Premier League Opening Day Predictions

FRIDAY:

LIVERPOOL V BOURNEMOUTH

Liverpool have been viewed by many as the favourites to win the title and understandably so because of the signings they've made.

All their signings look very promising and especially Florian Wirtz who is obviously the big because of the quality of player he is.

But I do think they'll need time to settle in as they're coming into a different league which is more physical than the one they just played in.

Bournemouth had a very good season last season by finishing 9th but repeating that again will be tough as they've lost three of their key players all of whom are in defence in Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, who will make his debut for his opposition, and most recently Ilia Zabarnyi who has gone to PSG.

They'll still push for a top 10 finish as they've kept hold of their other key players like Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo, but I don't see them making another push for Europe.

Because Liverpool are at home and the record they've had at home for the last number of seasons, I've got to back them here and I can see new signing Hugo Etikite score on his debut after netting in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.

Bournemouth will score, but the reds should still have more than enough to win the game.

PREDICTION: 3-1

SATURDAY:

ASTON VILLA V NEWCASTLE

Both sides were competing for Champions League football last season and I expect them to do the same again.

Villa are the side who I think will finish higher though as they've got arguably a stronger squad and have had a much better transfer window.

Newcastle have an absolute nightmare of a summer as they've missed out on most of their transfer targets, and have been trying to keep hold of Alexander Isak.

Isak surely won't play in this game due to the uncertainty surrounding his future and it will leave the Magpies without a recognised centre forward as they have no alternative.

Villa have had a good record at home in the last two seasons and they won this fixture 4-1 last season with a very convincing display.

I think they'll bag another win in this one as well but maybe not as comfortable as their win last season.

PREDICTION: 3-1

BRIGHTON V FULHAM

Brighton had a decent first season under Fabian Hurzeler last season by finishing 8th and I think they'll finish in and around that position again this season.

Losing Joao Pedro is a blow as he did score a good amount of goals during his time with the Seagulls, but I don't see him being a massive miss as Brighton are a side who aren't always clinical in front of goal.

Fulham may see last season as a missed opportunity as they spent most of the season in and around the European places, only to finish 11th.

They haven't really signed anyone over the summer which will be a bit of a concern, but they still have a decent squad on paper.

This game should be close as both teams will play on the front foot and go for it.

But with Brighton having a good opening day record from recent seasons, I'm backing them to start the season off with another opening day win.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDERLAND V WEST HAM

Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time in eight seasons and it's good to have a club of their size back in the top flight.

They arguably overperformed last season in the Championship as no one expected them to be anywhere near the play offs and they'll probably be the favourites to go down because of that.

But they have some decent signings with Granit Xhaka being the main one and I'm very surprised that a club like Sunderland went in and got a player like him.

Simon Adingra is also another decent signing after showing flashes of his potential at Brighton and he's going to add a lot of pace to their attack.

West Ham had an easily forgettable season last season and I'm hoping that they'll be better this season as Graham Potter will have had a summer to clear out the squad and bring in players who will fit his way of playing.

Although I'm hoping for them to have a better season, I don't see them being any better or any worse than they were last season as they haven't made too many changes.

But I do think they'll get off to a winning start here as I think their Premier League quality will shine through.

PREDICTION: 0-2

TOTENHAM V BURNLEY

Spurs fans thought they ditched the Spursy tag for good after winning the Europa League last season, only for them to blow away a two-goal lead right at the end against PSG in the Super Cup in midweek.

They should have a better season in the league this season under new boss Thomas Frank as they'll be more in control and less chaotic than they were under Ange Postecoglou.

They should have better luck with injuries this season because of that even though they've already been dealt a major blow with James Maddison set to miss most of the season with an ACL. No wonder they're trying to scupper Arsenal's deal to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

Burnley had an incredible defensive record in the Championship last season by conceding just 16 goals and they'll probably be the best equipped side to stay up because of that.

The promoted sides from the last two seasons, including the Clarets when they came up under Vincent Kompany, were all all open and expansive and the paid the price for it by going straight back down.

Burnley will be tougher to beat and less expansive this season and that gives them a better chance of staying up.

But I still think they'll go down as their squad is short on Premier League quality and a proven goal scorer at this level.

They will make it difficult for Spurs, but Spurs should still have enough quality to beat them here.

PREDICTION: 3-0

WOLVES V MAN CITY

Wolves had a season of two halves last season with the second half being the stronger of the two as they comfortably pulled clear of safety.

Vitor Pereira toughened them up at the back when he took over before Christmas of last season and their improvement defensively was a catalyst in them staying up.

