own in this top-of the chart battle. It is still a long way to decide
who the winner will be come May 18, 2014 but what fans can expect is
another fireworks of football fiesta in Spain and England.
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