1) Arsenal to prevent the opening night encore
It’s become traditional for Arsenal to look a little undercooked heading into a season, but the hosts have more question marks this time around. Although Crystal Palace beat them at Selhurst Park in April, the rematch soon suits the visitors better and Patrick Vieira’s prediction of a “completely different game” seems hard to fault. Palace are yet to find a replacement for Conor Gallagher, whose energy was key to their better performance last season, while Cheikhou Kouyaté has left and the current injury list includes James McArthur and Michael Olise. Reinforcements took longer to arrive than Vieira would have liked, while Mikel Arteta strengthened in key areas and was able to field something close to the starting XI he liked in recent friendlies. A year ago, Arsenal’s Covid-weakened side got off to a disastrous start at Brentford, but Friday night’s scare doesn’t seem so this time around. Nick Ames
2) Núñez is ready to go to Liverpool
Darwin Núñez doesn’t look like he needs to be relieved. The Uruguayan forward started on the bench when Liverpool beat City in the Community Shield last weekend, but he seemed to be on the same wavelength as his new team-mates once he came on. the second half. The runs were smart and effective, the passing game clever and there were signs of understanding with Mohamed Salah, who was involved when Núñez scored Liverpool’s first goal with a daring header. The question is whether Klopp has decided to play the former Benfica striker when Liverpool visit Fulham on Saturday. Can the 23-year-old get something out of keeping Roberto Firmino in the back? Firmino is an excellent, subtle player, but Fulham’s defenders should dread the idea of trying to calm Nunez down. Jacob Steinberg
3) Everton lack firepower
Against Frank Lampard’s old club last season, Everton found the spirit, style and support that kept them in the Premier League, but it was courtesy of a winner from Richarlison – with both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Salomon Rondon on the bench. The striker was gone, the England international was injured for the next six weeks and Rondon was suspended. Another attrition approach is possible in the absence of a recognized forward for the first game of the new campaign. I think it’s Thomas Tuchel who has been complaining about his club’s summer transfer business so far. Chelsea at least have some new faces in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Carney Chukwuemeka to reflect an ambitious new era under Todd Boehly, with the promise of more to come. They have lost their last four league trips to Goodison Park and Tuchel’s appeal for reinforcements will only intensify with a fifth. Andy Hunter
4) Will the Pope force Dubravka to be expelled?
Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka? That’s the dilemma facing Eddie Howe as Newcastle prepare to face Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park on Saturday. Pope did not arrive from Burnley for £10m to sit on the bench earlier this summer. Instead, the 30-year-old has made it clear he intends to play first-team football, which would secure him a place on England’s World Cup flight to Doha in November. So the consensus is that Howe will start for Pope ahead of Dubravka on Saturday. This, in turn, will infuriate the Slovakian goalkeeper and his agent, who reiterated that his client is too good to be someone’s assistant. Something has to give; Could a Newcastle-Leicester part-swap deal with Dubravka and James Maddison be the answer? Louise Taylor
5) Kane can run to the ground
If pre-season is a time for optimism, it was particularly evident at Tottenham. At first Antonio Conte stuck to the project, then the club made quick and targeted signings. However, there is one player who holds the key to glory, and luckily for everyone, Harry Kane looks fit and ready. At this time last year, the striker wanted to leave the team. When his wish was denied, he worked until mid-December, scoring just one league goal. He rediscovered his groove under Conte, who joined at the start of November, to finish with 17 and this time he got the pre-season right to build momentum for the opener against Southampton. Conte’s system is based on getting the best from his men up front and Kane intends to accept the expectations. David Hytner
6) The Hammers pose a tough opening test at City
Champions do not start defending their titles easily. West Ham are unbeaten in their last three home games against Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s side are playing in a worrying manner. A lot of that centers around Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio’s quickness on the counter, and while West Ham looked bereft of creativity in pre-season, that may be less of an issue with City. After all, David Moyes will not plan for his team to have the ball. It will be a matter of West Ham maintaining their low block, keeping a close eye on Erling Haaland and finding ways to free Bowen, who twice struck diagonally from right to left as Moyes’ side held City to a 2-2 draw. in this match last season. Jacob Steinberg
7) Parker is looking for initial points on the ship
Great expectations. This statement probably does not represent the outlook of Bournemouth fans ahead of their return to the Premier League. With Scott Parker’s men pushing hard for automatic promotion last season and no summer spending spree so far, the club look set for a testing campaign. After hosting Aston Villa, Bournemouth next travel to Manchester City before facing Arsenal at home and Liverpool at Anfield. A point at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday could be needed to avoid the unfortunate prospect of losing their first four league games and seeing their survival hopes start to wash away across the south coast by the end of August. Villa fans will be expecting bigger things from last season’s 14th place finish and if Steven Gerrard’s men are to make big strides up the table, picking up three points in games like this must be in their hunt for a top-half finish. Since promotion in 2019. Joel Mians
8) Will Ronaldo appear?
Cristiano Ronaldo is not expected to be included in Erik ten Hag’s first Manchester United XI for the Premier League clash due to the hapless striker’s lack of fitness. The manager called the 37-year-old’s early departure from Sunday’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano “unacceptable” and anyone watching Brighton’s trip will become body language experts, analyzing any contact for dissent. The Portuguese’s decision to say goodbye was no doubt premeditated as a last ditch effort to leave a club he adored there. As the new manager tries to somehow rebuild a shattered side, how the Ten Hag deal with Ronaldo and an unwanted show could define his tenure. Jamie Jackson
9) Bamford returns a big push for Marsch
Injuries limited Patrick Bamford to just nine appearances for Leeds last season, not only contributing to the team’s relegation, but also the replacement of Marcelo Bielsa by Jesse Marsh. The good news for the latter is that Leeds’ main striker and 2020-21 top scorer is nearing 100% fitness and is set to start against Wolves at Elland Road on Saturday. If Marsh can keep Bamford fit, there’s a chance he’ll get his exciting new signings, perhaps most notably attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson and winger Luis Sinisterra, in the starting XI and buy Leeds fans the time they need to forget about their summer departures. Calvin Phillips and Raphinha. If he can keep Bamford in shape, the American’s chances of success this season will increase significantly. Louise Taylor
10) Foxes face uncertainty in the beginning
This summer has been difficult for Leicester. Kasper Schmeichel is gone, the futures of Wesley Fofana and James Maddison are up in the air and the Foxes are the only Premier League club yet to sign a player. A club close to qualifying for the Champions League in 2020 and 2021 didn’t quite go to plan last season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side finishing eighth, six points behind the Europa League. Compared to the start of other recent seasons, there is a different mood among Leicester fans. They welcome Brentford, a team they beat twice last season, albeit by accident. The visitors have had a remarkable transfer window with the departure of midfielder Christian Eriksen. Given the uncertainty in LE2, Thomas Frank’s side couldn’t get a better chance of beating the hosts. Uzzi Majid