My Fantasy Premier League mini league will be running again this season and as usual there will be €50 to the winner. You can find the details of how to sign up to play here and join my league with the code 57957-16522 when you are up and running. Anyone who was in it last season will automatically rejoin once they set up a team and good luck to all who choose to play. I'll also be running my predictions league again this season with weekly updates here and you can sign up to play here and join my mini league with the code tq3c5 when you are up and running.
Friday August 11
Arsenal v Leicester City
7.45pm BST, Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal failed to finish in the top four for the first time in Arsene Wenger's reign last season and they will have to cope with Europa League football on Thursday night's as they attempt to challenge for the league this season. They only lost two of their home games last season with only the top two taking more points at home and only Spurs and United conceding less goals at home. If they're going to put in a genuine title challenge they still have some strengthening to do before the transfer window closes and they will have to hit the ground running too.
Alexis Sanchez was the top performer for fantasy managers last season and it's hard to look past him again this season as long as Arsenal hold on to him while Alexander Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin are worth considering too.
Leicester didn't defend their title too well last season, but they will hope to do better than twelfth place without the distraction of European football this time around. They only won two of their away games last season with only Watford and Hull conceding more away goals. If they're going to improve this season that away form is going to have to be an awful lot better.
Jamie Vardy should definitely be considered by fantasy managers while Kelechi Iheanacho might be an option too with Riyad Mahrez also a possibility and maybe even rotating a Leicester defender into your team when they are playing at home.
I think Leicester will give Arsenal a bit of a scare, but Arsenal will ultimately take the three points with a couple of goals to spare.
Prediction: 3-1
Saturday August 12
Watford v Liverpool
12.30pm BST, Vicarage Road, Watford
Watford finished only one place above the bottom three last season, but they did have six points to spare over the relegated teams. They won more games than they lost at home last season and new manager Marco Silva will be hoping to get them a lot closer to a mid-table finish this time out. They could have their work cut out trying to stay up though and it could be a long hard season for them.
Prediction: 3-1
Saturday August 12
Watford v Liverpool
12.30pm BST, Vicarage Road, Watford
Watford finished only one place above the bottom three last season, but they did have six points to spare over the relegated teams. They won more games than they lost at home last season and new manager Marco Silva will be hoping to get them a lot closer to a mid-table finish this time out. They could have their work cut out trying to stay up though and it could be a long hard season for them.
At the moment I can't really see any Watford players who might interest fantasy managers, but that might change if Silva can work his usual magic at home.
Liverpool managed a top four finish last season and they could find it hard to maintain a challenge in the league with Champions League football to play. Only Chelsea lost less games away from home than Liverpool and only Chelsea and City took more points on their travels. They have brought some new players in, but they will need to keep hold of Phillippe Coutinho if they hope to make a real impression this season.
If Coutinho stays he's a good option for fantasy managers along with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Frimino and maybe even James Milner if he takes their penalties again this season.
I think Watford will be far from a pushover, but Liverpool should have too much firepower for them.
Prediction: 1–2
Chelsea v Burnley
3pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea won 30 of their 38 league games last season and won the title with seven points to spare. They won 17 of their home games and scored more goals than any other team at home, but Spurs did take more points at home. There's been plenty of changes at Chelsea so far this summer with more still to come and they need to get their squad settled as soon as possible to have any hope of matching last season's heroics.
Both Willian and Cesc Fabregas could do well for fantasy managers, but neither of them are certain starters while their defenders did very well last season, but not so much towards the end of it and Alvaro Morata will do well to match Diego Costa's performance.
Burnley finished two places and six points above the bottom three last season after a pretty poor run in. They won 10 of their home games last season and took all but seven of their points on their home patch. They have added to their squad from last season, but the loss of Michael Keane to Everton was a blow and avoiding the drop has to be their priority yet again this season.
Burnley finished two places and six points above the bottom three last season after a pretty poor run in. They won 10 of their home games last season and took all but seven of their points on their home patch. They have added to their squad from last season, but the loss of Michael Keane to Everton was a blow and avoiding the drop has to be their priority yet again this season.
Burnley defenders did very well in home matches last season and it could be worth considering Ben Mee, Stephen Ward or Tom Heaton to rotate in and out for their home games.
Despite arriving at the new season in a somewhat unprepared state Chelsea should still have too much for Burnley and should win with a few goals to spare.
Prediction: 3-0
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town
3pm BST, Selhurst Park, London
Palace were at the wrong end of the table for too long last season and only finished seven points above the relegated teams. Only two other teams took less points than Palace at home last season and they will have to improve on their own patch if they are going to do better this time. Their squad isn't too different from last season, but they will hope to get the best out of their more high profile players.
Prediction: 3-0
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town
3pm BST, Selhurst Park, London
Palace were at the wrong end of the table for too long last season and only finished seven points above the relegated teams. Only two other teams took less points than Palace at home last season and they will have to improve on their own patch if they are going to do better this time. Their squad isn't too different from last season, but they will hope to get the best out of their more high profile players.
Wilfried Zaha finished last season very well and has to be a consideration for fantasy managers while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a cheap alternative who just might flourish.
