The opening weekend of the new English Premier League (EPL) season includes three fixtures that are sure to whet the appetite.

Here we offer a preview of each match, and our predictions for the final score. Look out for our star performer selections as well, and let us know what you think in the chat room below!

Editor’s Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about English Premier League (EPL, BPL) fantasy analysis and European football news.

Arsenal vs West Ham United

A new season ahead which promises much to look forward to from an Arsenal perspective.  A fine finish to last season culminated in the retention of the FA Cup and the addition of a genuine high quality goalkeeper in Petr Cech. Inevitably, speculation and talk of the ultimate prize of an EPL Title continues to swirl.

This is an equally important season for West Ham.  Having dispensed with the services of Sam Allardyce just one season before their move to the Olympic Stadium, 'The Hammers' are desperate to ensure that they begin 2016-17 as a Barclays Premier League club in their new and controversial stadium.  Slaven Bilic has the task of keeping them up, and already the job looks a little harder than perhaps it would have been if 'Big Sam' were still at the helm.

Arsenal's win in the Community Shield will only have boosted their confidence - and with West Ham's poor displays in competitive matches in the Europa League and the injury to Enner Valencia, the auspices do not bode well for Sunday.  Expect Arsenal to come at West Ham with their usual defined attacking intent and to secure all three points, and do so with a clean sheet.  Santi Cazorla was at his imperious best on Sunday, and expect him to be the driving force behind a dominant victory.

Prediction: Arsenal 4 vs West Ham United 0

Star Performers: Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott

Newcastle United vs Southampton

Steve McLaren begins his reign at St James Park with a tricky match up with Southampton - a team who came to Tyneside and snatched all three points last season.  There is a much more optimistic outlook however with Mike Ashley opening the purse strings, and allowing the squad to be strengthened with the arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksander Mitrovic. Newcastle will play with less fear than witnessed in 2015 to date, and with a raucous support behind them will look to give their fervent supporters plenty to cheer.

Southampton have again lost key players, but the replacements acquired by Ronald Koeman look up to the task.  They are a resolute side defensively, well organized, and very capable of hitting teams on the counter attack.  Jordy Clasie is a terrific talent in midfield, and with Dusan Tadic, they look formidable.  A great match in prospect for the spectators, with Newcastle the ultimate victors.

Prediction: Newcastle 2 vs Southampton 1

Star Performer: Aleksander Mitrovic

Stoke City vs Liverpool

WOW! What a start for Brendon Rogers.  A return to the scene of the 6-1 humiliation of Liverpool in the final match of Steven Gerrard's Liverpool career.  Someone at the BPL has it in for Rogers who has to visit Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea as well as Everton in their following away matches.  Liverpool could be mid-table in October, and Rogers out of a job, or they could be flying high and on course for an unbelievable season.

Stoke City have done some tremendous business this summer, and now field no fewer than four former Barcelona players in their squad.  The return of Bojan Krkic from injury is like a new signing in itself, and Mark Hughes' side wont lack in confidence.  Liverpool has however spent heavily on the likes of Christian Benteke, Firmino and James Milner. We like the look of these new faces, along with the potential of Jordan Ibe and the highly regarded full back, Joe Gomez.  Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne seem as if they will be regular starters this season in the full back/wingback roles, the latter being a standout signing we feel.

Expect no quarter to be given by either side, and a far more competitive game than last season.

Prediction: Stoke City 1 vs Liverpool 3

Star Performers: Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner

Football Chat Room

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