A new Premier League season gets underway this weekend and once again there is much to look forward to.
With the World Cup now history and the Euros two years away, the focus of all the players should now be fully on the league.
It's a shame that EPL coverage in New Zealand is restricted to those who choose to pay extra for the Premierleaguepass while depending on highlights or the feature game on TVNZ. That's where I really miss Astro Supersport in Malaysia.
Here are 3 things I'm looking forward to the season -
1. Louis van Gaal - Long the model of stability and success, Manchester United have followed their rivals and sacked their manager when the going was getting tough. With the era of David Moyes now written off, Manchester United fans will be looking forward to the arrival of Dutch taskmaster, Louis van Gaal. However, instant success is unlikely - van Gaal's success at Barca, Bayern Munich, Ajax and the Dutch national side all came slowly and at times that slow start has cost him his job. The big signings have not surprisingly not materialized for a United side that will not be playing in Europe so this could be van Gaal's toughest challenge yet. But van Gaal is the man for any challenge and the right man for United now. Don't expect a title though.
2. Liverpool - no Luis Suarez, their 30 goal striker but it is probably just as well given his ban following his biting incident at the World Cup. The Reds, now back in the top 4 running and in the Champions League, seem to have moved on in the pre-season with new signings, Markovic, Lovren, Lallana and Lambert, and are still on the hunt for another striker and a couple other players. Having come so close to the title last season, expectations are much bigger now for Brendan Rodger's side but they now have the challenge of the Champions League along with the domestic league and cup campaigns. The title drought might not end this season but expect progress in the post-Suarez era.
3. The Relegation Battle - in recent times, the battle to stay in the Premier League has often been frought with far more excitement than the battle at the top. This year should be no different with Leicester, Burnley, QPR likely to be in this year's scrap but given the trends in recent seasons of well-funded Championship sides surviving comfortably in the Premier League, they should no longer be considered favourites for a straight return to the EPL.
My tips -
Champions - Chelsea
Runners-up - Manchester City
Champions League - Liverpool, Arsenal
Europa League - Tottenham, Manchester United
FA Cup - Chelsea
Relegated - Burnley, Crystal Palace, Swansea
Top scorer - Daniel Sturridge
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