Has it sunk in yet, Brighton & Hove Albion fans? Probably not. Chris Hughton’s side will host Manchester City, current favourites for the Premier League title, on Saturday evening and it is sure to be a special event at the Amex Stadium.

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Brighton (9/1) will find it tough at times this season, especially on Saturday evening, but there will be a party atmosphere on the south coast this weekend.

Write Brighton Off At Your Peril

They might not win on Saturday but far too many football fans have been quick to write the Seagulls off ahead of what will be a memorable campaign.

The Premier League newbies will be quietly confident of avoiding dropping down to the Championship at the first time of asking and Albion fans will be looking to create long-lasting memories in England’s top flight.

Remember Blackpool? Ian Holloway’s Tangerines were relegated after just one season in the top flight but they gave an excellent account of themselves. Brighton, although arguably much more pragmatic, can follow the Blackpool blueprint in terms of exciting football but Hughton’s experience should give the Seagulls an edge in the relegation battle. As of August 9^th, Brighton are 6/5 to go straight back down this campaign.

An opening weekend clash with Manchester City – it doesn’t get much tougher than that. At least Brighton are at home. Pep Guardiola’s side were far from perfect during pre-season and Hughton will have a plan.

Brighton are capable of scoring against Europe’s top clubs, as shown in their clash with Atletico Madrid this month, and City’s defensive frailties may still exist despite heavy spending in the transfer window.

Manchester City: Capable Of Coping With Favouritism?

Unsurprisingly, the visitors head into this contest as clear favourites and anything less than a comprehensive victory will anger Guardiola. City are fairly short in the market at 6/19 but that was expected. Brighton will be enthusiastic in approach but they cannot compete with Pep’s men on a player-by-player basis.

In terms of the title race, City also head the market. Both Manchester clubs are well fancied to shine this season but Guardiola’s side have the edge and rightly so. At 7/4, they are still well priced considering their talent. The Premier League is arguably more competitive now than it has ever been but City have the quality to blow their rivals out of the water.

Attacking is City’s strength but their new-look defence could mature into a serious unit in the coming months. Guardiola has acted quickly and effectively in the market to build what looks like a relatively solid defensive group.

For now, City will remain shaky but in time, the Blues may get to grips at the back and Pep’s side will be very difficult to beat when that happens.

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Prediction

Manchester City made a fast start last season and I’m expecting Guardiola’s men to do the same this time around.

Beating any newly promoted side on home soil on opening weekend is never easy but City should be too classy for Brighton’s grit and determination. Hughton’s men will have their day in the sun but this may be a step too far.

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY

Newcastle United are back in the Premier League. Rafa Benitez’s side were expected to win the Championship title last season and they did but only just. Brighton & Hove Albion were in the driving seat but a late goal on the final day of the campaign took the title to St James’ Park – much to the delight of the Newcastle faithful.

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But it is now time for Benitez’s side to look forward. An opening encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, one of the leading contenders in the Premier League title race in each of the last two years, won’t be easy.

With Harry Kane, Golden Boot winner in both of those seasons, in fine form, Spurs could run riot on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle United: Back Where They Belong

Simply put, Newcastle aren’t a Championship calibre side. The Magpies have dropped down to England’s second tier twice in recent years but they’ve earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Newcastle represent good value at 17/4 to beat Tottenham this weekend – and plenty of punters will fancy the north east side to do the business. St James’ Park can be a fortress and the Geordie faithful will relish being back in England’s top flight.

The Magpies are still short of Premier League quality and Benitez will do his utmost to sign a few more players before the transfer window slams shut. Attracting top talent shouldn’t be too difficult now that Newcastle are back on the big stage – and the Magpies will fancy their chances of staying for a prolonged spell.

Dwight Gayle will lead the line for Newcastle for the most part of the season and the former Crystal Palace man could cause Tottenham plenty of issues on Sunday. A clear gulf in class between Gayle and the rest of the Championship was evident last year and the Newcastle forward will be looking to make a positive impact on his return to the top flight.

