Premier League

Liverpool have to wait until Monday night to kickstart their Premier League campaign after drawing with Fulham in their opening match. They pushed Man City all the way last season but are already playing catch-up after that unexpected result at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea versus Tottenham is the first blockbuster match of the new Premier League season and we’re backing Spurs to make a statement of intent. Both teams opened up with wins but Antonio Conte’s side just looked a little further forward in terms of sharpness.

West Ham had an impressive record when visiting lower-ranked Premier League teams last term and are fancied to beat promoted Nottingham Forest. The Hammers won on the road at Newcastle, Leeds, Everton, Aston Villa, Watford, Crystal Palace and Norwich.

Man Utd began the new season in just as much disarray as they finished last term and are hard to back at Brentford. The Bees kicked off with a brave draw at Leicester and look more settled than when well beaten twice by the Red Devils in their debut Premier League campaign.

Aston Villa and Everton both tasted defeat in the opening round of Premier League fixtures but we’re hoping the midlands outfit can recover better. Villa did the double over the Toffees last term and are unbeaten in six head-to-head meetings since coming back up.

Man Utd may feel they have a score to settle with Brighton after being humbled by a 4-0 Premier League drubbing at Amex Stadium in May. New boss Erik ten Hag doesn’t look the type to stand for a similarly lifeless display, especially in his first competitive match at Old Trafford.

West Ham have made great progress under David Moyes over the past couple of years, including in their clashes with Man City. The Hammers have picked up a point in two straight Premier League meetings at London Stadium and beat the Blues on penalties in the EFL Cup last term.

Leicester claimed an eighth-placed finish following a fine end to 2021/22 while Brentford will be out to avoid the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’. The Foxes did the double over the promoted Bees last term, with the west London club ending a very respectable 13th.

Fulham face a baptism of fire on their return to the Premier League when hosting last season’s runners-up Liverpool at Craven Cottage. The Reds won 16 of their final 18 fixtures in this competition last term, drawing with Manchester City and Tottenham in the other two.

Frank Lampard begins his first full season as Everton boss by taking on former club Chelsea and will be hoping for another emotional encounter. Beating the Blues at the start of May was a key moment in Lampard keeping the Toffees up last term.

The pressure will be on Steven Gerrard when Aston Villa kick off their Premier League season against Bournemouth. Villa struggled for results at the back end of last season, but the former Rangers boss has splashed the cash again over the summer.

Leeds will be desperate for a positive start to the Premier League season this time around when they entertain Wolves at Elland Road. The Whites needed seven attempts to get off the mark last term and, after sacking Marcelo Bielsa, only avoided relegation on the final day.

Newcastle will be keen to continue the feelgood factor around the club when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Eddie Howe lifted the Magpies from relegation candidates to an 11th-placed finish after a stunning second half to last season.