EPL Week One

This is the first installment of my weekly thoughts on the Premier League:

Manchester United Notes
We do not look great. The defense against Newcastle was very vulnerable to set pieces and that will have to change if we are to defend the title.

Darren Fletcher is still not ready to start. Despite scoring the Red Devil's first half goal (off a cross by the best player ever to play in the EPL, Ryan Giggs), he was responsible for the goal by Martins.

The midfield looks fantastic with Giggs and Scholes looking dangerous the whole game. However, we suffered when Carrick went off for O'Shea in the 30th minute and I wonder if the old guard (35 and 34 respectively) will keep up the pace all season long.

I am still not a fan of Wayne Rooney. Great shot, no creativity whatsoever. I hate to say it, but we need Ronaldo, who by the way, sat on the sideline with a hat on backwards (just wearing a ballcap is ridiculous enough) and texting the whole game.

Who Impressed
Chelsea were sick against Portsmouth. It was a clinic. Especially given that Didier Drogba was injured, Joe Cole, Deco, and Anelka scored almost at will. Anelka finally looks to be in form for The Blues, but how will these three play when Drogba comes back? Sometimes 4 great players are worse than three.

Aston Villa will finish in the top four. They played great football, with the new signings turning in great performances. Villa had what I think is the best off-season, not only raiding Reading for Nicky Shorey and Blackburn for Brad Friedel, but keeping Garreth Barry despite the worst drama of the summer. They will beat out Arsenal for the 4th Champions League spot.

Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United) is a lot of fun to watch and will benefit from a better team this year. He is quick as lightning and has amazing footwork and creativity.

Gabriel Agbonlahar (Aston Villa) scored a hat trick and is fed by Garreth Barry and Ashley Young. He's going to be outstanding this season.

Shea Given is the best part of Newcastle's defense. He kept them in the game with ManU with several phenomenal saves and looks to be one of the best keepers between the sticks this season.

Who Stunk
Arsenal is not looking good. They've got a ridiculous amount of injuries right now and were lucky to win against newly promoted West Bromwich. Adabayor may be left stranded up front until Cesc Fabregas and/or Robin van Persie can get healthy. They are lucky their first two matches are vs. WBA and Fulham, who looked terrible.

Everton will be the worst drop in last season's form and David Moyes will be fired before the halfway point in the season. They were beaten by the 2nd worst drop, Blackburn. Blackburn can't expect to sell two of their best players and compete. Roque Santa Cruz will also be stranded up front. Maybe together he and Adabayor can sow together loin cloths, learn how to make fire, and eat coconuts

Stoke will finish last. No other way to say it; they're awful. 1-3 vs. Bolton. Ugly.

Liverpool are in some serious trouble with Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres up front. The two cancel each other out... literally. With an open goal in front of them, the two collided trying to score and the ball stayed out of the net.

Portsmouth needs to figure out how to serve the ugliest football player alive, Peter Crouch. You can't blame them for not immediately knowing how to handle a 6'9", 180 lb. freak of nature up front. He was innocuous in the Community Shield and today vs. Chelsea. I'm not even sure I heard the announcers say his name.

Tottenham were just confused out there. Without Keane and (soon) Berbatov, they will be useless.

Speaking of useless, the only reason Man City won't get blown out every game is their defense (primarily Micah Richards).

Fulham look worse than last year, as do Bolton (if that's possible). There will be quite a cripple fight at the bottom of the table.

So, here is my prediction for the end of the season:

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United (and seriously, this is painful to say)
3. Liverpool
4. Aston Villa [these top four enter Champions League]
5. Arsenal [enters UEFA Cup]
6. West Ham
7. Newcastle
8. Middlesborough
9. Tottenham
10. Everton
11. Wigan
12. Blackburn
13. Portsmouth
14. Man City
15. Sunderland
16. West Brom
17. Bolton
18. Fulham [bottom three relegated to the second-tier Championship]
19. Hull City
20. Stoke