Alan Shearer's Premier League predictions for opening weekend, featuring a blockbuster clash between Chelsea and Manchester City

Alan Shearer has shared his insights on the upcoming fixtures for the first weekend of the 2024-25 Premier League season. The defending champions, Manchester City, will face a tough challenge against a struggling Chelsea side. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Ipswich Town will have their hands full as they host Liverpool. Shearer's predictions have already sparked excitement among fans as they eagerly await these thrilling matches.

Less than three months since lifting the Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium, Man City begin their bid for an unprecedented fifth consecutive title away at Stamford Bridge.

The new season gets underway on Friday night with Manchester United, desperate to improve since putting their faith in under-fire manager Erik ten Hag, welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford.

Ipswich play their first Premier League fixture in 22 years in the early Saturday fixture before Arsenal, runners-up for the last two seasons, begin their campaign against Wolves.

Four other 3pm games are also on the agenda as Champions League side Aston Villa visit West Ham and play-off winners Southampton travel to Newcastle United.

Brentford host Crystal Palace in a London derby on Sunday before arguably the weekend’s stand-out fixture takes place, Man City in action against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

The first Monday Night Football clash of the campaign sees Championship winners Leicester City mark their return to the top-flight against exciting Tottenham.

Betfair ambassador and Metro guest columnist Shearer has delivered his verdict on the opening-weekend fixtures, tipping Manchester City to have ‘too much’ for Chelsea and the promoted teams to struggle.

‘Man United have already played competitively in the Community Shield and I was impressed with what I saw at Wembley. They are at home too, first game of the season, so I’d expect them to win and will go for 3-1.’

‘It’s always difficult when you turn up at a newly promoted club’s first game with the adrenaline of the crowd and the home players, I think this will be a really tricky game for Liverpool. However, I see them sneaking a 1-0 win.’

Man City 1/12
Arsenal 1/10
Liverpool 8/15
Chelsea 6/4
Tottenham, Man United 13/8
Newcastle 2/1
Aston Villa 10/3

(Odds courtesy of Betfair)

‘I think Arsenal will be too strong at home for Wolves, and I do think this will be the season the Gunners can go all the way in the title race. I expect them to start with a comfortable home win, so I’ll go with Arsenal to win 2-0.’

‘This is a tough one to predict. Everton are at home so that’ll be a good atmosphere for the first game of the season, and we don’t quite know how this new-look Brighton team will fare. I’ll go 1-1.’

‘Newcastle will want to get off to a good start at St James’ Park, just like they did last season. It may’ve been different if it was at St Mary’s but because they’re at home, I’m going to say 3-1 Newcastle win.’

‘I think Nottingham Forest may just have enough to edge this game, though I expect both teams to be fighting this season. How will Bournemouth play without Dominic Solanke? It may take some time, so I will say 2-1 to Forest.’

A new Betfair survey of more than 2,000 football fans has revealed that Anfield is the stadium with the best atmosphere in the Premier League. 

The poll, conducted by YouGov Sport, also found fans up and down the country are largely resigned to Manchester City winning the title for a fifth straight year, while supporters believe the top four will be made up by Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United.

This weekend, thousands of supporters will be cheering on their teams away from home, and people surveyed can’t be split on who the title of best away fans should go to, with Newcastle and Liverpool supporters both sharing top spot.

When asked who the worst away fans are, Arsenal got over the line to clinch that title.

‘It’ll be a tight game this one. West Ham have made some exciting signings, but so have Aston Villa. It may take time for some of those to really gel together for both sides, so I am happy to go with a score draw. 1-1.’

‘A London Derby to kick off the season, live on TV on Sunday so could be an exciting one for us all to watch. It feels like these derbies often end in draw, but I fancy goals, so I’ll say 2-2 here.’

‘Chelsea have had a poor pre-season but I wouldn’t take too much notice of that. However, they do have a brand-new manager and a whole host of new players, and when you have the stability and experience of Man City and Pep Guardiola in your first game, I think City will have too much for them. I’ll say 2-1 Man City win.’

‘Spurs are travelling to a newly-promoted team so there’ll be a lot of excitement, but I think they’ll have too much for Leicester, especially with the signings Ange Postecoglou has made. I’ll go with Spurs to win 1-0 on Monday night.’

For more from Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer, head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/alan-shearer/.

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