Hello everyone, welcome to Springers 24’s predictions table. It’s the start of a new Premier League season where everyone is equal. Optimism is high across the board, and everyone is hoping for a great season.
What a way to start! The Premier League champions are up against the champions of the second-tier league in England. Also, it’s Frank Lampard up against Mikel Arteta for the sixth time in their managerial history.
Here, we look at all the games of the weekend, and we put our necks on the line on the potential outcome of games. From ten grounds across the league, this is the first prediction column of the season. Let’s do it!
1. Friday: Arsenal vs Coventry City
Emirates Stadium, 8pm
All Arsenal players and their manager are still basking in the euphoria of their triumph in May. You could see the excitement in their voices at pressers. Coventry is just returning to the top flight, and their energy will face a real test at the Emirates.
The Gunners are at advantage here, but they must be wary of an upset. Lampard has only beaten Arteta once in their meetings, while the Gunners’ boss won three of the other four meetings. Haji Wright is the player to watch for the visitors, while Arsenal has a host of names the Sky Blues must be afraid of.
Verdict: Arsenal to win this one.
2. Saturday: Hull City vs Manchester United
MKM Stadium, 12:30pm
No one has an idea of the version of Manchester United that will turn up this season, but if how they finished last season is anything to go by, then the fans can be optimistic.
Hull City is many pundits’ favorite to go down this season, but the Tigers can change the narratives. The duo of Leeds United and Sunderland both finished in respectable spots, and the Black Cats even got European football on their return to the top flight. Can Hull City emulate that?
Bruno Fernandes was the player of the season last time out, and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Senna Lammens all had a great season last time out. Can they start on a high?
Verdict: Manchester United to win.
3. Everton vs Crystal Palace
Hill Dickinson Stadium, 3:00pm
Everton has the chance to start on a high against a depleted Crystal Palace side. How the Eagles will cope without the most successful manager in their history, Oliver Glasner, is left to be seen.
Everton will be the favorite to win this one at home, but the potential banana peel could be waiting for them in the form of the Eagles. Crystal Palace could really struggle this season, considering the fact that they could be selling Ismaïla Sarr to Galatasaray this summer.
It could really be a long season for the Eagles. New head coach Pierre Sage has confirmed that Jean Phillippe Mateta will be available on Saturday; that could count for something, but Illman Ndiaye, James Garner, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be too much to handle.
Verdict: Everton to win.
4. Ipswich Town vs Sunderland
Portman Road, 3:00pm
Ipswich Town is back! It’s left to be seen if superfan Ed Sheeran will be as visible as he was the last time he was around.
The first game of the season for the Tractor Boys is a date against a team that did what they couldn’t do when they returned two seasons ago, which was to survive. The Sunderland template is available to Ipswich to follow, but does Ipswich have what it takes to pull survival off?
Regis Le Bris had a fine shout for the throne of the manager of the season last time out, but Arteta won the league, and that’s fine. Can Ipswich upset the odds here?
Verdict: Everton to win.
5. Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
The City Ground, 3:00pm
The City Ground will host a game between two teams who struggled to survive the relegation battle last season. To be honest, Leeds United punched above its weight last season; now it’s time to stabilize the team in the league.
Forest has a new manager in Oliver Glasner, a proven manager. From Palace’s point of view, can he take Forest to the next level? Leeds United, under Daniel Farke, will be a strong force this season; it will be interesting to see how both teams fare this season.
Verdict: Forest should win this one.
6. Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur
G-Tech Community Stadium, 5:30pm
Brentford was one of the teams that excited us last season. The Bees, having lost their top goalscorers in Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa, their captain Christian Norgaard, and their manager Thomas Frank, went on to finish ninth, above Chelsea and Newcastle.
Roberto De Zerbi has brought in Sandro Tonali, Paul Van Hecke, and Matteus Fernandes, and they’re expected to wrap up deals for Omar Marmoush and Savinho from Manchester City.
Is Tottenham trying to win the league? Forest won’t have European distractions this time, so they’re primed to compete better than they did last season. This should be fun to watch.
Verdict: Tottenham to win or draw.
7. Sunday: Brighton vs Aston Villa
Amex Stadium, 2:00pm
Brighton sold Van Hecke to Spurs and are very close to selling Baleba to Manchester United. The Seagulls don’t have Danny Welbeck at Chelsea; now they must find creative ways to survive this season while juggling Conference League football and the Premier League.
Aston Villa is in the Champions League after winning the Europa League; it is expected that both teams will struggle because of continental deliverables.
Let’s see how both of them fare this season. Who are the players to look out for? Both sides need to rebuild after selling key players, but Sunday should tell us what to expect this season from both of them.
Verdict: Both teams to score.
8. Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Etihad Stadium, 2:00pm
The Cityzens lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield, but that cannot define their entire season. Manchester City lost 3-0 to Arsenal without really offering anything in the game, but new manager Enzo Maresca has said it’s down to how many first-team players were unavailable for the game.
Bournemouth has lost Andoni Iraola to Liverpool, and a host of first-team players have left too. The Cherries will also be without one of the heroes of last season, Eli Junior Kroupi, due to injury.
This game could be the beginning of pressure for Maresca, while Marco Rose will also have a taste of Premier League football for the first time on Sunday.
Verdict: Both teams to score.
9. Newcastle vs Liverpool
St. James’s Park, 4:30pm
Newcastle had an underwhelming season last time out, but you can excuse them because of their Champions League involvement. They don’t have many distractions this time, having finished outside the top 10 last season.
Liverpool had a torrid time last season too, but they managed to finish in a Champions League place, so it’s all good. After the poor title defense, Arne Slot was shown the exit door. How will Iraola fare at the helm?
Newcastle also switched managers; Eddie Howe left after the club sold top players and missed out on key targets. Now it’s the turn of Mattias Jaissle from the Saudi Pro League.
Will Orsula and Elanga are the leading lights for Newcastle this season, while Liverpool will hope Alexander Isak shines against his former club.
Verdict: Liverpool to win.
10. Sunday: Fulham vs Chelsea
Craven Cottage, 8:00pm
Fulham can start on a high against an uncertain Chelsea, but no one will call them the favorite for this game. The Blues switched managers, and lots of players have moved on too.
Morgan Rogers and Max Lacroix are at the top of the list of new players to join Chelsea this summer, and their entire season could be defined by what the two players do.
Fulham has a new manager too, after Marco Silva went to Benfica. Alvaro Arbeloa has brought a new vibe and high optimism, with the Lilywhites signing players from Real Madrid.
This season could do a lot to repair the career of Xabi Alonso after his torrid time at Real Madrid, but will the Cottagers allow him to start on a high?
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals.
