Both Chelsea and Manchester United open their 2011/12 Premier League campaigns with tough looking away ties.
Stoke v Chelsea (13:30 kick-off)
They may only have returned to England’s top flight in 2009 but Stoke City have already developed a reputation for being one of the division’s toughest grounds to visit.
Their all-action, combative style and vociferous vocal support means it will be testing start for new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas (Stoke 9/2 draw 14/5 Chelsea 4/6 Match betting).
The Portuguese boss knows he is under pressure from the off, with owner Roman Abramovich eager for the club to add to their trophy haul.
Villas-Boas’ predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was sacked after failing to win a trophy in his second season at Stamford Bridge, despite winning the double in his first year, so the 33-year knows his side almost certainly need to win some silverware if he is to keep his job (Chelsea 3/1 to win the Premier League outright).
The former Porto boss has been reasonably quiet in the transfer window, bringing in youngsters Thibaud Courtois and Oriol Romeu so far.
However, highly-rated Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku is close to agreeing a £18million deal to boost a forward line Villas-Boas admits is already strong.
One of his strikers – £50million man Fernando Torres – will be hoping he can kick-start his Chelsea career after scoring just once in his first six months at the club (Torres 4/1 to net first).
The Spaniard suffered concussion in his country’s friendly with Italy in midweek but should be fit to take his place in the starting XI.
City manager Tony Pulis has also been reasonably quiet in the transfer window so far. But his two buys to date – Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson – look like being shrewd purchases.
Expect the Potters to close Chelsea down at every opportunity when without the ball and when in possession, spread the ball wide to Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington early. The wingers both possess excellent deliveries for Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters to feed off (Jones 8/1 to score first). It nearly goes without saying that the Potters are also extremely strong at set-pieces.
Thanks to their FA Cup exploits last season the club began their campaign early with a Europa League qualifying tie against Hadjuk Split.
With that tie safely negotiated they can go into this game full of confidence and with the hope their extra match sharpness will make the difference (Stoke 9/1 to win 1-0).
Prediction: Stoke 1 Chelsea 1
West Brom v Man United (kick 0ff 16:00)
Manchester United laid down a marker for the upcoming campaign with a roaring comeback against Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.
Despite losing Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes to retirement, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refreshed his squad with a new generation of young players, including new-boys David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young (Man United 13/8 favourites Premier League outright).
Portuguese star Nani grabbed two goals at Wembley last week and he looks to be one of United’s most dangerous attacking threats this season (Nani 6/1 to score first), while the signing of Young now gives United a direct threat on either wing.
However, one thing Ferguson will be keen to address this campaign is their away record. United won just five away games in 2010/11, the same number as relegated Blackpool.
They will be severely tested on the road straight away though as they travel to the Hawthorns to play a West Brom side rejuvenated under Roy Hodgson.
The Baggies lost just twice in 12 games under the 64-year-old, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in January, en route to a respectable 11th place finish, halting their recent tendency to yo-yo between the top two divisions in English football.
The Midlanders have boosted their squad this summer with the signings of Ben Foster from Birmingham, Shane Long from Reading and Zoltan Gera from Fulham.
Long in particular adds a goal threat to the side and he should form a prolific partnership with Peter Odemwingie, who hit 15 goals for the club last season (Long 8/1 to score first).
Prediction West Brom 1 Man United 2
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.