FRIDAY:
BURNLEY V MAN CITY
This is a different Burnley to the team that they were relegated two seasons ago in that they're a more front footed and expansive side. They played that way last season and it got them promoted. They they might need to be more adaptable when taking on the big teams.
They were beaten 6-0 by City in the FA Cup last season at the Etihad and Vincent Kompany will have hopefully learnt a lot from that game ahead of his side's clash against his former club. I said earlier that they might need to be more adaptable against the big teams and this game could be one of them.
City have the ability to pick off any side on their day and I can see them do that here. Burnley will try and play their game but I think City will have too much for them.
Erling Haaland netted a hat trick when the sides met in the FA Cup last season and I can see him kick off his defence of the golden boot with a goal or two here.
PREDICTION: 0-3
SATURDAY:
ARSENAL V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Arsenal were let down by a lack of strength in depth last season as they saw their grip on the title slip away. They've definitely addressed it in the summer with the signings of Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz who will both be good options to have on the bench.
But they will have to start the season without Gabriel Jesus who is set to miss the opening weeks with a knee injury. Eddie Nketiah stepped up for a bit last season but Mikel Arteta may want to bring in a centre forward to cover for Jesus.
Nottingham Forest were the side who ended Arsenal's title hopes last season with their 1-0 win at the City Ground which also guaranteed their own survival. I don't see there being a repeat of that here because of how poor they were on the road last season.
They had the worst away record in the league last season and although they might be better on the road this season, I don't see it changing in this one.
Arsenal were strong at home last season and I can see them win this one rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 4-0
BOURNEMOUTH V WEST HAM
A lot of people will have been surprised with Bournemouth's decision to sack Gary O'Neil after doing such a good job in keeping them up. Andoni Iraola is in charge now and it will take the players time to get used to his style of play.
I've got the Cherries to go down this season because I don't see enough goals in their team. They didn't score many last season and their lack of goals could come back to bite them this season.
West Ham have had a tough summer after losing Declan Rice and struggling to get players through the door. But they have got Edson Alvarez in who could make his debut here. He's been brought in as Rice's replacement. The Hammers still need to bring in more though as they're again in Europe.
Despite their lack of signings, they still have players who can hit Bournemouth on the counter. The Cherries will have the majority of the possession as they're playing a possession based style of play. But I can see the Hammers hit them on the break with the pace they have out wide.
PREDICTION: 0-2
BRIGHTON V LUTON
Brighton had a phenomenal season last season under Roberto De Zerbi who took them onto another level. This season will be more of a challenge though as they'll be in the Europa League with a reasonably small squad. With that and Alexis Mac Allister gone, I can't see them doing as well as they did last season.
They have made some decent though and they'll certainly add depth to their squad. James Milner brings bags of experience with him and Joao Pedro is another exciting young attacking talent they have in their ranks. Mahmoud Dahoud will add some much needed experience for the European nights after arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
Luton were in non-league a decade ago and were last in the top flight back in 1992. The season before the Premier League existed. They'll have to wait for their first home game whilst Kenilworth Road is being redeveloped. But their fans and everyone involved will be very excited ahead of this game.
They'll definitely be the favourites to go down because of their lack of Premier League experience. I think they could learn a harsh lesson here against an exciting Brighton side.
PREDICTION: 3-0
EVERTON V FULHAM
This season is set to be Everton's final at Goodison Park with their swanky new ground due to be ready in time for the start of next season. They'll want to be there as a Premier League club which makes survival again the aim for the season. Especially given how the last two have gone.
The Toffees struggled badly for goals last season and I'm quite surprised that they haven't signed a striker during the current window. Dominic Calvert Lewin has been injury prone for the last two seasons and despite reports saying that he's undergone a new fitness program to help him stay injury free, goals could once again be a problem for Everton this season. But the signing of Arnaut Danjuma could help them out.
Fulham could also have problems scoring goals this season with the future of Aleksandar Mitrovic still up in the air after saying that he "never wanted to play for the club again." It will be interesting to see if he plays this one.
Marco Silva's side are set to start the season without João Palhinha who is set to miss the first few games with a shoulder injury picked up in pre-season. They're also likely to be without Andreas Pereira who is recovering from an injury picked up at the end of last season.
With the Cottagers not having these two players and Everton likely to be struggling for goals again, I can't see either side winning here.
PREDICTION: 0-0
SHEFFIELD UNITED V CRYSTAL PALACE
Sheffield United have had a tough summer as they've struggled to get players through the door and have already lost two key players from their promotion campaign in Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. Ndiaye will probably be the bigger loss as he was their top goal scorer last season. With him gone, goals could be hard to come by for the blades this season.
