Chelsea give Sarri winning start, Salah shines for Liverpool and Everton stun Wolves: Premier League predictions

A look ahead to the opening weekend of action in England's top tier of football after the summer break

Eden Hazard will look to inspire Chelsea to a winning start. Getty Images

The Premier League is back on Friday, just 90 days after the last campaign wrapped up.

The transfer window is shut and business is about to pick up. Here is a look forward to who is playing who, and when, and what to expect.

Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0

Friday, 11pm UAE time

Why? Jose Mourinho may not have the all the signings he wants, but he still has a strong squad overall.

Alexis Sanchez looked in good nick in pre-season in the United States and he could be the difference maker here as Leicester begin life without Riyad Mahrez.

Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez has looked good in pre-season. Reuters

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Newcastle United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Saturday, 3.30pm

Why? A hard one to gauge as so many of Tottenham's key men - Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier - have had almost no pre-season following their World Cup exploits.

Tottenham should have the quality though to repeat last year's winning start to the campaign at Newcastle.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. Action Images via Reuters

Bournemouth 3 Cardiff City 1

Saturday, 6pm

Why? Neil Warnock did a great job getting Cardiff promoted but staying there has always been a task too far.

This sadly looks another case in point and it will start with no points as Bournemouth's forward line of Josh King and Callum Wilson will be too much to handle.

Bournemouth's Callum Wilson, right, will look to trouble Cardiff. Action Images via Reuters

Fulham 1 Crystal Palace 1

Saturday, 6pm

Why? Fulham are another newly promoted side, but Slavisa Jokanovic has recruited well and players such as Andre Schurrle will add depth to their line-up.

Palace have kept Wilfried Zaha, which was their big summer goal, and he will be their leading threat at Craven Cottage in what could well be a case of honours even.

Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha. Getty Images

Huddersfield Town 0 Chelsea 3

Saturday, 6pm

Why? Maurizio Sarri's first game in charge should see three points. Chelsea may still be a work in progress, with Eden Hazard just back in training, but Jorginho has fitted in well it seems and the London club will hope he hits the ground running.

Huddersfield's survival last season was based on a good start, but that won't happen this time around.

Maurizio Sarri's first Premier League game as Chelsea manager is on Saturday. Getty Images

Watford 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 1

Saturday, 6pm

Why? Watford have failed to tackle their biggest problem from last season, their strikers, with Troy Deeney and Andre Gray set to lead the line again despite struggling in 2017/18.

Watford did not score in either game against Brighton last year and Chris Hughton's men will again keep it tight and look to more inspiration from Glenn Murray and Pascal Gross to give them the points.

Brighton will look to Pascal Gross for inspiration again this season. Getty Images

Wolverhamton Wanderers 2 Everton 3

Saturday, 8.30pm

Why? Everton have recruited well and the Marco Silva revolution can start with three points.

Wolves look set for a strong first season back in the top flight, but may find Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Theo Walcott too much for their defence to handle.

Richarlison is one of Everton's new signings. Getty Images

Liverpool 3 West Ham United 1

Sunday 4.30pm

Why? It is a new era for West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini and their summer business certainly promises good times ahead.

But, Liverpool were one of the best sides in Europe last season and in Mohamed Salah had one of the finest players in the world.

There is no reason why Liverpool won't start the season as they ended the last one, delaying West Ham's new era at least for another week.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was player of the season in the Premier League in 2017/18. Action Images via Reuters

Southampton 0 Burnley 0

Sunday, 4.30pm

Why? Burnley were the surprise package of last season, but have already played football this season thanks to the Europa League.

Joe Hart has made a solid start in goal for Sean Dyche's men, and he will hope to continue his new start against a Southampton side looking to put last season's struggles behind them.

Joe Hart is Burnley's new goalkeeper. Reuters

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3

Sunday, 7pm

Why? The champions beat Arsenal all three times they met last season and it is hard not to see Pep Guardiola's side making it four on the trot.

Despite missing the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling they outclassed Chelsea in the Community Shield and they will almost certainly give Unai Emery a losing start to life as Arsenal manager.

Riyad Mahrez could make his league debut for Manchester City at Arsenal. Reuters