Premier League predictions: Liverpool trounce Fulham, Spurs off to a flyer

Arsenal kick off new season with a trip to Crystal Palace on Friday

FRIDAY: Crystal Palace v Arsenal, 11pm: Arsenal have signaled their intent to challenge for a top-four berth this season with some signature signings, not least Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus and Portugal midfielder Fabio Vieira. Selhurst Park is never an easy place to visit and the Gunners will have to show plenty of grit to come away with a positive result. Prediction: Palace 1, Arsenal 1. Getty Images

SATURDAY: Fulham v Liverpool, 3.30pm. Darwin Nunez has already endeared himself to Liverpool fans with a fine cameo off the bench in the 3-1 Community Shield victory over Manchester City. The Uruguayan will be hoping for a starting role against Fulham, who have traditionally found the going tough against the Premier League's biggest guns. Prediction: Fulham 0, Liverpool 4. AP Photo

Bournemouth v Aston Villa, 6pm: Bournemouth bounced straight back after their relegation from the Premier League in 2021. Scott Parker has added no new signings to his squad that finished runners-up in last season's Championship while Aston Villa counterpart Steven Gerrard can count on the services of Brazilian pair Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho. Prediction: Bournemouth 1, Villa 1. Getty Images

Leeds United v Wolves, 6pm: Leeds stayed up by the skin of their teeth on the final day of last season, but with star forward Raphinha having departed for Barcelona, it remains to be seen how Jesse Marsch compensates for the brilliant Brazilian. Wolves' form tailed off towards the back end of 2021/22 as they failed to win any of their final five games to finish 10th. Prediction: Leeds 0, Wolves 2. PA

Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest, 6pm: Two clubs who have been plenty busy in the transfer market over the summer. Dutch defender Sven Botman will form part of a defence that on paper looks as good as many in the top tier. Nottingham Forest stormed to promotion via the play-offs after being rooted to the foot of the table when manager Steve Cooper was appointed in September 2021. Prediction: Newcastle 2, Forest 0. Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton, 6pm: Tottenham look best placed to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table, especially with Richarlison added to a star-studded front line already boasting Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Ralph Hasenhuttl has been four years at the Southampton helm but there has been little sign of progress. Could this be the year the Saints step up? Prediction: Tottenham 3, Southampton 0. Getty Images

Everton v Chelsea, 8.30pm: After a period of uncertainty following a protracted takeover, Chelsea moved fast to replace the departing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen with Kalidou Koulibaly while four-time Premier League winner Raheem Sterling should provide the goals Romelu Lukaku couldn't. Everton can not endure another season like last where they only ensured survival with a game to spare. Everton 0, Chelsea 2. AP Photo

SUNDAY: Leicester City v Brentford, 5pm: Brentford showed they were more than a match for most teams in the league in an excellent debut campaign while Leicester's largely fizzled out before it even ignited. With Newcastle testing Leicester's resolve to keep James Maddison, the Foxes could be in for another season of struggle. Leicester 1, Brentford 1. Getty Images

Manchester United v Brighton, 5pm: Fitting that Cristiano Ronaldo - who reportedly has told Manchester United he wants to quit the club - should mark his return to action against the team he last faced in the Premier League in May. That day was one to forget for all concerned at the club as Brighton ran out 4-0 winners. But United have a new man in charge in Erik ten Hag. Fans will hope for a rapid uptick in form and performances under the Dutchman. Prediction: United 2, Brighton 2. AFP

West Ham United v Manchester City. 7.30pm: City will be reeling more from their abject performance against Liverpool last weekend perhaps more than they will the result, a 3-1 defeat. With Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Oleksandr Zinchenko gone, it will be interesting to see how City look to supply their superstar signing Erling Haaland. Prediction: West Ham 1, City 2. Getty Images

The 2022/23 Premier League season kicks off on Friday with a London derby with Arsenal away to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal have been on a heavy recruitment drive this summer, with Gabriel Jesus the signature signing from Manchester City.

With Alexandre Lacazette gone, manager Mikel Arteta will look to the Brazil striker to fire the goals to take the Gunners back into the top four and Champions League football for the first time since 2017.

Patrick Vieira enjoyed a successful first season in charge of Palace, guiding the Eagles to a 12th-place finish. The Frenchman will hope to build on that this campaign, starting with a win against the club he graced as a player and captain.

Saturday features a stacked card of six games. Last season's runners-up Liverpool get their campaign up and running against Championship winners Fulham in the early kick off (3.30pm UAE).

The Reds already have their hands on a trophy after winning last week's Community Shield match against Manchester City where star signing Darwin Nunez announced his arrival in England by making a goal and scoring in the 3-1 win at Wembley.

The Uruguayan is set to spearhead a fearsome front three that includes Luis Diaz and last season's joint Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah.

Four matches kick off at 6pm with the other promoted clubs - Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest - at home to Aston Villa and away to Newcastle United respectively. Leeds United welcome Wolves to Elland Road before Chelsea travel to Everton in the 8.30pm match.

Champions Manchester City are in action on Sunday with West Ham United their first opponents in the 7.30pm kick off.

City fans will hope to see more energy from new singing Erling Haaland, who looked lacklustre in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool in which he completed only seven passes and smashed a gilt-edged chance against the crossbar.

The day's proceedings sees Leicester City lock horns with Brentford (5pm) and Manchester United - in which Erik ten Hag takes charge of a Premier League match for the first time - against Brighton & Hove Albion.

To read Steve Luckings' predictions of all the matches on opening weekend, click on the picture gallery above.

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