Premier League Matchday 1: Predictions & Results

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The Premier League is back, baby! After the horrors of the Euros final, Matchday 1 is a spicy affair that can wipe away the tears. Aside from a scarily dull match-up between Burnley and Brighton, there are a couple of crackers across the weekend involving Man United vs Leeds and Spurs vs Man City. In regards to the latter, media attention may well focus on Harry Kane more than the result itself. Has England’s talisman finally found the motivation to leave the perennial bottlers and join a club destined for greatness?

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Bitesize Predictions

Fixtures	Pintsized	Ryan	Steviano	Results
Friday, 13 August
Brentford v Arsenal	1-3	0-2	2-1	2-0
Saturday, 14 August
Man United v Leeds	3-2	3-0	2-0	5-1
Burnley v Brighton	0-0	1-1	2-1	1-2
Everton v Southampton	1-1	2-1	2-0	3-1
Chelsea v Crystal Palace	3-0	4-0	4-0	3-0
Leicester v Wolves	2-1	3-0	2-0	1-0
Watford v Aston Villa	0-2	1-2	0-3	3-2
Norwich v Liverpool	2-3	1-3	0-2	0-3
Sunday, 15 August
Newcastle v West Ham	1-1	1-3	0-0	2-4
Tottenham v Man City	0-2	0-1	1-2	1-0

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Premier League Matchday 1: Friday

Brentford vs Arsenal

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Barging into the Premier League after a dominant 2-0 Playoff Final victory over Swansea, Brentford finally arrive in the PL for the first time (not including pre-1992 rebranding). A well ran club from top to bottom, Brentford are a true wild card addition to the division. If Ivan Toney can bang in a goal tally anywhere close to his Championship record, then a mid-table finish could be within grasp. Of the big clubs, Arsenals represents the easiest scalp for Brentford to claim early. Sticking with Mikel Arteta at the helm is ballsy, yet the Gunners’ young squad can grow alongside the Spaniard. If Ben White can get his first goal in the Premier League, it will go some way to quelling Arsenal fans bewildered by the £50m price tag.

Prediction: 1-3

Ryan

Always difficult to predict how newly promoted teams fare in their season. They have their ups and downs (Norwich in 2019 springs to mind). Arsenal to win this one and cue over the top AFTV hysteria.

Prediction: 0-2

Steviano

New to the premier league but with a premier league playing style Brentford could be the new Blackpool and surprise a few of the bigger boys.  Difficult to call but I’ll go for the romantic start for the Bs.

Prediction: 2-1

Result: Brentford 2-0 Arsenal

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Premier League Matchday 1: Saturday

Manchester United vs Leeds

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For the first time in many years, United seem to have succeeded in the transfer market. Finally securing Jadon Sancho from Dortmund, while also snatching a prime Raphael Varane, go some way to filling in long-term squad gaps. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to re-shape the culture at United back to their Fergie hay-day. Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds remain one of the most difficult to predict, however. Furiously aggressive football, Bielsa’s heavy attacking style results in exciting football and ridiculous results. Can Kalvin Phillips keep Bruno Fernandez in his pocket for the full 90?

Prediction: 3-2

Ryan

I’ll try to keep my obvious bias aside here with some difficulty. Sancho and Varane freshen the first team massively and will have a big difference on how United cope in what will be Ole’s litmus test. Leeds were very popular last year for their playing style although in the last fixture between these teams, Bielsa was happy to emulate Mourinho’s bus for a boring 0-0. Heart and head says United win more comfortably than anticipated.

Prediction: 3-0

Steviano

Man Utd should be too strong for Leeds and the backing of a full house should help to improve last season’s home form along with Sancho strengthening an already potent attack.  May be second season syndrome for Leeds with Bielsa not known for his longevity at clubs.

Prediction: 2-0

Result: Man United 5-1 Leeds

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Burnley vs Brighton

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Ooof. Even at the start of the season, this isn’t a match-up that tantalises. In what could already prove a key result between two predicted relegation candidates, does Ben White’s exit tip the scale towards Burnley? Burnley at home wasn’t the impenetrable fortress last season yet can Neal Maupay expose this? Probably not.

Prediction: 0-0

Ryan

Two teams forever based in the lower half of the table but posing contrasting playing styles, this is a game that could go one of two ways. It could be a snore draw or a sleeper hit in terms of random excitement from out of nowhere. Burnley are solid and Brighton are spritely. I can’t separate them.

