Football – England – Premier League
Saturday 16th August 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Saturday marks the long-awaited start of the Premiership season and although we had the World Cup to fill the void from May, nothing quite compares to the hustle and bustle of the domestic season.
My first pick focuses on new-boys Leicester City taking on Everton at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they look to consolidate their status amongst the top flight. Leicester city finally achieved their long-awaited dream of returning to the Premier League after they claimed the Championship title by a comfortable 9-point margin over second placed Burnley.
But the real business now begins for manager Nigel Pearson and his squad as they prepare to take on the big-boys and first up is the visit of Everton who finished in fifth place last season. Pearson further added to his attacking department recently when they captured Argentinian striker Ulloa from Brighton, and he’s expected to start up front with David Nugent while the likes of Vardy, Taylor-Fletcher, Mahrez, Wood and Schlupp will provide stiff competition.
However, I am slightly concerned by Leicester’s ageing back line with the likes of Konchesky (33), Wasilewski (34), Morgan (30) and the injury-prone Upson (35) forming the core of The Foxes defence.
Visitors Everton finished in fifth place at the end of last season, and manager Roberto Martinez has recently been handed a ‘triple-bonus’ by capturing last season’s leading goalscorer Lukaku on a permanent deal while promising youngsters Barkley and Stones have signed new deals to keep them at Goodison Park for a few more years yet.
The Toffees lost just five times all season away from home last term with an overall record of 8-6-5 23/20 and Martinez is quickly establishing himself as one of the best managers in the division as he continues the good work laid down by his predecessor, Moyes.
It will be a good contest for sure, but I do fancy Everton’s craft and guile at this level to get something from this opening fixture – back Everton with the round ball here, and they may nick this perhaps 1-0.
Pick: Everton AH0 @ 1.71 Pinnacle
