After a disappointing 2019/20 Premier League campaign, Arsenal managed to get their hands on the FA Cup last season and they will be hoping to take that momentum into 2020/21.
Mikel Arteta’s men dug deep to win the trophy at Wembley before they then beat Liverpool to win the Community Shield last month.
Arsenal to Make Quick Start
Arsenal open their 2020/21 campaign with a trip to Craven Cottage and they will fancy their chances of beating recently-promoted Fulham, who made an instant return to the top flight.
The all-London clash starts at 12:30 and the head-to-head stats suggest Fulham are in for a bleak afternoon.
The Cottagers have lost each of their last five Premier League games against Arsenal and the last time they were in the top flight in 2018/19, they conceded nine goals against the Gunners and their squad looks vulnerable.
Scott Parker has managed to sign Alphonse Arreola from Paris Saint-Germain on loan, but they could have been handed an easier first game back in the top flight.
Fulham have lost their last ten top-flight London derbies and Arsenal, brimming with confidence, looks a decent price at 31/20 to win to nil.
Southampton Looking to Carry on From Where They Left Off
Southampton’s end to last season certainly raised eyebrows, especially when they looked dead and buried in November.
Their decision to stick with coach Ralph Hasenhuttl was vindicated and the future looks bright on the south coast.
They head to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon to face a Crystal Palace side who are still lacking bodies.
Michy Batshuayi, Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze have joined, but they may need a few more recruits to give them a team who can stave off the threat of relegation.
Palace have won just three of their last 22 top-flight matches against Southampton and that poor record looks like it will only get worse this weekend.
Saints look a class above at the moment and provide great value at 27/20 to come out on top.
Leeds Set for Rude Awakening
Leeds United cruised to the Championship title in the end last season, winning by a 10-point margin.
Marcelo Bielsa has transformed his team from top to bottom and Leeds will certainly give some teams a game this season.
But in their first Premier League game for 16 years, they could be set for a disappointing start as they make the trip to Anfield to take on defending champions Liverpool.
The Reds should win comfortably and it is 10/13 for the hosts to win and there to be over 2.5 goals in the game.
Share of the Spoils in London
After silencing their critics last season, Newcastle United will try to compete for a spot in the top 10 after some shrewd signings.
Callum Wilson has joined from Bournemouth, while Jamal Lewis left Norwich to move to St James’ Park.
Ryan Fraser, Mark Gillespie and Jeff Hendrick have signed on free transfers and Newcastle look like they have a proper number nine for the first time in several years.
West Ham also proved they are no pushovers last season, with Michail Antonio guiding them away from relegation.
David Moyes’ squad has stayed largely intact, with Grady Diangana joining West Bromwich Albion.
While Newcastle have won nine Premier League games against West Ham on their travels, they have a dire record on the opening weekend.
The Magpies have lost 11 matches on matchday one but the draw, at 51/20, looks like an interesting bet for this one.
*All odds correct at time of writing
