Premier League Predictions Match Week 1: Wins for Man Utd, Leicester, Everton and Liverpool
Norwich vs Liverpool on Saturday, and Newcastle vs West Ham and Tottenham vs Man City on Super Sunday
NB: Time for kickoff is not in East African Time. Add 2 hours to het time in East African Time.
Manchester United takes on Leeds at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday.
Manchester United has captured my attention during my pre-season ramble – but not for the reasons you may think.
Despite some star purchases, they appear to be greatly overestimated by the markets in compared to Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool, who, in my opinion, look a level above what United will bring to the party under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. If the club’s goal is to win the title, I see underachievement on the horizon.
I’d like to take Man United on at short odds in the early stages of the season, given several of their important players appear to be a few weeks away from full fitness, and Raphael Varane’s availability is unknown.
Leeds underwent a transformation towards the conclusion of the season, converting their style of play to a more conservative-type pressing game that provided greater protection to their defense. Leeds only conceded 12 goals in the last 15 games of last season, which was the league’s second-best defensive record at the time.
They held clean sheets against Chelsea and Manchester United during that stretch, surrendering only once to Liverpool and Manchester City. This game should be more like the 0-0 draw that occurred in the second meeting between these teams last season, rather than the craziness that occurred in the first, which Man Utd won 6-2.
PREDICTION: Manchester United will win, with a total of over 1.5 goals.
Burnley vs. Brighton, 3 p.m. on Saturday
Burnley has been deafeningly quiet. Perhaps it was a little too quiet.
Sean Dyche is in the final year of his contract, and despite the club having new owners, a lack of investment during the summer is a narrative that will definitely thicken as the season unfolds. However, we’re used to Turf Moor’s hallways being devoid of noise or drama, and it’s expected that Dyche will once again make Burnley a difficult nut to crack at this level, taking enough points along the road to keep them out of trouble.
The return of fans should be especially encouraging for Dyche’s side, who will tie a club record of 11 home league games without a win set in 1979 if they fail to win here.
It makes sense to have the draw on your side as insurance, considering both of these teams’ previous games were drawn, and eight of the last 11 matches have finished in a deadlock. With no major star addition to their forward line, Brighton’s performances are unlikely to change significantly. Under Graham Potter, I expect more of the same from them this season. Intuitive to the eye, but reserved in front of the goal.
Burnley will win with a score of above 2.5 goals.
Saturday, 3 p.m., Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
These aren’t the types of matches that get my betting juices flowing: an odds-on favorite playing against a lowly-ranked team taking a chance with a new management appointment. I’ll be watching attentively to see how Crystal Palace manages their business under Patrick Vieira, who has never lost to Chelsea in ten Premier League encounters as a player. Against the European champs, he’ll have to get them well organized. For this game, Thomas Tuchel’s team will be in stranglehold mode with the ball, and once in front, they will play with their typical control.
This, as last season, has led me to believe that a low-scoring Chelsea victory is the best course of action in such a match.
PREDICTION: Chelsea will win with a score of under 3.5 goals.
Everton takes on Southampton at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
In this case, I believe that opposing goals is the more beneficial bet. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ruled out with a toe injury, and Richarlison isn’t quite fit to start following his Olympic exploits with Brazil, it’s difficult to predict who will take Everton’s chances. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison combined for more than half of the team’s goals last season. Danny Ings, one of the best finishers in the division, has also left Southampton. It can be a long afternoon ahead.
What are Rafa’s ambitions for Everton?
I don’t think either camp will be full of confidence for the season opener. In order to shore up his leaky defense, Ralph Hasenhuttl has mentioned a change of style, which is never a good indication from a manager whose regular demands revolve around high-energy, entertaining football. Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez, in typical Benitez manner, will be looking for a clean sheet in his debut game as Everton manager.
Southampton, who are on the verge of relegation, is a team I’ve backed to be relegated this season. My vote goes to a low-scoring home win.
PREDICTION FOR THE SCORE: Under 1.5 goals
Saturday, 3 p.m., Leicester vs. Wolves
Brendan Rodgers and his popular Leicester team are expected to carry on as usual this season, and despite the unknowns surrounding a visit from Bruno Lage’s Wolves, three points should be firmly on the table for the home side.
Over the last two seasons, Leicester has spent 567 days in the top four, including the most of any side last season. This season, I anticipate them to challenge Manchester United for fourth place all the way.
