Premier League: 10 things to look out for on the opening weekend

Introduction
The Premier League is back and football fans all over the world are eagerly counting down the days until the opening weekend. After a long and eventful summer filled with transfers, pre-season friendlies, and the excitement of the World Cup, the wait is finally over. The 2018/2019 Premier League season is set to kick off on August 10th, with 20 teams ready to battle it out for the coveted trophy. As always, there are plenty of storylines and talking points to keep an eye on during the opening weekend. In this blog post, we will take a look at 10 things to watch out for as the Premier League returns to our screens.

1. Title Contenders Clash
   The opening weekend of the Premier League season always brings about some exciting matchups, but this year we have a particularly intriguing fixture lined up. Manchester United will face off against last season’s champions Manchester City in the much-anticipated Manchester derby. Both teams are considered to be title contenders, with City looking to defend their crown and United aiming to reclaim the top spot. The two fierce rivals will be looking to make a statement on the first day of the season, setting the tone for their respective campaigns.

2. New Faces, New Hopes
   Every year, newly promoted teams bring a fresh wave of excitement and anticipation to the Premier League. This year, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City, and Fulham will be joining the league and will be looking to make their mark. Wolves, in particular, have made some impressive signings, including Portuguese star Joao Moutinho. It will be interesting to see how these teams fare against the established Premier League sides on the opening weekend.

3. Battle for Top 4
   The race for a top 4 finish is always a heated one, with multiple teams vying for a spot in the Champions League. Last season, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea battled it out until the last day, with Liverpool ultimately securing the final spot. This season, all three teams will be looking to start their campaign on a positive note and lay down a marker for the rest of the season. With Arsenal under new management and Everton making some big signings, the competition for a top 4 finish is set to be even tougher.

4. The Unbeaten Streak
   Last season, Manchester City made history by going on an unbeaten streak of 22 games in the Premier League. Can they replicate this feat this season? The opening weekend will give us a glimpse of City’s form as they face a tough test against their city rivals. Will they continue their unbeaten run or will United put an end to it before it even begins?

5. The Return of Jose Mourinho
   Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Jose Mourinho brings an element of drama and excitement to the Premier League. After a disappointing season last year, the Manchester United manager will be looking to turn things around and guide his team to a title challenge. All eyes will be on Mourinho as he leads his team into the opening weekend and the pressure will be on for him to deliver.

6. New Managers, New Tactics
   This season, we have some new faces in the managerial positions of some of the top Premier League teams. Unai Emery takes over at Arsenal, while Maurizio Sarri has replaced Antonio Conte at Chelsea. These managers will be looking to implement their own style of play and tactics, and it will be interesting to see how their teams adapt to these changes. Will they be able to make an impact from the very first game or will it take some time for their strategies to click?

7. Debutants to Watch Out For
   As always, there will be a number of new signings making their debut for their respective teams on the opening weekend. Fans will be eager to see how these players perform, and whether they can make an instant impact. Some names to look out for include Riyad Mahrez at Manchester City, Fred at Manchester United, and Felipe Anderson at West Ham United.

8. The Battle of the New Strikers
   Last season, Mohamed Salah stole the show with his record-breaking goal-scoring spree for Liverpool. This season, there are a number of new strikers who will be looking to make a similar impact. Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s new goalkeeper, could also prove to be a game-changer for the Reds. Other new signings such as Alvaro Morata at Chelsea and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal will also be looking to make their mark on the opening weekend.

9. Opening Weekend Upsets
   The Premier League is known for its unpredictability, and the opening weekend is no exception. Every season, there are a few shock results that leave fans stunned. Who will be the underdogs to pull off a victory on the first day of the season? Will it be one of the newly promoted teams or will it be a surprise defeat for one of the top teams? Only time will tell.

10. Who Will Win the Golden Boot?
    The race for the Premier League’s top scorer, also known as the Golden Boot, is always an exciting one. Last season, Salah, Harry Kane, and Sergio Aguero were the top contenders. This season, all eyes will be on these three players once again, along with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexandre Lacazette. Who will come out on top and claim the prestigious award this season?

Conclusion
The opening weekend of the Premier League promises to be an exciting one, with some top-quality matches and plenty of intriguing storylines to follow. Fans all over the world will be glued to their screens as the new season kicks off, eagerly awaiting the outcome of these 10 things to watch out for. Will our predictions come true or will there be some unexpected twists and turns? One thing is for sure, the opening weekend will set the tone for what is sure to be yet another thrilling Premier League season.