EPL Week 1 Predictions: Opening Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
The Premier League makes its long-anticipated return on Saturday, and after Leicester City's historic title-winning campaign last term, the 2016-17 season is shaping up to be the most open of its kind.
The champions open the new campaign in Saturday's early kick-off at newly promoted Hull City, and a Sunday clash between Arsenal and Liverpool highlights the first weekend of the new term.
This weekend also presents the first Premier League outings for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte, as their teams take on Sunderland and West Ham United on Saturday and Monday, respectively.
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will also get his first taste of league action at the Red Devils helm with a trip to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
Read on for a breakdown of the opening weekend's fixture schedule, complete with score predictions and a preview of the star players to keep an eye on.
| Saturday, August 13 | 12:30 p.m. BST/7:30 a.m. ET | Hull City | 1-3 | Leicester City |
| Saturday, August 13 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Burnley | 2-2 | Swansea City |
| Saturday, August 13 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Crystal Palace | 1-1 | West Bromwich Albion |
| Saturday, August 13 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Everton | 1-2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Saturday, August 13 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Middlesbrough | 2-3 | Stoke City |
| Saturday, August 13 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Southampton | 1-0 | Watford |
| Saturday, August 13 | 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET | Manchester City | 3-1 | Sunderland |
| Sunday, August 14 | 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET | Bournemouth | 1-2 | Manchester United |
| Sunday, August 14 | 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET | Arsenal | 1-2 | Liverpool |
| Monday, August 15 | 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET | Chelsea | 1-1 | West Ham United |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United
After months of waiting—and years for those anticipating his career would one day take him to England—Zlatan Ibrahimovic will finally make his debut in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Red Devils have had time to welcome the former Paris Saint-Germain predator into their ranks, and goalkeeper David De Gea has tipped the summer arrival for a big impact at Old Trafford:
Ibrahimovic is expected to make his first appearance in the Premier League on the south coast, but Bournemouth will be no pushovers, having beaten United 2-1 at home last season.
Former United defender Phil Neville recently spoke to Sky Sports about the impact Ibrahimovic would have and the marked effect Mourinho has already had in being able to lure such players to the team:
The Swede promises to offer his new side the senior striking presence they've been aching after for so long, and Bournemouth are at risk of falling victim to one of the world's elite in front of goal.
A rampaging debut is far from out of the question for Ibrahimovic at the Vitality Stadium, where Mourinho is sure to also be focused on leaving a mark in his Premier League return.
Sadio Mane, Liverpool
It's been almost nine months since Sadio Mane played a leading role in Southampton's 4-0 demolition of Arsenal at St. Mary's Stadium on Boxing Day last year, and he will be seeking a similar display against the Gunners on Sunday.
This time, however, the Senegal forward comes to the Emirates Stadium in Liverpool colours, and manager Jurgen Klopp has shown appreciation for the early promise shown, per Anfield HQ:
Mane has also been impressive in training with his new side as Redmen TV showed with footage of the attacker last week:
Liverpool fans are hoping their £34 million acquisition can give them a new sheen in attack, and a win at Arsenal would be the ideal manner in which they could get their season up and running.
Mane did it against the Gunners last year, and with key defenders Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny both out injured for Arsenal, the Reds can capitalise with a strong offensive showing.
