Premier League Predictions for the Opening Weekend of the Season

The wait is almost over, arguably the most exciting league in the world is about to start on Friday when Brentford face Arsenal in the opening fixture of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign and we have betting tips and a score prediction for every match..

The excitement around the Premier League grows each year, as we see the quality of the teams increase, so it is no surprise why the best players in the world are eager to get a taste of it during their careers.

Apart from the obvious excitement about the start of the campaign, another thing that we are eager to see are the fans being back in stadiums. The majority of last season’s games were played behind closed doors, so the return of the fans seems like the highlight this time around.

 

Manchester United vs Leeds (12.30pm Saturday)

The old rivalry, and a match that never disappoints, Man Utd and Leeds lock horns in the early Saturday afternoon. The tradition is on the side of the Red Devils, as Leeds haven’t won at Old Trafford in the last 15 games they played there, and they lost 6-2 last season.

Leeds was the team that caught the eye of the neutrals last season, so we expect them to continue playing attacking football this term, and they will be looking to break the tradition with a positive result at Old Trafford on Saturday. However, it is easier said than done, and Man Utd are the clear favourites in this one. We back them to kick off their campaign with a win on the opening day.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Leeds (12/1)

Betting Tip: Man United to win and BTTS (2/1)

JOIN WILLIAM HILL & GET £50 IN FREE BETS

 

Burnley vs Brighton (3pm Saturday)

This is a match of two teams that do not score a lot of goals, and always produces a tense, nervy encounter. Burnley lost the last 3 games of the last campaign without scoring a goal, so Sean Dyche’s men will be desperate to kick off the campaign on a positive note.

Brighton is a team that confuses fans sometimes, as they seem to be playing good, exciting football, but they struggle to score goals. They ended the last campaign with mixed results, so they will be careful not to lose the opening match of the season, as the pressure then will immediately mount on them. We expect a cagey encounter, which will eventually end up with a draw.

Score Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Brighton (11/2)

Betting Tip: Draw (21/10)

 

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (3pm Saturday)

The European Champions begin the new campaign against a much-changed Crystal Palace side. Both teams seem to be going in separate directions, as Chelsea going from strength to strength under Thomas Tuchel, and Crystal Palace making tons of changes in the summer, and with an ageing squad.

Chelsea has won the last 7 games against Crystal Palace, and they will be looking to extend that record on Saturday. New Palace manager Patrick Vieira does not have experience in coaching at this level, so he might be in for some reality check on the opening day. Chelsea will begin their campaign with a comfortable win.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace (7/1)

Betting Tip: Chelsea to win to nil (5/6)

 

Everton vs Southampton (3pm Saturday)

This is a match that has been pretty even in the last few seasons, as both teams have had 4 wins apiece and two draws in the last 10 games against each other. The new Everton manager Rafael Benitez has a job on his hands to convince the Everton fans that he is the man to take them to the next level, as some section of the supporters were unhappy with his appointment due to the past comments about Everton during his Liverpool tenure.

Southampton has lost their leading goalscorer Danny Ings, so they are in desperate need to reinforce their squad and replace the goals he scored. Everton has a good squad, and they should be able to overcome Southampton without too much difficulty.

Score Prediction: Everton 2-0 Southampton (9/1)

Betting Tip: Under 2.5 goals (10/11)

 

Leicester vs Wolves (3pm Saturday)

Leicester narrowly missed out on a top-four finish for the second season in a row, but they managed to win the FA Cup and the Community Shield since. The trophies will add motivation to the Leicester team, and they will be confident they can do one better than the previous couple of seasons.

Wolves, on the other hand, seem to be going backwards, as last season was way below their standards. Nuno Espirito Santo has left them this summer to join Spurs, so the new manager Bruno Lage will need time to adjust to the Premier League demands. Brendan Rodger’s side will have too much for them, so they will start their season with a comfortable win.

Score Prediction: Leicester 3-1 Wolves (14/1)

Betting Tip: Leicester to win (13/20)

 

Watford vs Aston Villa (3pm Saturday)

Watford has an impressive statistic when it comes to the opening day of their Premier League campaign, as they only lost once in their last 14 matches. They also have a good record against Aston Villa, having won 6 of their last 10 games, losing one and drawing 3 on the way.

Aston Villa has lost their captain Jack Grealish to Manchester City, but they have had a very impressive transfer period, adding quality players to their squad such as Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey. Watford is known for their exciting football, just like Aston Villa, and as both teams went through some changes in the summer, this game may well end up a high-scoring stalemate.

Score Prediction: Watford 2-2 Aston Villa (14/1)

Betting Tip: Over 2.5 goals (Evens)

 

Norwich vs Liverpool (5.30pm Saturday)

Liverpool is unbeaten in their last 14 games against Norwich in the Premier League, winning 12 and drawing 2, with an impressive 44 goals scored in the games between these two during those matches. Norwich is back in the Premier League after one season in the Championship, and they will be desperate to do better than last time around.

Liverpool struggled with injuries last season, but they still managed to finish 3^rd, which speaks volumes about the quality that Jurgen Klopp’s side possess. They will be looking to start their title charge with a win on the opening day, so we expect them to have too much quality for Norwich and secure a comfortable win.

Score Prediction: Norwich 0-3 Liverpool (9/1)

Betting Tip: Mo Salah to score first (11/5)

 

Newcastle vs West Ham (2pm Sunday)

Both teams are going in this game on the back of contrasting seasons. Newcastle finished on the bottom side of the Premier League table, and West Ham secured themselves European football with an impressive 6^th place finish.

Newcastle has done little to suggest that this season will be any different to the previous one, so the fans might be in for another long campaign. West Ham will be looking at another similar season to the last one, and they will feel confident they can achieve that. We predict a narrow West Ham win, which will add even more pressure on the Newcastle ownership.

Score Prediction: Newcastle 0-1 West Ham (8/1)

Betting Tip: Under 1.5 goals (5/2)

 

Tottenham vs Manchester City 

Tottenham and Manchester City start their campaign with different aspirations. Spurs will be hoping that they can break into the top-four after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish 7^th. Harry Kane is likely to dominate the topics in the build-up to this game, whether he remains at Spurs or joins Pep Guardiola’s side.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking to ease the nerves of the supporters with a good result on their opening day, but they will face a strong Manchester City side, who will be desperate to bounce back from the defeat against Leicester in the Community Shield. With or without Harry Kane, we back Manchester City to start their title defence with a strong performance and a win.

Score Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Manchester City (14/1)

Betting Tip: Man City to win and BTTS (12/5)

 

Here’s how to get your Free Bet(s):

1.  Go to the 2021/22 English Premier League Outright market;

2. Add selection to your bet slip;

3. Place a bet of at least £10 win or £5 each way (or currency equivalent);

4. Every time Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Mo Salah (Liverpool), Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) or Raheem Sterling (Man City) scores a goal in the Premier League in August, we’ll credit your account with a £2 free bet by midday the following day.

 

Need a William Hill account?

Relevant news