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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sam Carroll

Tottenham, Liverpool and how first five Everton opponents feel about Premier League start

Tottenham Hotspur

Rob Guest, football.london: It's a great start to the season for Tottenham and fans should be very happy. They have plenty of winnable games and they only face Manchester United out of last campaign's top six in their opening eight fixtures.

The scheduling could see Jose Mourinho's men make a fast start before they begin their daunting 11-game run at the end of November. 8/10

West Bromwich Albion

Joseph Chapman, Birmingham Live: Ultimately West Brom being back in the Premier League, where they spent most of the previous decade, won't make waves around the nation like Leeds' highly anticipated return, but the connotations of Albion being back in the big time can't be underestimated closer to home.

Slaven Bilic has breathed fresh life into the football club - this group doesn't want to be associated with the Tony Pulis brand, as efficient as it was for a number of years.

Transfers are needed, without question, but for now that shouldn't deter the enthusiastic fanbase. 8/10

Everton news and transfers LIVE - Abdoulaye Doucoure latest and Hull starlet linked

Crystal Palace

Robert Warlow, football.london: It is hard for Palace fans to be feeling too positive ahead of the new season, after a terrible end to the 2019/20 campaign.

After lockdown, Palace picked up just four points and saw their hopes of a push for a European spot sink without trace as they ended the season in 14th place, with the worst form of any side bar Norwich, who finished bottom.

Add to that the fact that Palace have an ageing squad and there continues to be speculation over the future of Wilfried Zaha, and Palace fans could be forgiven for not feeling too optimistic ahead of the new season starting, while some are not too happy with the new kits either.

The Eagles have, at least, got some winnable games on paper in the early stages of the season, with home games against the likes of Southampton, Everton, Brighton, Leeds and Newcastle.

There are, however, some tough away fixtures early on, including trips to face Manchester United, Chelsea and Wolves. 3/10

Brighton and Hove Albion

Mat Davies, Sussex Live: It really is a tricky start for Brighton. Granted they start at home, but with Chelsea the opposition you feel it will be difficult to begin on the front foot, especially with the millions the Blues are set to spend this summer.

A trip to Newcastle United follows, which presents an opportunity to pick up points, but the prospect of facing another of the so-called big six looms large after that.

Manchester United arrive in town for Albion's third fixture, with the memory of their convincing 3-0 win over the Seagulls still firmly in the memory.Graham Potter's men then head to Everton before a trip to rivals Crystal Palace.

Some exciting games in there for sure - but some difficult ones, too.  4/10

Liverpool

Connor Dunn, Liverpool Echo: With Leeds and Arsenal coming to Anfield and trips to Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton all falling within the first five games that start of the season could be a lot easier.

However, what may help Jurgen Klopp's side - albeit in not ideal circumstances - is that there will be a lack of atmosphere at the away games due to no fans being allowed inside stadiums as a cause of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Reds should be confident of having enough talent among their ranks to get past all of those sides - particularly so early on in the season when new signings will be bedding in. 7/10

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