The wait is finally over! The EPL is back at us with all of its excitements. So, who will be winning in the first week of the 2018/2019 Premier League season? Read on to find out.
MANUTD V LEICESTER
Not sure if the Manchester United fans will be excited ahead of the season, given how soar pre-season has looked for them. The manager, Jose Mourinho, keeps moaning, injuries here and there and not sure if Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial will still be Manchester United players at the close of the window. But I think they will manage to get something from this clash at Old Trafford. Leicester have had a decent pre-season, and I think if they can hold on to Harry Maguire, that will also be a big plus for them heading into the season.
It’s the first game. Emotions and adrenaline level will be sky-high for both teams- wanting to lay down a marker, but I think United will nick this one. I am going for a slim United win.
MY PREDICTION: Manutd 2-1 Leicester
NEWCASTLE V SPURS
This tie always entertains and I don’t expect this one to be any different. Newcastle, interestingly have brought in some good players; they have got Salomon Rondon (loan), Ki Sung-Yueng and Kennedy of Chelsea on loan. But, Spurs still haven’t made any signing as at the time of writing this piece (and it’s not looking likely that they will get Jack Grealish from Aston Villa after their £25m offer was rejected).
With that said, I think both teams will find this game difficult on Saturday. Still, don’t know the players Mauricio Pochettino will field on the day, but regardless of who starts and who doesn’t, Spurs should be able to get a point off Newcastle (at least).
MY PREDICTION: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs
BOURNEMOUTH V CARDIFF CITYÂ
I think Cardiff will always find this game at Bournemouth difficult. Last season, Bournemouth were devastating against oppositions of this nature at home and I expect them to continue in that vein of form this season. I am going for an emphatic Bournemouth win here.
MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2-0 Cardiff City
FULHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE
Thought Fulham were brilliant with their signings this Summer, and I think if they can blend all of those players in well; and on time, I see them retaining their Premier League place this season.
They brought in Andre Schurrle, Aleksandr Mitrovic, Calum Chambers, Jean Michael Series from Nice and some other notable signings. But they will find Crystal Palace difficult on Saturday.
Crystal Palace have been able to transfer their late revival from last season into this pre-season – winning all of their warm-up games. While Fulham will be battling to get accustomed to the Premier League again after their break off it. Crystal Palace will be looking to take advantage of that and that is why I think Crystal Palace will have too much for Fulham to handle in this one.
MY PREDICTION: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN V CHELSEA
I think Huddersfield have done well in the market to improve on their squad from last season, and they will be buzzing ahead of this campaign. Can’t say same for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea, but if they can keep Eden Hazard and Willian (which I think they will), this season should be fine for Chelsea. Will be interesting to see how Kepa Arrizabalaga fare at Chelsea after his big money move to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao. He is only 23 and has plenty of time to learn and master his craft as Chelsea’s number one. But I think this game will come too early for him so we will get to see Rob Green in between the sticks for Chelsea on Saturday. I am going for a draw here. Pre-season didn’t look good for Chelsea with some of their quality players away on World Cup break. They will need time to blend in well again.
MY PREDICTION: Huddersfield 1-1 Chelsea
WATFORD V BRIGHTON
Watford were able to sign Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona and I was impressed with that. Made other quality signings as well. Brighton on their own part brought in a lot of players and also allowed a lot of players go. I think I like the South African they brought from Mamelodi Sundowns, Percy Tau, and will be interesting to see how he will fare in the world’s most competitive football league. That said, I think this game will be difficult for both sides on Saturday, but I am backing Watford to find inspirations from their home fans and get a win here.
MY PREDICTION: Watford 1-0 Brighton
WOLVES V EVERTON
Wolves were almost in the same mould as Manchester City in the Championship last season – winning games at will and scoring goals for fun. But this is the Premier League, and this game against Everton will very much remind them of that fact.
They made good use of the window, bringing in big names like Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore. With all of this signings, you won’t be exaggerating if you fancy them to finish among the top ten this season.
Everton have a good coach in Marco Silva but I think they will have to be patient with him to fully transfer his philosophy into this Everton side and make them play the way his team usually plays and win with it – which was the reason Sam Allardyce was fired and he (Marco Silva) was hired.
This game might end in stalemate, but I will settle for a slim Wolves win.
MY PREDICTION: Wolves 2-1 Everton
LIVERPOOL V WEST HAM
If you’re looking for the two teams that really made the most of this transfer window in terms of utterly improving their teams from last season, then you will mention Liverpool and West Ham. Imagine watching the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere, Issa Diop and Felipe Anderson playing for West Ham under a Premier League winning manager Manuel Pellegrini. But Liverpool will win this without any shadow of a doubt.
West Ham won’t come here to defend with the quality of their squad now and the kind of manager they have now, and that will open them up for Liverpool to punish. And If Liverpool really want to mount a serious title push this season (which I strongly see them doing), then they should be winning this sort of home games.
MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham
SOUTHAMPTON V BURNLEY
Southampton were lucky not to go down last season, and I look at the signings they have made so far to improve on their last season showing and it’s not looking good. I think they will struggle again this season. Meanwhile, Burnley were really impressive last campaign and got themselves into playing Europa League football this season as a result of that remarkable showing last season.
But, I think this continental games will take too much from them and they will struggle in the early stages of the season. They didn’t make too many signings too to give them a solid depth in their squad and that it’s really going to be an issue for them this season.
They will have their mind focused on their Europa League two-legged tie against Istanbul Basksehir, and that will affect their concentration ahead of this game against Southampton. I think Southampton will win here.
MY PREDICTION: Southampton 1-0 Burnley
ARSENAL V MANCHESTER CITY
Unarguably the toughest fixture in the opening games of the Premier League and also the most exciting. Arsenal win this game and they begin to fancy themselves too as title challengers. Because, to be honest – Arsenal know the main objective this season is to get back into the top four. The title is a very tall order. But if they win this, they begin to hope and believe.
Man City definitely the favourites going into this clash after their commanding win against Chelsea in the Community Shield last Sunday. But Arsenal have really impressed in pre-season under new manager Unai Emery, and it will be interesting to see how their season go. I think this will be tough for both sides and I am going for a draw.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-2 Man City