Man Utd vs. Leeds (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Manchester United will begin their 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a home fixture against Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils finished second behind Manchester City in last season's table, while Leeds impressed on their return to the top flight, picking up 59 points from 38 matches to claim ninth.
We say: Manchester United 2-1 Leeds United
This is a very, very tough match for Man United, who will be missing a number of important players. Last season, the Red Devils won this fixture 6-2, as Leeds left too many gaps in defensive areas. On this occasion, we are not expecting a high-scoring contest but are just backing Man United to get the job done, with Sancho potentially coming off the bench to make the difference for the 20-time English champions.
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> How Manchester United could line up against Leeds
> How Leeds could line up against Manchester United
> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Leeds
Burnley vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Burnley welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon for their opening Premier League game of the 2021-22 campaign.
As the lowest survivors from last season, both teams will be keen to improve on their final positions, after the Clarets ended in 17th place while the Seagulls finished one spot above them in 16th.
We say: Burnley 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
In recent years, this fixture has often been a cagey encounter with few goals scored; in fact, more than two goals have hit the net in just four of the last 14 meetings.
Another closely-fought contest, between two sides who are set to battle it out for Premier League survival, is expected on Saturday and with little to separate them, a score draw could be on the cards at Turf Moor.
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Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Fresh from winning the UEFA Super Cup, Chelsea will begin their 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues finished fourth in last season's Premier League table, while Palace - now under the management of former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira - claimed 14th for the second successive campaign.
We say: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace
Chelsea cannot afford to drop points on the opening weekend when taking into account their difficult start to the season, and we are expecting the Blues to triumph on Saturday. Palace have shown plenty of positive signs during pre-season but should come up just short against the European Cup winners.
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> How Chelsea could line up against Crystal Palace
Everton vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Everton begin a new Premier League era under Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park on Saturday, as Southampton pay a visit to Merseyside in the opening weekend.
The Toffees will seek to sustain a European charge this term, while Southampton will aim to condemn the second half of their 2020-21 season to history.
We say: Everton 1-1 Southampton
Benitez's arrival may never be warmly received by the entirety of the Everton faithful, but an opening-day victory would be the perfect way to endear himself to the supporters.
Southampton's record at Goodison Park should lead to optimism within the hosts' ranks, but the visiting forwards will be out to prove their worth to Hasenhuttl with greater competition for places, and we can envisage an opening-day stalemate on Merseyside.
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Leicester vs. Wolves (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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With a piece of silverware already under their belts, Leicester City kick off their 2021-22 Premier League season on Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the King Power Stadium.
While Brendan Rodgers is gearing up for his third full season in charge of the Foxes, a new name will aim to restore Wolves back to their short-lived European days.
We say: Leicester City 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
With Vardy, Iheanacho and Daka all jostling for places in Rodgers's lineup, expect the Foxes - who have so far resisted offers for creative hub James Maddison - to come out all guns blazing on the opening day.
The hosts will feel confident of beating anyone after getting one over Man City, and while Wolves boast quite the attacking contingent of their own, Lage is still finding his feet in the role, and Leicester should see out a comfortable success.
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Watford vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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A challenging assignment awaits Watford during their first game back in the Premier League, with Dean Smith's new-look Aston Villa side paying a visit to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets' haul of 91 points saw them achieve automatic promotion back to the big time, whereas Villa ultimately fell short in their pursuit of European football.
We say: Watford 2-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa's plethora of absentees makes it difficult to back a win for the visitors - in spite of their impressive haul of new players - and it remains to be seen how their big-money signings will gel on the field.
Watford's remarkable home record propelled them to a second-placed finish last term, and with Xisco also welcoming some new attackers to his ranks, we can envisage an entertaining opening-day draw at Vicarage Road.
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Norwich vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Once again, Liverpool will meet the winners of the previous Championship campaign on the opening day of the Premier League season, with Norwich City welcoming Jurgen Klopp's men to Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
The Canaries amassed 97 points en route to the second-tier title last term, while Liverpool managed to end a topsy-turvy Premier League campaign in third position.
We say: Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool
Fans have been treated to some spectacular opening-day scorelines involving Liverpool, whose defence has not exactly proved impenetrable at the start of the season in recent years.
Norwich and Farke are under pressure to avoid another immediate demotion to the Championship, but their first game back at the top level is likely to be a forgettable affair.
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> How Liverpool could line up against Norwich City
> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Norwich
Barney Corkhill
