The 2020/21 Premier League season gets underway this weekend.
Everybody is full of optimism with every team starting on a level playing field.
The opening weekend can always throw up some surprises and this year won’t be any different.
So, let’s get straight into the action and preview this season opening weekend of the Premier League.
Saturday 12th of September 2020
Fulham vs Arsenal
Venue – Craven Cottage
Kick Off – 12.30 pm
Odds – Home Win 5/1 Draw 10/3 Away Win 1/2
Watch On – BT Sports
This season kicks off with a London derby between newly promoted Fulham and Arsenal.
The home side make their return to the Premier League after been relegated in the 2018/19 season. They’ll be hoping for an extended stay this time around after getting promoted via the Championship Play Offs.
Fulham have taken a different approach this time. Instead of spending mad money in hope to stay up they will be relying on key head strong players from last season. A tactic manager Scott Parker will be hoping works out.
Fulham have a good record on opening weekend. They’ve only lost one of their last six in the Premier League. However, they have lost to the Gunners on their previous five meetings.
There seems to be a feel-good factor around Arsenal heading into the season. While not the final product, manager Mikel Arteta seems to be guiding his team in the right direction. With all eyes firmly placed on a possible top four finish.
The Gunners did struggle on the road last season. Only picking up four away league wins. A serious issue that will need to be fixed if they have true aspirations of getting back into the Champions League.
Fulham are coming in strong to this one with a full-strength squad.
While Arsenal are still without Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Martinelli who all picked up injuries last season. They will also be without centre back Shkodran Mustafi and there are questions around the fitness of David Luiz.
Verdict – Close Arsenal victory.
Crystal Palace vs Southampton
Venue – Selhurst Park
Kick Off – 3.00 pm
Odds – Home Win 21/10 Draw 21/10 Away Win 11/8
Watch On – BT Sports
Our first 3 o clock game of the season has all the makings of a tight affair.
Palace had a dreadful end to last season. They only managed a single point from their last eight games. Along with not winning in their last four home games the Eagles will be hoping for a new lease of life coming into the new season.
They come up against a Southampton side that seem to be on the up. Things seem to be clicking under boss Ralph Hasenhutti. The gaffer will be hoping the super form of Danny Ings can carry on this season.
However, the Saints haven’t won their first away game of the season since 2013/14. A stat they’ll be quietly confident on turning around this Saturday.
Palace are missing a few players for this one. Patrick van Aanholt, Gary Cahill, James Tomkins, Christian Benteke, Connor Wickham and Mamadou Sakho are all out with an injury. While new signing Eberechi Eze has a groin strain but could still make an appearance.
Southampton are far better on the injury front. They come into this one full strength.
Verdict – Southampton to get off to a winning start.
Liverpool vs Leeds United
Venue – Anfield
Kick Off – 5.30 pm
Odds – Home Win 2/9 Draw 5/1 Away Win 8/1
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Champions vs Champions in arguably the most mouth-watering tie of this opening weekend.
Liverpool begin to defend their Premier League title at home. They’ll be coming into this one full of confidence with that gold patch on their sleeves. Under manager Jurgen Klopp Liverpool haven’t lost an opening game either with them scoring at least three goals in these games.
Liverpool haven’t lost a league game at home in their last 59 games. They’ll be looking to keep Anfield a fortress this season. It gets worse for Leeds fans as Liverpool are on a 17-game unbeaten streak against newly promoted sides.
Championship champions Leeds will be hoping to show stats don’t mean anything. They return to the top tier after 16 years away. They well deserved their league victory last season. Leeds conceded the least amount of goals in the Championship. They’ll have to keep their defence tight to stay in the league this time around.
Last season Leeds were also the top scorers in the Championship when playing away. With Patrick Bamford scoring seven of his 18 goals away from Elland Road.
Alex Oxlade – Chamberlin and new signing Konstantinos Tsimikas are said to be 50/50 for this one for Liverpool. While Leeds are at full strength for their big Premier League return.
Verdict – Winning start to Liverpool’s title defence.
West Ham United vs Newcastle United
Venue – London Stadium
Kick Off – 8.00 pm
Odds – Home Win 11/10 Draw 12/5 Away Win 12/5
Watch On – Sky Sports Premier League
We finish up the opening day with this intriguing contest.
The Hammers are being tipped as ones to struggle this season under David Moyes.
The early omens aren’t good as West Ham have lost their opening games in the past four seasons. Conceding four or more goals in three of those games. David Moyes has only won four times in his last 12 meetings against Newcastle as a manager.
Newcastle will be disappointed they didn’t get their massive new Saudi owners into St. James Park. However, they’ll be looking to steadily improve under the guidance of Steve Bruce once again.
Unfortunately for the Toon Army they have an even worse opening day record. Going winless in their last seven curtain raisers. With five of those games coming and going without them scoring a single goal.