Crystal Palace also don't have many goals in their team and have lost talisman Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray. The Eagles have been solely reliant on the Ivorian for the last few seasons and how they'll adapt without him will be interesting.
The Eagles will be without Michael Olise for the first few games due to a thigh injury but they will have Eberechi Eze who is likely to fill Zaha's shoes after a strong end to last season. I can see him be the difference in this one.
Palace's attack doesn't look the strongest but I think a moment of magic from Eze will be what wins the game for them here.
PREDICTION: 0-1
NEWCASTLE V ASTON VILLA
Both sides had brilliant seasons last year but will be expecting a more challenging one this season with both being back in European competition.
Newcastle massively overperformed last season and this season will face higher expectations. Being in the Champions League will test their squad depth as they'll have to play more games than usual and it will also test their mental strength as the majority of their players haven't played in the competition before.
They'll be looking to kick on this season and their new signings should help them with that. Sandro Tonali is someone with Champions League experience who can take them to the next level and Harvey Barnes is another option in their attack which looks exciting.
Aston Villa have made some exciting additions this summer and they could take them to the next level. Pau Torres is someone Unai Emery knows from his time at Villarreal and is someone who has a lot of experience in playing at a high level. Youri Tielemans meanwhile will bring some extra energy and quality to the midfield.
But I don't think Villa have enough strength in depth to compete on both fronts and I could say the same about Newcastle. Despite the transfer business they've done.
I do think that Newcastle will kick off the season with a win though as they're at home where they had a strong record last season. Villa might've been strong on the road last season but the St James' Park fortress should help Newcastle get over the line.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SUNDAY:
BRENTFORD V TOTTENHAM
Brentford had a good record against the big teams last season which included a win over Spurs at the end of last season. That was one of their first games without Ivan Toney during his eight month suspension and they proved that they can cope without him.
I am however surprised that they haven't signed a striker to fill Toney's shoes because we're yet to see whether they can cope without him for half a season. Yoane Wissa stepped up in his absence last season, but can he do it on a regular basis?
The Bees have had a strong home record since they've been in the Premier League and especially last season. They'll want to keep that up heading into this season and I think they will.
Spurs have Ange Postecoglu in charge now and the fans should expect to see a more attacking brand of football. It will take time for the players to get used to it and the board will need to give him time if Spurs are to have a successful season.
That will of course depend on whether Harry Kane stays or goes. The club accepted Bayern Munich's recent offer for their talisman on Thursday and for Spurs to lose him on the eve of the season would be a devastating blow. Kane wanted his future sorted out before the season started and it will be his decision as to whether he stays or goes.
He probably won't play this one because of the speculation surrounding his future and with Spurs being unfamiliar with their new style of play under Postecoglu, I don't see them winning here. Especially with Brentford being strong at home.
PREDICTION: 1-0
CHELSEA V LIVERPOOL
Both sides had disappointing seasons last season and will both want to put them behind them.
Chelsea had the worse of the two and should do a lot better after undergoing a massive clear-out during the summer. They've got the right manager in Mauricio Pochettino who will need time to get his methods across and for his team to come together after a disjointed campaign last season.
Losing new signing Christopher Nkunku for four months is a massive loss as he is someone who could've made such a difference for them in the final third. Goals were the blues' biggest problem last year and the pressure will be on new signing Nicolas Jackson to deliver them.
Liverpool had a good start to the transfer window in signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who will both hopefully give the midfield the energy it missed last season. But after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and not signing a replacement for them, some of their fans have been left frustrated with their business.
I still think they'll kick off with a win here though as Chelsea will need time to gel and adapt to Pochettino's way of playing. With some strong attacking options, the reds should have enough firepower win this one.
PREDICTION: 0-2
MONDAY:
MAN UNITED V WOLVES
Man United have made the right signings this summer all whilst dealing with the distraction of a proposed takeover. Andre Onana will give them what they lacked last season in a keeper who can play out from the back whilst Mason Mount will bring more energy to the midfield. Rasmus Hojmund will need time to settle in and is some that Erik Ten Hag will look to develop.
I don't however see them challenging for the title because their squad doesn't have enough depth. A lack of squad depth caught up with them last season and will need fixing if they're to properly challenge this term.
It's been a tough summer for Wolves as they haven't brought in many players and their lack of transfer activity lead to Julen Lopetegui leaving the club. Their financial situation didn't at all help as it forced them to adopt a different transfer strategy which frustrated him and it's no surprise that he's gone.
New boss Gary O'Neil won't have had much time to work with the players ahead of this game and he already has a massive job on his hands. His side are set to be in another relegation battle this season and especially as they don't score many goals. They were lowest scorers last season and no improvements have been made up there.
United didn't score many goals last season either but they should have enough firepower to win this game.
PREDICTION: 3-0
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