GUNNERS SHOOT DOWN THE COTTAGERS

Fresh off both their F.A. Cup and Community Shield successes, Arsenal will be looking to utilise their recent pair of Wembley trips to their advantage and in doing so, they will be aiming to get off the Premier League mark this Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's men make the short trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, as they and Fulham get the 2020/21 season underway and although the hosts will be feeling high after their own Wembley glee, a dose of realism may also be served this weekend.

That's because although Scott Parker masterminded promotion at the first time of asking, the hard work really starts now and when you consider the meek showing that Fulham showed at this level two season ago, they are going to have to do a lot better this time around.

Of course, the visit of Arsenal will not be an easy one and although Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, there is a growing belief that the Gabonese forward will be committing his future to the North London club.

Whether that deal gets inked before the first ball of the season is kicked remains to be seen, but regardless of if it does or not, it should not stop Arsenal from getting off to a perfect start and continuing their recent run of positive results.
Summary: Back Arsenal to win at 1.50

TOFFEES COME UNSTUCK IN NORTH LONDON

Tottenham's transfer business has been solid rather than spectacularly and although Joe Hart is unlikely to feature in goal for the club this Sunday, one would assume that the other new signings will wear the colours of their new employer.

Pierre-Emile Hojberg and Matt Doherty have joined from Southampton and Wolves respectively and in doing so, Jose Mourinho has looked to improve what were arguably the two biggest problem areas for Tottenham last season.

While when it comes to problem areas, that is exactly what his Everton counterpart has also looked to improve and with Carlo Ancelotti adding both Allan and James Rodriguez, the hope is that their midfield looks a little less pedestrian.

When these two clubs met at the tail end of last season, Everton looked incredibly sterile (although it must be said that Tottenham did not pull up too many trees either) and it was arguably that game that highlighted what Ancelotti really needed this summer.

Whether the two new Everton signings can make an immediate impact will have to be seen and with both new faces being rather inactive, they may struggle to make their mark on Sunday and that will only further Tottenham's hopes of picking up all three points.

Therefore, Tottenham being priced at just short of evens for a home win, is a price that looks like being exceedingly good value and although it might not be pretty, backing the hosts on Sunday seems as shrewd advice as any.
Summary: Back Tottenham at 1.80

SEE GOALS AT THE AMEX

When it comes to the transfer market, Chelsea are simply not mucking about and with the litany of additional star power that has now called Stamford Bridge home, it seems as if Frank Lampard is not just settling for a top four finish this season.

Whether the Blues can actually go on and win the title under the tutelage of the former Derby manager remains to be seen, but it is fair to say that he has the squad to have a genuine tilt and if the Stamford Bridge outfit secure a goalkeeper, they will soon become the real deal.

Landing a new No.1 is something that is seemingly on the agenda, but is unlikely to be sorted before the weekend and means the often maligned Kepa Arrizabalaga will be trusted with the gloves once more � something that in the past would have given Brighton some confidence.

Unfortunately for Graham Potter and his players, Chelsea have improved the defence in front of him and with Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell looking to make their debuts, it also offers greater confidence to the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech who will be looking to do the same.

Quite simply and with wanting to eat my words come next Tuesday, Chelsea will have too much quality across the pitch and the task will be far too big for Brighton, which means this should be a relatively simple away win on the South Coast.
Summary: Back Chelsea at 1.62

Also why not start the season with a capital treble and if you combine all three matches � the odds go up to a tempting 4.36