EPL Matchweek 1 - Three matches you shouldn't miss

Wayne Rooney saga will be closely watched in the coming week as United start their campaign against Swansea

It’s that time of the year again, when everything else takes a back seat, and all what is important are those 90 minutes on the pitch. Come this weekend, and the Premier League giants will once again battle it out for that prestigious silverware.

Statistically speaking, each match is crucial. But let’s have a look at three of the matches in Matchweek 1, which have the potential to give direction to the League.

1. Swansea City vs Manchester United

Will he? Won’t he? Well, that is the question on everyone’s mind. The Rooney saga, which has been dragging on since Sir Alex iterated last May that the striker has submitted a transfer request, can probably determine the champions of this season.

With reports surfacing about the Englishman traveling to South Wales for this opener, United fans will be happy as they can expect to see the star striker make some impact in today’s game.

United have been jittery the entire pre-season, and could only win the Community Shield against a relegated team, with the help of Robin van Persie‘s brace.

Swansea has a decent team, with players like Vorm, Williams and Michu, and should not be taken lightly in a season opener. They are the present League Cup holders, and with the present signings of Wilfried Bony and Jonjo Shelvey, hold the cards to spoil United’s party.

Also, Nani, Hernandez , and Ashley Young are expected to be on the sidelines. In these circumstances, Rooney’s absence is more likely to hurt the team, and the outcome may well be an indicator of how the team can fare under the new regime of Moyes.

2. Chelsea vs Hull City Tigers

With the next week’s trip to Old Trafford looming large, Mourinho shall be looking to start his second reign on a high against the newly promoted lads, and prepare the team mentally for difficult matches against Everton and Tottenham in September.

The Blues are undoubtedly one of the title contenders this season. Numerous football pundits are of the view that this may be Chelsea’s chance of winning the Premier League, with current champions United yet to settle down with their new manager.

In Eden Hazard, Oscar, and Juan Mata, Mourinho will have a good young brigade at his disposal. Also, the Special One does hold the capability to resurrect Fernando Torres’s dwindling career.

If they acquire the services of Rooney, one will not be surprised if he gets to see a different and rejuvenated Chelsea side on the pitch.

3. Manchester City vs Newcastle United

City finished a distant second last season, and lost the title to their neighbours, well before the completion of the season. Their knee-jerk response to that was of the sacking of the manager Roberto Mancini and bringing in Manuel Pellegrini.

The new manager made his presence felt instantly in the transfer market with the spending of almost £90 million, in the form of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Jovetic, and Negredo. The players have performed well in the pre-season, and Pellegrini shall be hoping to start with a win.

They face a decent opponent in Newcastle and Alan Pardew in their season opener, and will have to work hard to secure those three points.

One definitely remembers the emphatic 5-3 win of City over AC Milan in the pre-season, and if that is anything to go by, City are well in contention to wrestle back the title.