Premier League: Predicting the winners of every opening weekend fixture

To its advantage for two seasons now, Aston Villa is now positioning itself as a serious contender for European places. This revival coincides with the arrival on the bench of Spanish technician Unai Emery. Last year, the Birmingham-based team defied all odds to take 4th place in the Premier League and thus qualify for the Champions League. The Villans hope to join the fight for the Big 4 again this season. Beaten at home by Arsenal during the 2nd day 0-2, they otherwise won on the lawns of West Ham 1-2 and Leicester just before the international break 1-2. Next Tuesday, Aston Villa begins its C1 campaign on the Young Boys pitch. Bored by financial concerns, Everton has been experiencing difficulties for several seasons.

Close to the descent in 2022 and 2023, the Mersey club, on the other hand, performed better during the previous year. Despite an 8-point withdrawal inflicted by the Federation, the Toffees finished in 15th place in the Premier League, 14 points ahead of the first relegated team. Unfortunately, they are off to a very poor start this season and are already in last place in the standings. First soundly beaten by Brighton 0-3 and Tottenham 4-0, Everton then let slip a 2-goal advantage at the very end of the match to lose at home against Bournemouth before the international break 2-3. In the League Cup, however, Sean Dyche's men dominated Doncaster to enter the competition 3-0.

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Since its return to the elite in 2022, Bournemouth has shown great things under the leadership of Andoni Iraola. Last year, the Cherries had no trouble securing their place despite a sluggish start to the championship. Indeed, they finished 12th in the Premier League with a comfortable lead of 22 points over the relegation zone. Eager to continue their progress this season, Antoine Semenyo's teammates started the championship with draws at Nottingham Forest 1-1 and against Newcastle 1-1. On the last day, they snatched victory on Everton's pitch by scoring 3 goals after the 87th minute 2-3. In the League Cup, Bournemouth lost in the lair of West Ham for their entry into contention 1-0. Despite significant investment, Chelsea have not been able to rise to the occasion of late. The London team also missed the Big 4 during the two previous years.

Trailing behind for a long time last year, the Blues finished the season very well to take 6th place in the Premier League. Despite this rise in the rankings, coach Mauricio Pochettino was replaced by Enzo Mareca this summer. The Italian technician's debut has so far been mixed. Cole Palmer's partners started with a loss against Manchester City 0-2 before inflicting a correction on Wolverhampton 2-6. Unfortunately, they did not confirm just before the international break by conceding, at home, the share of points against Crystal Palace 1-1. In the Conference League, Chelsea barely disposed of Servette de Genève to reach the group stage 3-2 after the two-way matches.

A trip down south. ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/SrKDrc3gI1

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 10, 2024

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Brighton turned an important page this summer with the departure of Roberto De Zerbi. Under the leadership of the Italian technician, the Seagulls have developed a quality of play recognized by all, which has notably enabled them to secure 6th place in the Premier League in 2023. Less visible last year, they finished 11th in the ranking. To replace De Zerbi during the offseason, the leaders chose to place Fabian Hurzeler ex-Sankt Pauli on the bench. The debut of the young 31-year-old German coach turned out to be very good. Brighton won their first two league matches against Everton 0-3 and Manchester United 1-2 before taking a valuable point at Arsenal on the final day 1-1. For their entry into the League Cup, the Seagulls had no trouble dominating Crawley 4-0.

After a long absence of 22 years, Ipswich are making their comeback in the elite this year. Driven by an ambitious project, the Tractor Boys have just achieved two climbs in two years. 2nd in League One in 2023, they then showed a very good appearance last year to take 2nd place in the Championship and thus avoid the accession play-offs. The promoted obviously expects to suffer in the Premier League in this 2024/2025 financial year. Not spared by the schedule to begin with, Ipswich logically lost to big names Liverpool 0-2 and Manchester City 4-1 before holding their own at home to Fulham just before the international break 1-1. In the League Cup, the Tractor Boys were surprised at Wimbledon 2-2, eliminated following penalties.

