Premier League Predictions Week One

By Mikey Godsmark 

This season I will be taking on the Powell’s Perspective community at predicting the outcome of every Premier League fixture. Correctly predicting the result will give you 10 points whilst the correct score means 40 points.

This week I take on the Powell in Powell’s Perspective: Editor Nick Powell (@nip_16 )

Hull City v Leicester City

Last season will be hard to repeat

Champions Leicester start, what is going to be an extremely tough season, away to Hull who are in tern newly promoted. If Leicester win on Saturday they will be hyped up and expectations of a repeat of last season’s unforgettable exploits will be raised far too high. If they lose however, people will claim that the Leicester bubble has burst and whispers of a nightmare relegation may start. All that being said, despite the loss of Kante to Chelsea, Ranieri has looked to strengthen the squad with Ahmed Musa signing for a club record £16m. The biggest victory over pre-season for Leicester though was Vardy’s decision to stay with the Champions.

Hull’s ownership issues marred what should have been a joyous promotion campaign last season and their fans will be hoping that these problems can be forgotten as they look for survival. The loss of Steve Bruce in the pre-season will be keenly felt and illustrates the problems at the club. Despite promises from the owners that the squad will be invested in, little has materialised so far. This Hull side won't stay up without investment and their tough start to their campaign could leave them rock bottom very quickly. Leicester to win comfortably.

Prediction: Hull 0-3 Leicester
Nick’s Prediction: Hull 0-1 Leicester
Score: Hull 2-1 Leicester

Burnley v Swansea

Can Burnley survive?

Burnley are another newly promoted side to get their season underway at home after winning the Championship last season. Andre Gray’s 23 goals were key last year and with little invested in the transfer window this summer, he will be vital once more. Joey Barton will not feature for Burnley this season after absconding to Rangers on a free transfer, referees breathing a sigh of relief. Like Hull and the British economy, without more investment they won't survive for long.

After seasons of flying high, last year was as light scare for Swansea as poor form under Gary Monk meant that they were left to rely on club legend Alan Cutis to take the helm, in a way that Boris Johnson couldn't, and steer his team to safety. Italian Francesco Guidolin takes over this season and, despite the loss of Ayew’s 12 goals for £20m to West Ham, the striking department has been strengthened by acquisition Sevilla’s Fernando Llorente. Despite superior quality Swansea may take a couple of weeks to find their rhythm under a new manager, Burnley are a lesser side on paper but should be able to hold on for a point.

Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Swansea
Nick’s Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Swansea
Score: Burnley 0-1 Swansea

Crystal Palace v West Brom

Heartbreak for Palace

A frustrating 2015/16 campaign for Palace saw them in a comfortable top half position at Christmas before they plummeted down the table like the pound after Brexit, going nearly five months without a win, before losing in extra time in an FA Cup Final. This time around Palace will look to avoid last season’s injury troubles and avoid any hint of relegation. This notion has been backed by serious investment from Steve Parish with Andros Townsend, Steve Mandanda and James Tomkins signing for a combined £25m.

West Brom in contrast will probably be expecting a relegation battle this time around. Only Matt Phillips from QPR has so far joined and Tony Pulis is under pressure for his negative style of play before the season has even started. Johnny Evans will be key in avoiding relegation and if Saido Berahino can put transfer speculation behind him, then the Baggies should be fine. This weekend however they will still probably fall short against a strong looking Crystal Palace.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 West Brom
Nick’s Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 West Brom
Score: Crystal Palace 0-1 West Brom

Everton v Tottenham

Martinez Out

After last season’s disappointing bottom half finish it was no surprise when Roberto Martinez was relieved of his duties. Ronald Koeman will take over and will hope to lead his side to some form of European involvement this season. It turns out that money can buy you Stones, quite a lot of money in fact, and his loss will be keenly felt. Stekelenburg joins from Fulham to replace Tim Howard who leaves to the US. If Romelu Lukaku stops trying to leave, then Tofees fans can feel optimistic about the coming season.

Tottenham in contrast had one of their best seasons in recent memories but will struggle to repeat their accomplishments as other big teams invest heavily. Wanyama and Janssen have been bought for a combined £28m. Toby Alderweirald played all 38 games last season and will be absolutely vital if Tottenham are to even challenge for Europe let alone the title. That being said they remain a quality side and Janssen may help to lessen their reliance on Harry Kane’s goals. On Saturday they should be too good for Everton who will be finding their feet under a new manager.

Prediction: Everton 0-2 Tottenham
Nick’s Prediction: Everton 1-1 Tottenham
Score: Everton 1-1 Tottenham

Middlesbrough v Stoke City

Final day promotion capped a wonderful season for Middlesbrough as Aitor Karanka led his side back to the Premier League after seven seasons of the Championship. January transfer Jordan Rhodes could prove key in keeping Boro in the league whilst the £4m splashed on 22 year old Viktor Fischer from Ajax, who has been capped at senior level for Denmark, could be money very well spent. Midfield warrior Adam Clayton was sensational last season and very few Premier League players will fancy themselves to get the beating of him.

