Premier League Predictor: Round 1 Picks

Premier League football finally returns this evening! It feels good to have a full 38 rounds of action to look forward to between now and May and I hope you'll agree that Superbru will add to the fun - it's easy to stay optimistic for at least the first few rounds!

We've had a very busy summer of transfers with an almost unprecedented number of top quality players switching clubs. The likes of Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, Eden Hazard, Matthijs de Ligt and Romelu Lukaku have all found new clubs in Europe and the Premier League has also had it's usual fair share of big name arrivals - I'm especially keen to see how Rodri, Sebastien Haller, Moise Kean, Tanguy Ndombele, Nicolas Pepe and Joao Cancelo fare in England.

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Since other members of the Superbru team and I have already laid out some season predictions in an article earlier this week, let's get straight on with my Round One predictions. Just as last season, it would be great to have plenty of you letting me know what you think in the comments, as well as sharing your own thoughts on the fixtures.

*Takes a deep breath* Here are my Round One Premier League predictions:

Liverpool vs. Norwich

This looks like a relatively straightforward one to kick us off. Liverpool were of course excellent last season and despite some poor results in pre-season, looked back on their game in last Sunday's Community Shield against Manchester City. It will be fascinating to see how Norwich get on under Daniel Farke in the Premier League and from what he's said in his press conference they're going to have a go in this game but I can only see Liverpool winning. Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Norwich

West Ham vs. Manchester City

Manchester City are similarly strong favourites in this fixture though I do think it will be a more difficult game than Liverpool's. West Ham have home advantage which should count for more than usual because of the typical opening day optimism, but Hammers fans do actually have reason to be quite optimistic with Pellegrini at the helm and some quality new signings. I very much doubt things will click into place for West Ham in time for them to defeat the champions in this match but they should start better than last season! City have bought very well once again to bring in Rodri and Cancelo - expect them to pick up three points. Prediction: West Ham 0-2 Manchester City

Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United

Bournemouth tend to start the season well and this is a kind opening fixture for them. We know the Cherries are good going forward, and they've brought in a few more offensive players for this season, so the question is whether or not they can keep a clean sheet against the Blades. Sheffield United look to have a few good strikers in their ranks and I have a feeling that they can give Bournemouth a scare in a high-scoring game. Prediction: Bournemouth 3-2 Sheffield United

Burnley vs. Southampton

It always feels brave to pick a draw on Superbru but this game really does look like one, doesn't it? Burnley will be fairly solid from the start this season without Europe distracting/fatiguing them and I expect Southampton to have a good first full campaign under Hasenhuttl. If I had to pick a winner I'd go with Burnley because the Saints didn't travel too well last season but I feel they're going to be strong enough to come away from Turf Moor with something. Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Southampton

Crystal Palace vs. Everton

Everton have had an exciting transfer window and look set to be strong this season but one position they did miss out on is at centre-back and I feel they may well still leak goals under Silva as a result. Keane and Mina look like their only strong central defenders so much will depend on them. As for Palace, they've done well to keep Zaha after interest from many clubs (including Everton) and I expect he'll play in this game as there's little to gain from not playing him now that you've kept him. He's a threat and Luka Milivojevic will probably score even more penalties this season now that we have VAR but I think the visitors will edge this. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Watford vs. Brighton

Graham Potter's appointment at Brighton looks like one of those that will either go incredibly well and they'll finish around 10th, or absolutely terribly and they'll go down. I'm interested to see how they lineup and perform in this game but they're up against a very steady side in Watford who are tough to beat at Vicarage Road. The safe pick is a home win. Prediction: Watford 2-1 Brighton

Tottenham vs. Aston Villa

Tottenham fans will no doubt be delighted that they've actually signed some players this year! Good players, too. It looks as though Spurs are in for another strong season this year with most tipping them to finish third and potentially even bridge the gap between themselves and Liverpool. Aston Villa will stay up fairly comfortably in my opinion but I can't see them getting anything here. They have a lot of new players so you'd expect them to look a little undercooked in the opening weeks before finding some form. Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Aston Villa

Leicester vs. Wolves

I'm leaning towards Leicester here, not just because they're a good side but because Wolves played a match in Armenia last night! However, Wolves won said game 4-0 which makes me a little nervous. That was the first leg of a Europa League tie meaning they can now rest plenty of players next Thursday for the second leg and will likely play their first team for this one who shouldn't be too fatigued. I still think Leicester will have enough but this should be a pretty competitive game. Prediction: Leicester 1-0 Wolves

Newcastle vs. Arsenal

There are lots of exciting new players on either team for this game but it's obviously Arsenal who have the superior quality. I worry for Newcastle this season and think there's a good chance they'll be in a relegation battle despite their signings, but Arsenal's away form from last season makes me think this will at least be close. Pepe, Ceballos and Tierney all look like great signings but it remains to be seen if David Luiz can solve their significant issues at centre back (who saw that transfer coming by the way!?). I'm backing Arsenal for a win but think Newcastle can score. Prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal

Manchester United vs. Chelsea

A big one to end on! The majority of Man United fans are understandably disappointed with their transfer window as despite clearly strengthening their defence with Maguire and Wan-Bissaka, there have been no midfield reinforcements despite the departure of Ander Herrera (they probably needed midfielders anyway) and Romelu Lukaku has also left without a replacement. Most of that negativity is with the season as a whole in mind though, as squad depth is the real issue rather than the starting XI, in my opinion.

There will naturally be a lot of eyes on Chelsea this season as club legend Frank Lampard returns but you'd have to expect the Blues to be a 'work in progress' and gradually improve throughout the season given the new manager and his reliance on youth because of their transfer ban. I think if you offered Chelsea a draw in this game now they'd 100% take it, and whilst I make Manchester United favourites, I think Lampard may get what he's after as they have enough talent to score against this newly formed Utd defence. Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

Best of luck to you all in Round One!