Premier League: Leicester victory features among Greg Lea's Sunday predictions

The Premier League action continues on Sunday as Erik ten Hag is set to take charge of his first Manchester United game. Here are our tips for the three fixtures.

Leicester City vs Brentford

Kick-off 2pm

Leicester has endured a rather frustrating summer. They are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing, and recent transfer talk has centred on the possible departures of Youri Tielemans, Wesley Fofana and James Maddison, while Kasper Schmeichel has already left for Nice. After falling short of European qualification last term, they have done little to suggest they are ready to break back into the top seven in 2022/23.

For now at least, Brendan Rodgers’ side has not become noticeably weaker. Leicester were hamstrung by injuries for much of last term, which should be less of an issue this time around. Rodgers is an excellent coach and, on paper, Leicester’s starting XI is at least the equal of every other non-big-six team.

With that in mind, the 2.06 available for a home win appears attractive. Brentford lost their creative spark in Christian Eriksen and will be reliant on Ivan Toney upfront, both this weekend and beyond. Leicester fans would be feeling more optimistic about the season if the club had been more proactive in the transfer market, but it is not all doom and gloom at the King Power Stadium.

Selection: Leicester to win @ 2.06

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Kick-off 2pm

For the first time in the post-Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United has appointed a manager at the cutting edge of modern coaching. Erik ten Hag was an astute choice to succeed Ralf Rangnick, whose underwhelming caretaker tenure ended with United scraping into the Europa League. But despite a promising pre-season, no one should expect an instant upturn in the Red Devils’ fortunes.

There is still work to do before United are ready to finish in the top four, nevermind compete with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the division. Cristiano Ronaldo’s desire to depart casts a shadow over the whole club ahead of the new season, and it is far from guaranteed that the Portugal international will start on Sunday.

Brighton boast a playing style that could cause United problems on their own patch. A confident and assured side, they will be able to keep the ball away from Ten Hag’s team and create chances against a defence that was far from watertight last time out. Expect goals at both ends.

Selection: Both teams to score @ 2.02

West Ham United vs Manchester City

Kick-off 4.30pm

As far as meetings with non-big-six teams go, West Ham away is one of the toughest assignments in the Premier League. Manchester City had to dig deep to avoid defeat at this ground in May, coming from 2-0 down to eke out a 2-2 draw that kept them in pole position to win the title ahead of Liverpool.

After an uneasy start at their new ground, the Hammers are starting to make the London Stadium a fortress: Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all left east London empty-handed in 2020/21. As a result, City should be in for a tough game on Sunday.

Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola’s side have the attacking quality to get the job done on matchday one. Erling Haaland struggled in the Community Shield last weekend, but he is a proven goalscorer and has joined a team that found the net 99 times last season. City can make a statement of intent and showcase their firepower against West Ham.

Selection: Manchester City to score in both halves @ 3

Recommended bets

Back Leicester to win @ 2.06
Back Man Utd-Brighton both teams to score @ 2.02
Back Man City to score in both halves @ 3