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6 essentials you need before the Premier League returns tomorrow

Have you checked them off your list?

AS YOU’VE GONE about your business this year, something has seemed lacking.

We’re right, aren’t we?

Something you couldn’t quite put your finger on, something, was out of place. Well, here’s your reminder: you were missing the Premier League. That little nagging feeling, maybe that you’d left the immersion on or the back door unlocked… It was the football the whole time.

Don’t worry, though, because it’s all back (and all to play for) from tomorrow. But before it returns, here’s how to get your house in order for the season ahead…

1.  The kit

We’re talking a shiny, brand spanking new replica jersey. Go on. You deserve it. This is basically your Christmas, and that means treats become essentials.

dpesnit2 / YouTube

2. Fantasy football selections

Have you got your team picked and ready to go? Make sure you share around the link – these things are always a lot better with a group of mates on board. For the competition as opposed to the camaraderie, you understand.

FANFOOTMEM fantasy.premierleague.com fantasy.premierleague.com

3. Get your team’s fixture list

This will be absolutely essential for your rolling calendar of “reasons why you aren’t available on a random date in October” (see below).

godsfilo As important as God's own Filofax, even thisbugslife.com thisbugslife.com

4. A strictly-updated calendar

Start writing in all the weddings, birthdays and events you’ve got lined up over the upcoming Premier League months – so you can start making your excuses to get out of them. Some things are more important, eh?

 

ashpfoundation.com ashpfoundation.com

5. Hope

Boost your hope levels with some YouTube clips of your team’s most memorable matches and some pub trivia friendly facts about your newest super signing.

blogspot.com blogspot.com

6. Your mates

The match wouldn’t really be the same if you were watching it alone, after all. And, of course, don’t forget the obligatory beer hat for the big opening game.

ebay.ie ebay.ie

And one thing you’ve definitely got to get sorted is your sports subscription, of course.  You can watch Man United vs Swansea this Saturday at 12:45 on BT Sport 1, part of the Setanta Sports pack in Ireland.  Sign up for Setanta’s €1 offer here.

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    Mute Brendan McLoughlin
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:52 AM

    Dusting down the word “we” when talking about a club from a city you’ve never been in!

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    Mute Orange Order Loyal
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:26 AM

    Couldn’t have said it better myself. Support your local club!

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    Mute Darren Varley
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:40 AM

    What does it matter who people support ?? Whether it be a football team from a different country or a religious right to march

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    Mute Rory Fleming
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:32 PM

    Who gives a shit who you support, I’m Irish but support arsenal, doesn’t make me a barstooler , been to plenty of games …

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Aug 15th 2014, 10:58 PM

    But you support Arsenal *facepalm*

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    Mute Dylan
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    Aug 16th 2014, 2:50 AM

    Couldn’t have said it any better Rory. As long as you support your team through good and bad and don’t switch teams whenever you feel like it you’re a true supporter

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    Mute Adrian De Cleir
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:21 AM

    7. A box of tissues for another year of disappointed Liverpool fans

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    Mute Tony Kelly
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:46 AM

    A box of tissues for a year of excited Liverpool fans

    167
    Glen
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    Mute Glen
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:10 AM

    I would settle for ear plugs when it comes to Liverpool fans.

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    Mute Eoghan Murphy
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    Aug 15th 2014, 11:01 AM

    Haha,brilliant,common chelsea

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    Mute all kinds of gains
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    Aug 15th 2014, 12:52 AM

    You need sundays off work to lie on couch all day and watch the games ☺☺

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    Mute Robbie Callaghan
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    Aug 15th 2014, 12:07 AM

    So fecking excited! C’mon you RedMen! YNWA!!

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    Mute Aidan Jennings
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:56 AM

    Yeah I agree, come on the redmen!… Sligo Rovers that is. Class act of a football club.

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    Mute Cornelius Collins
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    Aug 15th 2014, 12:23 AM

    Losing the run of yourself after 3 games when your beloved team are top. Champions league?? Your having a laugh we will win the bloody thing! Avoid relegation on goal difference and a team getting docked points….. Bring it on! Cant wait no matter what its great to have it back cant wait to get over to the holte end!

