PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS

MANCHESTER UNITED V LEICESTER CITY

NICK HARRISON: He’s not had a good summer and his mood might get worse tonight if Leicester do what they did to Arsenal 12 months ago. Vardy should be raring to go and could be the difference between the two sides. 1-2

TOM NORRIS: Mourinho seems agitated and we all know how that scenario ends. United have plenty of talent, but if the manager isn’t happy then that spells trouble. Leicester don’t seem in a position to take advantage, however. 1-0

DAN HEALD: From the Special One to the Troubled One. Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure all summer and must wonder why Pogba only seems to justify the hype when he’s not playing in United shirt. All that said, I expect Leicester to struggle this season and to be put to the sword by Sanchez here. 2-0

NEWCASTLE UNITED v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

NH: Another summer of not-much movement at Newcastle but Benitez seems to thrive on it. But the players aren’t happy at Newcastle and that should help Spurs’ cause. 1-2

TN: How fit will Spurs’ World Cup contingent be? If the answer is not very then Newcastle could well get their season off to a strong start. 1-1

DH: The Geordie soap-opera continues with so much unrest behind the scenes at St James’ Park. Even if Spurs’ star players are jaded from their World Cup exploits, I’ll back an away win. 1-2

BOURNEMOUTH v CARDIFF CITY

NH: Good game for both teams. Bournemouth were comfortable last season while Cardiff will be everyone’s favourites to go down. If the Bluebirds go and attack they might leave the South coast with a point. 1-1

TN: Eddie Howe will have let out a wry smile when this fixture was thrown up earlier this summer. No-one will have wanted to face Neil Warnock’s in-your-face Cardiff on the opening day. 1-1

DH: I’d be amazed if Warnock is still a Premier League manager by Christmas. I expect Cardiff to struggle this season, but I’ll back them for a point at Eddie Howe’s defensively-suspect Cherries. 1-1

FULHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE

NH: Decent London derby to kick off with. Palace could be really good if they find consistency but Fulham have spent really well in the summer and it will be interesting how Sessegnon fares in the top flight. 1-2

TN: Should be entertaining. Fulham know only one way to play and that’s to attack, while Palace were canny operators under Roy Hodgson last season. The Cottagers will make a few sit up and take note. 2-1

DH: Some impressive summer recruitment from Jokanovic has made Fulham contenders for a top half finish. An opening day defeat for Roy Hodgson on his return to his former club. 2-1

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN v CHELSEA

NH: Chelsea looked very poor at Wembley and it could be a season a struggle at Stamford Bridge. Home form is key for Huddersfield and they must make the most of Hazard’s absence. 1-1

TN: It was clear from last Sunday’s Wembley woes that Chelsea will need time to adapt to their new manager. Huddersfield haven’t changed much since last season, where they got a hiding from the Blues. 1-2

DH: For all their success in recent seasons, Chelsea lack an identity. The constant rotation of managers doesn’t help and Sarri faces a huge task in unifying a split dressing room. Huddersfield to hold out for a draw. 1-1

WATFORD v BRIGHTON

NH: Brighton grew with confidence game by game last season and if Gross can create The Seagulls could leave Vicarage Road flying high this afernoon. 1-2

TN: Two teams that have flown under the radar during a busy summer and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. I’ve got a feeling it will be neither. 1-1

DH: Chris Hughton’s done a fine job at Brighton, who for most of last season looked like an established Premier League club. Expect the visitors to stifle Watford, who may struggle this term without Richarlison. 0-0

WOLVES v EVERTON

NH: Wolves walked it in the Championship but how will they cope in the Premier League? Everton need a good season to win back their fans but this will not be an easy start. 2-2

TN: Wolves have made some impressive signings, adding to a squad that looked far too good for the Championship. Everton have work to do. 2-1

DH: Like Fulham, Wolves won a lot of fans last season with their high-energy and expansive brand of football. Ruben Neves is an exceptional talent and can inspire Wolves to a win against an Everton side who’ve had a poor pre-season. 2-1

LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM

NH: Liverpool will be the team to watch this season. Will Salah be as brilliant as he was last season and is keeper Alisson the final piece of the jigsaw? The Hammers have bought well in the summer and if Arnautovic clicks, the visitors could spring a surprise. 3-1

TN: Home win. The Reds will be too strong for a Hammers side that has done some good business this summer. Salah, Mane and Firmino now have a strong supporting cast. 3-0

DH: Much is expected of Liverpool, with Klopp under pressure to win a trophy. Pellegrini has done good business for the Hammers this summer, but expect the Reds to start the season well. 2-1

SOUTHAMPTON v BURNLEY

NH: Burnley may suffer an early dose of Europa League-itis at St Mary’s. Not sure whether Burnley needed another centre back in Ben Gibson so it might be a good chance for Charlie Austin to sink The Clarets. 2-1

TN: Mark Hughes has had a summer to work his magic - time will tell whether that’s a good thing or not - while Burnley’s transfer work has been unspectacular at best. Sean Dyche will have to work overtime to prevent the Europa League getting in the way. 1-0

DH: Is Hughes the man to reinvigorate Southampton? Possibly not, but his experience and nous should be enough to keep a decent Saints squad up this season. Burnley’s squad looks light to me and not equipped for a European campaign. 2-1

ARSENAL v MANCHESTER CITY

NH: The first game post-Wenger could not be more difficult for The Gunners. But the are good at home and if Emery starts with Lacazette and Aubameyang they have the firepower to breakthrough what is still a questionable City back-line. 2-2

TN: Arsenal have strengthened in the right areas for the first time in a long while, but they run into a City side that are brimming with confidence, even if some star names are not yet ready after their Russian excursions. 1-2

DH: City exude class all over the pitch. Emery’s Arsenal are a work in progress. Away win 1-3