B/R Experts' Big-Game Predictions, August 11-13

After a summer of lavish spending and high-profile friendlies, the gloves are off, with the Premier League season getting under way.

League action has already commenced in France, while Sunday sees Spain and Italy host their curtain-raisers—with a certain Clasico the highlight.

Read on for our experts' views on the weekend's action.

Arsenal vs. Leicester City

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

A new dawn for Arsene Wenger and the chance to prove that he is the right man to lead Arsenal forward.

The Gunners boss believes he was to blame for last season's problems, as his hesitancy over signing a new deal led to his players asking what was going on.

Things are looking better. Alexandre Lacazette is on board, meaning Arsenal finally have a striker who should gobble up chances inside the box.

Expect him to get off to a goalscoring start on Friday against a Leicester City side coming back down to earth after a season in the Champions League.

Manager Craig Shakespeare will ensure this is a decent season for the Foxes, but Arsenal will have learned their lessons from opening-day nightmares of seasons gone by and get that first win on the board at the first time of asking.

Prediction: 2-0

First goalscorer: Alexandre Lacazette

Watford vs. Liverpool

Kin Cheung/Associated Press

If pre-season is anything to go by, then Liverpool have the potential to tear Watford apart.

Mohamed Salah's addition offers another exciting edge to the Reds' dynamic play, and with Sadio Mane looking sharp on the other flank, everything indicates a Liverpool win on Saturday.

Safety is the main objective for Watford this term, and Andre Gray's signing shows they are serious about proving that will be possible.

With Marco Silva as boss, we can expect the Hornets to punch above their weight in some big games. But that will probably prove beyond them on the Premier League's opening weekend.

Prediction: 1-3

First goalscorer: Roberto Firmino

Chelsea vs. Burnley

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is bristling with anger heading into his side's Premier League opener. If the Blues don't start the season well, you have to wonder how much longer he'll be around.

They do not have a deep squad as they begin their title defence, but with Alvaro Morata on board, they at least have a proven striker to lead the line.

He has never played in the Premier League but does have the pedigree to suggest he will easily reach 15 goals this season.

Saturday presents a nice match for Chelsea, as the Burnley squad does not look particularly exciting—their summer signings include Jack Cork, Phil Bardsley and Jon Walters. Tom Heaton was one of the best 'keepers in the division last season but no longer has Michael Keane in front of him as protection.

Prediction: 2-0

First goalscorer: Alvaro Morata

Manchester United vs. West Ham United

Boris Grdanoski/Associated Press

Here we go, then. Can Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho secure the title in his second season at Old Trafford?

A quick look at the squad suggests he has the team spine to mount a challenge. David De Gea, Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku will make the Theatre of Dreams seem like the Land of the Giants.

Pre-season form suggests we can expect some faster football from United this term, but don't doubt the fact they will also bully teams for narrow wins. Mourinho is about to prioritise winning, not entertaining.

Javier Hernandez will be back on familiar soil on Sunday, but he will be wearing a West Ham United shirt, which may worry United fans.

Prediction: 2-1

First goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku

Guingamp vs. PSG

Kamil Zihnioglu/Associated Press

Local papers in the Guingamp region have labelled Sunday's game, against Paris Saint-Germain, as the biggest in their history.

That's predicated on the idea that Neymar, the capital club's brand-new £200 million signing, might well make his debut in their stadium. The world's eyes will descend upon the Stade de Roudourou in anticipation of a star showing and a goal fest.

It's expected that PSG will win this match with ease, though given they didn't stick quite as many as expected past Amiens last time out, we'll temper expectations and go for a two-goal margin of victory.

Prediction: 1-3

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

Juventus vs. Lazio

Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press

The Supercoppa Italiana returns to its traditional slot as Serie A's curtain-raiser, with this season's edition taking place the week before the league season begins.

Having lost last year's final to AC Milan, Juventus will be hoping to go one better this time, with the double winners taking on Coppa Italia finalists Lazio.

Both teams have retained their coaches, with Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri benefiting from a vast array of weapons after the club added Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi to a squad already boasting Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado and Mario Mandzukic.

He will likely deploy his 4-2-3-1 formation, while Lazio's Simone Inzaghi—who will be missing the injured Keita Balde—is likely to use the 4-3-3 that worked so well in 2016/17.

However, they have lost each of their past six meetings with Juve and failed to score in the process, a trend likely to continue at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Prediction: 2-0

First goalscorer: Paulo Dybala

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The Spanish Super Cup isn't a guarantee of what lies ahead, but there will be interest in this particular one, as it comes just two weeks after a pre-season Clasico, won by Barca, and it is also the first meeting of the teams in the post-Neymar era.

How much will his departure affect Ernesto Valverde's team? It could free up Lionel Messi even more to roam and wreak havoc, with a more structured left side as a result of the Brazilian's departure, but it also means less top-tier individuality to trouble Real's back four with.

Sunday's game is only the first leg, so there's no reason for Zinedine Zidane's side to force the issue and try to win this match, but they'll be confident in light of last term's title triumph, Barca's upheaval and their UEFA Super Cup win over Manchester United on Tuesday.

Prediction: 2-2

First goalscorer: Lionel Messi