Whether against the CPU or online opponents, recognizing patterns does a lot for 
you. Online players tend to fall in love with specific combos, which can be 
thwarted at the beginning by beating them to the punch (or kick as the case may 
be), or countered at the end with a reversal since the last move can usually be 
predicted.
The reverse is true as well, especially online. Make sure you mix things up as 
much as possible. Remember, many combos start out the same but can end very 
differently. Try to make sure you change up not only your combos, but the ends 
of each combo to keep your enemy on their toes.