Prem Is Back: What to Expect, Jose Gets Us Started

Photocredit: telegraph.co.uk

The Premier League is finally back for those who are raving to go with the season now in full swing and all about club football until March. Jose Mourinho gets us started himself with Tottenham's quick trip to West Ham. Arsenal hose struggling Southampton, and Liverpool could be without Salah. But will that impact their trip to Palace? Probably not.

Jose Mourinho will be looking to replicate what his successor at Manchester United did and get off to a very quick start. He'll probably want the comparisons to end there though and rightfully so. Fully expect Spurs to come out big and make a statement against a West Ham side who may have issues to sort out with their own manager before long. Pellegrini is a very respectable manager in his own right but may just be past it at this point. Truth is though I can't see him being the manager of a relegated side and this side is too good for the drop with the players they have. Going into the season, they were a contender to compete for top 6. That's likely over though to be fair. The timing of this outing is poor for the Hammers and fully expect Tottenham to come out strong. Wouldn't be surprising in the slightest if Lucas Moura got some love after weirdly getting placed on the sidelines a lot by Poch even when he was the hero against Ajax last spring.

Arsenal play host to Southampton which really should only have one outcome. Southampton look destined for the drop now and their manager is also likely facing the sack. We'll see if a new manager is enough. Southampton did travel to Manchester City and stay up for a good portion of the match and they are the perfect team to really put Arsenal fans into a frenzy. Anything but an Arsenal win is a disaster for Arsenal.

Bournemouth face Wolves in what seems to be a very even battle. This can go either way but don't discount the Cherries as the home team to get the win here. It's also the kind of game Wolves is capable of slipping up. Everton host Norwich City which should only have one outcome as well or we could be seeing managerial changes galore this weekend. Watford host Burnley in the kind of match Burnley is capable of slipping up. Burnley tends to be more comfortable in the friendly confines of Turf Moore.

Leicester will be looking to continue making their statement of intent that they are a top 4 side and that is exactly what you should expect of them. Their manager turned down the Spurs job as the evidence seems to be he was indeed first choice over Mourinho. The players should get a huge lift out of this. Can anyone blame Rodgers? He probably is with the better team at this point in time. Certainly the more well run one.

Liverpool will be traveling to Crystal Palace but it appears they will be without Salah for the match. Liverpool should get by without him for this one, but the Manchester United match several weeks back is proof that they would rather not be without him for long.

Saturday's final game we've got the big one which is Chelsea and Manchester City going at it at the Etihad. We could be in for a shocker in this one but expect the Cizyzens to come out with a statement game here. Chelsea's kids will get valuable experience out of this but City's experience should see them through in this one.

Sheffield United host Man United Sunday which would be more likely to end in a draw frankly than any other outcome. Solskjaer's side still have to prove they have the firepower to win consistently, and especially against a team so well coached as this. The only benefit here is that young Goalkeeper Dean Henderson can't play due to the parent club rules in the premier league. It'll likely be a draw nonetheless.

There is also a Monday night game in the midlands with Aston Villa hosting Newcastle. Villa will be desperate to get this one , especially at home. Villa should have what it takes to get this one. The table would look far more comfortable for them with a W. Newcastle has put together a few good results now and this likely comes down to which club wants it more. It SHOULD be Villa.

Tottenham, Arsenal, Bou-Wol (Draw), Leicester, Liverpool, Everton, WAT-BUR (Draw), City, SHU-MU (Draw), Villa.
Disclosure: I have not put wagers on these results.