Prediction: 1-1

Steviano

Expect Brighton to play the nicer football but the loss of Ben White to Arsenal is a significant one for Potter to manage and a largely unchanged Burnley squad should get off to a winning start.

Prediction: 2-1

Result: Burnley 1-2 Brighton

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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

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Thomas Tuchel picked up a squad that at times looked dire under the leadership of Frank Lampard. Since taking the Champions League, Tuchel has made the huge risk of returning Romelu Lukaku for nearly £100m. In a style that creates so many scoring opportunities, even Lukaku’s tendency to fluff once a match won’t matter. Palace arguably opted for the riskiest decision of the summer when bringing in Patrick Vieira as manager. After a successful-ish stint at New York City, Vieira failed to improve a solid Nice team. The form and mentality of Wilfried Zaha will prove key if Vieira is to be successful.

Prediction: 3-0

Ryan

Surprising European champions last season, Chelsea became one of the form teams under Tuchel, rejuvenating them from an adored yet flawed Lampard reign. Speaking of managerial changes, out goes Hodgson and in comes Vieira. Very bold and risky move. With Lukaku returning once again, this will be a long day for the Eagles.

Prediction: 4-0

Steviano

Oh dear – I rather fear that Patrick Viera’s time at Palace may make Frank de Boer’s look better – four relatively unknown players in and ten out including eight regular players will make this a very difficult job for any manager.  Going to a Chelsea team on a Euro high will be even harder

Prediction: 4-0

Result: Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace

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Everton vs Southampton

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You have to feel for Everton fans at times. After promises of a mega future with a new stadium and elite manager in Carlo Ancelotti, Everton are back to a rebuilding phase. Rafa Benitez’s arrival was met with anger across Merseyside, red and blue, but the Spaniard is still capable of leading big teams. The loss of Danny Ings represents a huge blow for Southampton. Adam Armstrong is a solid replacement, offering full-season fitness in exchange for Ing’s quality.

Prediction: 1-1

Ryan

So many questions at Goodison Park. How will Rafa perform under immense pressure? Will the fans give him much time? Another mid-table finish on the cards? Only time will tell. It is a very solid squad which might be more than the Saints can boast at the moment. Like Wolves, they won’t go down but will have some troubling times ahead. If Ward-Prowse goes, that could change things.

Prediction: 2-1

Steviano

Expect a winning return to Merseyside for Rafa the new gaffa in blue – no major changes to the Everton squad but they will be tough to beat under Rafa.  Southampton gained Walcott but lost top scorer Ings and look short of firepower accordingly.

Prediction: 2-0

Result: Everton 3-1 Southampton

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Leicester vs Wolves

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Is this the year that Leicester finally break into the Champions League? After beating City in an even Community Shield affair, Leicester by now are a stable top-six side. If Kalechi Iheanacho continues progressing alongside Jamie Vardy, Leicester could ride their striking threat to the top-four. Wolves are undergoing heavy rebuilding after losing manager, Nuno Espirito, to Spurs. The return of Raul Jimenez will be a bright spark in an otherwise average season.

Prediction: 2-1

Ryan

Leicester will be disappointed with yet another Champions League bottle job last season when they failed to cement top 4 from a promising position. They are looking to threaten once again despite the unfortunate long-term injury to an impressive Fofana. They are in a much better position compared to their Midlands counterparts though with their manager and some key players exiting this summer. They won’t go down but they need to be careful. Leicester to win fairly smoothly.

Prediction: 3-0

Steviano

This could be a long season for Wolves, unproven new manager and the loss of Rui Patricio following a poor season last year I expect their bad run to continue despite the return of Jiminez.  Leicester will miss Fofana but should have far too much strength and confidence for the toothless Wolves.

Prediction: 2-0

Result: Wolves 3-2 Aston Villa

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Watford vs Aston Villa

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On paper, Watford by far represent the weakest club at the top level. If Spurs are to secure winger, Ismaila Sarr, the campaign could be over for the Hornets before the first ball is kicked. Villa may have lost creative talisman, Jack Grealish, but capturing Danny Ings, Leon Bailey, Ashley Young and Axel Tuanzebe brings a wonderful mixture of experience and youth to an already solid squad. Villa may well be a dark horse for European football.