Goals were an issue last season too. With Newcastle finishing up as the fourth lowest scorers in the 2019/20 season. They’ll be hoping Allan Saint – Maximin and new man Callum Wilson can turn that around.
Manuel Lanzini is carrying a knock for West Ham but may still play.
While Newcastle are missing Dwight Gayle and excellent goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clarke, and Fabian Schar are all struggling for match fitness and are unlikely to play. Matt Richie is also expected to be out.
Verdict – Draw.
Sunday 13th of September 2020
West Brom Albion vs Leicester City
Venue – The Hawthorns
Kick Off – 2.00 pm
Odds – Home Win 11/4 Draw 5/2 Away Win 10/3
Watch On – Sky Sports Premier League
Super Sunday kicks off this season with the returning West Brom.
This is their fifth promotion into the top tier of English football with them having a reputation as a yoyo club. They will need to improve on certain aspects of their game if they are to stay in the league. Such as holding on to leads and drawing far too many games in their previous Premier League runs.
They face a game Leicester City in their return. The Foxes have won on their last four trips to the Hawthorns. This will likely give them some confidence. Like many we have talked about today Leicester are slow starters in recent seasons. They haven’t won in their previous four opening games.
However, they did win two of their three games away to newly promoted sides last season.
West Brom are likely to be without Conor Townsend and Kenneth Zohore due to injuries.
Leicester have injury problems of their own. Especially at the back. Ricardo Pereira, Wes Morgan, and Christian Fuchs are all out. While Johnny Evans is carrying over a suspension from last season. James Maddison is also unlikely to play due to a hip injury.
Verdict – Sneaky feeling West Brom could pick up the three points.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
Venue – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Kick Off – 4.30 pm
Odds – Home Win 5/6 Draw 5/2 Away Win 10/3
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Spurs host the Toffees as both sides look to start with a bang.
These two sides will be expecting improved seasons this time around. With this game probably being the most difficult to call of opening weekend.
Tottenham haven’t lost to Everton in eight years. This is during a run of 15 games between the two sides going back to when David Moyes was in charge at Everton.
Spurs also had a great home record last season. They had the third best in the league. Something they’ll be looking to continue this season.
Everton will be quietly confident coming into the season. Making some big moves in the transfer market to bolster their midfield. With the arrival of James Rodriquez really sending the Everton faithful wild.
They did only manage to win five times on the road last season. A win here could really have the blue side of Merseyside eyeing up a Europa League position.
Jose Mourinho has a full squad to chose from.
While Carlo Ancelotti is without Cenk Tosun and Mason Holgate through injury.
Verdict – Draw.
Monday 14th of September 2020
Sheffield United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Venue – Bramall Lane
Kick Off – 6.00 pm
Odds – Home Win 23/10 Draw 15/8 Away Win 13/10
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Monday night football also makes its return during the opening round of fixtures.
Sheffield United will be hoping to continue their cracking Premier League run this season.
Another side that isn’t great on opening weekend. The Blades have only won one of their last six opening Premier League games. Away from that they’ll be optimistic for the season ahead with Chris Wilder still in the hotseat.
United have been very busy in the transfer window adding young talent to their ranks. They also managed to hold on to key players from last season. Well needed stability for the season ahead.
Wolves are strong starters for a change. They come into this one unbeaten in their opening games since the 2012/13 season. Wolves haven’t scored in their last two trips to Bramall Lane. They are another side who have signed well and will be hoping their fire power up to can change that stat.
Sander Berg is the only doubt for Sheffield United. While Wolves are without defender Jonny with a knee injury that will keep him out for a while.
Verdict – Another draw.
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Chelsea
Venue – Amex Stadium
Kick Off – 8.15 pm
Odds – Home Win 4/1 Draw 3/1 Away Win 4/7
Watch On – Sky Sports Premier League
We finish up with a trip down South to Brighton.
The Seagulls are usually strong starters. They have lost only one of their three opening Premier League games. In this one they’ll be looking for their first win over Chelsea since 1933.
Brighton will have to be more cutthroat at home. Last season they only managed seven goals at the Amex.
Chelsea have been on fire in the transfer market. Treating it like a game of FIFA. While many are surprised manager Frank Lampard did go so heavy in the window it has left them as serious title contenders.
While a lot of their big-name stars are attacking players, it was their defence that let them down last season. It will be an issue that will need to be addressed this season.
Brighton are full strength for this one.
Chelsea are missing a few big-name players. New man Ben Chilwell is out with a foot injury. Billy Gilmour is also out with a knee injury. Star man Christian Pulisic and new signing Hakim Ziyech are also likely to be out for this one. Finally, Mateo Kovacic is carrying over a suspension from last season.
Verdict – Chelsea.
