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