Alan Shearer has revealed his Premier League predictions for the opening weekend of the new season, including a draw in Sunday's showpiece between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park.
Arsenal began their title defence with a win over newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday night. Hull City face Manchester United this afternoon, while new-look Tottenham travel to Brentford this evening. Fulham host Chelsea in a west London derby on Monday night.
Manchester United and Ipswich tipped for home wins
Shearer expects Manchester United to beat Hull City, praising manager Michael Carrick. He said: "I think it's going to be a different season for Man United, Michael Carrick has done a very good job. He deserves the chance to go again. I know the Carlos Baleba transfer is still ongoing, but Man United will have too much for Hull."
For Ipswich against Sunderland, Shearer is wary of the atmosphere at a newly promoted club's home ground. He said: "I'm always wary, and I know I'm going against what I've said in terms of Hull and Coventry, but particularly when a newly promoted team is at home and they're playing a club like Sunderland, I'm always wary in the first four or five games that the atmosphere will be unbelievable. So, I'm going to say Ipswich home win."
Draws predicted in tight fixtures
Shearer predicts Everton will beat Crystal Palace, saying: "I think Everton will have enough against Crystal Palace in this one. I think Everton will be rocking on the first game of the season. Everyone will be excited. So, I'm going to say Everton home win."
He also expects a draw between Nottingham Forest and Leeds, noting Oliver Glasner's appointment at Forest. He said: "This is a really tough one to predict. I'm going to go a draw. I think Leeds will do all right this season. They made a couple of good signings. So, I'm going to go a draw. Oliver Glasner is a really good appointment by Forest, he knows the Premier League and did unbelievably well at Palace."
Brentford vs Tottenham is another tough call for Shearer, who predicts a draw. He said: "Spurs have spent an absolute fortune but this is a tough one to call. Brentford last season were unbelievable. Keith Andrews was up there as one of the best managers of the season. Tiago up front had an incredible season. I'm going to go draw."
Manchester City and Chelsea backed for wins
Despite Arsenal's win over Manchester City last weekend, Shearer believes City will beat Bournemouth. He said: "As poor as Man City were made to look last weekend by Arsenal, I do still think they'll have enough to beat Bournemouth."
Brighton vs Aston Villa is predicted as a draw, with Shearer noting Villa's player departures. He said: "Villa have been stripped of their best players, I read a really good article the other day about the number of players being bought by top six clubs from the rest of the Premier League is growing year on year and Aston Villa and Newcastle have both been a victim of that this season. They've lost Rodgers, Konsa, Tielemans and they might be losing Watkins. It's tough. Emery is an unbelievable manager, and he is their biggest asset, I'd be concerned for them if he wasn't there and in charge, but because he is I still think they'll have a decent season. This will be a tricky first test, so I'll say it will be a draw."
For Newcastle vs Liverpool, Shearer predicts a draw, citing tributes to Kevin Keegan. He said: "It's going to be an emotional atmosphere because of the tributes to Kevin Keegan. I've already seen one or two bits about what the fans and both football clubs are going to be taking part in, it should be an unbelievable atmosphere beforehand, an emotional atmosphere because of what Kevin meant to both football clubs and both sets of fans. So, I'm going to go draw."
Shearer backs Chelsea to beat Fulham, saying: "I'm going to go away win. I think Chelsea will have a decent season. Fulham, I think, will struggle. It's a big ask for Arbeloa to come in and take over."
