What: English Premier League
Who: Sunderland vs. Liverpool
When: Saturday 16th August, 15.00
Where: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

This time last season, Sunderland were gearing up for the Premier League kick-off against established top-flight opposition with memories of a pitiful campaign in mind from the last time they graced England’s top division.

Mick McCarthy had presided over an ignominious season in 2005/06, in which the Mackems amassed only three wins and fifteen points - the worst performance of any team in the Premier League. Happily, that dubious honour passes to Derby County after their own nightmare term last time out.

That day, Roy Keane’s side outmanoeuvred, outfought and outperformed Tottenham Hotspur to record a shock 1-0 win, via Michael Chopra. Despite a flurry of bad results and indifferent performances, Sunderland managed to survive last season, and will be looking to escape being mentioned as relegation fodder this time around.

Rafa Benitez is aware of the expectation on his Anfield charges ahead of this campaign. Robbie Keane has been added at considerable expense, as well as a host of untested, raw young talent. Liverpool have a recurring habit of muttering the suggestion that ‘this may be our year’ each summer, only for their title charge to come apart at the seams. Can this season be different?

Using their Champions League qualifier against Standard Leige as a yard-stick, there is work to be done shaping this side into the fluid unit that can challenge for a variety of honours, not least the elusive Premier League title.

Martin Jol’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur was derailed initially with defeat at the Stadium of Light on the opening day of the season. Question marks about his capabilities and tactics subsequently followed, until he ultimately lost his job in October. If Roy Keane can inspire another similar performance, he may initiate destabilisation at Anfield.

Moving On Up:

Roy Keane’s Sunderland underwent no dramatic sea-change over the summer transfer window, nevertheless some important acquisitions have been made. The Cork man has added a spate of signings loaded with Premier League experience in an attempt to stave off the relegation fears that engulfed his side last season.

Keane himself speaks of progress and gradual improvement; the 36-year-old has little time for suggestions that the Black Cats will be among the top-flight basement boys this time around. He has added a trio of Tottenham Hotspur players, Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque at considerable cost, and also prised El-Hadji Diouf away from Bolton Wanderers, among others.

The Black Cats have not lost any key personnel, aside from Kenwyne Jones through injury. The core of the team has been maintained and with the right blend, Sunderland can make strides forward this season.

A Question Of Choice:

The Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege midweek raised as many questions as it answered for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool. The initial pairing of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane up-front looked impotent, as both front men struggled to link their play together.

For Benitez, he has decisions to make. While his back-line looks relatively assured, with Dan Agger and Jamie Carragher providing a string base in front of the ever dependant Jose Reina, the manner in which the manager selects the personnel ahead of the defence will be key.

He was forced to introduce Steven Gerrard from the substitutes bench midweek as Xabi Alonso and Damien Plessis patently failed to provide steel in the midfield, and there have been suggestions that Robbie Keane may eventually figure as an auxiliary right winger, in a similar vein to which Dirk Kuyt is now occupying.

It is not a question of quality in the squad that is facing Benitez, moreover, it is the way in which he chooses to deploy it. Against a well drilled and relentless Sunderland, he may not have a requisite ironing-out period this Saturday.

Form Guide

Sunderland:

August 9: Athlone Town 0-6 Sunderland (Friendly)
August 3: Sunderland 0-1 Ajax (Friendly)
July 30: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland (Friendly)
July 28: Cobh Ramblers 0-4 Sunderland (Friendly)
July 23: Vitoria Setubal 1-1 Sunderland (Friendly)

Liverpool:

August 13: Standard Liege 0-0 Liverpool (Champions League)
August 8: Liverpool 1-0 Lazio (Friendly)
August 5: Valerenga 1-4 Liverpool (Friendly)
August 2: Rangers 0-4 Liverpool (Friendly)
July 30: Villarreal 0-0 Liverpool (Friendly)

Team News:

Sunderland:

Kenwyne Jones is the highest profile absentee for the hosts, his knee injury will keep him out for at least another two months. Competition for places is intensive ahead of the Premier League kick-off for Sunderland, and Keane has something approaching a full-deck from which to choose. Daryl Murphy could push for a start after impressing in pre-season.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Gordon - Chimbonda, Collins, Nosworthy, Higginbotham - Tainio, Malbranque, Reid, Miller, Diouf, Murphy.

