EPL: Week 1 (Sat-Sun) Predictions

Sunderland v Tottenham (Sat, 11 August)
Sunderland's recent win over Juventus in a pre-season friendly will give them a pretty big boost against what will be a tough game against Tottenham. The Spurs score plenty of goals away from home, netting 13 in their last 6 games. Sunderland have score 14 in their last 7 home games, including the pre-season friendlies. As mentioned, it will be tough to decide but I'm starting the season off with a draw.
Prediction: DRAW
Result: Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham

Bolton v Newcastle (Sat, 11 August)
Newcastle had a horrible 2006/7 making it to number 13, while Bolton managed the 7th place spot. The Magpies have only won 1, drawn 1 and lost 6 times in their last 8 away games. They seem to concede quite often, and are lucky to manage a single goal despite having Martins, Viduka and Owen at their disposal. Bolton don't score too many at home and have known to concede. Not much between these sides. Normally I'd still give Newcastle the win, but with their recent form I think a draw is in order.
Prediction: DRAW
Result: Bolton 1-3 Newcastle

Everton v Wigan Athletic (Sat, 11 August)
Wigan haven't been good away from home winning only 5 from 19 last season, but their pre-season suggests otherwise, with them scoring 6 and conceding only 2 away. Then again, they played Leeds, Barnsley, Sheff Utd, all three teams haven't really had good home games so were never going to be too much competition for Wigan. Everton should win this, with Wigan perhaps sneaking one; 2 or 3-1 to Everton.
Prediction: EVERTON
Result: Everton 2-1 Wigan

Middlesbrough v Blackburn (Sat, 11 August)
A tough one. Middlesbrough had a fairly good home record last season, scoring quite a few while Blackburn didn't, and scored only a few. Their pre-season has given me mixed signals so not much to say for their current form. Middlesbrough should win here, barely though. 1-0, I think.
Prediction: MIDDLESBROUGH
Result: Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn

West Ham v Man City (Sat, 11 August)
West Ham really impressed last season scoring lots of goals while City haven't been doing the same away from home. Despite finishing last season a point behind City, I think they'll grab 3 points on Saturday, maybe even without conceding. 1 or 2-0.
Prediction: WEST HAM
Result: West Ham 0-2 Man City

Derby v Portsmouth (Sat, 11 August)
New kids on the block Derby will are given a decent welcome to the Premier League, hosting Portsmouth. It could have been much worse. They score goals at home and will be happy going into the league with a 2-2 home draw against Espanyol in a recent friendly. Portsmouth have had a breezy pre-season, beating both Leicester and Bournemouth away, 1-3 and 1-4 respectively. However, their away form has been horrible prior to that, scoring only 3 and conceding 12 in their last 7 away games; that's a pretty bad record but since Derby can score at home. I'm torn between both sides, but in the end Portsmouth will probably win this.
Prediction: PORTSMOUTH
Result: Derby 2-2 Portsmouth

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Sat, 11 August)
Armed with Fernando Torres, Liverpool will feel very strong going into their first league game but Aston Villa will have other plans. With a great 3-0 home win against Inter (friendly) recently, and some good away win right before that (Stoke City, Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Blackburn), The Villans will feel they can put pressure on Benitez's men by pulling a first game upset but I doubt that'll happen. A first game draw will still disappoint the Reds, and Villa will take that. They'll both score, so you won't be seeing a goalless draw.
Prediction: DRAW
Result: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Arsenal v Fulham (Sun, 12 August)
Arsenal have had a fantastic end to their last season, and a fantastic pre-season. They're on a 10-game unbeaten run, scoring lots of goals at the Emirates Stadium. They should have absolutely no problem brushing aside Fulham who've scored only 5 goals in their last 7 games. One final statistic: Arsenal have won 66.67% of their last 15, Fulham have only managed 21.45% and they've never beaten the Gunners on an away game, as far as I remember. Comfy win for Arsenal.
Prediction: ARSENAL
Result: ?

Chelsea v Birmingham (Sun, 12 August)
Despite their poor form in the pre-season, Chelsea will have no problem overcoming Birmingham, although you can expect the newly promoted side to sneak in a goal. Chelsea should score at least 2.
Prediction: CHELSEA
Result: ?

Man. United v Reading (Sun, 12 August)
With Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, the Red Devils are fired up for the new season and will cause some major problems for Steve Coppell's lads. Reading really could not have asked for a worse schedule with their first 3 games drawing Man United, Chelsea and Everton. United have been scoring a lot of goals at home, as always but Reading have been scoring quite a few away, off late. With 9 away goals in their last 3 games, against Wolves, Blackburn and Bolton, you would think that they should manage at least 1 goal before bowing out with a loss; but with a strong back-4 and Hargreaves, taking charge in the middle, I doubt Reading will get a sniff. Easy win for United. 2 or 3-0.
Prediction: MAN. UNITED
Result: ?