Injury to Fofana is ‘worse than expected’.
Harvey Barnes, who shone in Leicester’s Community Shield triumph over Manchester City last weekend, is one man who should be ready to go right away. Barnes had to watch the final three months of last season from the seats due to a knee injury, but he showed no long-term difficulties in his 70 minutes at Wembley, when he cut inside from the left in a dangerous fashion and was unlucky not to score with his three shots on goal. He appears to be an intriguing option to start the scoring this weekend.
PREDICTION FOR THE SCORE: Leicester will win, and Harvey Barnes will score in this game.
Watford vs. Aston Villa, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Watford have won 18 of their 26 Championship games since Xisco Munoz took over in February, amassing more points (57) than any other Championship team during that time as they doggedly pursued the second automatic promotion slot. It was a season built on a solid defense, with only 30 goals conceded last season, making it the best in the Championship. Munoz, on the other hand, will be taking a significant stride forward. Promoted defensive football teams rarely thrive under such an inexperienced coach, and he must realize he’s only six games away from being fired at any moment this season.
Dean Smith, on the other hand, is likely under similar pressure to show results after the club re-invested the proceeds from the sale of Jack Grealish. Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia, and Leon Bailey form a promising frontline. However, such change rarely has an immediate effect, and Villa appear to be a team that will progressively develop as the season progresses.
PREDICTION FOR THE SCORE: The game will end in a tie.
Norwich against Liverpool, Saturday, 5.30 p.m.
Everyone begins anew with a new season, but it’s difficult to overlook Liverpool’s excellent conclusion to the previous campaign. Jurgen Klopp’s side went undefeated in their final ten Premier League games last season, putting an end to any speculation about the Klopp era regressing. All is ready for the Reds to reclaim their title credentials and participate in a potentially combustible title battle with Manchester City and Chelsea now that Virgil van Dijk has returned. I’m sure a lot of people will include Liverpool in their accumulators this weekend, and deservedly so. At Carrow Road, a quick start is predicted.
When Liverpool plays a club that will dominate the ball and send their full-backs high into attacking areas, my eyes are always drawn to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the player shots market. Last season, Alexander-Arnold averaged 2.8 shots per 90 minutes in games against Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley, and Newcastle United, demonstrating that he isn’t hesitant to take long-range chances on goal.
PREDICTION: Liverpool will win, with a total of over 2.5 goals.
Newcastle vs. West Ham, 2 p.m. on Sunday
For the most part, the return of home fans inside stadiums will be viewed as a tremendous plus. However, this may not be the case for these two teams.
While St James’ Park is one of the great amphitheatres, it also has the potential and threat of becoming a barrier for the club if things aren’t going well on the pitch while Mike Ashley is in charge. And for a team that hasn’t scored 45 points in a season in seven years, there’s a good likelihood of unrest, especially if Steve Bruce reverts to his caustic ways.
That may take a few months to take effect, but with Allan Saint-Maximin in their ranks, they can pose a threat to any Premier League team, particularly West Ham, who are lacking in pace in the heart of their defense.
Last season, the flying Frenchman wreaked havoc as the Toon won both games against the Hammers, and the same is expected on Super Sunday. With Callum Wilson in the middle, he should see an increase in goal scoring and shot totals.
PREDICTION FOR THE SCORE: Over 2.5 goals
Tottenham vs. Manchester City, 4.30 p.m. on Sunday
Predicting football matches is difficult enough at the best of times, but doing so after a major tournament in the first few weeks of the season becomes ridiculous. How many members of Manchester City’s England squad are totally fit to play? Will Harry Kane make a surprise comeback against a team that is apparently willing to pay a lot of money for him? It’s all a jumbled mess. In terms of an outright prediction, I’ll go with the away win, but not with much confidence.
The number of opportunities presented to Manchester City’s center-backs this season will be a betting angle to consider. When you consider how much territory City enjoys in matches, the foul count is going to shoot through the roof with Jack Grealish in the side. With Grealish on the pitch, Pep Guardiola’s club isn’t afraid to go direct from dead-ball situations, so John Stones and Ruben Dias could be value plays to consider in the shooting and goal markets in the coming weeks. I’ll back Dias because he’s the better value here, making it a dead certainty that Stones will find the net.
PREDICTION FOR THE SCORE: 0-2