Liverpool:

The problem for Rafa Benitez is finding the right system for the personnel at his disposal. Liverpool have two players for every position and it will be the Spaniard’s management of the squad that will define the Reds’ season. Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel are still at the Olympics, meaning a start for Xabi Alonso is inevitable.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Reina - Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Agger - Alonso, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kuyt - Keane, Torres.

Players To Watch:

For the home side, one man will be making his Sunderland debut against his former employers. Premier League enfant terrible El-Hadji Diouf will feature against the club that brought him to England in 2002, after an outstanding World Cup in the Far-East.

He failed to convince the Anfield supporters however, and was jettisoned to nearby Bolton Wanderers. The Senegalese international became one of the Premier League’s most notorious performers throughout his time at the Reebok, but interspersed his indiscipline with a number of wholehearted and committed displays.

Goal-scoring has not been Diouf’s forte in England, however, the amount of work he gets through in 90 minutes should endear him to the Sunderland faithful who are keen to prompt slackers in their side. With his predilection for the dramatic, expect ‘Dioufy’ to make an impact against Benitez’s side.

All eyes will be on Roy’s namesake, who comes in the shape of Liverpool’s newest number 7. Robbie Keane will be looking to quickly justify his hefty price-tag in the best way he knows - by scoring goals.

His partnership with Fernando Torres bore no fruit in midweek against the Reds of Standard Liege, however, the Irishman will eager to make his mark on proceedings in the Premier League with his boyhood idols. With 105 goals for Tottenham, Leeds and Coventry at this level, Keane knows where the net is.

However, Rafa Benitez will also be hoping for foil for Fernando Torres. The world knows that El Niño is capable of finding the net from just about any situation, but what Liverpool need is a prompter. That support role could come in the shape of the ex-Inter striker Keane.

Prediction:

While Roy Keane has made some shrewd moves in the transfer market this summer, he has failed to add quality personnel in two imperative areas, namely in the centre of defence and up front. While Diouf has been added as an attacker, the Senegalese international will fill more of an assisting role in the side.

In defence, the Black Cats seem a little soft at the core; Keane still has question marks justifiably raised over a first choice pairing.

Liverpool, with Keane, Torres and the guile of Benayoun in their line-up can wreak havoc against a bewildered back-line and expose the frailties in the Sunderland side, should they overcome their jitters of midweek.

Conversely, Roy Keane would have noted the manner in which Standard Liege disrupted Liverpool‘s play on Wednesday, rarely allowing the Reds to settle on the ball. Keane was always fond of a challenge as a player, and will have his charges geared up towards upsetting their guests.

Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool

Ref From Peter Staunton - goal.com

What: English Premier League
Who: Hull City (Last season: 3rd – promoted via play-offs) Vs Fulham (17th EPL, 36 pts / 114 pts)
When: Saturday 16th August, 15:00 GMT
Where: KC Stadium, Hull

Hull City make their Premier League bow against Fulham, and few could blame them for exchanging tips with The Cottagers’ manager Roy Hodgson as they seek to avoid dropping straight back into the Championship.

It was on the final day of the season that the side from west London staved off relegation, with it completing a miraculous turn-around that can be placed firmly at the feet of the former Udinese, Inter Milan and Finland boss. Much has changed for both sides since they last met in League Two in 1997, and Phil Brown will be aiming to replicate Fulham’s success in sustaining their position in English football’s top-flight as The Tigers begin to finally fulfil their vast potential.

There are few cities the size of Hull that have just one main club, and fewer still with a side that has never threatened to inflict themselves on the upper reaches of the domestic game. Indeed, prior to last season’s promotion, City’s greatest achievement to date was arguably their appearance in the FA Cup semi-final in 1930, so with every game this season, Brown’s men will be making history.

Having reached this stage, however, it is clear the club want to stay here. It’s been a strange summer of much talk and little action, but Brown has still managed to bring in eight players in the hope that they will add Premiership experience to a side much lacking in it.

Strengthened

If Geovanni can consistently produce the form he showed in his opening appearances for former employers Manchester City, the Brazilian midfielder may well prove to be a coup having joined on a free transfer.

Hungary international Peter Halmosi also moved to Humberside in a £2 million deal having netted 13 times in little over 60 appearances for Plymouth Argyle, but it is the 28-year old’s crossing ability that Brown will be looking to utilise. He will be joined in midfield by top-flight veteran George Boeteng, an assured and surely-valuable tour guide to those members of the Hull squad yet to taste top-tier football.

On the end of Halmosi’s crosses will be Marlon King, who secured a season-long loan move to the KC Stadium after a stop-start spell with Wigan Athletic. Having demonstrated true Premiership ability for Watford, the Jamaica international struggled with injuries during his spell at the JJB Stadium, and he may well use the opportunity of regular first-team football to prove his worth and fill the void left by the now departed Manchester United forward Frazer Campbell.

The financial rewards offered by the gravy train that is the Premier League have allowed the club to break their transfer record and capture Spurs defender Anthony Gardner permanently along with PSG full-back Bernard Mendy, and the duo are set to go straight into the side for Saturday’s opener.

Tony Warner, who left Craven Cottage for Hull in July, and Craig Fagan’s arrival completes the shopping spree, but herein lies the problem. The Cottagers’ central asset to survival last term was the unity that existed between a squad that, in large, had had half a season to gel, with the additions of Erik Nevland, Eddie Johnson et al in January complimenting the club’s safety bid. While the side’s strengthening may reap the rewards in the latter half of the campaign, Saturday’s fixture may come too soon for the Premier League novices as they look to integrate the series of signings, while the vast majority of their existing players acclimatise to their new, dizzy heights.

Rebuilding

For Hull’s summer activity, read Fulham plus two. Hodgson tackles squad rebuilding in much the same way as Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp: keep the deals as cheap as possible, and look at the players rivals have either not heard of, not looked at or dropped to their reserves.

There are exceptions, of course, and certainly Andy Johnson’s £10.05 arrival and Zoltan Gera’s move from West Bromich Albion would fall into the category. Thankfully for Gardner and Hull, the hosts will not face the lively former Everton striker, who misses out through injury, though they will come head-to-head with Bobby Zamora after a series of rejuvenated displays in pre-season.

In what was a fairly dismal season for Fulham fans up until April, it is difficult to identify the areas that most needed improvement as there were several. However, one glaring weakness was the team’s inability to secure points on the road, with Hodgson’s men securing just three wins in 19 away games. They came in the last three fixtures away from home which in itself tells the story of a remarkable turn-around, and it also emphasises the element of psychology involved with victories away from the adulation of the home support.

That could spell trouble as the Londoners make the long journey north to the KC Stadium, though Fulham appear to have a new lease of life having come so close to losing their Premiership life. Will it be the youth of Hull or the experience of Fulham that emerges victorious this weekend?

Form Guide

The Cottagers have looked solid in pre-season, impressing on the way to a 3-1 victory over Celtic while claiming draws with Birmingham City and Torino with a mixed squad of players. Less positive notes can be granted to Hull, with dismal performances against Hearts and Osasuna accompanying the 4-0 hammering handed to them by Crewe Alexandra in suggesting there is much to be done this season. While Saturday’s game will tell us little about the eventual outcome of the season, it will give us an insight into how far off Hull are in terms of survival, or perhaps close Fulham will be to the danger zone this time round.

Hull City

9th August Vs Osasuna (H) – LOST 1-0

3rd August Vs Hearts (A) – LOST 1-0

29th July Vs Oldham Athletic (A) – DREW 1-1

26th July Vs Crewe Alexandra (A) – LOST 4-0

22nd July Vs Chesterfield (A) – WON 3-0

Fulham

9th August Vs Torino (H) – DREW 2-2

2nd August Vs Birmingham City (A) – DREW 1-1

26th July Vs Ulsan Hyundai (A) – WON 2-1

23rd July Vs Busan l’Park (A) – LOST 1-0

`9th July Vs Celtic (H) – WON 3-1

Team News

Hull City

King completed the formalities of his loan on Wednesday and will go straight into the squad. Caleb Folan looks to have shrugged off a knock, along with Bernard Mendy and Wayne Brown, giving Hull’s manager a full squad to select from.

Possible Starting XI: Myhill, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Garner, Halmosi, Boateng, Geovanni, Windass, King, Ricketts

Fulham

Diomansay Kamara is undergoing intensive rehabilitation on his knee and will be out for up to three weeks. Likewise, record signing Johnson has strained his thigh and will sit out what would have been his debut, joining Antti Niemi on the sidelines.

Possible Starting XI: Schwarzer, Volz, Konchesky, Hangeland, Panstil, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Gera, Murphy, Bullard, Davies, Zamora

Players To Watch

Hull City

He struggled to make an impact at the City of Manchester stadium, but at times in pre-season Geovanni appeared to be Hull’s only real attacking threat. He’s comfortable on the ball and has a good range of passing, and such attributes may well see the midfielder forge an effective partnership with Boateng alongside him and King up-front. Much will rest on his fitness, however, as he has managed just 36 appearances in the last two years. When times are hard, it is flair players such as Geovanni that can excite the crowd.

Fulham

Jimmy Bullard seems like an automatic choice these days, with the former Wigan Athletic midfielder becoming the side’s engine last season. His charisma and enthusiasm played an influential role in the side remaining tightly-knit when faced with adversity last term, and he will hope to build on last season’s return of four goals in 21 games. The 29-year old’s passing ability could see Hodgson reap the rewards of Johnson’s transfer.

Prediction

Hull will be eager to impress in their first ever Premier League clash, and similarly their new signings will look to stake a claim for a regular starting berth within Brown’s side. What is clear, however, is that Hodgson will not allow Fulham to make the same mistakes as last season, shoring up a defence that shipped goals at times and adding the reinforcements up front to fire the side clear of relegation. Fulham were woeful away from home last term, but this game could give The Cottagers a springboard for improvement this time round.
Hull City 1 – 2 Fulham

Ref From goal.com

So it’s all over for another year and what an entertaining day of football it turned out to be at both ends of the English Premier League table. Manchester United’s hard fought 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic saw them lift their 17th English league title leaving them only one behind Liverpool’s record haul of 18. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and goalscorer Ryan Giggs both secured their 10th league titles with the Old Trafford club on the same day as Giggs equalled the Manchester United appearance record held by legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Quite a day for the Welshman then.

Chelsea finished second after their draw at home to Bolton wasn’t enough to catch United but they can look forward to next week’s UEFA Champion’s League final against Manchester United in Moscow to exact their revenge.

At the bottom of the table Reading, Birmingham City and Fulham all started the day with the threat of relegation hanging over them but despite all three securing credible wins it was Fulham who edged out of the relegation zone after four wins in their last five games and delivered the kind of escape Harry Houdini would have been proud of. Coach Roy Hodgson now picks up an estimated bonus of around £1m for avoiding the drop so I’m sure he’ll be a happy man tonight.

Elsewhere, Everton secured a much deserved 5th spot, Liverpool beat Spurs in a meaningless contest and Middlesbrough recorded a record Premier League win of 8 - 1 against Manchester City in what looks to be Sven Goran Eriksson’s last game in charge of City. With city rivals United winning the title it wasn’t the happiest of endings to a season for the long suffering City fans in any regard.

Ref From worldsoccer.about.com