Merson’s predictions

The opening day of the Premier League season is upon us, and Sky Sports’ pundit Paul Merson is back with his first round of predictions…

Defending champions Leicester City kick-off the campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City, live on Sky Sports from 12.30pm.

The first slate of 3pm games includes Ronald Koeman’s first match in charge of Everton, who welcome Tottenham to Goodison Park.

Over the course of the weekend, we will also get a glimpse of new eras at Manchester United and Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho’s side in action against Bournemouth on Super Sunday and Antonio Conte’s outfit hosting West Ham on Monday Night Football.

So who is getting off to a fast start? The Magic Man gives us his predictions…

Hull City v Leicester City – Saturday, Live Premier League, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD

It’s a good first game for Leicester but the result does depend how Hull approach it. I think they will probably sit back and be pretty defensive.

Still, even if they do, I don’t see anything other than a win for Claudio Ranieri’s side. I just don’t think it is right to get rid of your manager so close to the season, like Hull did with Steve Bruce, and I can’t see how they will be able to live with Leicester in attack.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

Bournemouth v Man Utd – Super Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD

I worry for Bournemouth this season. They are a good footballing team but opponents got used to facing them, they didn’t finish the last campaign well, and they have lost Matt Ritchie too.

I think Man Utd will win this game quite comfortably. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is such a presence, he’s full of confidence, and I just don’t see how Bournemouth will cope.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)

Arsenal v Liverpool – Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 HD

The injuries are a major concern for Arsenal. They have one centre forward in Olivier Giroud when their rivals have three or four each. Don’t tell me Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott are centre forwards. They might be able to step in for one or two games but you are not going to win the Premier League that way.

As for Liverpool, they are decent going forward, they …

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