On the Forecast: Gameweek 1

Scary sight of London

With all the uncertainties surrounding the riot that currently happening in England, I would think it would be wise to take some sort of consideration regarding our players option. The riot starts at the center of Tottenham area of northern London and already spread to the city of Birmingham and as far as Manchester. The only Manchester game is likely to start as they are expecting the riot will be tolerable by then after the government take some extreme precautions. For the most anticipated league opener, the matches that will be in doubt are as listed below:-

@London 

a) Spurs vs Everton (Postponement confirmed, first double on the cards)

b) Fulham entertain Villa

c) Bolton visit to QPR

@Birmingham 

a) West Brom accepting United

@Manchester

a) Swansea stop at Manchester City

On the first 'On the Forecast' column, I will be assuming that all scheduled fixtures will start nonetheless. If there is any postponement, you can bet Fantasyonthego will be here to provide you the latest updates on this coming mammoth opening weekend. So gentlemen, get your seat belt on and enjoy the ride:-

Gameweek 1 fixtures with the highly anticipated confirmed transfers in

Close

BLA (MFormica?, Goodwillie?) vs WOL (O'Hara, RJohnson)

The last game of last season will be the first this season; As expected this type of game will be a close encounter; Unproven versus proven acquisitions but unexpectedly Rovers manage to hold most of their stars bar Phil Jones; I'm most likely go for a draw in this kind of game; I expect the Lancashire club will at least surprise all of us (as they were before)!; Its a bit weird that not too many are supporting them nowadays:D;

FUL (Riise) vs AST (Given, Nzogbia)

The Cottagers are full throttle with couple of competitive games in their belt while the new look Villa are nursing life without their wingers; A familiar and proven (London) coach will take them to overcome another new defensively proven (relegated) coach of Villa; Honestly we can expect some explosive moments in this fixture with some obvious good signings by Villa; What can you ask for when you have Bent, Nzog & Given in the three departments; Zamora looks like to play with a broken hand, Duff, Murphy, Dempsey all are looking good; High scoring draw;

TOT (Friedel, Coulibaly?) vs EVE

Quiet summer businesses for both clubs; Not much to say but two of the most coveted players from both side will definitely be VDV and Baines; High tempo match with a lot of wing plays are expected but I will slightly go with the home team; Spurs triumph 1-0 to the slow starters; Last year accidental fantasista Seamus Coleman look set to be on the injury table for the time being (as well as our old Mr Arteta);

The man to beat...AVB (Never taste defeat in his coaching life?)

Tricky

LIV (Adam, JHenderson, Downing, Doni) vs SUN (Brown, OShea, SebLarsson, CGardner, DVaughan, CWickham)

The home team are supposed to down the opponent hard in order to begin the new (Dalglish's) era; A midfield galore (Adam, Henderson, Downing) all arrive unproven in the Liverpool setup; What will happen to their fantasy stars such as Meireiles, Maxi, Lucas and fringe players who are still accepting their mega bucks ie Joe Cole & Aquilani (He scored Italy's winning goal mind you!); Too many similar signings with too many formation to think of but one thing for sure Carroll is a monster; But bear in mind that The Black Cats are no mere push over (Remember who beat Chelsea in their own backyard 3-0 last season?); The only downside is the team ability to gel in a short amount of time but to Sessegnon we believe; Liverpool to nick it close..very close;

QPR (KDyer, JBothroyd, Gabbidon, DJCampbell) vs BOL (DPratley, ReoCoker, CEagles, Tuncay?)

High flying (but defensively sound in the Championship) Rangers  are relishing the prospect (but not their coach) in the top level and facing the impressive Bolton on the first hurdle; Will the famously own Tarrabt stand up against Owen Coyle's new revolution?; Honestly, I have such a high hope for the newcomer and don't expect them to lose in the first game (Its like the Newcastle case last season); A first taste of draw in the top flight!;

WIG (AlHabsi, DJones) vs NOR (KNaughton, DeLaet)

Martinez's Wigan will be facing a new and unknown entity in their first game for the second season running; With another good preseason, will they experienced yet another 4-0 drubbing at home?; I don't think so and I really hope they do well as their record against the top six are impressive to say at least; They need to turn the typical 1-0 deficits to a point at least; I remember Norwich a few season ago when their owner was a woman, is she still there?; Some loanees from the top teams might help their aging stars but still they are number two for something, right?; Wigan to win it to temporarily stay on top of the table, fingers crossed!;

NEW (DembaBa, Cabaye?, Marveaux?, MAbeid?, Obertan) vs ARS (Jenkinson?, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain)

Bad old Barton resurfaced again (Blame it on twitter then); I'm not too sure of his position but I would think the famous flop Obertan will claim his minutes and be a star here; Other (all French) signings haven't really prove anything but don't be surprise if some of them will be on our team in the second half of the season; Van 'Glass Legs' Persie is doubtful at the moment, Fab/Nasri are unsettled, still no defensive cover on the horizon, I wonder where is the prolific signing that Mr Wenger mentioned last week; I still think they can't get a clean sheet at the fortress St James Park but attack wise is a different perspective; Gervinho may be a good gamble and so was Chamakh last year; A draw and Arsenal need to be careful here;

Can he scores a hattrick in his first game?

Not too easy

STK (Woodgate, Upson) vs CHE (RVidal?)

Stoke are typically known as hard to break especially at home and what a signing by Stoke with two new central defensive cover, all for free; AVB (New nickname for Chelsea's coach) must feel like Benayoun and Torres are already their new signings this season; Don't forget, 'the group one' was doing something similar like this (no significant signings) with his invincible Porto last year; The pressure is high for the unbeaten boss to win his first game (Torres might be injured) against the defensively assembled Potters; A typical Chelsea's win for AVB and if there is any sort of hope, Stoke can only get a draw from this type of game;

WBA (Foster, Gera, Long) vs MANU (DeGea, AYoung, PJones)

Hodgson's is well too familiar with United gameplay and stiffling the middle of the park will be the key; A lone front man will be expected for West Brom's lineup (Odemwingie is not fit yet, debut for new signing ShaneLong maybe or Tschoyi to play); United impressively won the Community Shield without the reliance of Nani set pieces; Can he punishes the home team backline ala City's with Young taking the kick duties?; It will deadly tight at the back for Hodgson's men and Rooney's penalty winner could probably settle it all; Do remember they welcome Spurs, Gunners and Chelsea at home in their next four after that!;

Fantasy Friendly

MANC (Clichy, Savic. Aguero) vs SWA (JMoreira, LLita, Routledge)

I believe most of us managers are expecting The Swans to get beaten 4-0 with Silva as captain right?; No doubt that Silva will be the focal point of City attacking system but there are some uncertainties regarding who can finish them, Dzeko? Balotelli? or Kun Aguero?; City's defense is mind-boggling strong on paper but still a lapse of concentration punished them dearly during the derby game last weekend; We can say that Swansea are closely similar with The Tangerines, not pretty at the back but have no problem in scoring (Blackpool only lost 1-0 here last year); For your info, ex-Chelsea's Sinclair is the second Tarrabt in the championship last season; City will not lose this fixture but I don't believe The Swans will succumb to losing that easily; Take my words with caution guys and good luck to all...