Huddersfield somehow or other managed to get promoted last season despite only scoring one goal in their three playoff games. Like any newly promoted team their home form will be crucial and they could find themselves struggling at this level away from home. They have invested in their squad for this season, but anything other than going straight back to the Championship would be a great achievement for them.
Huddersfield somehow or other managed to get promoted last season despite only scoring one goal in their three playoff games. Like any newly promoted team their home form will be crucial and they could find themselves struggling at this level away from home. They have invested in their squad for this season, but anything other than going straight back to the Championship would be a great achievement for them.
I can't see any Huddersfield players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment, but that might change as the season progresses.
I think Palace should be good enough to win this game and get their season off to a positive start.
Prediction: 2-0
Everton v Stoke City
3pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool
Everton finished seventh last season and they had fifteen points to spare over eighth placed Southampton. Only Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal won more home games than Everton last season with only Spurs and United conceding less goals at home. They have invested heavily in the squad for this season, but it remains to be seen if they can replace the goals of the departed Romelu Lukaku.
Prediction: 2-0
Everton v Stoke City
3pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool
Everton finished seventh last season and they had fifteen points to spare over eighth placed Southampton. Only Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal won more home games than Everton last season with only Spurs and United conceding less goals at home. They have invested heavily in the squad for this season, but it remains to be seen if they can replace the goals of the departed Romelu Lukaku.
With Lukaku gone the Everton players to impress for fantasy managers could possibly be Wayne Rooney or Leighton Baines while Davy Klaassen could be an outside bet.
Stoke finished pretty much in mid-table last season after a slow start to their season. They didn't do as well as expected at home with only seven wins and they will need to improve on their own ground this season. Their additions have been fairly uninspiring so far and they have a bit of work to do to get their squad in shape for the new season.
Stoke finished pretty much in mid-table last season after a slow start to their season. They didn't do as well as expected at home with only seven wins and they will need to improve on their own ground this season. Their additions have been fairly uninspiring so far and they have a bit of work to do to get their squad in shape for the new season.
I can't see any Stoke players who might make an impression for fantasy managers this season unless they come up with a new player or two to add to the team.
I think Everton will continue their good home form from last season and win this game with a couple of goals to spare.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton v Swansea City
3pm BST, St. Mary's stadium, Southampton
Southampton managed to finish eighth last season, but they were nowhere near seventh placed Everton. Only three other teams took less points at home than Southampton last season with only Sunderland scoring less goals at home. They haven't really added much to their squad from last season with the exception of yet another new manager in Mauricio Pellegrino.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton v Swansea City
3pm BST, St. Mary's stadium, Southampton
Southampton managed to finish eighth last season, but they were nowhere near seventh placed Everton. Only three other teams took less points at home than Southampton last season with only Sunderland scoring less goals at home. They haven't really added much to their squad from last season with the exception of yet another new manager in Mauricio Pellegrino.
Southampton's defenders look attractive to fantasy managers with Cedric Soares, Ryan Bertrand and Fraser Forster worth considering while Nathan Redmond and Manolo Gabbiadini are possibilities too.
Swansea finished 15th last season, but they were right in there in the midst of the relegation fight far too long. They lost 13 of their away games last season and only five other teams conceded more goals away from home. If they are going to avoid the drop again this season it's crucial for them to hold on to Gylfi Sigurdsson, but they could be fighting a losing battle on both fronts.
Swansea finished 15th last season, but they were right in there in the midst of the relegation fight far too long. They lost 13 of their away games last season and only five other teams conceded more goals away from home. If they are going to avoid the drop again this season it's crucial for them to hold on to Gylfi Sigurdsson, but they could be fighting a losing battle on both fronts.
If he stays Sigurdsson is always a good choice for fantasy managers while Fernando Llorente is worth considering when he comes back from injury and Angel Rangel is available at a very good price.
Southampton need to improve on their home form of last season and I think they will get off to a good start with the three points in this game.
Prediction: 2-1
West Bromwich Albion v Bournemouth
3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham
West Brom just about squeezed into the top half of the table last season after a fairly poor end to their season. They won more games than they lost at home last season, but only three other teams lost more games at home. Their signings so far have been far from impressive and like a few other teams they need to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
Prediction: 2-1
West Bromwich Albion v Bournemouth
3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham
West Brom just about squeezed into the top half of the table last season after a fairly poor end to their season. They won more games than they lost at home last season, but only three other teams lost more games at home. Their signings so far have been far from impressive and like a few other teams they need to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
With Ben Foster available at a good price he's very popular with fantasy managers even if he didn't set the world alight last season.
Bournemouth finished in the top half of the table last season and only six teams scored more goals than them. They won nine of their 19 home games and there were more goals in their stadium than any other with the exception of Stamford Bridge. They have added players who should make their team stronger, but it will still be an achievement if they stay up.
Bournemouth finished in the top half of the table last season and only six teams scored more goals than them. They won nine of their 19 home games and there were more goals in their stadium than any other with the exception of Stamford Bridge. They have added players who should make their team stronger, but it will still be an achievement if they stay up.
