The English Premier League kicks-off this weekend with plenty of interest for Scotland fans. All the newly promoted sides feature Scots, while plenty of other internationals will be hoping to assure their places in Gordon’s squad with their displays down south. Here’s who to keep an eye on…
The freshest face of the new Premier League season is undoubtedly AFC Bournemouth who will be making their first ever appearance in England’s top flight. Scotland international Matt Ritchie was instrumental in the Cherries’ Championship title win last year, contributing 17 assists and 15 goals. The attacking midfielder is likely to feature heavily again this season as the creative lynchpin in Eddie Howe’s attack minded 4-2-3-1 formation.
Bournemouth’s first game could see Ritchie go up against Scotland teammate Alan Hutton. The Aston Villa right back looked a lot more settled under Tim Sherwood last season and could be a key player for the Villians this season.
Norwich City will be aiming to stay up at the first attempt after winning last year’s Championship play-offs and could argue to have the greatest Scottish links of any of this year’s Premier League teams. Guided by former Hamilton Academical boss Alex Neil, the Canaries have five Scotsmen in their ranks – including Scotland internationals Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker.
The other side making an entrance to the Premier League are Watford, who will be looking to Ikechi Anya to provide the pace and creativity to unsettle England’s best defenders.
At West Brom, where Tony Pulis worked wonders last season, Darren Fletcher and James Morrison will form a solid midfield duo that can cause even the best defences problems (as demonstrated in the 3-0 win over Chelsea last season).
Elsewhere, Scotland’s hat-trick hero against Gibraltar Steven Fletcher goes into his fourth season with Sunderland. A few early season goals could assure the Black Cats striker of his place in the Scotland team for September’s double-header with Georgia and Germany.
Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur and Everton forward Steven Naismith both enjoyed successful 2014/15 seasons and will be looking for more of the same this campaign.
Stoke City’s Charlie Adam also finished last season strongly and seems to fit well with the attacking style Mark Hughes and brought to the Britannia, while Barry Bannan will be hoping to push his way into the Crystal Palace first team in 2015/16.
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