Goals could be their problem this season following the departure of Matheus Cunha to Man United, and it was his goals that carried Wolves away from trouble.

Man City will be angry and determined to bounce back after what happened last season but it won't be very straightforward as they didn't get much of a pre-season due to their participation in the Club World Cup, and will start the season without midfield lynchpin Rodri who is currently out with an ankle injury.

They will have Rodri back in about a months time, but it's going to take time for him to get himself back to full fitness after a long time on the side-lines.

City have recruited well though with the signings they've made and I think one of them will make an impact in this game in Rayan Cherki.

Wolves will try and make it difficult for them, but I think City will have more than enough to come away with the points here.

PREDICTION: 1-3

SUNDAY:

CHELSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE

Chelsea will be feeling optimistic heading into this season after winning the Club World Cup in the summer.

Winning that competition will give them a lot of confidence, but it doesn't mean that they're going to win or challenge for the title because they're still a fair way off.

They have addressed their goal scoring issues with the signings of Rory Delap and Joao Pedro who will hopefully ease the pressure off Cole Palmer to score the goals.

But I still worry about them defensively and in goal despite Robert Sanchez's brilliant display in the Club World Cup final against PSG.

Crystal Palace will also be feeling optimistic after beating Liverpool to win the Community Shield last weekend.

But it hasn't been a great summer for them as they haven't made many signings and were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League due to breaching rules over multi-club ownership.

Because of them being in Europe, they're going to have a challenging season because they don't have the squad to compete on both fronts.

They took points off Chelsea both home and away last season and I can see them do the same again this one as I think Chelsea will be a bit fatigued due to a lack of rest after their Club World Cup campaign.

The blues will have their moments in this game, but I think the Eagles will make the most of them being slightly off the pace.

PREDICTION: 1-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V BRENTFORD

Forest will have a more challenging season this season simply because they're in Europe and they don't have the squad to compete on both fronts.

They have kept hold of Morgan Gibbs-White which is a major boost after he almost joined Spurs, but they still need a few more players if they're to copete on both fronts.

Brentford will also be in for a tough season after losing manager Thomas Frank to Spurs and talisman Bryan Mbeumo to Man United.

They've also lost captain Christian Norgaard and could still lose Yoane Wissa, who won't be playing in this one most likely due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

New boss Keith Andrews will have big shoes to fill in replacing a true icon like Frank and will need time to get his methods across to the players.

Forest had quite a good record at home last season and I can see them keep it up heading into this season as I'm backing them to start the season with a win here.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MAN UNITED V ARSENAL

Man United surely have to do better than they did last season which was by far the worst season in their history.

They have addressed their main issue from last season in scoring goals with the signings of Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko who are all tipped to be an exciting frontline.

But I'm not sure about Bruno Fernandes playing deeper as I feel that he's better higher up the pitch in one of the no.10 spots behind the striker.

There are still other areas of the pitch that need addressing like the goalkeeper and maybe in midfield, but they have addressed their main problem from last season in their attack.

Arsenal are my tip to win the title this season as they have more depth and finally a striker who can score 20+ goals in Victor Gyokores, who I have as my captain in my Fantasy Team.

There will be a lot of pressure on Mikel Arteta this season to deliver at least a trophy as he hasn't won one since his first season at the club when he won the FA Cup.

He's got the striker his team have been crying out and if they can keep their key players fit, (ie Saka, Odegaard and Rice) they'll hopefully make that next step and win something.

IN terms of this game, I'm backing them to start the season with a win and for Gyokeres to get off the mark.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MONDAY:

LEEDS V EVERTON

Leeds are back in the top flight after a two-year absence and their manager Daniel Farke will have a point to prove as his previous two spells in the top flight didn't go very well.

He took Norwich down in his first spell before being sacked by them in his second spell following a poor start and on both occasions, his team conceded a lot of goals and I fear that is going to be the same case with his Leeds team this season.

They'll play on the front foot and create chances, but I think they'll leave too many gaps in behind their defence as they're going to commit a lot of men forward.

Everton fans will be feeling optimistic heading into this season with it being their first season under their new owners and in their new stadium, which they'll be making their debut in next weekend against Brighton.

They haven't made quite as many signings as they would have hoped after undergoing a clear-out of the squad during the summer.

But they have got players through the door including Jack Grealish, who will be hoping to get his career back on track after struggling for minutes and form at Man City last season.

Leeds will look to play on the front foot as that is their style of play, but I think Everton's Premier League knowhow and quality to give them the win here.

PREDICTION: 0-2