5 bold Premier League predictions: Rooney at the double, Liverpool lose

The Premier League season starts this weekend. Here are five bold predictions for the opening weekend’s action.

The opening weekend of the Premier League is finally here. The new season kicks off later today, as Arsenal host Leicester at the Emirates, before nine more games over Saturday and Sunday. The top flight is renowned for its unpredictability, so here are five bold predictions about what will happen in the first matchweek of the new season.

1. Watford beat Liverpool

There’s almost always a shock result in the first round of matches due to the fact teams haven’t played together too often. New players come into squads and the only game-time they’ve had is in friendly matches played in preseason.

Watford will be hoping this is the case when they host Liverpool in their first match of the season. Jurgen Klopp’s side were impressive last season and they’re probably only going to get better this year. The Hornets most important signing was the acquisition of new manager Marco Silva.

Silva did a great job with Hull and was unfortunate not to keep them in the Premier League last season. He should bring greater organization to a club that desperately needed it last year. Beating Liverpool in their first match will be a difficult task, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

2. Wayne Rooney scores a double for Everton

Wayne Rooney returned to his boyhood club in the summer transfer window as he secured a move from Manchester United to Everton. The Red Devils all-time leading scorer has returned the place where he made a name for himself and he will hope to bring the Toffees some success in the twilight years of his career.

Rooney’s past few seasons with Manchester United were probably his most difficult as a soccer player but leading the line for Everton could be exactly what he needs to return to a consistent level of form.

On the opening weekend, Everton welcome Stoke to Goodison Park and fans will be excited what Rooney will do on his first Premier League game back in a blue shirt. The 31-year-old is never one to shy away from the big occasions so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he popped up with a goal. In fact, we fancy the former United hitman to grab a double as he leads Everton to victory over the Potters.

3. Brighton frustrate Manchester City to get draw

One of the most exciting aspects of a new Premier League season is the promoted sides who have come up from the Championship. Surviving in England’s top flight is one of the hardest things to do for a newly-promoted club and that’s exactly what Brighton will hope they can achieve.

In their first ever Premier League match, the Seagulls welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Falmer Stadium. It’s sure to be a match filled with excitement as well as expectation from the Brighton fans.

Guardiola has made some astute signings this summer that should allow City to challenge for the title. The likes of Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy are two players that will make the world of difference to the Citizens’ defense.

Brighton secured promotion to the Premier League with outstanding defensive performances in the Championship. In 46 matches, the Seagulls only conceded 40 goals and will be hoping to replicate that resilience this year.

A strong defensive performance against City could set the tone for the rest of their season. Chris Hughton will set his side out to frustrate City and if they can hold them to a draw the Brighton manager will be ecstatic.

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4. Arsenal and Leicester share five goal thriller

Arsenal and Leicester both had a disappointing 2016-17 season as the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League while Leicester were almost relegated the year after winning the Premier League. So both sides will be looking to improve this year.

Craig Shakespeare was given the Leicester job full-time after an impressive spell as interim coach. Arsene Wenger has added some key players to his squad like Alexandre Lacazette and defender Sead Kolasinac.

Both of these sides are entertaining attacking teams so when they open the new Premier League season on Friday we expect lots of goals. Last season, the two games between the sides saw only one goal but an opening-day fixture should provide a different result.

We’re predicting Arsenal to take this game 3-2 in a five-goal thriller, with Lacazette bagging a goal on his Premier League debut.

5. Newcastle to upset Tottenham

In the past two Premier League seasons, Tottenham have been the closest challenger to the eventual title winners and this year they’ll be wanting to go one better. Mauricio Pochettino’s side face a difficult trip to St James’ Park on the opening day of the season.

Newcastle made an immediate return to the Premier League as they won the Championship on the final day of the season last year. The Toon supporters only had to wait a year for their team’s return to the top flight but even that’s too long for such a big club. They’ll create a ridiculous atmosphere for their side, which could propel them to victory over Spurs.

Newcastle may be a newly-promoted side but the experience and squad strength they have should see them be competitive with most of the big teams in the league. The majority of their team have played Premier League soccer before and in Rafa Benitez they have a great manager who also has a wealth of experience at this level.

This leads us to believe Newcastle will pull off a minor shock on the opening day of the season by beating Spurs in an exciting match.

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