Premier League Week 1: Predictions for Every Game This Week

We're only two days out from the start of a new English Premier League season, meaning it's time to take a look at the week that is to come.

With 10 matches scheduled, we'll get our first look at the relative strengths and weaknesses of this year's clubs.

There are some fantastic matches to be had in the opening week. Let's get straight into them as I make my predictions for Week 1 of the Premier League.

Arsenal vs. Sunderland

At home, I expect the Gunners to come out strong here and make a statement that even without Robin van Persie, they are still a force to be reckoned with this year.

With Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud, this is still a very strong squad with one of the best managers in the Premier League in Arsene Wenger. 

I think Arsenal are too strong at home.

They will build a commanding lead early and play the Black Cats out of the match.

Arsenal win 2-0

Fulham vs. Norwich City

Fulham have brought in new attacking talent over the summer transfer window in Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric, both of which will help the Cottagers attack throughout the year.

Norwich, on the other hand, have a new manager and are a prime-candidate to suffer a second-year syndrome in the English Premier League.

I can't see the Canaries being that bad throughout the year. They will no doubt be competitive, but I just don't see them edging Fulham at home in the opening round of the season.

A late goal to the home side will be enough to take all three points.

Fulham win 1-0

Queens Park Rangers vs. Swansea City

I really like what Mark Hughes has done at Queens Park Rangers over the summer transfer window. In particular, I like picking up Fabio da Silva on loan and Ji-Sung Park from Manchester United.

The contrast to that is Swansea, who have had a horrible offseason and one that doesn't equip them to start the Premier League. They've lost their manager and Joe Allen to Liverpool, and they've lost Gylfi Sigurdsson to Tottenham.

I can't see them being at all together to take down a QPR side buoyed on by the home crowd at Loftus Road.

The Rangers will net several second-half goals to record a comfortable victory.

QPR win 3-0

Reading vs. Stoke City

I also really like what Reading have done in the offseason. I think they could surprise a lot of people this year.

With little money, the Royals have added quality players such as Chris Gunter, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Danny Guthrie and Nicky Shorey (per The Daily Mail). If they all can find their best form, they could put together a difficult side to take down at home.

Stoke aren't the best team away from home either, so Reading it is for me. Not by much, though.

Reading win 2-1

West Bromwich Albion vs. Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers is a big change from Kenny Daglish. There's no doubting that.

Liverpool will play a different style of football under the new manager, but the real question is whether it will yield any success for the Reds this year.

Even away from home, I expect them to get the job done. I think adapting to Rodgers' scheme takes some time, and I think it will take time for Fabio Borini and Joe Allen to adjust into the side. But they should have enough to get past West Brom.

The Baggies are my tip to run last this year, so I sure hope that Liverpool can get the job done away from home, for their sake, anyway.

Liverpool win 1-0

West Ham vs. Aston Villa

West Ham are back.

Big Sam and the merry men are back in the English Premier League, and they will be looking to do everything they can not to be relegated back to the Championship this season.

Matches like these—home to Aston Villa—are ones that they need to be winning if they are going to avoid the drop this year. The Hammers will know the importance of this one.

Aston Villa also know the importance of getting results. The Villans were largely disappointing last season, so expect them to turn in a strong performance to start the season that sees both teams walk away with a competition point.

Draw 1-1

Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United were without doubt the biggest surprise of last season. The question is: Can they repeat their success this year when the expectations are much higher than last year? 

The Magpies' star strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse will no doubt be a handful for Tottenham, but Spurs are more than capable of handling what Newcastle throws at them. They will be strong under Andre Villas-Boas. The addition of Jan Vertonghen into this defense this year could turn out to be a very big addition.

I think both sides will look good and impress their fans—well, as good as you can look without scoring any goals. Defense is the winner in this one.

Draw 0-0

Wigan Athletic vs. Chelsea

When you've got Petr Cech, John Terry and Ashley Cole at the back and Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Oscar and Fernando Torres at the front, you know you've got a good side.

Chelsea have a very good side.

They will challenge for the Premier League title and a Champions League position this season. Their squad is simply too deep and too strong not to be considered a threat.

Having said that, I think it will take time for the Blues to gel. Despite getting a win on the road, they won't look as impressive early as many expected them to be.

Chelsea win 1-0

Manchester City vs. Southampton

The defending champions have started their title defense in the perfect way, clinching the Community Shield over Chelsea in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

The Citizens now welcome in newcomers Southampton, a daunting task to say the least for any recently promoted side. So do they stand a chance against the might of Manchester City?

Absolutely not.

City will win comfortably and make it look very, very easy in the process.

Manchester City win 3-0

Everton vs. Manchester United

Last time these two sides met, Manchester United dropped a two-goal lead at Old Trafford in the final five minutes to finish with a stunning 4-4 draw. Expect United to be much more focused this time around.

Having said that, this is certainly no walk-over for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Goodison Park will be a tough place to visit this year. Everton will have another strong season. 

With summer sensation Robin van Persie a potential inclusion, though, you'd have to side with the away side here. Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa won't have it all their way, but they will do enough to get the job done in a tough match, but one that shows their status as a genuine Premier League contender.

Manchester United win 2-0

What do you think will happen in the EPL this weekend?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre