PREVIEW: PREMIER LEAGUE 2014/15
By Eric White
LESS than 48 hours before the season is about to start and we already have our first shock – Crystal Palace have sensationally parted ways with Tony Pulis by mutual consent.
Palace face Arsenal at on Saturday in what was already a very tough proposition. With the departure of Pulis amidst disagreements over the lack of transfers, they now go into the game as a club in a state of disarray after losing the only manager who has successfully managed to keep them in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Louis Van Gaal is looking to bring his side’s fine pre-season form into the league campaign as Manchester United face Swansea at Old Trafford. Nothing other than a win you feel will do for the Dutchman, if he is to convince the doubters that he is the man to bring back the glory years.
Southampton and Liverpool both have a point to prove at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool fell at the final hurdle last season and have lost Luis Suarez whereas Southampton, under new manager Ronald Koeman, will look to show they still have plenty of talent in their squad despite several notable departures.
Tottenham and West Ham battle it out in the London Derby as Mauricio Pochettino looks for a win in what would be a great start to his tenure as manager.
Manchester City travel to Newcastle as they look to become only the third side in the history of the competition to win consecutive titles.
Chelsea will be looking to prove against Burnley that they are in fact worth all the build-up Jose Mourinho has given them. The ‘Special One’ frequently mentioned in interviews last season that it would be the second campaign where his side would peak.
It is hard to look past Manchester City as favourites for the title despite their disappointing performance against Arsenal in the Community Shield. Manuel Pellegrini always seems so assured and this will help his players in the run in, in contrast to Mourinho’s history of post-match antics.
For Palace, it seems winning manager of the year is not even enough to make your job safe these days. Despite exceeding expectations, the departure of Pulis looks like it could have doomed them to the drop before the first league game has begun.
