Liverpool vs Bournemouth (Fri 15 Aug, 20:00)
Liverpool usually set the tone at Anfield with fast starts, aggressive pressing and a high volume of shots, which often pins visiting teams back and creates repeat chances from wide areas and set pieces. Bournemouth are better at playing through pressure under Andoni Iraola and can break into space when the first line is beaten, but their box protection can be stretched by Liverpool’s deliveries and rotations. The most likely pattern is Liverpool control with Bournemouth looking for quick breaks and a big moment from a transition or a dead ball.
Prediction: Home 69% Fair Odds: 1.45 | Draw 19% Fair Odds: 5.26 | Away 12% Fair Odds: 8.33
Aston Villa vs Newcastle (Sat 16 Aug, 12:30)
Villa Park gives Aston Villa a real lift, with Unai Emery’s side strong at forcing mistakes and then switching into direct runs through the inside channels. Newcastle bring aerial strength, set piece quality and quick wide attacks, which can expose space beside Villa’s full backs when the match stretches. Control of second balls in midfield is a key swing factor; Villa’s structure at home tips it, but Newcastle’s dead ball threat makes this close across ninety minutes.
Prediction: Home 41% Fair Odds: 2.44 | Draw 27% Fair Odds: 3.70 | Away 32% Fair Odds: 3.13
Brighton vs Fulham (Sat 16 Aug, 15:00)
Brighton tend to dominate possession at the Amex, using patient circulation to draw opponents out and create cutbacks, but that approach can leave space if full backs are caught high. Fulham are well organised in a mid block and will look to spring diagonals into runners to attack space behind the line. It is a shot quality contest where Brighton’s sustained pressure usually produces the better looks, while Fulham’s route relies on fast breaks and set pieces.
Prediction: Home 44% Fair Odds: 2.27 | Draw 28% Fair Odds: 3.57 | Away 28% Fair Odds: 3.57
Sunderland vs West Ham (Sat 16 Aug, 15:00)
The Stadium of Light will be loud for Sunderland’s return, and that energy can fuel fast pressing and aggressive running in the first half hour. West Ham have reliable away tools on opening weekends: direct outlets into the channels, strong crossing, and a serious set piece profile. Sunderland’s best path is early territory and pressure to unsettle the visitors, but West Ham’s experience and rest defence give them the edge as the match settles.
Prediction: Home 27% Fair Odds: 3.70 | Draw 29% Fair Odds: 3.45 | Away 44% Fair Odds: 2.27
Tottenham vs Burnley (Sat 16 Aug, 15:00)
Tottenham should control territory and create steady pressure in the final third, with repeated entries and cutbacks that force Burnley to defend their box for long spells. Burnley will try to keep the game compact and then break into space when Spurs push full backs on, which gives them a puncher’s chance if they take the first big transition. Over time, Spurs’ chance volume and home advantage point to a clear lean.
Prediction: Home 61% Fair Odds: 1.64 | Draw 22% Fair Odds: 4.55 | Away 17% Fair Odds: 5.88
Wolves vs Man City (Sat 16 Aug, 17:30)
City’s control in possession usually squeezes Wolves back and limits transitions, keeping the hosts’ shot count low even at Molineux. Wolves need quick regains and direct counters into the channels to disturb City’s rhythm, along with set pieces to change momentum. Across the full match, City’s territorial dominance and pressing security typically tilt the expected goals balance firmly their way.
Prediction: Home 13% Fair Odds: 7.69 | Draw 20% Fair Odds: 5.00 | Away 67% Fair Odds: 1.49
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (Sun 17 Aug, 14:00)
Chelsea will try to push Palace back at Stamford Bridge with aggressive pressing and sustained possession to force errors in the first and second phases. Palace are well organised and carry a real threat when they win the ball, as they attack space quickly under Oliver Glasner and can hurt teams if the match becomes stretched. Expect Chelsea pressure with Palace counters live throughout, but the home edge still nudges it to the hosts.
Prediction: Home 47% Fair Odds: 2.13 | Draw 27% Fair Odds: 3.70 | Away 26% Fair Odds: 3.85
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (Sun 17 Aug, 14:00)
Forest get a genuine lift at the City Ground and often turn that into fast pressure and crosses early on, but they must manage Brentford’s wide overloads and well drilled set piece routines. Brentford are systematic and patient, using smart pressing traps and a steady supply of entries from the wings to create repeat box touches. This looks like a fine margins match where a single dead ball or a clean transition could decide it, with a small structural edge to Brentford.
Prediction: Home 31% Fair Odds: 3.23 | Draw 30% Fair Odds: 3.33 | Away 39% Fair Odds: 2.56
Man United vs Arsenal (Sun 17 Aug, 16:30)
Old Trafford often raises United’s intensity and their transition threat, especially in big matches when they can attack space as the opponent commits men forward. Arsenal bring stronger control in midfield and a high baseline in both chance creation and prevention, which usually shows over longer game states. If United strike first the dynamic flips in their favour, but across most scenarios Arsenal’s structure and field tilt justify a slight away lean.
Prediction: Home 33% Fair Odds: 3.03 | Draw 27% Fair Odds: 3.70 | Away 40% Fair Odds: 2.50
Leeds vs Everton (Mon 18 Aug, 20:00)
Elland Road intensity will be a factor as Leeds try to drive the game wide and force repeated entries with overlaps and crosses. Everton are comfortable without the ball and defend their box well, while carrying a clear set piece threat that can swing a tight match. This points to a close contest with long spells of Leeds pressure, high draw risk, and real leverage on dead balls for the visitors.
Prediction: Home 35% Fair Odds: 2.86 | Draw 30% Fair Odds: 3.33 | Away 35% Fair Odds: 2.86
Leave a Reply