With the return of Premier League Football less than two weeks away, football fans up and down the country are rejoicing at the imminent return of competitive football to British shores.
It’s been a relatively ‘low-key’ transfer window thus far, but the free agent acquisition of Lloyd Kelly and permanent signing of young, versatile full back Lewis Hall remain the only notable incomings thus far. However, the highlight and perhaps most successful part of this window is the retention of the club’s most valuable playing assets.
Despite ongoing transfer speculation regarding almost all of Newcastle United’s superstar talent, the club look set to kick off the new campaign with their prized possessions in tact as Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes remaining on Tyneside.
Coupled with the highly anticipated return of £60m signing Sandro Tonali from suspension, one could be forgiven for a growing sense of optimism around the club, particularly with the potential addition of a notable arrival or two (Marc Guehi?) in the coming weeks. The club must surely be targeting a return to European football and dare I say it, a major trophy?
In anticipation for the coming season, we @NUFCBlog.co.uk decided to take a quick glance at United’s opening five Premier League fixtures:
Southampton (H) – 17th August
The Saints make the circa 650 mile round trip to St James’ Park on the opening weekend of the Premier League season for a “good old fashioned” Saturday 3pm KO. The Mags will certainly be hoping to kickstart their season in similar fashion as last when they efficiently dispatched Villa 5-1 to record their 3rd consecutive opening day win.
By contrast, Russel Martins men successfully returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking following Wembley success in the play-off final last season. They kick started their season last year with another northern migration as they came away from Hillsborough with 3 points as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. It remains to be seen whether current Mag Ryan Fraser will be a part of their ranks, however our defense will of course be wary of former mag and local boy Adam Armstrong who recently signed an extension to his stay on the south coast.
Goal Threat – Adam Armstrong – With 24 league goals in 49 appearances last season, 2nd to Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics.
One to watch – Harwood-Bellis – As a £20+ million summer signing from Manchester City, the youthful center back will be looking to cement his place in this Saints team.
Bournemouth (A) – 25th August
Following the seasons home opener, it is the turn of United’s faithful to make the roughly 700 mile round trip to the South Coast for another Saturday 3pm fixture. United will be certainly looking to banish the bad memories from last season’s 2-0 disappointment. By contrast, Bournemouth and their supporters will no doubt be buoyant at the first home game of their campaign (they begin away at Nottingham Forest). Head Coach Iraola has certainly implemented a distinguished and more free flowing style of football since his arrival and United will have to be wary of that, particularly with the potence of Dominic Solanke in front of goal.
Goal Threat – Dominic Solanke – The striker notched 19 Premier League goals in 38 appearances last season, including three against Newcastle.
One to watch – Luis Sinisterra – Tricky Colombian signed from Leeds United earlier this year and will be looking to kick on this season in a dynamic Bournemouth attack.
Spurs (H) – 1st September
Where to start with this one? If you are a betting man, this fixture almost certainly features on your goals galore coupon, given that the last two meetings at St James’ Park in the Premier League between these two sides has saw a combined aggregate score of 10-1 in favour of the Magpies. 4-0 and 6-1 drubbings at the hands of Eddie Howe’s men mean Postecoglou’s men will be looking for revenge, and in a convincing manner.
Goals for Spurs will remain an issue, relying heavily on Son for that contribution, as they are yet to really introduce a suitable replacement for Harry Kane. Timo Werner will remain on loan at the club for the 24/25 campaign, however he has again failed to set the Premier League alight with only two goals in 13 appearances last year.
Goal Threat – Heung-Min Son – A constant thorn in Premier League defences since his arrival from Leverkusen in 2015. Son registered 17 premier league goals last campaign in 35 appearances.
One to watch – James Maddison – August 2023 player of the month who registered 4 goals and 9 assists in what was a decent return for Maddison last campaign, he will certainly be out for revenge following his reception last year.
Wolves (A) – 15th September
United are looking for their first win in at Molyneux since their 1-0 triumph in the Championship courtesy of Aleksander Mitrovic back in February 2017. Having twice surrendered the lead last season, United will be hoping for defensive solidarity in the pursuit of three points. Gary O’Neill has established himself as a top coach in the league and has at his disposal a combined squad of experience and youthful flare.
Wolves however will be without former club captain Max Kilman however, who joined West Ham this summer in a reported £40 million pound switch.
Goal Threat – Hee-chan Wang – Registered 12 goals in 29 appearances last season, including a goal in the same fixture last season.
One to watch – Rayan Ait-Nouri – The tricky Algerian is one of the most promising talents in Wolves’ ranks, who is as capable going forward as he is defending. 38 appearances has saw him register three goals and two assists from fullback.
Fulham (A) – 21st September
United will be looking to continue their rich-vein of goal scoring form when they return to happy-hunting ground Craven Cottage on September 21st. SW6 has seen the magpies register 13 goals in their last 5 competitive encounters at Craven Cottage (4 premier league triumphs and a FA Cup victory).
Following on from last season’s respectable 13th place finish, Marco Silva’s men have notably lost a couple of key players including former United target Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea) and their midfield general Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich).The Cottagers will certainly be hoping for new recruit Emile Smith-Rowe to hit the ground running. Goals however seemed hard to come by for Fulham following the departure of Aleksander Mitrovic to Saudi.
Goal Threat – Rodrigo Muniz – Led the line well for Fulham last season with nine Premier League goals in 26 appearances. He’s a handful and will be hoping to build on a quietly impressive 2023/24.
One to watch – Emile Smith Rowe – Fresh from his switch from Arsenal, Smith-Rowe will feel he has a point to prove to the Premier league and establish his undoubted quality on this Fulham squad.