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Present in the Premier League since 2013, Crystal Palace is used to vegetating in the soft underbelly of the rankings. Last year, the London team flirted with the red zone for a while before displaying a real return to form following the arrival on the bench of Oliver Glasner. This allowed him to move up to a very honorable 10th place in the rankings. Eager to continue their momentum, Jean-Philippe Mateta's teammates unfortunately do not meet expectations at the start of the season. Unable to win during the first 3 days, they first lost against Brentford 2-1 and West Ham 0-2 before drawing at Chelsea 1-1. In the League Cup, however, Crystal Palace crushed Norwich 4-0. English champion to everyone's surprise in 2016, Leicester then performed less well to the point of being relegated at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year.

The Foxes only needed one season to taste the joys of the Premier League again. Indeed, they showed a very good face in the Championship last year and won the title. Back in the elite this season, Jamie Vardy's partners aim to ensure maintenance. After holding off Tottenham at home on Matchday 1 1-1, they then lost to Fulham 2-1 and Aston Villa just before the international break 1-2. For its entry into the League Cup, Leicester upheld the hierarchy against Tranmere 4-0.

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After tirelessly making progress between 2017 and 2022, Fulham finally managed to settle into the elite during the two previous years. 10th in the Premier League in 2023, the London team then finished 13th in the standings last year with a comfortable lead of 21 points over the relegation zone. The Cottagers hope to assert their place a little more this season. They undeservedly lost their first league match played at Manchester United 1-0 before dominating Leicester 2-1 and taking a point at Ipswich on the last day 1-1. For its entry into the League Cup, Fulham won on the lawn of Birmingham 0-2. Rather to its advantage these days, West Ham has shone on the European scene during the last three years with a title in C4 2023, a semi-final in C3 2022 and a quarter-final in C3 2024.

In the championship, the London team is positioning itself as a contender for the last European places. Last year, they did not achieve their goals and had to settle for 9th place in the Premier League. Deprived of the European Cup this season, the Hammers hope to do better but the start of the championship is proving sluggish. Winners at Crystal Palace during the 2nd day 0-2, they otherwise lost at home against Aston Villa 1-2 and Manchester City just before the international break 1-3. In the League Cup, West Ham took advantage of the support of their fans to beat Bournemouth 1-0.

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This summer, Liverpool were forced to open a new chapter with the departure of Jürgen Klopp. Under the orders of the German technician, the Mersey club has enjoyed superb success, notably winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. Last year, the Reds quickly fell out of the race to the title but finished 3rd in the Premier League, qualifying for the C1. Furthermore, they pocketed a trophy by winning the League Cup. Klopp's succession looks like a poisoned chalice as the coach has left his mark on the club and its fans. However, Arne Slot's debut on the bench is very promising at the moment. Intractable during the first 3 days, Mohamed Salah's teammates have still not conceded a single goal. They in turn dominated Ipswich 0-2, Brentford 2-0 and Manchester United just before the international break 0-3.

Returning to the elite in 2022 after a long absence, Nottingham Forest managed to avoid the descent during the previous two years. Last year, Morgan Gibbs-White's partners finished 17th in the Premier League, 6 points ahead of the red zone. They were not really worried by the relegation especially as they had to face a withdrawal of 4 points inflicted by the Federation. Eager to confirm in this 2024/2025 financial year, Nottingham Forest got off to a good start in the championship. Victorious at promoted Southampton during the 2nd day 0-1, Nuno Espirito Santo's protégés otherwise drew at home against Bournemouth 1-1 and Wolvesbefore the international break 1-1. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle 1-1, elimination following penalties.

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Manchester City has been shining for several years now and continues to win titles. On the European scene, the Skyblues won the first Champions League in the club's history in 2023. In the championship, they clearly dominate with 6 titles pocketed in the last 7 seasons. Last year, the Cityzens were crowned champions of England for the 4th time in a row. They still had to deal with resistance from Arsenal who were getting closer and closer to 1st place, 2 points behind. Considered the big favorite for their own succession this season, Manchester City proved intractable during the first 3 days with successes against Chelsea 0-2, Ipswich 4-1 and West Ham 1-3. Just before the start of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola's men dominated rival Manchester United in the Community Shield 1-1, victory following penalties.

