The English Premier League kicks off its 21st successive season this weekend.
From the 22 clubs that played in the inaugural competition in 1992-93, seven have been ever present and two of them – Everton and Manchester United – clash on the opening day programme in Goodison Park.
The others are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Everton lost three points to United at home last season but David Moyes side’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in the second round hampered the Red Devils’ chances to regain the championship by no small measure.
United, pipped on the final day of the 2011-12 championship by their city rivals, failed in the transfer of Lucas Moura this summer as Paris St Germain stepped in to prise the talented Brazilian to their fold.
However, Robin van Persie’s signing from Arsenal (see also page 46), added to the acquisition of Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund, shows that Manchester United are still a force to reckon with in the transfer market.
Champions Manchester City open their campaign against newcomers Southampton at the Etihad Stadium, tomorrow.
The last time these two teams met in the Premiership was on New Year of 2005, the Citizens winning 2-1 at home.
Roberto Mancini’s team started the season on a high after beating FA Cup winners Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield at Villa Park last week.
Mancini, who added midfielder Jack Rodwell to his squad following his move from Everton, still believes his players are weeks away from peak fitness as Saints boss Nigel Adkins is approaching his debut in the top flight without fear and confident his side could last the pace with the big boys.
At Arsenal, who play hosts to Sunderland this afternoon, manager Arsene Wenger spent almost £40m in three new recruits – Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski – to fill the void left by skipper Van Persie.
It seems that another former Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas (now at Barcelona) helped influence Cazorla’s move from Malaga to North London.
After the upset to City in the season curtain-raiser, European champions Chelsea take off with a game at Wigan who will be pinning their hopes on manager Roberto Martinez to preserve their status for yet another season.
Chelsea again spent big this summer to strengthen their side following the arrivals of Edin Hazard, Marko Marin, Oscar and Emir Dautovic.
Reports are now saying that Chelsea supremo Roman Abra-movic is focusing on the transfer of Brazil star Neymar.
Europa clash
Two Europa League rivals clash on the opening day of the season at the Sports Direct Arena, with Newcastle taking on Tottenham who went for ex-Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas to replace the sacked Harry Redknapp.
Newcastle seem to have given up hope of re-signing striker Andy Carroll as manager Alan Pardew is urging Hatem Ben Arfa to show more flair in midfield to lift the Magpies and regain his place in France’s national side.
Manager Brendan Rodgers makes his first showing for Liverpool in the Premier League today when the Reds play guests to West Brom at the Hawthorns.
While Carroll is still pondering his future, strike partner Luis Suarez has signed a new contract that will treble his wages as Lucas Leiva, a kingpin in midfield, returns from the sidelines after a long-term injury.
West Ham United’s return to the top flight will be marked with a home match against Aston Villa while Championship winners Reading take on Stoke City at the Madejski Stadium.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Arsenal-Sunderland 1
Fulham-Norwich City1
Newcastle-Tottenham (18:30)X
Qpr-Swansea City X
Reading-Stoke City X
West Brom-Liverpool 2
West Ham-Aston Villa X
Tomorrow:
Man. City-S’Hampton 17:00 1
Wigan-Chelsea 14:302
Monday:
Everton-Man. United 21:002
The Championship
Barnsley-Middlesbrough X
Birmingham-Charlton 1
Burnley-Bolton 2
Crystal Palace-Watford X
Derby County-Sheffield Wed. 1
Hull City-Brighton 1
Ipswich Town-Blackburn X
Leeds United-Wolves 13:45x
Leicester City-Peterborough 1
Millwall-Blackpool X
Nottm. Forest-Bristol City 1
League One
Bury-Brentford X
Crawley-Scunthorpe1
Crewe-Notts County X
Hartlepool-Swindon Town X
Mk Dons-Oldham 1
Portsmouth-Bournemouth X
Preston-Colchester United 1
Sheffield United-Shrewsbury 1
Stevenage-Carlisle United 1
Tranmere Vs Leyton Orient1
Walsall-Doncaster Rovers 2
Yeovil Town-Coventry 2
League Two
Wimbledon-Chesterfield X
Bristol Rovers-Oxford1
Cheltenham -Dagenham 1
Exeter City-Morecambe 1
Fleetwood-Torquay1
Gillingham-Bradford City 1
Plymouth-Aldershot X
Port Vale-Barnet 1
Rochdale-Northampton 1
Rotherham United-Burton 1
Southend-Accrington 1
York City-Wycombe X
Scottish Premier
Hearts-Inverness Ct 1
Kilmarnock-Motherwell X
Ross County-Celtic 13:45 2
St Johnstone-Aberdeen 1
St Mirren-Hibernian1
Tomorrow:
Dundee Utd-Dundee 13:45 1
Division One
Dumbarton-Cowdenbeath X
Dunfermline-Partick Thistle 1
Falkirk-Raith Rovers 1
Hamilton-Morton X
Livingston-Airdrie United 1
Division Two
Albion-Alloa Athletic 2
Arbroath-Ayr United X
East Fife-Queen Of South X
Forfar Athletic-Stranraer 1
Stenhousemuir-Brechin X
Division Three
Annan Athletic-Berwick X
Clyde-Peterhead 2
Elgin City-Stirling Albion X
Queen’S Park-Montrose 1
Rangers-East Stirlingshire 1
Hot Four
Arsenal, Birmingham, N. Forest, Sheffield United.