By Robert Wheeler
- Last season’s runners up Liverpool get their season underway against Fulham
- Defending champions Manchester City face West Ham on Sunday
- Nottingham Forest play their first Premier League game since 1999
UK – After a summer that has seen some star signings such as Erling Haaland to Manchester City and Darwin Nunez to Liverpool, English football’s top flight is back.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal, Friday 5 August, kick-off 20:00
The opening game of the 2022/23 season sees Patrick Viera face his former club as Palace take on the Gunners. Viera’s side finished a respectable 12th last season and will be looking to build on this as the club enter its second year under his tutelage.
Arsenal was disappointed to be pipped by rivals Tottenham Hotspur for 4th place last season with Mikel Arteta‘s side eventually finishing 5th. However, his side has been strengthened by the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both from Manchester City. Arteta was assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at City and has used his contacts well in getting these moves over the line.
Last season saw Crystal Palace defeat Arsenal 3-0 and a 2-2 which a goal 95th-minute Alexandre Lacazette goal rescued it for the Gunners. Lacazette has now returned to Lyon while the Eagles have lost a star player of their own in Conor Gallagher who after his loan last season has gone back to his parent club Chelsea.
Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Fulham vs Liverpool, Saturday 6 August, kick-off 12:30
Liverpool finished 2nd by just one point to Manchester City last season and Jurgen Klopp will be desperate for his side to get their hands back on the trophy. They have lost Sadio Mane who has joined Bayern Munich but with Mohammed Salah signing a new contract and the addition of Nunez who already got his first goal in the Community Shield last weekend the Liverpool side has been boosted.
The Cottagers won the Championship last season with Aleksander Mitrovic scoring 43 goals. However, the last time they were in the Premier League he found the net just three times. He has proved he is too good for the second tier but now needs to prove he is good enough for the top flight.
The last time Fulham were in the Premier League they did not get on too badly against the Reds drawing 1-1 at Craven Cottage and winning at Anfield 1-0.
Score prediction: Fulham 0-3 Liverpool
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest, Saturday 6 August kick-off 15:00
Nottingham Forest is back in the Premier League for the first time since the 1998/99 season. They have strengthened well with the signings of Jesse Lingard and Neco Williams.
Newcastle on the other hand despite being owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has not had the big-name signings that their fans expected. Eddie Howe did very well to steer the club to an 11th place finish last season but without any major signings, he may struggle to build on last season.
The two sides last met in a league game during the Championship season of 2016/17. Both sides won their home games with Newcastle winning 3-1 at St James’ Park while Forest won 2-1 at the City ground.
Score prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Nottingham Forest
West Ham vs Manchester City, Sunday 7 August kick-off 16:30
Last season’s winners Manchester City take on West Ham in their first game of the season. City has strengthened well with the star signing of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian had a difficult game against Liverpool in the Community Shield missing two great opportunities to score so will be determined to get back to scoring ways.
West Ham’s defenders will need to be on form when they come up against Haaland and have suffered a blow as their new defender Nayef Aguerd suffered an injury to Rangers in pre-season and so will miss the start of the season. But they have signed a much-needed forward in Gianluca Scamacca.
West Ham disappointingly just missed out on a Europa League place last season finishing 7th qualified them for the Europa Conference League. Last season they managed a 2-2 draw with City at the London Stadium but suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad. With new strikers for both sides expect to see goals in this fixture.
Score prediction West Ham 2-3 Manchester City
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