Should Gayle, priced at 12/5 to score against Spurs, see an opportunity fall his way, he could open his account for the new Premier League campaign. It is sure to be an exciting contest at St James’ Park if nothing else...

Harry Kane Can Put Newcastle To The Sword

If anyone is capable of winning a football match single-handedly, it is Kane. The Spurs star is, and has been, Tottenham’s talisman for the last three years and Mauricio Pochettino will be expecting another big campaign.

Previously labelled as a “one-season wonder”, Kane is now regarded as one of the best out-and-out strikers in European football and he could be set to score a hatful of goals throughout the 2017/18 season.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash, 888Sport are offering an enhanced price of 7/4 for Kane to score at any time and Spurs to win. The England man, fresh from a fairly relaxed summer with no major international commitments, will be looking to hit the ground running and he has an excellent record against Newcastle.

Spurs had one of the best defensive units in England’s top flight last term but Pochettino’s side will look very difficult heading into the new campaign. Kyle Walker left White Hart Lane for Manchester City last month and Danny Rose has been at the centre of controversy in recent days.

A few weeks ago, a Spurs win to nil would have been my tip but backing the visitors to keep a clean sheet is not as easy these days...

Prediction

The mood at St James’ Park has changed since Rafa Benitez took over and it wouldn’t be an outrageous result if Newcastle United were to sneak a point here.

Tottenham Hotspur must adapt quickly in order to start well but Mauricio Pochettino’s men are capable of doing just that. Keeping tabs on Harry Kane may prove too difficult for the Magpies and I fancy Spurs to come away with the win.

Newcastle United 1-2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (currently 7/1 with 888Sport)

Two of the most active clubs in the transfer market face off in this Premier League opening clash at Old Trafford. Manchester United have spent money on a seismic scale once again, while Slaven Bilic has seen his West Ham squad reinforced with a clutch of experienced, proven names.

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Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic will make their Premier League debuts for the Red Devils. Old Trafford will be expectant after a season of frustration and Jose Mourinho is under serious pressure to deliver in the league after their sixth-place finish in 2016/17.

Tuesday's UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid may not be a barometer for their success this year, but the performance left plenty to be desired.

Former United Star Could Be Key To Hammers Success

Bilic has a few selection issues ahead of the trip to the northwest. Several of his key players are doubts, and summer signing Marko Arnautovic’s fitness is uncertain.

Last season was underwhelming for the Hammers, but this year is full of optimism with the additions to the squad represent significant improvements. One such signing – former Manchester United poacher Javier Hernandez – will start on Sunday afternoon and is a great value bet of 4/1 to score against his former club.

The improvements to the spine of the team make Manchester United are a title contender this term. Mourinho’s side have had time to gel during pre-season, too. Lukaku will provide goals, Matic gives Paul Pogba more freedom and Lindelof could finally be the defensive partner that Eric Bailly needs.

Defensively they will be secure – as is expected of any Mourinho side – and that will be the bedrock of any success they have.

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United Must Improve Offensively To Keep Pace In Title Race

Goals, though, have been the problem for this United side. How they take their chances against West Ham will be the decisive factor in this fixture, but we can expect them to create plenty against the Irons – who have their own dilemmas at the back. United are at a good price of 13/10 to score over 2.5 goals.

Little can be concluded from this fixture in reality. Another disappointing performance at Old Trafford to weaker opposition would immediately see questions raised of the hosts, though.

A slip up – in that respect at least – could be far more significant than the dropped points. It might not be pretty, but such a failure is unlikely against a West Ham team that could take some time to settle this season as is suggested by the 3/10 odds on United to take the three points.

If the Super Cup can be taken with a pinch of salt, the weight of expectation is firmly shunted onto Manchester United for their Sunday curtain-raiser in front of their home crowd. West Ham, on the other hand, can play with the freedom of underdogs and such freedom is our best chance of seeing an exciting clash here.