Premier League 2017/2018 - Opening Day Preview

Opening Day Preview – As the Premier League 2017/2018 season begins in under 3 weeks, we look ahead to the opening day fixtures and the markets available.

With the Premier League becoming more and more competitive each season, the usual suspects of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have expanded out to include Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur vying for a place in the top 4 and a Champions League place.

These 6 teams are the focus of the preview and we look at the form over the past 5 years on the opening day to provide an outlook for the first day of the season.

Arsenal vs Leicester City

Arsenal won 1-0 last season at the Emirates in April Photo Credit: skysports.com

Arsenal – Last 5 opening day results: 1 draw, 1 win, 3 losses

Last 2 opening day results – Home losses (west ham 2-0, Liverpool 4-3)

Leicester City– Last 3 PL opening day results: 1 draw, 1 win, 1 loss

Last 2 opening day results – Home Win, Away loss

Prediction – Both Teams to score – Arsenal should win but have lost their opening 3 games in the last 3 years. Safe bet would be BTTS.

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Watford vs Liverpool

Emre Can scored a stunner as Liverpool won 1-0 at Vicarage Road last May Photo Credit: skysports.com

Watford – Last 2 PL opening day results: 2 draws both away – Score draws

Liverpool – Last 5 opening day results: 4 wins, 1 loss

Last 2 opening day results – 2 Away Wins – (Stoke 1-0, Arsenal 4-3)

Prediction – A Liverpool win looks the likeliest with a possibility of BTTS.

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester City

Brighton and Hove Albion – Last 5 EFL opening day results: 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses

Last 2 opening day results – 1 win, 1 draw (Notts Forest 1-0, Derby 0-0)

Manchester City – Last 5 opening day results: 5 wins

Last 2 opening day results – 1 away win, 1 home win (WBA 3-0, Sunderland 2-1)

Prediction – Brighton may struggle this season, having come up from the Championship when finishing 2^nd to Newcastle. A very tough opening fixture for Chris Hughton.

Manchester City win, Over 2.5 goals.

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Manchester United vs West Ham United

Man Utd drew last season against West Ham 1-1 at home in November Photo Credit: skysports.com

Manchester United – last 5 opening day results: 3 wins, 2 losses

Last 2 opening day results – 1 home win, 1 away win (Tottenham 1-0, Bournemouth 3-1)

West Ham – last 5 opening day results: 3 wins, 2 losses

Last 2 opening day results – 1 win, 1 loss (Arsenal 2-0, Chelsea 2-1)

Prediction – Tight game, West Ham bolstered squad with 2 significant signings; Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic.

New Manchester United signing, Romelu Lukaku, has a great record against West Ham, scoring in 9 consecutive matches but only the single goal.

Prediction – Manchester United to win at home and a potential BTTS.

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Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United – Last 5 opening day results: 1 win, 3 losses, 1 draw

Last 2 opening day results – 1 draw, 1 loss (Southampton 2-2, Fulham EFL 1-0)

Tottenham Hotspur – Last 5 opening day results: 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw

Last 2 opening day results – 1 loss, 1 draw (Man Utd 1-0, Everton 1-1)

Tottenham have played their last 5 opening fixtures away from home and do so once again for the start of the 2017/2018 campaign. Newcastle defeated Spurs on the opening day of the 2012/2013 season at home.

Prediction – Spurs should win this with the class they have in their side. Mauricio Pochettino has revived Spurs, seen in the last 2 years with strong finishes in the league providing Champions League football. Newcastle have the experience of manager Rafa Benitez in the Premier League, along with some of the players, but Spurs should be too good for the Tyneside club.

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Chelsea vs Burnley

Chelsea won 3-0 against Burnley last season at home in August Photo Credit: skysports.com

Chelsea – Last 5 opening day results: 4 wins, 1 draw

Last 2 opening day results – 1 draw, 1 win (Swansea 2-2, West Ham 2-1)

Burnley – Last 5 opening day results: 1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses

Last 2 opening day results – 1 draw, 1 loss (EFL Leeds 1-1, Swansea 1-0)

Chelsea have been impressive on the first day of the season and look to continue their form when Burnley come to Stamford Bridge.

With an outstanding 1^st season for Antonio Conte, winning the league and a finalist in the FA Cup, the Italian only looks to be progressing more with his side and Burnley will be lucky to score past the home side in a tough first day encounter.

Prediction – Chelsea win, over 2.5 goals.

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