Expect leading title favourites to start well in Matchday 1

Arsenal v Coventry - Friday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports

Welcome to the Premier League Coventry. Frank Lampard would love to get a result. I don't think he will.  As much as it would set them up for a first-day amazing result, I can't see it, especially looking at Arsenal last weekend. 

Hull v Man United - Saturday, 12:30, Live on TNT Sports

I think it's going to be a different season for Man United, Michael Carrick has done a very good job. He deserves the chance to go again. I know the Baleba transfer is still ongoing, but Man United will have too much for Hull.

You can read Paul Higham's preview of Hull v Man United here

Everton v Crystal Palace - Saturday, 15:00

I think Everton will have enough against Crystal Palace in this one. I think Everton will be rocking on the first game of the season. Everyone will be excited. So, I'm going to say Everton home win.

Ipswich v Sunderland - Saturday, 15:00

I'm always wary, and I know I'm going against what I've said in terms of Hull and Coventry, but particularly when a newly promoted team is at home and they're playing a club like Sunderland, I'm always wary in the first four or five games that the atmosphere will be unbelievable. So, I'm going to say Ipswich home win.

Nottm Forest v Leeds - Saturday, 15:00

This is a really tough one to predict. I'm going to go a draw. I think Leeds will do all right this season. They made a couple of good signings. So, I'm going to go a draw. Oliver Glasner is a really good appointment by Forest, he knows the Premier League and did unbelievably well at Palace.

Brentford v Tottenham - Saturday, 17:30, Live on Sky Sports

This is another tough one. Spurs have spent an absolute fortune but this is a tough one to call. Brentford last season were unbelievable. Keith Andrews was up there as one of the best managers of the season. Tiago up front had an incredible season. I'm going to go draw.

Now read Dave Tindall's full preview of Brentford v Tottenham here

Brighton v Aston Villa - Sunday, 14:00, Live on Sky Sports

Another tough one to call. Villa have been stripped of their best players, I read a really good article the other day about the number of players being bought by top six clubs from the rest of the Premier League is growing year on year and Aston Villa and Newcastle have both been a victim of that this season. They've lost Rodgers, Konsa, Tielemans and they might be losing Watkins. It's tough.

Emery is an unbelievable manager, and he is their biggest asset, I'd be concerned for them if he wasn't there and in charge, but because he is I still think they'll have a decent season. This will be a tricky first test, so I'll say it will be a draw.

Man City v Bournemouth - Sunday, 14:00, Live on Sky Sports

As poor as Man City were made to look last weekend by Arsenal, I do still think they'll have enough to beat Bournemouth.

Newcastle v Liverpool - Sunday, 16:30, Live on Sky Sports

It's going to be an emotional atmosphere because of the tributes to Kevin Keegan. I've already seen one or two bits about what the fans and both football clubs are going to be taking part in, it should be an unbelievable atmosphere beforehand, an emotional atmosphere because of what Kevin meant to both football clubs and both sets of fans. So, I'm going to go draw.

Brentford v Chelsea - Monday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports

I'm going to go away win. I think Chelsea will have a decent season. Fulham, I think, will struggle. It's a big ask for Arbeloa to come in and take over.

Now read more Alan Shearer exclusives here