ALEX CROOK: Premier League Opening Weekend Preview

The Premier League is BACK! Star Sports football ambassador ALEX CROOK previews the opening weekend of the new season…

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🔴ARSENAL v COVENTRY 🔵
Friday, 8pm

Arsenal begin their quest for first ever back-to-back Premier League titles when they entertain newly-promoted Coventry tonight.

The Gunners looked in imperious form in last weekend’s 3-0 Community Shield win over FA Cup holders Manchester City and are clearly the team to beat.

Coventry could not have picked a more difficult opening game as Frank Lampard’s men end their 25-year exile from the top flight.

However, the only time these two previously met on the first weekend of the season back in 1993 the Sky Blues ran riot at Highbury with Micky Quinn bagging a hat-trick.

Even the most optimistic Coventry fan will not be expecting a repeat and in reality next weekend’s first home game of the season against fellow newly-promoted side Hull is more important.

Arsenal have an excellent record against teams coming up from the Championship, winning 17 and drawing one of the last 18 such meetings.

The Gunners took less than 30 seconds to open the scoring against City last weekend and roared on by what is sure to be a boisterous home crowd, I can see another fast start.

It will be interesting to see who Mikel Arteta starts with up front as Viktor Gyokeres will be desperate to face his former club but Kai Havertz would be disappointed to be dropped after scoring in Cardiff.

If he gets the nod, I fancy Havertz at 11/10 with starsports.bet to score at any time.

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🐯HULL v MANCHESTER UNITED 🔴
Saturday, 12.30pm

I will be making my first ever trip to the MKM Stadium to watch Hull host Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime.

The Tigers have been written off by most pundits as relegation certainties but that will not concern them having defied their critics and a negative XG to go up via the play-offs last season.

Ambitious owner Acun Ilicali has been very busy in the transfer market, but the hosts still look a little lacking in pace to me, which should work in United’s favour.

Last weekend’s 4-2 friendly defeat against Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan was a bit of a reality check after the way Michael Carrick’s team ended last season.

However, pre-season performances had been largely positive to that point and with a couple more additions United will be very much part of the top four conversation.

On paper the Red Devils have a great chance of making a positive start to the season with back-to-back games against Hull and Ipswich before a trip to Everton.

It is never easy going away from home against a newly-promoted team on the first day, but Carrick has to be disappointed if his team do not come out on top.

With Benjamin Sesko still not fully fit, Bryan Mbeumo is set to start up front.

The Frenchman has looked really sharp in friendly action so my build-a-bet is United to win, Mbeumo to score and Hull to collect the most booking points at 4.5 with starsports.bet

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⚫NEWCASTLE v LIVERPOOL 🔴
Sunday, 4.30pm

On Sunday I will be hot-footing it to St James’ Park on what is sure to be an emotionally-charged occasion as both sets of supporters pay tribute to the late, great Kevin Keegan.

This is an opening fixture Keegan would have loved to have been a part of and one that evokes memories of classic clashes from years gone by.

The return of Liverpool striker Alexander Isak for the first time since forcing his way out of the north east also adds extra spice.

Plus both teams have new managers in the dugout with German Matthias Jaissle replacing Eddie Howe in the home dugout and Andoni Iraola swapping Bournemouth for Anfield.

Jaisle will be out to make a positive early impression in front of the Toon Army but Newcastle have failed to win any of the previous 19 meetings with Liverpool.

The visitors are also unbeaten in their last 13 opening day fixtures.

While it appears written in the stars Isak will have a big role to play as pantomime villain, I like the look of Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha to score the first goal of the Iraola era at 7/1 with starsports.bet.

The teenager scored a dramatic late winner in this fixture last season and looks set to have a big role to play following the exit of Mo Salah.

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⚪FULHAM v CHELSEA 🔵
Monday, 8pm

We round off the weekend with a west London derby on Monday night.

As discussed in my big ante-post preview, I fear for Fulham this season having put their faith in the inexperienced Alvaro Arbeloa and after losing a lot of experience from their dressing room.

In contrast Chelsea fans are optimistic of having a good season under their new manager Xabi Alonso having once again spent big in the transfer market.

This game should see a debut for £117m British record signing Morgan Rogers and Chelsea’s attack looks potentially very potent, especially if Cole Palmer can get back to his best form playing alongside his boyhood pal Rogers.

I’ve already tipped Joao Pedro as my each-way shout for the Golden Boot and I think Alonso’s Chelsea will be a lot of fun to watch.

Defensively I have my reservations and I am not totally sold on £52m Maxence Lacroix nor goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Having said that, I think the Blues will have too much for their near neighbours and expect Alonso to get his tenure off to a winning start.

Chelsea are 17/20 with starsports.bet to pick up all three points.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
1⃣ BEST BET: Chelsea to win 1.5pts at 17/20 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
2⃣ NEXT BEST: Kai Havertz to score 1pt at 11/10 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
🎲 LONG SHOT: Rio Ngumoha to score first 0.5pts at 7/1 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
📊 BUILD-A-BET: Manchester United to win, Bryan Mbeumo to score and Hull to collect the most booking points 1pt at 4.5/1 with starsports.bet
🚀 ALEX ACCA: Lincoln, Birmingham, Wrexham, Luton 1pt at 16/1 from 12/1 with starsports.bet

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ALEX ‘S PROFIT/LOSS (AUG 2026): -3.00 points

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