With Josh King listed as a striker he might not be as popular as last season with fantasy managers while Charlie Daniels still looks like a good option despite all the goals that Bournemouth let in.
I think this will be a very close game and the chances are it will end in a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
5.30pm BST, AMEX Stadium, Brighton
Brighton finished just behind Newcastle last season to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. They had a good record at home last season and look quite solid defensively on their own patch. Like Huddersfield this is a big step up for them and their main aim for the season will be to avoid relegation.
Prediction: 1-1
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
5.30pm BST, AMEX Stadium, Brighton
Brighton finished just behind Newcastle last season to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. They had a good record at home last season and look quite solid defensively on their own patch. Like Huddersfield this is a big step up for them and their main aim for the season will be to avoid relegation.
It's not so easy to see which Brighton players might do well for fantasy managers, but their defenders could do well at home and Anthony Knockaert is the best option besides those defenders.
City started so well last season, but they had to settle for third place a distant 15 points behind Chelsea. They only lost one league game at home, but their seven draws cost them an awful lot of points with only United drawing more games at home. They have invested heavily this summer and still haven't finished yet which has to make them favourites to win the league.
City started so well last season, but they had to settle for third place a distant 15 points behind Chelsea. They only lost one league game at home, but their seven draws cost them an awful lot of points with only United drawing more games at home. They have invested heavily this summer and still haven't finished yet which has to make them favourites to win the league.
Kevin de Bruyne is probably the City player most likely to perform for fantasy managers, but there are so many more to choose from such as Kyle Walker, Leroy Sane, Gabriel de Jesus and Sergio Aguero as long as Per Guardiola doesn't rotate too much.
I think City will get off to their customary good start and win this game with a few goals to spare.
Prediction: 0-3
Sunday August 13
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
1.30pm BST, St. James's Park, Newcastle
Newcastle bounced straight back to the Premiership by winning the Championship last season. They should never have been allowed to reach the point where they were relegated and they will need to get as many points as possible at home to make sure it doesn't happen again. They still haven't added the class of players they will need to make sure they don't get caught up at the wrong end of the table, but there is still time left for them to do so.
Prediction: 0-3
Sunday August 13
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
1.30pm BST, St. James's Park, Newcastle
Newcastle bounced straight back to the Premiership by winning the Championship last season. They should never have been allowed to reach the point where they were relegated and they will need to get as many points as possible at home to make sure it doesn't happen again. They still haven't added the class of players they will need to make sure they don't get caught up at the wrong end of the table, but there is still time left for them to do so.
Matt Richie looks like he might do well for Newcastle as he is on set piece duty while Rob Elliot is a good option as a reserve goalkeeper at a good price if he plays.
Spurs fell just short last season and their 86 point haul could easily have taken the title in another season. They won less than half of their away games last season, but only City scored more goals on the road and only Chelsea conceded less. They haven't added to that squad though and the loss of Kyle Walker to a rival will only have weakened them.
Spurs fell just short last season and their 86 point haul could easily have taken the title in another season. They won less than half of their away games last season, but only City scored more goals on the road and only Chelsea conceded less. They haven't added to that squad though and the loss of Kyle Walker to a rival will only have weakened them.
Despite no new arrivals yet there are still plenty of very good fantasy options in the Spurs team with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen all very good choices and their defenders well worth a punt too.
Newcastle will want to get their return to the top flight off to a good start, but I think Spurs will be too good for them.
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester United v West Ham United
4pm BST, Old Trafford, Manchester
United could only finish sixth in their first season under Jose Mourinho, but winning the Europa League at least qualified them for the Champions League. They only lost one of their home games last season, but they drew 10 of them and only Spurs conceded less goals at home. They have spent plenty of money yet again and will be expected to put in a much better title challenge this time around.
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester United v West Ham United
4pm BST, Old Trafford, Manchester
United could only finish sixth in their first season under Jose Mourinho, but winning the Europa League at least qualified them for the Champions League. They only lost one of their home games last season, but they drew 10 of them and only Spurs conceded less goals at home. They have spent plenty of money yet again and will be expected to put in a much better title challenge this time around.
Romelu Lukaku has scored plenty of goals elsewhere and must be a firm favourite to do so for United too while their defenders, goalkeeper and possibly Paul Pogba all looked quite good too.
West Ham just missed out on a top 10 finish on goal difference last season, but they did flirt with the wrong end of the table for a while. They only won five of their away games last season, but only five other teams scored more away goals and they scored a lot more goals on the road than they did at home. They will hope the additions to their squad will help them to a higher finish this season and they might even challenge for a European place.
West Ham just missed out on a top 10 finish on goal difference last season, but they did flirt with the wrong end of the table for a while. They only won five of their away games last season, but only five other teams scored more away goals and they scored a lot more goals on the road than they did at home. They will hope the additions to their squad will help them to a higher finish this season and they might even challenge for a European place.
The arrival of Javier Hernandez has proved quite a hit with fantasy managers while Robert Snodgrass, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio could all do well too.
United need to hit the ground running and I think they will take the three points, but it won't be as easy as some might think.
Prediction: 2-1
That's it for this week
See you next week
Prediction: 2-1
That's it for this week
See you next week
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