Present in the elite since 2021, Brentford n It hasn't really shaken to keep it going until now. Last year, Bryan Mbeumo's partners only finished 16th in the Premier League. Nevertheless, they had a comfortable lead of 13 points over the first relegation. Keen to avoid going downhill again this season, the Bees have made a good start to the championship. Logically beaten on the Liverpool pitch during the 2nd day 2-0, they otherwise took advantage of the support of their fans to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and Southampton just before the international break 3-1. In the League Cup, Brentford qualified for the next round after defeating Colchester 0-1.

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Last in the Premier League at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year, Southampton only needed one season to return to the elite. Indeed, the Saints did not overcome the competition last year but still managed to climb. 4th in the Championship after the regular phase, they then dismissed West Brom in the semi-finals and Leeds in the promotion final. The promoted player is logically expected in the fight not to go down this season and the first results confirm this prediction. Indeed, Southampton lost their first three league matches played against Newcastle 1-0, Nottingham Forest 0-1 and Brentford on the last day 3-1. In the League Cup, the Saints got rid of the trap set by Cardiff after a crazy match 3-5. Despite a quality squad, Manchester United is struggling to give the full measure of its potential these days. Last year, the Red Devils showed serious shortcomings in the game and great irregularity.

They thus had to settle for a somewhat resounding 8th place in the Premier League, far from the Big 4 targets 8 points behind. United saved their season in the final match of the previous year by winning the FA Cup final against neighbors Manchester City. This title allowed coach Erik ten Hag, whose work is nevertheless extremely criticized and criticizable, to keep his position to the great dismay of the fans. This season, the results have once again been disappointing so far. After undeservedly losing the Community Shield to City 1-1, defeat following penalties, the Mancunian team missed its start to the championship. Bruno Fernandes' teammates started with a narrow victory against Fulham 1-0 before losing to Brighton 2-1 and being punished at home by Liverpool just before the international break 0-3.

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Candidate for the Big 4 every year, Tottenham missed the boat in the two previous years. Last season, the first under the orders of Ange Postecoglou, still remained promising. Indeed, Spurs finished in a very honorable 5th place in the Premier League with 2 small points behind 4th. They therefore narrowly missed the Champions League but are however qualified for the group stage of the Europa League. Eager to confirm this season, Tottenham started their championship with a draw at promoted Leicester 1-1 before outclassing bottom side Everton 4-0. On the last day, Heung-Min Son's teammates were far from unworthy but fell to Newcastle 2-1. Runner-up to Manchester City in 2023 5 points behind and 2024 2 points behind, Arsenal is getting closer and closer to a title which has eluded the club since the Invincibles season in 2004.

The London team hopes to win the Grail this season. It all started well for Mikel Arteta's men who won their first two league matches. They first dominated Wolverhampton 2-0 before pocketing a precious success in the lair of Aston Villa 0-2. On the other hand, Arsenal were held back at home by Brighton just before the international break 1-1. Next Thursday, the Gunners begin their Champions League campaign at Atalanta.

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Accustomed to vegetating in the soft underbelly of the rankings for some time, Wolverhampton took 14th place in the Premier League last year with a comfortable cushion of 20 points ahead of the red zone. Matheus Cunha's teammates hope to do at least as well this season but the start of the championship worries fans. Not spared by the schedule, they lost their first two matches played against Arsenal 2-0 and Chelsea 2-6 before reacting by taking a point at Nottingham Forest on the last day 1-1. In the League Cup, Wolverhampton defeated Burnley at home to enter the competition 2-0. Entering a new dimension following its takeover in October 2021, Newcastle is carrying out its project intelligently. 4th in the Premier League in 2023, the Magpies, however, performed less well last year.

They had to settle for 7th place in the ranking and will therefore not participate in any European Cup in this 2024/2025 financial year. This could be an advantage for Newcastle over its competitors. The residents of Saint James Park have also had a good start to the championship. Held to a draw at Bournemouth on the 2nd day 1-1, they otherwise got the better of Southampton 1-0 and Tottenham just before the international break 2-1. In the League Cup, Newcastle barely beat Nottingham Forest 1-1, qualifying following penalties.

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