B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football This Weekend
The Premier League opens this weekend as clubs across Europe prepare for their new campaigns.
Our resident Bleacher Report experts are also up and running after their first weekend in the prediction hot-seat.
But do you agree with their selections for this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace
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Alex Livie: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Aaron Ramsey
The Gunners claimed the Community Shield with a 3-0 win over Manchester City; I take them to beat the Eagles by a similar scoreline.
Sam Tighe: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Aaron Ramsey
Palace look suspect as they wait until late in the window to find value. That's fine as a long-term strategy, but it won't help them here.
Michael Cummings: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal impressed in an essentially meaningless exhibition win over Manchester City but look for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners to build on that performance with a strong start against Palace.
Karl Matchett: Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Arsenal should look to give themselves a comfortable start to the season and give Wenger the chance to play one holding midfielder rather than the double pivot.
Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Santi Cazorla
Arsenal laid down a marker with their convincing Community Shield win over Manchester City. This could be a special season for them, and they'll get it started in style.
Alex Dimond: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
It will be interesting to see whether Palace react well or poorly to the loss of Tony Pulis. With a number of key players out Arsenal will be far from full strength, but they should just have enough quality to avoid a repeat of last season's opening day loss to Aston Villa.
Will Tidey: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
New signing Alexis to start life in the Premier League with a brilliant performance, as Arsenal predictably get their season off to a flyer.
Manchester United vs. Swansea City
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Alex Livie: Manchester United 2-0 Swansea
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
With Robin van Persie not yet deemed fit enough to start, Rooney can take centre stage and in some style.
Sam Tighe: Manchester United 2-0 Swansea
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
The Swans' pre-season has been poor and I am very worried for them this year. United, on the other hand, should start with a bang.
Michael Cummings: Manchester United 2-0 Swansea
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
New captain Wayne Rooney to score in a comfortable opening-day win for Louis van Gaal and United.
Karl Matchett: Manchester United 3-0 Swansea
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Similar to last season, United to comfortably beat Swansea on the opening day. Different to last season, that won’t be their final good performance.
Jerrad Peters: Manchester United 2-1 Swansea
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
These two sides also clashed on the first day of last season, with United winning 4-1 in Wales. They'll prevail again in Louis van Gaal's first Premier League match in charge.
Alex Dimond: Manchester United 3-1 Swansea
First goalscorer: Juan Mata
United have enjoyed a promising and reasonably competitive pre-season, and he should come flying out of the blocks against a Swansea side that has seen plenty of summer changes.
Will Tidey: Manchester Utd 2-0 Swansea City
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
It won't be the stuff of United re-born, but Louis van Gaal's team will get it done against Swansea. Expect Wayne Rooney to be the catalyst.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bastia
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Alex Livie: PSG 3-0 Bastia
First goalscorer: Javier Pastore
PSG were left reeling by the injury to Thiago Silva earlier in the week, but they possess too much quality to be toppled by Bastia.
Sam Tighe: PSG 2-0 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG had a terrible opening weekend, but it won't linger. I'm tipping Laurent Blanc's side to bounce back and win their first of the season.
Michael Cummings: PSG 3-1 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
In PSG's season opener, Zlatan scored twice and had chances for more. Meanwhile, the defending left something to be desired. Few surprises, then, as Laurent Blanc's team didn't seem quite ready for start of the campaign. Look for a positive reaction—and another Ibra goal—against Bastia.
Karl Matchett: PSG 2-0 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG are going to waltz to the league title this season. They could win every home match.
Jerrad Peters: PSG 3-1 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG were hardly convincing in their Ligue 1 opener against Reims, although they did get a pair of goals from Ibrahimovic. The Thiago Silva injury really hurts them.
Alex Dimond: PSG 2-0 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The scoreline will surely depend greatly on how long Bastia can go before conceding the opening goal.
Will Tidey: PSG 4-0 Bastia
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
FC Porto vs. Maritimo
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Alex Livie: FC Porto 3-0 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Cristian Tello
Porto are looking to make more of a splash in the Portuguese title race this season. They can make their mark with victory over Maritimo.
Sam Tighe: FC Porto 2-1 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Jackson Martinez
Porto are stronger than Maritimo by a distance. I'm going with the odds.
Michael Cummings: FC Porto 2-0 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Jackson Martinez
Porto to post a comfortable home win despite losing Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando to Man City in the summer.
Karl Matchett: FC Porto 2-0 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Adrian
I’m backing Porto to make a complete turnaround and win the Liga Sagres this season.
Jerrad Peters: FC Porto 2-0 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Jackson Martinez
Despite the departures of Fernando, Steven Defour and Eliaquim Mangala, Porto have once again re-stocked the cupboard with a handful of meaningful summer signings.
Alex Dimond: FC Porto 1-0 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Jackson Martinez
After so many summer signings it may take Porto a while to gel, but they should still beat Maritimo at home.
Will Tidey: FC Porto 2-1 Maritimo
First goalscorer: Cristian Tello
AZ Alkmaar vs. Ajax
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Alex Livie: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Ajax
First scorer: Aron Johannsson
AZ made an impressive start to the season with a win at Heracles. A visit from Ajax will be a sterner test, but one they can pass.
Sam Tighe: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Ajax
First goalscorer: Arkadiusz Milik
Both sides started the season well but Ajax are by far the stronger outfit. Win No. 2 for Frank de Boer's boys.
Michael Cummings: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Ajax
First goalscorer: Lasse Schone
Ajax and Lasse Schone got off to a fine start in their season opener, a 4-1 win at home to Vitesse. AZ away will be a tougher test, but I'm backing Frank de Boer's side to take the points.
Karl Matchett: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Ajax
First goalscorer: Lasse Schone
It won’t be an easy game, but I fancy Ajax to maintain a strong start to the season.
Jerrad Peters: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Ajax
First goalscorer: Muamer Tankovic
Ajax got their title defence underway with a convincing win over Vitesse, but he will be pushed to the limit by an AZ Alkmaar side that trounced Heracles in week one.
Alex Dimond: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Ajax
First scorer: Aron Johannsson
Coming away with a point from this game is surely the minimum Ajax can expect if they want to be Dutch champions for a fifth time in a row.
Will Tidey: AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Ajax
Tough scrap here, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Latest Standings
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| Name | Week's Total | Total |
| Karl Matchett | 10 | 12 |
| Mike Cummings | 7 | 10 |
| Sam Tighe | 7 | 7 |
| Alex Dimond | 6 | 6 |
| Alex Livie | 3 | 6 |
| Jerrad Peters | 6 | 6 |
| Will Tidey | 3 | 3 |
B/R
Correct result: 1 point
Correct first goalscorer: 2 points
Correct scoreline: 3 points
