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After an eventful summer in the transfer market and two major international tournaments, the 2021-22 Premier League campaign is finally upon us! Manchester City are the defending champions and have spent massive amounts of money to snap up Jack Grealish, but as I said in one of my earlier columns, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool will be breathing down their necks - any of these four sides can win the Premier League title this season.
The fans being back at stadiums is another interesting thing to keep an eye on and I'm really looking forward to seeing how teams react to it. Last season, a handful of Premier League players performed incredibly well but they didn't have anyone to watch them weave their magic, so we have to wait and see how they cope this time around.
I'm absolutely buzzing that the Premier League is back and here are my predictions for the 10 fixtures on Matchday 1.
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Brentford vs Arsenal
I'm going to be at the game and it promises to be a really intriguing Premier League opener. When I played for Arsenal, the one thing I didn't want was to play a promoted team in the first week of the season. They are always full of energy and it's a new Premier League season - you want to play these teams at Christmas when they have already had a bit of a reality check.
It is one of those games where Brentford could play to the best of their capabilities and still not win, while Arsenal could look lackluster on the night and still manage to win 4-0 - that's what you're up against!
I'm a great believer that the cream always rises to the top. Brentford haven't played these games before, but if they had picked a top team to play against, they would probably have picked Arsenal! It'll be a great spectacle for Brentford as they prepare to play Premier League football for the first-time, but I expect Arsenal to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Brentford 0-2 Arsenal
Manchester United vs Leeds United
Ohhh wow, what a game! I remember this game last year - Leeds United went to Old Trafford and got blown away 6-2. They got rave reviews because they played some brilliant football and could have scored more, but Manchester United could have had 12 on the night!
It's a massive game and there is a rich history between the two sides, so this is the kind of Premier League game that will really benefit from having the fans back at stadiums. I expect Manchester United to win, as the way Leeds United go on the front foot and attempt to open games up plays into their hands.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Leeds United
Leicester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves are in a bit of disarray at the moment and finished the 2020-21 Premier League season in poor form. Having Raul Jimenez back will be a big boost for them, but I look at Leicester City and think they should win this game. After winning the FA Community Shield against Manchester City, they are in good spirits and will look to get off to a flying start in the Premier League.
I think Wolves will really struggle this season and I said earlier in one of my columns that Jimenez could be the perfect man to replace Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur if he leaves for Manchester City. If that happens, they could be in real trouble in the Premier League.
Like I said earlier, I expect Leicester City to win and I think they will do it quite comfortably.
Prediction: Leicester City 3-0 Wolves
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
I expect Chelsea to get off to a flying start in the Premier League, but their UEFA Super Cup encounter midweek could make it slightly more difficult for them. Crystal Palace are entering a new era under Patrick Vieira and will look to get up the pitch to hurt Chelsea - if they can get crosses into the box to Christian Benteke, they'll have something to play at.
That said, I don't see them getting into threatening positions in the final third, as Chelsea have been defensively resolute under Thomas Tuchel. I predict Chelsea to begin their Premier League campaign with an easy home win.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace
Watford vs Aston Villa
Other than Brentford, the team I'm most interested in watching in the Premier League this season is Aston Villa. They've lost Jack Grealish, but in my opinion, they've done very well in the transfer market to replace him. Emiliano Buendia ripped up the Championship last season and we all know what Danny Ings can do, so I'd be shocked if they didn't win this game.
They have a good goalkeeper in Emiliano Martinez and also have two competent central defenders in Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa - they could be dark horses in the Premier League this season and pick up a few sizable scalps if their new signings manage to fulfill expectations.
If you want to have a good season in the Premier League, you should be able to go to Watford on opening day and get a victory. Aston Villa could upset a lot of teams this season and they know the importance of a good start, so I fancy them to win this weekend.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Aston Villa
Everton vs Southampton
Southampton will struggle, so this is a good game for Everton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Everton will need to get off to a flying start and if they want to have a good season, they will need to win this game.
Southampton, on the other hand, are in disarray. James Ward-Prowse could go and Danny Ings - who scored bags of goals from almost nothing last season - has moved to Aston Villa, so they could be involved in a relegation dogfight this season.
Everton haven't bought well so far, but I expect them to prevail in a tight game.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Southampton
Burnley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
These are the kind of games where both teams will fancy it. Burnley do what it says on the tin, while Brighton will try and play football and look to break them down. Ben White will be missed, but Graham Potter has players to cancel out the way Burnley play in Adam Webster and Dan Burn, who will be tasked with neutralizing the threat posed by Chris Wood.
Unlike last season, I don't think Brighton will keep missing chances in front of goal. From box to box, they are as good as any other side in the Premier League and if they can sort out their woes in front of goal, they will be quite comfortable this time around.
There's not a lot between the two sides considering the fact that the game's at Turf Moor, so I think it'll be a 1-1 draw.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Brighton
Norwich City vs Liverpool
I expect Liverpool to win this one quite easily and get off to a good start in the Premier League. The way Norwich City play suits them - they will look to play out from the back and can't play it long, as they've only got Teemu Pukki upfront.
Their style of play pretty much plays into Liverpool's hands, so I think the Reds will win rather comfortably at Carrow Road. Norwich secured promotion quite comfortably but this is the kind of game that could show the gulf of class between the Premier League and the Championship.
I think Liverpool will win this and keep a clean sheet in the process, I don't see Norwich City troubling them too much.
Prediction: Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool
Newcastle United vs West Ham United
With the fans back at St. James' Park, this could be a massive game of football. Will that help the players or not? That remains to be seen!
West Ham United had an amazing season last time around, so the pressure will be on them to produce the goods once again. They exceeded expectations, but people will look at them and think they should be up there once again, so we will have to wait and see how David Moyes and co respond in the weeks ahead.
I don't like predicting draws but I'm sitting on the fence here - I think this game will end 1-1.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
This is the standout fixture of the Premier League weekend and Manchester City, the defending champions, will look to get off to a winning start. This is the way I look at it - the best team in the Premier League is set to come up against arguably the sixth-best team in the competition, so I think Pep Guardiola and co should win this one.
Every game counts in the Premier League because it's going to be incredibly tight between the top four sides, so you can't afford to give anyone a head start. It's hard to bet against Manchester City - they are the ones to beat and they can only beat themselves by overcomplicating things, as we saw in the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea.
Harry Kane's involvement is another intriguing subplot, as the striker continues to be linked with a big-money move to the Etihad Stadium. If he plays, Tottenham will be in with half a chance, but Manchester City are definitely the overwhelming favorites heading into the game.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Manchester City
Also Read: Jim Beglin column - Ranking the 5 greatest managers in Premier League history
