Ipswich vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Two new eras begin at Portman Road on Saturday lunchtime, when Ipswich Town and Liverpool begin their respective Premier League campaigns in the 12.30pm kickoff.
As the Tractor Boys prepare to end their lengthy exile from the top flight of English football, the Reds gear up for their first competitive match under the wing of Arne Slot.
We say: Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool
Ipswich switching to a three-man central defensive shape in order to stifle Slot's Liverpool is not beyond the realm of possibility, but the full-strength Reds are sure to wear down their hosts' backline eventually.
While McKenna's men should still keep the scoreline respectable, having demonstrated their defensive prowess in pre-season, we can only envisage Liverpool heading back up north with their first three points of the Slot era.
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> Nunez or Jota? How Liverpool could line up against Ipswich
> Ex-Chelsea, City products to start? Ipswich predicted XI against Liverpool
> Everyone available? Liverpool injury news ahead of Ipswich clash
Arsenal vs. Wolves (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Premier League football makes its long-awaited return to Emirates Stadium soil on Saturday afternoon, when Arsenal pit their wits against Wolverhampton Wanderers on matchday one.
As the Gunners begin their latest quest to kick Manchester City off of their throne, Gary O'Neil's men have top-half aspirations in mind for 2024-25.
We say: Arsenal 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Neither of Arsenal's last two opening-day wins over Crystal Palace or Nottingham Forest have been entirely convincing, but none of Arteta's squad - or even Arteta himself - had been born the last time that the hosts failed to score in a competitive game with Wolves.
That club-record streak of 33 should become 34 on Saturday afternoon, as Wolves were inconsistent in the second half of pre-season and should prove no match for an Arsenal unit boasting a fully-fit attacking contingent.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Who will replace suspended Semedo? Wolves predicted XI vs. Arsenal
> Will Calafiori start? How Arsenal could line up against Wolves
> Timber, Tomiyasu latest: Arsenal injury news ahead of Wolves clash
Everton vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Fabian Hurzeler takes charge of his first competitive game as Brighton & Hove Albion head coach when the Seagulls travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in their opening fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.
Neither team could be separated when they faced off last season, as they were forced to share the spoils twice in two 1-1 draws.
We say: Everton 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton breezed past their opposition in pre-season, and although Saturday's clash with Everton should be a much sterner test for the Seagulls, we believe they have enough quality in the final third to break down the Toffees' backline en route to a narrow victory, kick-starting the Hurzeler era on a positive note.
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Newcastle vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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A Premier League baptism of fire awaits Southampton on Saturday afternoon, as Russell Martin's men make the 650-mile round trip to take on Newcastle United on the opening weekend.
While the Saints' 2023-24 season ended in unbridled joy at Wembley, their hosts were left to mourn their dreams of a second straight season in European football.
We say: Newcastle United 3-1 Southampton
Despite failing to finish in the top three spots of the Championship table, Southampton led the division in terms of average possession and passes last season, as well as ranking second for shots per game and expected goals per game.
Such praiseworthy statistics means that the travelling army should have something to cheer, but it may only be the odd consolation goal, as home specialists Newcastle will surely prove too potent in the final third.
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Nott'm Forest vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Nottingham Forest welcome Bournemouth to the City Ground for their opening fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon.
The only previous occasion when these two teams have butted heads in an opening league fixture was back in August 2007 when they played out a goalless stalemate in League One.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Bournemouth
Five of the last six competitive meetings between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have seen both teams score, and another entertaining contest with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards this weekend.
Although Bournemouth will be without Solanke, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season, they have shown in pre-season that they still pose a threat in the final third and they may do enough to claim a share of the spoils this time around.
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West Ham vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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The Julen Lopetegui era at West Ham United begins on Saturday evening when the Hammers welcome Aston Villa to the London Stadium for their opening fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
August 2012 was the last time these two teams butted heads in an opening Premier League fixture, with the Hammers claiming a slender 1-0 victory at Upton Park.
We say: West Ham United 2-2 Aston Villa
Both West Ham and Aston Villa have been tipped to perform well in the Premier League this season, although neither team have a particularly good record on the opening weekend of a new top-flight season.
Following a mixed pre-season for both clubs, it is difficult to confidently predict a winner for this contest, so we feel that an entertaining score draw could be on the cards.
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Oliver Thomas
