The 2018-19 English Premier League season kicks off on Saturday morning Australian time, with Manchester United hosting Leicester City in the first match of the campaign.
\nUnited finished in second place last season \u2013 albeit 19 points behind cross-town rivals Manchester City \u2013 but cracks are beginning to show already, with legendary manager Jose Mourinho reportedly at odds with some of his dressing room.
\nMourinho has made it known he wants to sign more players, and has repeatedly talked down his team during their pre-season campaign.
\nWith incoming transfers looking unlikely given the deadline is now before the season begins, United need to start strongly to put all of this behind them, although the Foxes looms as a dangerous challenge.
\nLeicester have added Jonny Evans and Ricardo Pereira among others during the off-season, but the loss of Riyad Mahrez may be one of the biggest outgoings of the entire window across the country.
\nThey\u2019ll be looking to build on their ninth placed finish last season, but it could take them a little while to get going without their Algerian star.
\nUnited should get the chocolates here, although their struggles at the back could see Leicester make this one interesting.<\/p>\n
Best Bet – <\/strong>Both teams to score: YES – $2.15<\/a><\/p>\n Newcastle will host the Spurs to kick off a big Saturday night of opening round action, and this game looms as the most intriguing of the lot. Best Bet – <\/strong>Tottenham to win: $2.00<\/a><\/p>\n Manchester City travel to London to face the Gunners in easily the biggest tie of the opening weekend.
\nNewcastle vs Tottenham<\/a><\/h3>\n
Saturday August 11, 9.30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nThe Magpies have added Ki Sung-yueng from Swansea and saved Salomon Rondon from the Championship via a loan from West Brom.
\nTottenham have been almost unsighted in the transfer window, with only Keanan Bennetts and Anton Walkes on the outgoings list.
\nNewcastle will be hoping to start the season off on a positive note, although Tottenham\u2019s stars should do enough to get the three points.<\/p>\n
\nArsenal vs Manchester City <\/a><\/h3>\n
Monday August 13, 1am<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nThe Citizens have been relatively quiet in the transfer window, although the addition of Riyad Mahrez from the Foxes is one of the biggest signings of the off-season.
\nArsenal\u2019s medical room has been busy, with the club bringing in Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Sokratis.
\nThe signatures should give Unai Emery something to work with, although it could take them a while to gel together, and a first up test against the reigning champions isn\u2019t an ideal first match to ease into the new season.
\nCity should get this done, and they shouldn\u2019t have that much trouble either.<\/p>\n