We had few surprises in the opening weekend of the Premier League season with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool impressing and Manchester United and Spurs more workmanlike.

Bet Victor Brand Ambassador Michael Owen again shared his thoughts with The Northern Echo on this weekend’s action.

Cardiff City v Newcastle.

Prediction 1-1

Newcastle lost their opening day fixture for the fifth time in the last six years last weekend but, on another day, would have picked up at least a point having hit the woodwork twice in the second half.

The City Of Cardiff Stadium will be rocking for their first home Premier League game since 2013 and, if they are to survive, home form will be pivotal.

Newcastle have beaten Cardiff in each of their last ten PL meetings – their longest winning run against an opponent in league history – but I think the Bluebirds will pick up a hard-earned point.

Michael’s recommendation: Game to finish in a draw at 85/40

Everton v Southampton 2-1

Everton did well to get a point at Wolves having played over 50 minutes with 10-men following Phil Jagielka’s red card. Marco Silva’s side will include a home debut for Richarlison.

The young Brazilian scored with both shots on goal at Molineux, having failed to score with his last 53 attempts for Watford last season. He is an exciting recruit, but his challenge will be to sustain his opening day form over the course of a full season.

Danny Ings was a second-half substitute for the Saints in their 0-0 draw with Burnley and it is likely that the former Liverpool striker will get a start back on Merseyside, given the striker looked sharp in his St Mary’s cameo.

I think Everton will edge what promises to be an entertaining game with opportunities at both ends.

Michael’s recommendation: Everton to win at Evens

Leicester City v Wolves 2-1

Leicester have now conceded the opening goal in the last three Premier League seasons although I thought they played well in parts at Old Trafford last Friday. That said they have now won just four points from their last 24 and they badly need a win to calm the nerves around the King Power.

Wolves showed their quality with two excellent goals against Everton, but I thought they looked vulnerable defensively and I think the Foxes will keep the points with Jamie Vardy likely to be back in the starting XI after his goal from the bench against United last weekend.

Michael’s recommendation: Leicester to win at 21/20

Tottenham v Fulham 3-1

Fulham’s 2-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday means the Cottagers have won just 25 of their 119 Premier League London derbies and I think things are going to get worse before they get better.

News this week that Spurs will not move into their new 62,000-seater stadium until the end of October, but I feel they will have too much going forward for their newly-promoted opponents. After drawing a blank at St James’s Park, Harry Kane has now gone 14 games without a PL goal in the month of August, but he is likely to have the opportunities to right that wrong.

Fulham will surely need more time to gel with coach Slavisa Jokanovic giving debuts to eight players against the Eagles.

Michael’s recommendation: Spurs -1 at 7/10

West Ham v Bournemouth 2-0

West Ham will be sick of the sight of Liverpool having conceded four at Anfield on Sunday - the fourth time on the run they have shipped four goals against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the Premier League!

Manuel Pellegrini will have another week to work with his new signings and I feel we will see a different Hammers’ side against the Cherries who got off to a winning start against Cardiff.

Expectation has been high for Pellegrini’s Irons and I think it would be folly to write them off after just one - albeit mediocre - performance.

Michael’s recommendation: West Ham to win at 5/4

Chelsea v Arsenal 2-1

A good professional performance from Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea at Huddersfield on the opening day although it was difficult to get too excited about Arsenal who were easily brushed aside by Manchester City.

Unai Emery would have hoped for an easier introduction to life in the Premier League than City at home and Chelsea away, and they will take heart from the fact that Chelsea failed to beat Arsenal in five games last season.

That said I expect Chelsea to build on their convincing win in Yorkshire and keep the points in Sarri’s first home game.

Michael’s recommendation: Chelsea to win at 4/5

Burnley v Watford 1-0

I would be surprised if we saw many goals at Turf Moor with both sides keeping a clean sheet on the opening weekend. As good as Watford’s 2-0 win against Brighton was, I feel it was trumped by Burnley’s excellent point at St Mary’s following a difficult game in Istanbul on the previous Thursday.

Joe Hart will have been delighted to keep a clean sheet against Southampton on Sunday and I feel one goal might be enough.

Michael’s recommendation: Under 1.5 goals at 8/5

Manchester City v Huddersfield 5-0

If the opening fixtures have been difficult for Arsenal the same can certainly be said of Huddersfield Town, who travel to champions City after a loss to Chelsea.

I expect City to win comfortably even though the Terriers got a valuable point in their battle against relegation in the corresponding fixture last season. That goalless draw was the only time Pep Guardiola’s side failed to score at the Etihad in the league, but I expect them to run out convincing winners.

Sergio Aguero, City’s all-time record goalscorer, has scored 11 times in his last seven PL games at the Etihad - I feel he might be back amongst the goals.

Michael’s recommendation: Aguero to score two or more goals at 13/10

Brighton v Manchester United 0-1

Brighton have invested heavily in the summer, but failed to have a shot on target at Vicarage Road. Chris Hughton will be looking for a positive reaction.

A Paul Pogba-inspired United got the start they needed against Leicester and I feel they will again get a result, although I don’t expect to see many goals.

Michael’s recommendation: United to win 1-0 at 21/2

Michael’s weekend wager: West Ham, Everton and Chelsea at 8/1