Writers Prediction League: Tottenham Hotspur at West Ham

The Premier League is back baby! Tomorrow kicks off the 2014-15 season and Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to finish back in the top-4 for the first time since 2011-12. The team has had marked changes this offseason, starting with the hire of new manager Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton. Ben Davies has been signed from Swansea to stabilize the left back position (along with goalkeeper Michel Vorm) and new arrival Eric Dier could be an asset at centerback. But can Tottenham's second-season players like Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Vlad Chiriches raise their games and Tottenham's league finish at the same time?

In the way today is West Ham United, coming off of a 13th place league finish in 2013-14. The Hammers have had a quiet offseason, marked mainly by signing Enner Valencia to boost their strike force and bringing in Carl Jenkinson on loan from Arsenal. The key with West Ham will be one of style, as the supporters' dream of free-flowing football combats with manager Sam Allardyce's route one tactics. Can the Hammers start off their season with a glorious home victory?

As for the Prediction League, we are marked by new arrival Brett Rainbow, who will be looking to get off to a strong start in his debut season. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League -- one point for a correct prediction and a bonus point for getting the score correct. Here are the current standings:

This week's predictions:

Ed: 1-0 West Ham. Sorry everyone.

Uncle Menno: Hey, hey now, little man! You can stand there and slag me off all you like.
But don't you start talking about how I feel about my beloved West Ham. Cos I love 'em. I love 'em Gooners. 3-1 Spurs.

Kevin: West Ham blow. 3-0 Spurs.

Mechanick: Coco gets two, I cry tears of joy. 2-0 Spurs

Ryan: You call yourself Fat Amy? Yeah, so twig bitches like you don't do it behind my back. 2-0 Spurs.

Bryan A.: Stupid. That's what optimistic means, you know? An optimist is someone who says, "Hey, maybe something nice will happen." Why the fuck would anything nice ever happen? 2-0 West Ham.

Salmon Chase: They got my dick message. (ed: WTF?) 2-2 Draw

Lennon's Eyebrow: We have a manager, we have a plan, we have Erik Lamela. West Ham have bubbles. 2-0 Spurs.

Dominic Wood: 2-1 Spurs. The Dark Metronome Rises.

Michael Caley: I think my new super-secret expected goals 3.0 hates West Ham. if it doesn't it should. 2-0 Spurs.

Skipjack: 3-1 Spurs. For god's sake, beat West Ham.

Brett Rainbow: West Ham are overwhelmed by Poch's press and complete less than 50 passes in our half. 3-0 Spurs.