Our Premier League Match Day 1 Predictions

This Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Teams across the league have flexed the economic might of the english top flight, securing some of the best and most expensive talent domestically and from across the globe. With everything from title glory, European dreams and survival status on the line, breathtaking drama is almost 100% assured.

So just before the inaugural game of the 2023/24 campaign we here at Mixtape Madness go from music connoisseurs to football fortune tellers giving you our predictions for the most interesting fixtures on match day 1!

Manchester City vs Burnley

The season opener sees defending champions Manchester City take on Vincent Kompany, one of their favourite sons, as they make the short trip to Turf Moor.

Burnley lit up the championship last season with offensive minded, possession based football, and the clarets will be hopeful that Kompany’s philosophy will be enough to secure their Premier League status next season. City however have been in imperious form in 2023 and I believe the newly promoted side will struggle with the dynamism of Erling Haaland up top. – Joe

Score prediction: 1-3

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Well this fixture has somehow managed to become even more poised in the last 24 hours. All credit due to one Moises Caicedo who after his move from Brighton to either one of these two english giants will smash the english transfer record for the second time this summer. 

It’s really not hard to see why both sides are battling it out for his signature. Liverpool have no senior defensive midfielders after letting go of Fabinho and Henderson this summer, with Caicedo feeling like a perfect fit, reunited with Alexis Mac Allister in the middle and comfortable at RB while TAA inverts. A signing that turns the Reds from CL contenders to bonafide title challengers.

For Chelsea who also lack a natural number 6 in their squad Caicedo represents another chapter in their near £1bn assault on the transfer markets since new owners Clearlake Capital took over a year ago. While Chelsea remain an unknown quantity under Pochettino the addition of Caicedo alongside the abundance of talent at the club right now is a fearsome prospect. – Jesse

Score prediction: 2-2 

Everton vs Fulham

Last season proved to be another difficult one for Everton, surviving by the skin of their teeth on the final day. Sean Dyche’s brand of football not only didn’t grab the attention of fans but also failed to secure safety efficiently. It appears to be another perilous season, especially with the signings of Ashley Young and Arnaut Danjuma on loan, not really exciting anyone. Fulham, on the other hand, after a brief stint challenging for Europe, finished a very comfortable mid-table, thanks to the efforts of the likes of Aleksandar Mitrović and João Palhinha. However, with Mitrović on the verge of departing, they are hanging their goalscoring hat on Raúl Jiménez who has been past his prime for a while now.

Fulham will struggle without their leading man in this game and games to come, depending on if he departs or not. However, despite having talent this Everton side failed to turn up last year and I think that will be the case here. It will be a gritty and hard-fought game, but I expect Fulham to nick it. – Tom

Score Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth vs West Ham

Both teams go into this fixture slightly lighter than expected in terms of personnel. The inevitable departure of Declan Rice, as well as Gianluca Scamacca’s return to Italy mean that West Ham are not yet at full strength, while Bournemouth are without a recognised right back and also need to find a replacement for Jefferson Lerma.

There is excitement on the South Coast after the appointment of Andoni Iraola and I believe this will be enough to carry the home side over the line. The new manager’s high pressing, front foot style should breathe new life into the team, albeit potentially making them leak goals at the other end which should make for an entertaining fixture. – Joe

Score prediction: 3-2

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

When you break the english transfer record that comes with a certain expectation for the player but the club also. Arsenal will be heading into this season with renewed vigour after how their last campaign ended. £200m lighter but with a deeper and more varied squad than ever Mikel Arteta’s boys will be eyeing up top spot come May and should be better equipped to take their challenge as long as needs be. 

Having spent like mad men last summer and in Jan, Nottingham Forest somehow secured another year in the premiership and are now enacting a much more sensible approach. The Midlands club have picked up winger Anthony Elanga, and US number one Matt Turner for modest fees and fullback Ola Aina for free. While I don’t think they will be much of a problem for Arsenal to handle come Saturday, I suspect they may live up to their ‘Tricky Trees’ nickname for a host of clubs this season. – Jesse

Score prediction: 3-0

Newcastle vs Aston Villa

Eddie Howe pulled off a stunning feat getting his Newcastle side into the Champions Leagues spots last season, and he will be looking to build on this Ashe prepares for his second full season in charge of the Magpies. Unai Emery has also transformed his Aston Villa side since taking over from Steven Gerrard, and the midlands team will be dark horses for the European spots this season.

I expect this game to be a tightly contested battle, with both sides possessing quality all over the pitch. However, with the pre season form of Ollie Watkins and the new signing of Moussa Diaby, I expect Villa to just edge this one. – Joe

Score prediction: 1-2

Brentford vs Tottenham

Brentford truly went above and beyond the call of duty, with a sensational season that almost saw them bring European football to West London. But there is a big Ivan Toney-sized hole in their team, that was reflected by no wins in pre-season. Also, the likely loss of David Raya looks to be another potential worry for Thomas Frank and Co. Speaking of losing big strikers, Harry Kane is currently off to Germany to end his trophy drought, leaving a poor Spurs side in a state of shock. His 30 league goals were not enough to get them into Europe last year, leaving new manager Ange Postecoglou with a difficult start to the season.

Despite a decent pre-season, Spurs will be hit hard by the loss of Kane and Brentford will take advantage. I expect a difficult, but narrow win for the Bees that will force Daniel Levy to act in the transfer market. – Tom

Score Prediction: 1-0

Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace

Sheffield United are in real danger of relegation this season, losing two key players this summer and lacking Premier League quality throughout their squad. Bramall Lane will have to be a fortress for them if they have any chance of staying up, but they take on a youthful Palace side who will be sure to make life difficult for them.

Roy Hodgson continues his role at the helm of Selhurst Park this season after steadying the ship at the end of the last campaign. The loss of Wilfried Zaha will be difficult, but the quality from the likes of Eze and Olise should be enough to get them over the line even without a top quality striker. – Joe

Score prediction: 0-2

Brighton vs Luton Town

When Brighton lose a player there are normally two constants. They will secure a fee in their favour and will already have a replacement lined up and ready to go. The potential departure of Moises Caicedo reaffirms that with the plucky Ecuadorian set to leave the Amex for over £110m. But Brighton still look as good as ever displaying their same cavalier approach to football that got them Europa league football last year. Under De Zerbi and with their spotless recruitment they remain one of the leagues most promising outfits.

Luton look like a team here for a good time not a long time. Since their dramatic promotion to the top flight during last season’s play off finals, observant football fans have mooted the idea that the Hatters are building a team to tackle the Championship next season rather than stay up this season. With a bunch of free and low million pound signings that theory seems bang on. One thing Luton will add to the prem however is some old fashioned novelty with their ground. Expecting an easy night for Brighton. – Jesse

Score prediction: 2-0

Check out our piece on the best and worst kits for upcoming season!