Aug. 13: Liverpool at Chelsea.
Liverpool is in the middle of refreshing a stale midfield -- they've added Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig) and Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) but probably need at least one more player after losing both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League.
Chelsea is attempting an energy revitalization of its own under Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea thinned out a bloated squad this summer, but with three August signings already, they might be in the process of a re-bloat. Regardless, Pochettino should connect pretty well with a young and hungry squad, and it wouldn't surprise me if they began the season strong, even if sparkly new forward Christopher Nkunku is out for a bit.
Prediction: Win for Chelsea
Aug. 19: Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur.
It's safe to say that whatever Spurs might end up becoming this season, they won't resemble that on Aug. 19. New manager Ange Postecoglu is attempting a pretty significant system change, and after working with the team in the preseason and in friendlies, Harry Kane appears to be officially leaving, as long rumored, for Bayern. There's still obvious talent in attack.
The adjustment period in Manchester. Erik Ten Hag's engineered a top-four finish despite not having what he needed, in terms of either style or talent (or both), at either goalkeeper or center-forward. He's now got André Onana in goal, Rasmus Hojlund (though already injured) up front, Mason Mount as an extra creative option, and all the guys who began to thrive under Ten Hag last year: Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, and others. This team should start quickly.
Prediction: Win for Manchester United
Credit ESPN
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