Premier League previews: Liverpool are Rocky Balboa not Ivan Drago says Klopp

The transfer deadline is closed, the players have their shirt numbers and the managers are carefully selecting their tactics and weekend line-ups… the Premier League is back.

Judging by the pundit predictions and latest betting odds, champions Manchester City are the clear favourites to retain their Premier League crown.

Pep Guardiola’s side are away at Arsenal on Sunday in the biggest clash of the opening weekend.

We look at this weekend’s fixtures, team news and which Premier League matches are live on Sky Sports and BT Sport.

Premier League fixtures and live TV games

Friday 10 August

• Manchester United vs. Leicester City (8pm, live on Sky Sports) 

Saturday 11 August (3pm unless stated)

• Newcastle vs. Tottenham (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports) 
• Bournemouth vs. Cardiff City 
• Fulham vs. Crystal Palace 
• Huddersfield Town vs. Chelsea 
• Watford vs. Brighton 
• Wolves vs. Everton (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)

Sunday 12 August

• Liverpool vs. West Ham (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports) 
• Southampton vs. Burnley (1.30pm) 
• Arsenal vs. Man City (4pm, live on Sky Sports)

Previews and team news

Liverpool vs. West Ham

Despite spending £170m in the transfer window Jurgen Klopp believes his Liverpool side are underdogs to win the Premier League title. The Reds boss even went as far to comparing his side to “Rocky Balboa”.

He told Sky Sports: “The champions are Manchester City and they didn’t lose any player and brought in [Riyad] Mahrez so they are not weaker. We saw the [Community Shield] game against Chelsea and both sides were impressive.

“We are still Rocky Balboa and not Ivan Drago. We are the ones who have to do more and fight more. That must be our attitude.”

New midfielder Fabinho will have a fitness test ahead of Sunday’s clash against West Ham, who are without Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio.

Newcastle vs. Tottenham

Spurs did not sign anyone in the transfer window but boss Mauricio Pochettino is happy with his squad ahead of the new campaign. The BBC reports Pochettino will decide on including World Cup players such as Harry Kane. Spurs are definitely without the injured Juan Foyth, Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is also in a positive mood despite a “questionable transfer window”, the Chronicle reports. Benitez said: “I am a fighter so that’s what I will do. I am ready for the new season. I hope it is exciting and we can do as well as we did last year.”

Bournemouth vs. Cardiff City

Bournemouth record signing Jefferson Lerma won’t be ready to face Cardiff. Nathan Ake is fit to play but Eddie Howe will be without the suspended Diego Rico and injured duo Junior Stanislas and Kyle Taylor.

Harry Arter left Bournemouth this week to join Cardiff on a season-long loan. The midfielder won’t face his former club though because of the terms of the deal. New signings Alex Smithies, Josh Murphy, Greg Cunningham, Victor Camarasa and Bobby Reid could all make their Cardiff debuts.

Fulham vs. Crystal Palace

Newly-promoted Fulham went big in the transfer market, spending £100m on 12 new players. Boss Slavisa Jokanovic has tried to play down expectations.

He said: “We arrived last in the Premier League, so our principal target has to be to stay up. I prefer walking step by step. It’s better for us to think in this way and we will see at the end of the season what our level is.”

New signing Alfie Mawson is missing for Fulham because of knee surgery. Dennis Odoi is suspended but Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle could make their debuts.

Palace boss Roy Hodgson, who signed a new two-year contract, could select new players Cheikhou Kouyate, Vicente Guaita and Jordan Ayew, says Sky Sports. 

Max Meyer won’t play as he is building up his fitness and Palace are also without Scott Dann, Jonny Williams and Connor Wickham through injury.

Huddersfield Town vs. Chelsea

New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri could pick new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Jorginho for their debuts. Matteo Kovacic is not yet ready and Sarri will also have to decide on N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud.

Eden Hazard is also a doubt for the opener, but Sarri has given Blues fans some good news by saying the Belgian star is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.

“Hazard is with us,” Sarri told Sky Sports. “He’s not a problem. I think he is very happy to stay here. I have seen a player very happy to stay here, so I think the new contract will be no problem.” 

Huddersfield boss David Wagner admits his side are the underdogs for the clash against Chelsea. He said: “The road is clear as to who the favourite is and who the underdog is. This isn’t something new for us, we are used to this role and we take it. We’ll try our best and see what we can get out of this game.” 

Wagner will be without Elias Kachunga, Danny Williams and Erik Durm. Terence Kongolo, Isaac Mbenza, Ramadan Sobhi and Adama Diakhaby are in contention.

Watford vs. Brighton

Ben Foster could play in goal for Watford but the Hornets will be without Nathaniel Chalobah, Stefano Okaka, Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu, the BBC reports. 

Brighton’s Florin Andone is out because of a groin injury and Jose Izquierdo is not ready to play after appearing for Colombia at the World Cup. The Seagulls could select record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Glenn Murray.

Wolves vs. Everton

Wolves could select Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez for their debuts. Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker are unlikely to feature.

Everton new signings Richarlison and Lucas Digne are set to make their debuts. Marco Silva is not expected to pick deadline-day buys Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes or Bernard.

Southampton vs. Burnley

Danny Ings is ready to make his Southampton debut after joining on loan from Liverpool on deadline day. New signings Angus Gunn, Jannik Vestergaard, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Stuart Armstrong could also feature.

Saints boss Mark Hughes was delighted to sign Ings, he said: “This is the perfect club for Danny at this point in his career. He is fit and well, he has had game time in pre-season. We will see how he goes but he becomes an option.”

Sean Dyche will need to choose between Joe Hart and Tom Heaton to start in goal. Striker Chris Wood and defender Ben Gibson could both play, but Robbie Brady and Steven Defour are out.