Will Stoke improve consistency?

An inconsistent last season for Stoke marred some excellent performances including coming back from 3-2 down to Everton to win 4-3 at Goodison Park. Mark Hughes has been able to to take Stoke away from their traditional long ball style employed by Tony Pulis. Shaqiri and Imbula will both get full pre-seasons and after Leicester’s heroics last year, the Potters will believe that anything is possible, although Europe may be a bit too far. This weekend their quality should shine through as Middlesborough’s long term absence from the Premier League shows in early season.

Prediction: Middlesborough 1-3 Stoke
Nick’s Prediction: Middlesborough 1-0 Stoke
Score: Middlesborough 1-1 Stoke

Southampton v Watford

Koeman Leaves

Southampton have been selling their best players at the end of every season but keep on producing top half finishes and they will hope to do the same this season after Mane left for Liverpool, Wanyama to Tottenham and Pelle went off on a treasure hunt to China. What is less sure is how Southampton will cope with the loss of Koeman who has become less popular than Pompey at St Mary’s after leaving to join Everton. Frenchman Claude Paul will replace him, managing for the first time in England.

Watford’s owner Giampaolo Pozzo has continued to change managers as regularly as the sun rises. The wonderfully named Isaac Success joins from Grenada and the 20 year old will hope to make headline writers very happy. Troy Deeney confirmed his status as a club legend whilst Odion Ighalo scored a very credible 17 goals last season. Repeated chopping and changing will cost Watford in the long term and probably on the opening day as well. Southampton win.

Prediction: Southampton 2-0 Watford
Nick’s Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Watford
Score: Southampton 1-1 Watford

Manchester City v Sunderland

Pep has landed! At last the world’s most prestigious coach arrives in England but on the blue side of Manchester not the red. His arrival has been backed up by yet more money, as dropping oil prices don't seem to be making Sheikh Mansour any less hungry for success. Nolito arrives from Celta Vigo, Stones signs from Everton and Gundogan joins from Borussia Dortmund as City look for another league title. They are in a Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday and half an eye will be on that.

Moyes Returns

After Sam Allardyce left the Black Cats for England, it has been left to David Moyes to secure Sunderland’s Premier League status and then look to build for the future. Little has so far occurred on the transfer front and Moyes will most likely try and create a side that is hard to break down. That being said Manchester City away is an extremely tough place to start so expect a losing start to David Moyes’ tenure. The floodgates are very loose at the Etihad.

Prediction: Man City 4-0 Sunderland
Nick’s Prediction: Man City 4-1 Sunderland
Score: Man City 2-1 Sunderland

Bournemouth v Manchester United

What will new names bring ?

Eddie Howe carried on his wonderful work at Bournemouth last season by securing a 16th place finish where they never really looked like going down. Goals were a slight concern but the arrival of Jordan Ibe from Liverpool and Lys Mousset from Le Harve looks to remedy this. Bournemouth will expect to survive with the newly promoted teams looking weak.

With the appointment of Jose Mourinho and huge investment, Man United will look to put the Van Gaal era far behind the as they look to remedy last season's 5th place. Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan make this squad look like one with tittle winning potential. However Pogba will be suspended for the opening day. They should still have far to much quality for the Cherries on Sunday.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Man United
Nick’s Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Man United
Score: Bournemouth 1-3 Man United

Arsenal v Liverpool

Champions League for Klopp?

After years of champions league qualification but no title challenge Arsenal ,with their traditional rivals having poor seasons, had a real chance of their first title for 12 years. At least they finished ahead of Tottenham after falling short to the ‘magnificent Leicester City’ as Sky keep reminding us. With the failure to sign Jamie Vardy and the amount that other teams have invested, this year may be much more of a struggle.

In contrast Liverpool will be full of optimism in Klopp’s first full season with Mane, Matip and Karius all arriving in pre-season. With no European distractions this year Liverpool will need a much greater showing in the league than last season’s 8th place. On Sunday these two sides should cancel each other out.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
My Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Score: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

Chelsea v West Ham

What will Conte bring?

Chelsea's first game at home will be a fascinating affair. We will find out what formation that Conte will employ, how his side will play and who will start. The arrival of Belgium starlet Michy Batshuayi will excite Chelsea fans, the hope is that he'll get a chance in the first team. Champions League is the minimum expectation for this season and hopes of the title will still be harboured.

West Ham will get to use their present from the taxpayer for the first time in the Premier League next weekend. That will certainly be an interesting occasion but there is also a lot to look forward to for the Hammers on Monday as they look to repeat last season's exploits. Feghouli, Nordtveit and Tore may all make debuts. Chelsea's quality should be too much for West Ham, especially at Stamford Bridge.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham
Nick’s Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham
Score: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

Comment down below if you disagree. Tweet@thesportsblog16  if you want to take part next week.

Week Score: Mikey 30-60 Nick
Overall Score: Mikey 30-60 Powell's Perspective