Robbie Savage Premier League tips: Man United, City and Arsenal to run riot in season openers
- Seb Sternik
- 11 August 2023
Robbie Savage has teamed up with Planet Sport ahead of the new Premier League season. Here are his selections ahead of the first round of matches.
Former Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage is backing the big guns to deliver on the opening weekend of Premier League action.
Savage is backing both Manchester sides to pick up 3-0 wins, while also sticking with Arsenal in their season opener against Nottingham Forest.
The BBC and TNT Sport pundit gave his thoughts and tips on the upcoming games, exclusively for Planet Sport.
Burnley vs Man City
"Burnley have recruited well. Man City have lost [Ilkay] Gundogan - what a player he was, what a season he had. But their recruitment has been brilliant. I think City are too strong. Can they get four [titles] in a row? I think they can.
"Starting at Burnley, I think City will dominate possession and they will score in the first half. I think they'll score in both halves. I don't think Burnley will get on the scoresheet. I'm going for a comfortable 3-0 win for City."
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
"Nottingham Forest have done so well under Steve Cooper to stay up. Yes, they bought loads of players during the last transfer window. They have a huge squad. But they've now identified key players in their system.
"Brennan Johnson - what a player he is. Morgan Gibbs-White - brilliant. I think they might nick a goal at the Emirates.
"But Arsenal, 248 days top of the Premier League last season, in the end they ran out of steam. Their recruitment has been good. [Kai] Haverts, Declan Rice, I think Arsenal will win the game. Both teams to score here but I think Arsenal run out winners, 3-1."
Tip: Arsenal to win 3-1
Bournemouth vs West Ham
"West Ham won the Europa Conference League - a game I was at - but they have lost Declan Rice. Can they score enough goals this season to get in the top half? I'm not so sure they can.
"Going to Bournemouth on the opening day, it's a tricky, tricky game. I think both teams to score in this one and I'm going with a Bournemouth 2-1 win."
Brighton vs Luton
"What can we say about Brighton last season? [Roberto] De Zerbi - unbelievable. Nobody thought that De Zerbi could take on a Graham Potter team and improve them in the final third. The amount of shots, the expected goals, all far better. Possession football - what a season they had.
"Yes they lost Mac Allistair to Liverpool but they've got so many good players and a way of playing.
"Luton, unbelievable. Rob Edwards - to get Luton Town into the Premier League is remarkable. Everybody thinks Luton are going to finish bottom. Can Luton get more than my Derby team of 11 points? That's the big question this season.
"Brighton on the opening day will run out winners 2-0."
Tip: Brighton to win 2-0
Everton vs Fulham
"The big question this season, can Everton score enough goals to fire them up the Premier League table? Or will they be languishing near the bottom again.
"Everton were always the best of the rest when I played. Seventh placed position, fighting for that top six. Now, they're a team that languish around the bottom of the Premier League table.
"Sean Dyche, if he can get them playing with that team spirit… listen, he got Burnley up to seventh with one of the lowest budgets in the Premier League. But they need to score goals, a lot of goals this season if they have any chance of finishing near that top half.
"I don't think it's going to be a good day at Goodison Park. I'm going with Fulham, 1-0."
Tip: Fulham to win 1-0
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace
"Roy Hodgson, what a job he did with Crystal Palace last season. Zaha going to Galatasaray, the amount of plays, chances created, expected goals that went though Zaha at Crystal Palace is there for all to see. That's a huge blow losing Zaha.
"Sheffield United - Paul Heckingbottom did a great job getting them back into the Premier League. We all remember what happened when Chris Wilder brought them into the Premier League that first season, their expansive style of football. They were brilliant.
"I think this could be an even encounter. I think both teams to score, I'm going 1-1 draw.
Tip: Draw 1-1
Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
"One of the best games of the weekend. Eddie Howe and Unai Emery, two fantastic managers who have done unbelievably well last season with their respective clubs.
"Newcastle Champions League football, Aston Villa European football. They met in pre-season over in America. This is a fantastic game, one of the best of the weekend.
"Aston Villa have recruited brilliantly well. The signings they've made have been fantastic. Newcastle [Sandro] Tonali from AC Milan, good signing.
"I think this could be a high scoring encounter. I'm going for Newcastle United at St James' Park to win 3-2."
Tip: Newcastle to win 3-2
Brentford vs Tottenham
"Brentford last season, brilliant, at times mesmerising. Pace, power, intelligent football, fantastic coach. But they're up against a Spurs side with Ange Postecoglou. We know how well his Celtic side have played, how he got them playing football.
"I think this could be a very entertaining game. Two managers who like to play football, attacking football, dynamic football.
"For Brentford, no Ivan Toney which is a huge blow. Spurs currently still have Harry Kane. That's the big talking point all summer.
"Will Spurs be able to hold on to Harry Kane? As we speak, they have. On that basis, I'm going to go for a Spurs 2-1 away win."
Tip: Tottenham to win 2-1
Chelsea vs Liverpool
"Game of the weekend, Chelsea start off their Premier League campaign against Liverpool at the Bridge.
"Chelsea. Who would've thought it. If people were making their predictions and saying Chelsea were going to finish in the top four it would be a good season - who would've thought that in the Premier League era we're saying an improvement for Chelsea would be getting in the top four.
"I think they can. I think they've got a fantastic coach in [Mauricio] Pochettino. He can galvanise squads. He can make players better. Just look at the Spurs team. But he needs time, Pochettino needs time.
"The big blow is losing [Christopher] Nkunku in pre-season, I thought he started well.
"I think Chelsea will finish in the top four this season ahead of Liverpool.
"Liverpool have recruited really well. Yes, they lost players but strength in depth is getting better for Jurgen Klopp who's done unbelievable things at Liverpool. I think this will be a high scoring encounter. I think both teams will score. I'm going to go 2-1 for Chelsea."
Tip: Chelsea to win 2-1
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton
"Gary O'Neill in charge of Wolves after [Julen] Lopetegui left the football club. They've lost some very good players and for me they haven't brought the same calibre of players in.
"We know with Gary O'Neil, what he did with Bournemouth, I thought it was so unfortunate to no longer be Bournemouth manager. He now has an opportunity at Wolves, I think it's going to be a difficult one.
"Manchester United have recruited well. Everybody said they needed a centre forward and they brough in Rasmus Hojlund.
"We'll have to wait to see whether he's involved, but I think United have recruited well. Far better than their opponents. I'm going with a Manchester United 3-0 win."
