Promoted duo face tough test against Big Two
The premier league swings into action this weekend with two of the favourites for the title, Arsenal and Manchester United, kicking off against promoted sides Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion respectively.
While the two midlands sides will not expect to be anywhere near the two thoroughbreds come next May, they will hope that the excitement of their return to the top flight after long absences will help close the quality gap.
Birmingham were last with the elite 17 years ago but will have to wait one more day to get a taste of the action as they start against Double-winners Arsenal at Highbury on Sunday.
Arsenal, who won the Community Shield with an impressive 1-0 victory over Liverpool last week, have not lost at home to Birmingham since 1957 and will expect to extend that run.
If they win it will set a new top flight record of 14 consecutive victories -- they are currently level with Tottenham Hotspur, Preston North End and Sunderland on 13.
Patrick Vieira is fit to start for Arsenal, having recovered from a heavy tackle by Steven Gerrard in Cardiff and manager Arsene Wenger will be tempted to play Gilberto Silva alongside him after the Brazilian's impressive goalscoring debut against Liverpool.
Clinton Morrison is poised to make his Birmingham debut after his move from Crystal Palace but they are without suspended midfielder Robbie Savage, another summer signing, from Leicester City.
West Brom, everyone's favourite for an immediate return to the first division, start life in the premier league with games against Manchester United, Leeds United and Arsenal so anything they can muster in the way of points in the first week will be something of a bonus.
United's 13 million pounds ($19.95 million) signing Rio Ferdinand will have to wait for his competitive debut after suffering a twisted ankle in a friendly while fellow centre-back Wes Brown is out for three months with a twisted ankle and Phil Neville is doubtful, giving manager Alex Ferguson a defensive headache.
SHOCK WIN
West Brom, however, look ill-equipped to threaten Laurent Blanc and whoever he plays with, let alone pull off a shock Old Trafford win, and United should begin their bid to reclaim the title with three points.
Also ready to make a championship challenge are Liverpool, who start at Aston Villa on Sunday.
After finishing progressively fourth, third and second in the last three seasons Liverpool fans believe they are due the title -- which they last won in 1990.
Their new Senegalese striker El Hadji Diouf looks set to start alongside Michael Owen, with Emile Heskey operating from midfield.
However, wins for the big three are not guaranteed and the three outsiders will look to the first day of the premier league 10 years ago for inspiration.
In 1992, when the premier league was launched in a fanfare of expectation, Arsenal lost 4-2 at home to Norwich City, Manchester United went down 2-0 at Sheffield United and Liverpool lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United, fourth last season and already looking set for progress in the Champions League, start at home to West Ham United on Monday while Leeds United, under new boss Terry Venables, are at home to Manchester City, led by another former England manager in Kevin Keegan.
