Pundits predict the winners from round 1 of the 2020/21 Premier League

Check out expert predictions from Michael Owen and Mark Lawrenson on who will win in the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

After a quick breather from the action last season, the Premier League is back and all teams are gearing up for what promises to be another action-packed campaign albeit behind closed doors.

There’s a lot to look forward as well, with clubs (namely Chelsea) breaking the bank to recruit top-talent. A tantalizing battle for league honors lies ahead between Liverpool and Manchester City. While the battle for a top-four spot and survival always crops up a few surprises.

So ahead of the first weekend of action, we turned to former famous footballers in Michael Owen on Betvictor and Mark Lawrenson on BBC to find out the winners from the opening games.

SATURDAY

Fulham v Arsenal

A London derby will kick-off the 2020/21 campaign with the newly-promoted Fulham to host Arsenal. Considering the visitors’ strong form, Owen and Lawrenson expect a comfortable win.

Owen: 1-3

Lawro: 0-2

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Both teams had very indifferent campaigns last term, with Palace starting strong before crashing to a 14th-place finish. Southampton, meanwhile, were the complete opposite. They started terribly and seemed on the verge of relegation before a strong run of form led them to an 11th-place finish.

A draw at Selhurst Park, therefore, is likely according to our experts.

Owen: 1-1

Lawro: 1-1

Liverpool v Leeds

The game that every English football fan will relish on Saturday is at Anfield, where Leeds’ 16-year absence from the Premier League finally ends. A lot has already been said about the upcoming clash; particularly between managers Jurgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa.

But it seems it won’t a happy start for Bielsa or Leeds, with defeat to the Premier League champions expected.

Owen: 3-1

Lawro: 2-0

West Ham v Newcastle

Newcastle’s highly-anticipated takeover appears to have gone bust, with club and Premier League officials each pointing the finger at each other.

West Ham, meanwhile, made steady progress under David Moyes from last season and appear to be a safe bet for victory at the London Stadium.

Owen: 2-1

Lawro: 2-1

SUNDAY

West Brom v Leicester

The last of the new Premier League clubs this season is West Brom, who won automatic promotion last season via a second-place finish in the Championship.

Slaven Bilic’s side have suffered a few injury setbacks of late, with doubts persisting over Conor Townsend and Kenneth Zohore’s availability.

Leicester have got their own problems as well with Ricardo Pereira injured and James Maddison doubtful. But while Jonny Evans is also out due to suspension, the Foxes should come out on top against West Brom.

Owen: 0-2

Lawro: 0-2

Tottenham v Everton

It’s Mourinho vs Ancelotti as Tottenham play host to Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Both managers have improved their squads this summer by making some signings in key areas. But while Spurs have an almost full-strength squad for Sunday, Everton already have a few players sidelined. Therefore, Lawrenson expects a home victory.

Lawro: 2-1

MONDAY

Sheff Utd v Wolves

Chris Wilder’s side were the surprise package of last season, but suffered a dip in form in the final third of the campaign to slump to a ninth-place finish. They’ll hope to make amends this term starting with a win.

But Wolves, who finished two points above them in seventh, are no pushovers and are aiming for the top-six this season.

Owen: 0-0

Lawro: 1-1

Brighton v Chelsea

Chelsea head to Brighton determined to send a message to their rivals after breaking the bank to sign world-class talents such as Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, and Kai Havertz.

The club chiefs have spared no expense for Frank Lampard this summer, with the pressure firmly on the Blues boss to deliver a strong result at the Amex.

Owen: 1-3

Lawro: 0-2