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    Mute Steve M
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    Aug 15th 2014, 10:33 AM

    Looking forward to the new season but GAA is still in full swing and will always take priority over soccer for me.

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    Mute Dónal Ó Maoláin
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    Aug 15th 2014, 1:48 PM

    Agree 200%…

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    Mute Ray rogers
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    Aug 16th 2014, 12:06 AM

    Poor Donal, you really never had a chance with a name like yours.

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    Mute Dónal Ó Maoláin
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    Aug 16th 2014, 12:19 AM

    And what Ray thinks is all that matters wha’?…

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    Mute sean nihill
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    Aug 15th 2014, 10:10 AM

    I’d love to see soccer players stand up like real men and stop diving & feigning injury. Some just fake it as they don’t fancy the next few fixtures away to stoke , west brom and the like. Ah I’m injured boss the old hammer is tweaking see you in 3weeks when I’ve a nice tan. Overpaid panzies most of them

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    Mute Brian Gormley
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    Aug 15th 2014, 1:16 PM

    Sean, if it upsets you that much don’t watch it, simple

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:23 AM

    Sure won’t we all be dead from Ebola before the league starts? ;P

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    Mute Gavin Scott
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    Aug 15th 2014, 6:29 PM

    Would definitely have been our (Liverpool) year… Guess Ebola will ensure we never know…

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    Mute Brian Dervan
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    Aug 16th 2014, 10:48 AM

    Was Ebola an Arsenal left back?

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Aug 15th 2014, 12:19 AM

    7: Sky didn’t invent football

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    Mute john stewart
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:21 AM

    8: the barstool

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    Mute john stewart
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:22 AM

    9: fake manc or scouse accent

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    Mute Will Derbylight
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    Aug 15th 2014, 1:08 AM

    I wonder when the GAA will introduce vanishing spray.

    They follow soccer all the time – TV analysis, red/yellow cards, mascots etc.

    And they still give money to the Christian Brothers.

    No wonder their games are only played here — and by a few emigrants…

    43
    LC
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    Mute LC
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    Aug 15th 2014, 2:13 AM

    This comment is just asking for a bayting. Or vanishing spray.

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    Mute Solemn Colm
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    Aug 15th 2014, 12:10 AM

    7 …. A f#c&☆ng Lobotomy !!!

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    Mute Paddy Hannigan
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    Aug 15th 2014, 3:12 PM

    Considering the corruption and backhanders going on in the Premiership coupled with the outright ‘buying’ of the title by billionaire owners why bother. It’s no longer a sport but ‘sports entertainment’ and in the same bracket as the WWE*You could place a bet now on one of 4 teams winning it. The only question is in which order they top the table.Don’t get me wrong I like football but I lament what it has become.

    Bring back the type of game from the mid 80′s – mid 90′s.

    *Or whatever it’s called nowdays.

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    Mute George O Connell
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    Aug 15th 2014, 1:04 PM

    United top of the league by 2pm Saturday and stay top for the rest of the season ye ha

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    Mute malcolm smith
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    Aug 15th 2014, 7:58 PM

    Hate the England team but follow an English team!!

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    Mute Willie Holmes
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:54 AM

    All thats needed is the OFF SWITCH

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    Mute ciaran clarke
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:05 PM

    No 8
    Listening to rugby fans constantly saying that it’s not real sport and they players are not real men.
    That never gets boring at all!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Willie Holmes
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    Aug 15th 2014, 8:55 AM

    All that’s needed is the OFF switch (change the channel )

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    Mute Black Friday
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:07 AM

    Say it again!

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    Mute John Fairclough
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    Aug 16th 2014, 12:02 AM

    Breaking news, Liverpool have just signed Ebola from Southampton !

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    Mute NoNeed4cryptoGreed
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    Aug 15th 2014, 1:10 PM

    XBMC made my list

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    Mute LittleBlackPetal
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:05 PM

    A new boyfriend

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    Mute fergal sweeney
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    Aug 15th 2014, 9:54 AM

    I wonder if Luis Suarez could eat an apple through a letter box? Tenner says he could!

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