Premier League predictions: Picks for Arsenal-Liverpool, all opening weekend games

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (C) takes on Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (R) and Liverpool's English defender Nathaniel Clyne during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates stadium, north London on August 24, 2015. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (C) takes on Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (R) and Liverpool's English defender Nathaniel Clyne during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates stadium, north London on August 24, 2015. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Premier League football is finally back. Here’s predictions for each opening weekend game, including Liverpool’s heavyweight clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Enter arguably the most unpredictable season of the Premier League era. Any one of seven teams could realistically win the Premier League title. How many times have we been able to say that in years past?

Champions Leicester start on the road to newly promoted Hull in the early Saturday kickoff, while Chelsea and West Ham will complete the weekend on Monday night.

Who will walk away from the first week in the best shape? Here’s my picks.

Hull vs. Leicester

Hull need to steady the ship after losing manager Steve Bruce so close to the season. Leicester begin their championship encore with a result they became all so familiar with last year.

They will have enough at the back to frustrate Hull, with too much quality in attacking positions to take the game away. The roaring Foxes make the perfect start.

Prediction: Hull 0-2 Leicester

Burnley vs. Swansea

Burnley are 40 long points away from survival and need to make the most of playing at home as often as they can. Surviving won’t be easy, and I think they’ll be turned over by Swansea on opening day.

Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Swansea

Crystal Palace vs. West Brom

Each week has to have a boring game. Both teams are looking to get off the mark, and it leads to a stalemate. Goalless.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-0 West Brom

Everton vs. Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start to the season than a trip to Goodison Park. Two former Southampton bosses collide with the Ronald Koeman era kicking off at Everton.

Spurs are the better side, but this is the first game of the season and they are on the road. In a cagey game, the spoils are shared.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Tottenham

Middlesbrough vs. Stoke

Middlesbrough have made some flashy signings this summer, but ones that could ultimately keep them in the Premier League. Stoke have the quality to beat them, but Boro pull off an upset and grab three points to start their campaign.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Stoke

Southampton vs. Watford

Where are Southampton’s goals going to come from? After losing two strikers in the summer, it’s a fair question to ask. That aside, this Saints team still have plenty of quality despite another offseason of selling. They will have enough to win on the day.

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Watford

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Manchester City vs. Sunderland

The Pep Guardiola era begins in the blue half of Manchester. Sunderland are without Sam Allardyce and face an uphill battle this season. Guardiola can smile at his easy start to the season. Sergio Aguero bags a brace in a comfortable win.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland

Bournemouth vs. Manchester United

It won’t be quite so easy for Manchester United, however. Jose Mourinho will have his team disciplined at the back, ensuring they don’t concede. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will grab a second-half winner. Better days are ahead.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester United

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

Some might pencil this in as a draw, and it’s understandable. Two heavyweights squaring off in the season opener has the makings of a bore, but I fancy Arsenal to blow this one open and hand Jurgen Klopp’s side a defeat.

I’m not convinced Liverpool have done enough to fix their leaky back four, and although Arsenal still need a true striker, they get the job done at home.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool

Chelsea vs. West Ham

Will Chelsea bounce back from an awful 2015-16 campaign? In a word—yes. But Antonio Conte won’t get it started in the best way possible, West Ham good enough to frustrate the hosts and take a draw from Stamford Bridge.

This might be the best time to play Chelsea.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham