
IGM enter the fray as Champions, which could be significant. After years of experience, it' probably not, but we'll give it a good go at retaining the title. The BatCave has been busy for the last few weeks in the Back Room, with our team managers eagerly discussing tactics, strategy, statistics and cake. The cobwebs are up and redusted, the buffet and snakebite are ready, and we're expecting you all after today's deadline for a shindig.
VAR has been tweaked this season - more benefit of the doubt for offside and handball and the stupid rule about linesmen not flagging offsides have gone. Phew. We are back to 'normal' with the number of televised games too.
Here are the fixtures for this special allcrowdsback GW1:
Friday 13 August 2021
Brentford 20:00 Arsenal Snacks ready, as this could be a popcorner. Am looking forward to seeing Brentford, and also Saka.
UK - Sky Sports
Saturday 14 August 2021
Man Utd 12:30 Leeds A big game for the first one - would have preferred to see it a few weeks from now when everyone's in the flow. Still, will be a humdinger. Sancho on?
UK - BT Sport
Burnley 15:00 Brighton I have a feeling this will be hard fought.
Chelsea 15:00 Crystal Palace Could Chelsea be humbled? Could it be the first 'Dammit, Palace!'? Will Lukaku play?
Everton 15:00 Southampton Err... Do I have any thoughts about this one?
Leicester 15:00 Wolves Another one that's a bit early in the season for me, but should be a good one. Hope Jimenez is fit and running.
Watford 15:00 Aston Villa Watford will be wanting to making a mark, but Villa have all their new signings to show off. Good luck to our old chap, Buendia.
Norwich 17:30 Liverpool EEEEEK hope it's not like last time. Van Dijk is back with a new contract, Canaries with some new signings, me behind the sofa.
UK - Sky Sports
Sunday 15 August 2021
Newcastle 14:00 West Ham Newcastle have some new boys to be looking out for, the Hammers hoping to stay solid.
UK - Sky Sports
Spurs 16:30 Man City Another EEEEK. I can do without TWO tricky fixtures in the first week. Let's see what Kane does now he's out of isolation, whether Grealish is in at all now that Foden is injured, and whether it's all going to go pearshaped. Good luck to Nuno.
UK - Sky Sports
Time for a last minute tinker before 6.30, then it's galloping into the breach until every one falls over, the transfer window ends, and we all have to do a Wildcard

Good luck. Stay strong.