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They’re under starters’ orders, and they’re off. The new season kicks off barely 10 weeks after Brighton brought a positive campaign to a negative end. Arsenal raised the curtain with a regulation win at Selhurst Park last night. The first day often produces strange results, so expect the unexpected: Fulham? Forest? West H…
SATURDAY
FULHAM vs LIVERPOOL (1230)
A newly-returned relegation contender kicks off the weekend-proper by hosting a title contender. Marco Silva’s Premier League record is mixed, but he has shown an ability to get things off to an impressive start. Flattering to deceive? Possibly. But there’s little to nothing to suggest anything but a resounding victory for the visitors as they get their assault on the title going. Away win.
BOURNEMOUTH vs ASTON VILLA (1500)
The CHERRIES are back and their target will once again be survival. Under the seasonally-tanned Scott Parker, Bournemouth are unlikely to illuminate the Premier League with gung-ho ambition. Low-risk defence is preferable, nicking a draw here and there and breaking out against more vulnerable sides to grab all three points. Villa are arguably among the vulnerable, so expect a low-scoring draw.
LEEDS UNIITED vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1500)
But for a hefty dose of ee-by-good-fortune, this could easily have been Burnley hosting Wolves. It will be another tricky season for Leeds, particularly with the loss of key players, and they’ll do well to avoid the drop. As for Wolves, their squad too appears to be weaker that last season’s, the more so if Traore also departs. It’s hard to see an obvious winner here. Draw.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1500)
The minted Geordies will expect a stellar season. Forest, even with the minted Lingard, will aspire to a second successive season back in the top flight, though a very tough nine months lie ahead. Home win.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500)
However much you may lack appreciation for Spurs, they have strengthened well this summer and look set for a serious and, crucially, sustained attack on the top four. Conte’s a moody bugger, but he knows how to motivate his players. Underestimate the Cocks at your peril. The Saints have so far managed to keep hold of Ward-Prowse and he’s likely to be pivotal to any success they may enjoy this season. Success in this case meaning survival. Home win.
EVERTON vs CHELSEA (1730)
Everton have been linked with more mid- to high-level players this summer than Chelsea have on their books. Which is saying something. For FLJ, you’d expect this season to be make or break for his managerial career. Another campaign flirting with the bottom three will likely see the P45 brandished, but it’s hard to see them finishing above mid-table. Chelsea will hope to mount a serious title challenge and they’ll be too strong for the Toffees this evening. Away win.
SUNDAY
LEICESTER CITY vs BRENTFORD (1400)
The Foxes seem to be losing their lustre of recent seasons. The influential Schmeichel has gone and they’re having to work hard to keep the likes of Maddison. Expect a mid-to lower table finish for them. Brentford will also have to work to match last season’s achievement. Second season syndrome for them, but they could well snatch a point this afternoon. Draw.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400)
Brighton have become something of an irritant. They’ve started the last two seasons strongly before a lack of squad depth moved them down the table. It will be good to see them get a good hiding at the hands of what may be a rejuvenated Man U side. The Old Trafford faithless will be wondering what they have in Erik ten Hag. Will he be the one that returns them to the lofty heights with which they were once familiar? Or will he be just one more in a line-up of Solskjaer, Mourinho, van Gaal and another? Still, you’d expect him to get off to a promising start today. Home win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs MANCHESTER CITY (1630)
It’ll be good to get this one out of the way early doors. A free hit, some will call it, but – like Alex V – others may prefer that hit to come a little later in the season. Many supporters have been calling for just one more signing, give it to me, and will look forward to their first glimpse of Scamacca in the claret and blue, deliciously ice cool from Italy. (Who does the cones in training?) Most other occupants of those shirts will seem strangely familiar. Will they still be so in a month’s time? Let’s see. For now, a fixture that was once an exercise in damage limitation – the more so with City’s addition of a strange-looking fellow who’s counted among the world’s elite – still has a sniff of opportunity about it. Not three months ago we played out a 2-2 draw against City, having been 2-0 up at half time. So with a touch of fortune, there’s no reason we can’t get something from this game. Draw.
CHAMPIONSHIP
The second tier is a week ahead of the Premier League and Millwall top the early table going into the weekend. This season promises to be another marathon battle of blood and mud and guts in the finest tradition of English football. Of the relegated sides, Watford and Burnley look the strongest while Boro, Blackburn and West Brom will want to claim a play-off place at least. League 1 welcomes Derby after more than three decades away. The Rams should trot back to the Championship with ease. Trot – is that what rams do?
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