Haaland’s debut headlines opening weekend of Premier League season

MANCHESTER – Arsenal’s journey to Crystal Palace lifts the curtain on the brand new Premier League season on Friday, with Erling Haaland’s debut within the English prime flight the spotlight of the weekend as champions Manchester City journey to West Ham.

Haaland has been the marquee arrival to the Premier League from over £1 billion ($1.2 billion) spent on switch charges forward of the brand new marketing campaign.

The Norwegian is predicted to additional strengthen Pep Guardiola’s facet, who’ve gained the title in 4 of the final 5 seasons.

However, Haaland and City’s season didn’t get off to begin as perennial title rivals Liverpool gained the Community Shield 3-1 final weekend.

A visit to the London Stadium is an effective early season check of City’s revamped squad with Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips additionally coming in to switch the departed Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.

West Ham practically denied City the title final season as they led 2-0 at half-time within the penultimate sport of the marketing campaign earlier than the guests rallied to salvage the purpose which gained them the league.

The Hammers have additionally strengthened with the signing of Italian worldwide striker Gianluca Scamacca as David Moyes’ males look to shut the hole on the highest 4 after qualifying for Europe prior to now two seasons.

“We know what the standard is and we will reach the standards as quickly as possible and maintain what we have done always,” stated Guardiola.

“I don’t feel, because we know each other well, that we are far, far away.

“But the video games towards West Ham and after Bournemouth will dictate our degree and what we’ve got to do.”

CHELSEA ‘NOT READY’

Chelsea’s visit to Everton on Saturday pits together two sides who have reason to fear the season ahead at different ends of the table.

The start to Chelsea’s new era under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s consortium has not gone smoothly with manager Thomas Tuchel blaming an exhausting schedule on a pre-season tour to the US and a lack of signings for feeling “not prepared” for the brand new season.

Tuchel can be sad with a quantity of key gamers, together with captain Cesar Azpilicueta, nonetheless trying to depart the membership earlier than the tip of the switch window.

Chelsea have been thrashed 4-0 in pre-season by Arsenal in Orlando, however Everton suffered an much more embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Minnesota United on their tour to the States.

After narrowly surviving final season, the Toffees have since offered Richarlison to Tottenham.

But Everton have overwhelmed Chelsea on every of the Londoners’ final 4 journeys to Goodison Park.

TEN HAG’S FIRST IMPRESSION

Should Chelsea fail to hit the heights they beforehand have underneath Tuchel, Manchester United will likely be one of the perimeters hoping to take their place within the prime 4.

A 4-0 thrashing by the hands of Brighton in May summed up a depressing season for the Red Devils as they completed sixth.

Erik ten Hag has the possibility to make first impression as United boss when the Seagulls go to Old Trafford.

But hopes of a brand new daybreak for United have been dashed by one other troublesome summer time off the sphere.

Cristiano Ronaldo has made his need to go away clear, however a purchaser can’t be discovered for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, whereas United’s extended chase of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong seems set to fail.

Fixtures (all instances GMT)

Friday

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (1900)

Saturday

Fulham v Liverpool (1130), Bournemouth v Aston Villa, Leeds v Wolves, Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Tottenham v Southampton (all 1400), Everton v Chelsea (1630)

Sunday

Man Utd v Brighton, Leicester v Brentford (each 1300), West Ham v Man City (1530)