Liverpool v Norwich
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Friday 9th August, 20:00
Liverpool will go into the new season feeling very optimistic after finishing just one point behind Manchester City last season. The Reds have had a pretty poor pre-season leading up to this game but we think when the pressure of the Premier League comes, this Liverpool side will be able to live up to there expectations and get off to a good start.
Norwich were promoted back to the Premier League last season and have been thrown straight into the deep end by being drawn to play at Anfield on the opening day. It will be a great experience for a lot of the players who are playing in the English top-flight for the first time and if they can get anything from this one, it will be a day they can all savour forever.
Although Norwich will give in there all in this one, we can’t see them being able to compete with this Liverpool side.
- Correct score prediction: Liverpool 3 – 0 Norwich
- Odds: 13/2
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West Ham v Manchester City
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 12:30
West Ham have been busy throughout the summer transfer market and will look to improve on there 10th place finish last time out. They finished just five points off the European spots last season which is a gap they will want to close this season. It’s been the same for a few seasons for the Hammers with the side missing a number 9 who will get 15+ goals a season. They have signed players this summer they will hope live up to that.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have a number of players who will be looking to have 20+ goals come to the end of the season. The Champions of England who have won the league 2 seasons in a row will want to get off to a winning start. With the quality they have, you wouldn’t be surprised if this side can go the whole season unbeaten.
Although West Ham have improved massively and should have a good season, we still don’t think they will have the quality to stop City getting off to a winning start.
- Correct score prediction: West Ham 1 – 2 Manchester City
- Odds: 9/1
Bournemouth v Sheffield United
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 15:00
After a very quick start to the season last year, Bournemouth will be hoping they can get early points on the board again this time around. It wasn’t the second of the season the Cherries would have been hoping for but if they can start strong and maintain that consistently, they should finish comfortably. A number of signings have bolstered this side as they look to keep pushing on as a club.
Sheffield United have been relatively quiet in the transfer market for a new club in the league and the players they have at the club will need to play out there skins week in, week out if they are to stay in the league. However, what this side do have is a strong bond within the players and management which can go a long way in football.
We can see this one being a close encounter but with Bournemouth being the home side and having the fans right behind them, we can see them knicking it and getting off to a good start.
- Correct score prediction: Bournemouth 1 – 0 Sheffield United
- Odds: 15/2
Burnley v Southampton
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 15:00
Burnley finished six points above the bottom three last season which sounds pretty safe, but for much of the season, they were looking as if they could face the drop. They will be looking to improve this time out but with not much going on in the transfer market for the club, they may have another season full of struggles ahead.
Southampton finished one point and one place behind Burnley last season and just like there opponents this weekend will count themselves lucky not to be playing in the Championship this season. However, they have looked much better since the appointment of Ralph Hassenhutl which would have given Saints fans a bit more optimism going into the new season.
Both teams will be looking to get off to winning ways but with not much separating them last season, we think they could be similar again this time around.
- Correct score prediction: Burnley 1 – 1 Southampton
- Odds: 11/2
Crystal Palace v Everton
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 15:00
Crystal Palace have established themselves as a solid Premier League side over the last few seasons and always make it hard for opponents whether they are playing home or away. They also have some of the most passionate fans in the country which makes it a tough place to go for opponents.
Everton will have to deal with all that if they are to get anything here. But with the players they have brought in and the squad they have, they will feel confident they can go and get something from this game. Marco Silva is really building a good squad on Merseyside and will feel that his team can compete with the big boys in years to come.
Both sides have had decent pre-seasons and will feel confident going into this one. We can see both sides getting on the scoresheet but Everton knicking the 3 points.
- Correct score prediction: Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Everton
- Odds: 10/1
Watford v Brighton
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 15:00
Watford had a very impressive season last time out and were so unlucky not to secure a European place after having a blip in the last few games. They were always a very hard team to beat and with a striker like Troy Deeney making it hard for defences all around the country, they will always be a threat.
Brighton have been dropping off over the last few seasons and will count themselves lucky to have not been relegated last season. It’s hard to see where they have improved over the summer which makes it hard for us to be optimistic about how they are going to do this season. The only thing that may go for them is having a new man in charge which could bring fresh idea’s.
We can’t see the Seagulls getting anything from this one with Watford being so strong, especially at home.
- Correct score prediction: Watford 2 – 0 Brighton
- Odds: 8/1
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Kick-off: Gamweek 1, Saturday 10th August, 17:30
Tottenham have had a very impressive pre-season, beating some of the biggest clubs in Europe to lift the Audi Cup. Although they will be looking for some bigger and better silverware this season, it’s a nice start for Spurs. They have also bagged some big signings this summer which they will hope helps push them to the next level.
Aston Villa have been the big spenders out of the promoted sides and will be hoping that’s been worth it come to the end of the season. If you look at there team on paper, they look like a team that have been in the Premier League for years so it’s looking very good for the Villians. If they can get something from this opening game, it will be a huge statement of intent.
Although we think Aston Villa are a team to watch this season, we think this games coming to early for them and Tottenham will pick them off and get the three points.
- Correct score prediction: Tottenham 1 – 0 Aston Villa
- Odds: 6/1
Leicester v Wolves
Kick-off: Gameweek 1, Sunday 11th August, 14:00
Leicester are a side who will be aiming for European football come to the end of the season. When Jamie Vardy is fit, then this side have a big threat up top. Especially when the Foxes are at home, they are very hard to beat which should make this a tough opening day for the visitors.
Wolves managed to secure 7th place and European football for this season in there first season back in the Premier League last time out and will be hoping for a similar season this time around. The squad and manager this side have is very strong and when you have that good mix and good bond, it works even better than having quality.
Both teams look similar going into the new season and will be hoping for similar objectives which is why we can’t see anything between them.
- Correct score prediction: Leicester 2 – 2 Wolves
- Odds: 16/1
Newcastle v Arsenal
Kick-off: Gamweek 1, Sunday 11th August, 14:00
Newcastle lost Rafa Benitez during the summer and although owner Mike Ashley didn’t seem as if he would put any money in the pot for transfers, Toon have managed to bag a new striker for a lot of money plus a couple of others. They will be hoping this is enough to keep them away from the drop zone for another season and potentially start looking up the table rather than down.
Arsenal were told they have a £25 millions budget this summer. However, they have broken there transfer record with a £72 million signing of Pepe from Lille and also signed a couple of defenders for £40 million + combined. They have done well in the market and will hope this is enough to get them back in the Champions League next season.
Newcastle have improved there squad, but we can’t see it’s improved enough to get the better of Arsenal who always start well.
- Correct score prediction: Newcastle 0 – 1 Arsenal
- Odds: 8/1
Manchester United v Chelsea
Kick-off: Gamweek 1, Sunday 11th August, 16:30
What a massive game this is for the opening matchweek of the season. Manchester United will feel like they have done some good business this summer and will also feel they have the quality to finish top four minimum this season. This first game will definitely show us all how they are looking and whether they can keep up with the clubs on form in recent years.
Although Chelsea didn’t have the best of seasons last time out, they still managed to finish third and bag Champions League football for this campaign. This will b the target for them again this season as they look to rebuild after losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid early on in the summer. Pulisic seems to be the man to try and fill the boots of the Belgian and has had a good pre-season in preparation.
We can see this being a very entertaining encounter between two of England’s greats and see plenty of goals.
- Correct score prediction: Manchester United 2 – 2 Chelsea
- Odds: 16/1