EPL Picks - Week 1

What would a blog amongst Yoders be without a little competition? Throughout the season we'll pick the winners in each EPL game. Since its un-American to pick ties, we'll only pick who we think will win each game. Throughout the season we will award 3 points for a correct pick, and 1 point for a tie, like it's supposed to be done. At the end of the season we'll tally up the records and see who is the best Premier League prognosticator! Play along in the comments or at home and see if you can beat the Yoders. Let the battle begin! Don't worry, we'll try and keep it civil in the family, unlike our Newcastle friends.

Hull City @ Chelsea

Sorry to all the US fans, but no goals for US hero Altidore, Chelsea cruises to an easy win in their first game under Ancelotti.

Hull's start will be crucial to regain the confidence from last season, too bad they begin this year's campaign at the EPL favorites.

Y1 - Chelsea Y2 - Chelsea

Fulham @ Portsmouth

It'll be a good thing for Pompey if they can even field 11 players for this game with the way their squad is being depleted. Fulham in an easy win.

Fulham sneaks out a road win over a depleted Pompey. US star Clint Dempsey scores the game winner.

Y1 - Fulham Y2 - Fulham

West Ham @ Wolves

Of course backing Wolves means I have to pick them in their season opener, especially since it is at home. Get to know last season's 2nd Division top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (right).

No promoted teams win week 1, I'm not a huge Wolves fan and little Zola is proving to be a little genius at West Ham

Y1 - Wolves Y2 - West Ham

Man City @ Blackburn

If MC are going to the Top 4, then they have to beat Blackburn. Massive gap in talent here, it wouldn't surprise me to see Adebayor and Tevez both open their City scoring accounts.

Way too much talent for Man City to lose to Blackburn, even on the road. Gareth Barry will be the key man to watch for City, will he provide the much needed steel in the midfield this season?

Y1 - Man City Y2 - Man City

Sunderland @ Bolton

I am a big fan of what Sunderland is putting together, but it will take a while for all of their new pieces to gel. Bolton is just tough enough to pick up the win.

Sunderland gets the road win against a weak Bolton team. New boy Darren Bent scores 2 goals in his debut, how's that for going out on a limb?

Y1 - Sunderland Y2 - Bolton

Wigan @ Aston Villa

Villa won't match the year they put together last season, but they should be strong enough to beat a depleted Wigan side under a rookie EPL manager.

I think Villa will be good again this season, watch out for youngster Fabian Delph who was the hot prospect in the lower divisions of England at Leeds United. He won't bring the defensive mindedness of Gareth Barry, but should help make up for the loss.

Y1 - Villa Y2 - Villa

Burnley @ Stoke

If there is any game that will end 0-0 the first week it is this one, but in picking winners only you have to go with Stoke. Burnley won't be able to penetrate the Stoke defense.

A fun matchup between two of the newest Prem League teams. I don't see the quality in Burnley's side to win tough games on the road, and the Britannia is about as tough as it gets.

Y1 - Stoke Y2 - Stoke

Arsenal @ Everton

Arsenal proves the doubters wrong and gets a tough road win at a reloaded Everton side. It's Theo Walcott's (left) time to shine and he picks up a goal in a Gunners win.

Perhaps I was too tough on Everton in my predictions. They get impact players like Arteta and Yakubu back healthy. They pick up the win in the opening weekend's biggest game.

Y1 - Everton Y2 - Arsenal

Birmingham @ Man Utd

The easiest game of the weekend to pick. There is absolutely no way that Birmingham will win at United, even without Ronaldo. Heck, United could throw out a 3rd string side and win!

There is no way that a promoted team beats Manchester United at home in the first week. Man U wins in a romp.

Y1 - Man U Y2 - Man U

Liverpool @ Spurs

It'll be tough for Liverpool to win, especially if Stevie G can't play, but they know these are the games they will have to win to become champions. Torres is the hero for the Pool.

Tottenham finally breaks their opening game hex. One of the former Liverpool strikers, Crouch or Keane, will strike in Game 1 to win. Here's hoping we see the 6' 7" robot!!

Y1 - Liverpool Y2 - Spurs