• Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur Why?: United could be fielding four or five new players - including the exciting Memphis Depay - in the first game of the season, but they have had a decent pre-season and look to be finding some sort of groove. Defensive worries remain. On the other hand, Tottenham’s manager Mauricio Pochettino has already said they he wanted the game put back a day, with worries his squad aren’t ready. Spurs also have a woeful record at Old Trafford, two recent wins aside.
    Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur Why?: United could be fielding four or five new players - including the exciting Memphis Depay - in the first game of the season, but they have had a decent pre-season and look to be finding some sort of groove. Defensive worries remain. On the other hand, Tottenham’s manager Mauricio Pochettino has already said they he wanted the game put back a day, with worries his squad aren’t ready. Spurs also have a woeful record at Old Trafford, two recent wins aside.
  • Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Aston Villa Why? First games do not come much better than this for promoted sides. Villa, who had a mediocre 2014/15, have lost their star striker, key midfielder and veteran centre-back this summer. Tim Sherwood has made a host of signings, mostly from France, to replace them but four players have arrived this past week and are unlikely to perform at 100 per cent. Bournemouth scored nearly 100 goals in the second tier last season and should be exciting to watch.
    Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Aston Villa Why? First games do not come much better than this for promoted sides. Villa, who had a mediocre 2014/15, have lost their star striker, key midfielder and veteran centre-back this summer. Tim Sherwood has made a host of signings, mostly from France, to replace them but four players have arrived this past week and are unlikely to perform at 100 per cent. Bournemouth scored nearly 100 goals in the second tier last season and should be exciting to watch.
  • Prediction: Everton 2 Watford 1 Why? Like Bournemouth, expect goals from fellow new boys Watford - at both ends. With Troy Deeney up front they will be a threat on the break. Everton, meanwhile, are tricky to predict this season. They haven’t changed their squad much and will surely perform better than their 11th placed finish last season. Stability is usually a good thing, but Roberto Martinez’s job will be on the line if they don’t win games like this in 2015/16.
    Prediction: Everton 2 Watford 1 Why? Like Bournemouth, expect goals from fellow new boys Watford - at both ends. With Troy Deeney up front they will be a threat on the break. Everton, meanwhile, are tricky to predict this season. They haven’t changed their squad much and will surely perform better than their 11th placed finish last season. Stability is usually a good thing, but Roberto Martinez’s job will be on the line if they don’t win games like this in 2015/16.
  • Prediction: Leicester City 0 Sunderland 0 Why? Two sides I expect to be struggling against relegation. Leicester, who were the worst side in the division for two thirds of last season and Sunderland, who won only seven games - the lowest total - and scored just 31 - the second lowest total.
    Prediction: Leicester City 0 Sunderland 0 Why? Two sides I expect to be struggling against relegation. Leicester, who were the worst side in the division for two thirds of last season and Sunderland, who won only seven games - the lowest total - and scored just 31 - the second lowest total.
  • Prediction: Norwich City 0 Crystal Palace 1 Why? Big things are expected of Palace this season and the arrival of Yohan Cabaye, who is a doubt for this match, adds a touch of class to centre midfield. Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha will cause havoc on the wings. Norwich will be roared on by the Carrow Road crowd, but the fear is that their squad lacks the class to survive in the top flight.
    Prediction: Norwich City 0 Crystal Palace 1 Why? Big things are expected of Palace this season and the arrival of Yohan Cabaye, who is a doubt for this match, adds a touch of class to centre midfield. Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha will cause havoc on the wings. Norwich will be roared on by the Carrow Road crowd, but the fear is that their squad lacks the class to survive in the top flight.
  • Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 0 Why? While Chelsea won’t start with a bang, Arsenal are likely too. They are only missing Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck and take on a West Ham side whose season started more than a month ago. Slaven Bilic’s men should be well prepared, but they have a Europa League trip to Romania just four days before this game. Arsenal have been quiet in the transfer window, but that stability should stand them in good stead for a strong start to the season.
    Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 0 Why? While Chelsea won’t start with a bang, Arsenal are likely too. They are only missing Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck and take on a West Ham side whose season started more than a month ago. Slaven Bilic’s men should be well prepared, but they have a Europa League trip to Romania just four days before this game. Arsenal have been quiet in the transfer window, but that stability should stand them in good stead for a strong start to the season.
  • Prediction: Newcastle 0 Southampton 1 Why? Steve McClaren should eventually mould Newcastle into a better side than last season, but their squad still has several question marks around it. They are light up front, in particular. Southampton arrive on the back of an excellent season in 2014/15 and should be able to maintain the same standards this time around. Watch out for Morgan Schneiderlin replacement Jordie Clasie.
    Prediction: Newcastle 0 Southampton 1 Why? Steve McClaren should eventually mould Newcastle into a better side than last season, but their squad still has several question marks around it. They are light up front, in particular. Southampton arrive on the back of an excellent season in 2014/15 and should be able to maintain the same standards this time around. Watch out for Morgan Schneiderlin replacement Jordie Clasie.
  • Prediction: Stoke City 0 Liverpool 0 Why? After their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Stoke on the last day of the 2014/15 season, there will be a lot of talk about revenge for Liverpool before this game. But Stoke don’t often lose at home and Liverpool, with a revamped front line, will find it hard to break them down on Sunday. Christian Benteke adds plenty of power up front, but Stoke’s back four is the most physical in the league.
    Prediction: Stoke City 0 Liverpool 0 Why? After their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Stoke on the last day of the 2014/15 season, there will be a lot of talk about revenge for Liverpool before this game. But Stoke don’t often lose at home and Liverpool, with a revamped front line, will find it hard to break them down on Sunday. Christian Benteke adds plenty of power up front, but Stoke’s back four is the most physical in the league.
  • Prediction: Chelsea 1 Swansea City 0 Why? Last season, Chelsea flew out of the blocks and it set the tone for their title win. On the basis of their pre-season form and the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, Chelsea won’t be in top condition for the visit of Swansea, especially with Diego Costa likely to be missing. Swansea are no surprise any more, they are tough to beat, pass it around nicely and can pull off an away win anywhere. That said, this feels like a 1-0, Eden Hazard winning-goal type of game.
    Prediction: Chelsea 1 Swansea City 0 Why? Last season, Chelsea flew out of the blocks and it set the tone for their title win. On the basis of their pre-season form and the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, Chelsea won’t be in top condition for the visit of Swansea, especially with Diego Costa likely to be missing. Swansea are no surprise any more, they are tough to beat, pass it around nicely and can pull off an away win anywhere. That said, this feels like a 1-0, Eden Hazard winning-goal type of game.

Sport

New-look Man United edge Spurs, Liverpool held by stubborn Stoke – EPL predictions

Thomas Woods

August 06, 2015

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The National's deputy sports editor Thomas Woods offers his predictions for the first weekend in the Premier League, with Arsenal rolling past West Ham United and Stoke City playing to a scoreless draw with Liverpool. Click on the arrows below to scroll through each of the predictions.

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