Prediction: 0-2

Ryan

A boring up and down team, Watford come back to the top flight for what seems like the 99th time. Without watching them much last season, it’s difficult to predict how they will fare. One bold prediction that I am more confident about is that Villa could be a team to watch this season. Wisely utilising the crazy Grealish funds, Ings is a very smart purchase amongst other coups. I see them performing very well this season and will start with a bang here

Prediction: 1-2

Steviano

Massive turnover of players at Watford in the close season but no discernible quality upgrade and I think they will struggle.  Villa have lost their talisman as Grealish has moved on but the introduction of Bailey, Buendia and Ings gives them a bugger attacking threat overall along with a more experienced Olly Watkins who will be too much for Watford to handle.

Prediction: 0-3

Result: Watford 3-2 Aston Villa

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Norwich vs Liverpool

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Losing Emi Buendia is a terrible blow for the recently promoted Canaries, having secured fifteen goals in the Championship last season. Billy Gilmour will shore up the midfield and hopefully enable Teemu Pukki to keep Norwich up this time around. The Pool will still be hurting after their bad luck and poor performances of 2020-2021. Virgil Van Dijk’s return will re-invigorate Klopp’s side, hopefully forming a budding partnership with the new signing, Ibrahima Konate.

Prediction: 2-3

Ryan

Oh look, another up and down team. This is a pattern that will never change at Norwich. Liverpool are coming off a very poor title defence with some lucky form and other’s poor form scraping them Champions League. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to Van Dijk this season after his long-term injury. In fact, aside from Konate and a few outgoings, this squad is exactly the same as it has been for the past few seasons which poses the question of potential burnout? They should give Norwich a horrible welcome back though.

Prediction: 1-3

Steviano

Expect Van Dyke’s return to transform Liverpool back to their best with the main squad unchanged apart from Wijnaldum’s departure. Norwich didn’t invest the last time they were promoted and haven’t invested this time so you do the maths.

Prediction: 0-2

Result: Norwich 0-3 Liverpool

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Premier League Matchday 1: Sunday

Newcastle vs West Ham

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With Joe Willock still not confirmed to return to the Toon Army, Newcastle stands on shaky foundations. Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson are capable of keeping Newcastle afloat, but will the fan’s return dampen the atmosphere? The Hammers finally appear to have a unified culture under David Moyes. Still forced to operate on a shoe-string budget, despite his success with a tiny squad, a lack of youth at the back may prove deadly. Across a jam-packed season including the Europa League, the Hammers will be drawn far too thin by January.

Prediction: 1-1

Ryan

Newcastle should be better than they actually are but such is having a greedy owner with no ambition or respect for the fans. More relegation scraps for them. West Ham will be also an interesting watch with their foray into Europe. How will that affect their overall performance this season? Moyes is a very solid pair of hands for the Hammers and should kick off the season with a win.

Prediction: 1-3

Steviano

Battle of the chairmen with the deepest pockets and the shortest arms with no incomings to the Toon and nothing of significance for the Hammers who will miss Lingard.  Expect this to be the least exciting game of a weekend which includes Burnley v Brighton!

Prediction: 0-0

Result: Newcastle 2-4 West Ham

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Spurs vs Manchester City

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Game of the week potential. With Harry Kane’s head still turned by a rumoured transfer to City, it is a head-scratcher what version of Harry Kane will turn up on Sunday, if he appears at all? Nuno Espirito’s focus spent in the transfer window will surely have limited the time he wished to get to know the squad. All the attention on City’s transfer news has centred on Jack Grealish, yet the real deal has to be Scott Carson on a free! Without Aguero, City are heavily reliant upon Jesus in the interim, but their whole squad quality will prove too much.

Prediction: 0-2

Ryan

Where to begin? Spurs are without doubt in a period of transition. Nuno is a good manager but how will he cope with bigger expectations and a squad full of egos? The Kane situation will be a big test, especially against the team with which he could soon find himself. Another Pep bottle job in the Champions League against an English team soured the end of last season. They were the best team in the league last season but were definitely not the best version of themselves they have been. £100 million for Grealish is rather out of character and a risky play for City who really need to replace Aguero more than add yet another midfielder. I see City winning a close contest but unless they sign a striker, could be challenged more this season than ever in recent years.

Prediction: 0-1

Steviano

Nuno takes the reigns at Spurs and will look to uplift them as he did for the most part at Wolves although hampered by the Kane mutiny.  City on paper should be too strong but missing De Bruyne and Foden together with limited Pep prep time with the squad will make it more difficult despite the introduction of Grealish to an overcrowded midfield.

Prediction: 1-2

Result: Spurs 1-0 Man City

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