Celebrate Sialkot!

In amongst the excitement that awaits us this weekend, let's not forget the reason that we can get excited this weekend: the city of Sialkot.

Sialkot (Urdu/Punjabi: سیالکوٹ ) is a city situated in the north-east of the Punjab province in Pakistan at the feet of the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. Formerly, Sialkot has been the winter-capital of the State of Kashmir. The city is about 125 km north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometres from Jammu. Its diverse population of 3,000,000 mainly consists of Punjabis with a significant number of migrant Kashmiris and Pashtuns.

But what is significant about this unheralded city, especially leading up to this weekend, is that it's major industry is making footballs. Yes folks, footballs. About 60% of footballs produced world wide are made in Sialkot.

Really, it's the first week of the English Premier League that I'm excited about, but for a while I did wonder where all those footballs were made.

Predictions
Manchester United to win the title again, through sheer intimidation if not skill.

Darren Bent to be the leading scorer.

Derby, Sunderland and Wigan to drop straight down to the Championship (it's a shame Lee McCulloch has left for Rangers. Absolute talent).

Thoughts
Tottenham's new signing Darren Bent joins Dimitri Berbatov and Jermaine Defoe, making Tottenham's strike force significant.

A host of players (Marlon Harewood, Carlos Tevez and the freaky looking Paul Konchesky) have left West Ham, but a host of new players (Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy) have arrived. Lucas Neill is captain so that will get a few Aussies on the bandwagon.

Newcastle is another team with a much improved forward line - an injury free Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins will cause some havok, with each complementing each other. Quality midfielder Joey Barton has also arrived from Manchester City.

Aston Villa's season goal will be to "win more games than we draw".

Liverpool have their best chance at catching Manchester United and Chelsea this season. A few quality arrivals, most notably Spaniard Fernando Torres.

Little to say about Blackburn except one of my favourite players, Benni McCarthy, is set for another massive season. Kiwi captain Ryan Nelson a solid centre back.

Mark Bresciano will make an impact when his transfer to Manchester City finally goes through. It will be good to see him on TV a bit more too.

The tiny Robbie Earnshaw returns to the Premier League, this time with Derby. Can destroy teams, but can suffer a lot from his size.

Bolton should never have let go of a defender I highly rate, Radhi Jaidi. Here's hoping Birmingham smash Bolton this season, however I do like Kevin Nolan as a tough nut leader.

So, cheers to a season of late nights, frustration at an under-performing Liverpool, misery at not having cable TV, joy at seeing my fantasy team dominate their league, and 89th minute goals meaning my tips score highly, and for 38 weeks of the best goals, saves and punch ons! *Cracks open a Carlsberg...gotta stay loyal to the brand pumping millions into my club!*