It’s time for the curtain to come up on a brand new English Premier League season this weekend, with a full first round of fixtures between Friday and Monday.
The 20 competing clubs are full steam ahead for a ‘normal’ campaign, too, following years of mid-season disruption thanks to the Fifa World Cup in Qatar and multiple Covid-19 dramas.
Manchester City kick off their latest title defence in the EPL opener away to promoted Burnley on Friday night.
Pep Guardiola takes his treble-winners up the road to Turf Moor to face City legend Vincent Kompany in the opposing dugout, with the Belgian leading the Clarets back to the big time thanks to a superb season in the Championship last time around.
Chelsea and Liverpool face a voyage into the unknown as they begin with a crunch clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues are expecting far better with a rejigged squad and Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, while Jurgen Klopp’s midfield overhaul took an unexpected turn when Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were plucked by the Saudi Pro League.
Manchester United complete the opening weekend when they go up against Wolves on Monday night at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are aiming high with the continuity of Erik ten Hag as coach while their visitors dropped a bombshell on the eve of the new season, with former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui replaced by rookie Gary O’Neill at the Black Country club.
An intriguing London derby provides the other half of Sunday’s Premier League service, meanwhile, as Tottenham head west to play Brentford.
It’s the beginning of the Ange Postecoglou era at Spurs, with star striker Harry Kane under a transfer cloud, while the Bees must also cope without their spearhead, as Ivan Toney sits out the first half of the new season thanks to a gambling ban.
Six Saturday fixtures in the EPL kick off with Arsenal taking on Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners pushed Manchester City most of the way for the title last time around and have strengthened with signings including England international Declan Rice, while Forest look to build on last year’s rocky road to survival.
Newcastle are back in the Uefa Champions League and are full of optimism ahead of their Saturday evening match with Aston Villa.
It’ll be a party atmosphere at St James’ Park but no easy contest for Eddie Howe’s men, who come up against a Villans outfit that took flight in fine style under Unai Emery in the second half of last season.
Luton are this year’s darlings after sealing an unforgettable promotion via the Championship play-offs.
A daunting trip to Brighton is their first Premier League assignment, while their creaking Kenilworth Road ground is brought up to scratch to host some of the biggest teams on the planet.
Sheffield United are the third promoted side in action and begin life back in the top tier by welcoming Crystal Palace to Bramall Lane.
Veteran boss Roy Hodgson has signed on to extend his record as the oldest coach around and will have to do so without Wilfried Zaha, whose second spell with his boyhood club came to an end following a lengthy summer contract saga.
Everton are desperate for, if not particularly hopeful of, better as they embark on what should be a final season at Goodison Park with an opening game against Fulham.
The away side enjoyed a superb return to the EPL under coach Marco Silva, who has so far turned down the lure of Saudi Arabian riches, while Sean Dyche has an almighty job on his hands to turn the tide for the Toffees.
And pressure never seems far from ex-Everton chief David Moyes either, as he takes his West Ham down to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The Scot secured the Uefa Conference League trophy two month ago and with it qualification for the Europa League, but has a Rice-shaped hole in his midfield and one of the league’s more expectant fan bases.
English Premier League predictions for 11 – 14 August
Burnley v Manchester City
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | M. Ødegaard(Arsenal) T. Awoniyi(Nottingham Forest) |
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Brighton & Hove Albion v Luton Town
| Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion / Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Everton v Fulham
| Result prediction | Everton to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Everton to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Doucouré(Everton) A. Mitrović(Fulham) |
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | Crystal Palace to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Crystal Palace / Crystal Palace to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Crystal Palace |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Eze(Crystal Palace) |
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Newcastle United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Wilson(Newcastle United) |
Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | B. Mbeumo(Brentford) H. Kane(Tottenham Hotspur) |
Chelsea v Liverpool
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Gakpo(Liverpool) |
Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
| Result prediction | Manchester United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester United / Manchester United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester United |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |