The first games of the Premier League season in 2018 take place on New Year’s Day.

The top-two are not in action, which gives Manchester United the chance to end a run of three successive draws, which has seen them drop to third, as they travel to Everton.

Fourth-placed Liverpool could put a six-point gap between themselves and fifth-place Arsenal – who do not play until later in the week – as they travel to Burnley.

There is a South Coast derby with Brighton playing host to Bournemouth.

Huddersfield could move into the top-half of the table if they can secure victory at Leicester, who are looking to close the gap on the top-seven.

Finally, 15th place Stoke host Newcastle, who are one place behind them and one point worse off.

See below for a preview on each game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, super agent and former Manchester City ace Barry Silkman, our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and bet365’s Steve Freeth.

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Brighton & Hove Albion 12:30 AFC Bournemouth
Amex Stadium
Live On Sky Sports

TEAM NEWS: Steve Sidwell remains sidelined for Brighton, whilst Lewis Dunk and Anthony Knockaert are suspended. Josh King has joined Jermain Defoe and Junior Stanislas on the sidelines, whilst Adam Smith and Nathan Ake both face late fitness tests.
KEY FACT: Brighton have lost their last three league meetings with AFC Bournemouth
MATCH ODDS: Brighton 11/8 Draw 11/5 Bournemouth 12/5
bet365 Pick: Draw @11/5
ANDY SAYS: Tough call but have to think a draw is most likely…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: I think Bournemouth might claim an away win here…1-2
SILKY SAYS: Goals, but hard to separate these two – draw for me…1-1
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Jordon Ibe has looked dangerous and is available at 71p

Burnley 15:00 Liverpool
Turf Moor

TEAM NEWS: James Tarkowski is back from suspension, whilst Stephen Ward and Chris Wood are still doubtful. Leading scorer Mo Salah is a doubt for Liverpool. Simon Mignolet is set to start in goal.
KEY FACT: Burnley are unbeaten in their last four league matches played on New Year’s Day 
MATCH ODDS: Burnley 13/2 Draw 7/2 Liverpool 1/2
bet365 Pick: Liverpool to win & Over 2.5 goals @5/4
ANDY SAYS: Tough game for Liverpool here but they should take the win…0-1
GRAEME SAYS: I don’t see Liverpool not winning here…0-2
SILKY SAYS: Burnley won’t be easy to beat but should be three away points…1-2
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Sadio Mane at under £3 looks a huge bargain

Leicester City 15:00 Huddersfield Town
King Power Stadium

TEAM NEWS: Ben Chilwell is a doubt for Leicester after coming down with illness against Liverpool, whilst Danny Simpson and Robert Huth are sildeined. The match also comes too early for new signing Adrien Silva to be registered. Florent Hadergjonaj is a major doubt for Huddersfield but Elias Kachunga, Philip Billing and Jon Gorenc Stankovic are out.
KEY FACT: This will be Leicester’s first home league match played on New Year’s Day since 2013
MATCH ODDS: Leicester 4/6 Draw 14/5 Huddersfield 5/1
bet365 Pick: Leicester win @4/6
ANDY SAYS: Leicester are playing well and will get the three points here…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: I can see Huddersfield might get something here…1-1
SILKY SAYS: Tough game but have to go with Leicester…2-1
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Riyad Mahrez at under £2 looks good value

Stoke City 15:00 Newcastle United
bet365 Stadium

TEAM NEWS: Eric Pieters, Kurt Zouma, Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting are all set to be recalled but Ryan Shawcross, Glen Johnson and Bruno Martins Indi remain out. Rob Elliot, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Florian Lejeune all remain sidelined for Newcastle.
KEY FACT: Xherdan Shaqiri has scored in his last two Premier League matches against Newcastle
MATCH ODDS: Stoke 13/10 Draw 23/10 Newcastle 5/2
bet365 Pick: Under 2.5 goals @3/4
ANDY SAYS: I think Newcastle might just claim the win here…0-1
GRAEME SAYS: Home win for me, Stoke get the benefit being at home…2-0
SILKY SAYS: This is not going to be a classic, can see it being goalless…0-0
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Kurt Zouma at 71p for Stoke, looks value

Everton 17:30 Manchester United
Goodison Park
Live On Sky Sports

TEAM NEWS: Seamus Coleman,Ramiro Funes Mori and Ross Barkley are all out. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Eric Bailly all miss out for United, whilst Ashley Young is suspended. Romelu Lukaku is a doubt.
KEY FACT: Jose Mourinho has lost none of his 11 Premier League meetings with Sam Allardyce
MATCH ODDS: Everton 9/2 Draw 5/2 4/5
bet365 Pick: Under 2.5 goals @8/13
ANDY SAYS: Close one here and I think Everton will get something…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: Not sure I see Everton winning this, they should get a point though…2-2
SILKY SAYS: Has to be United for me, I think they will win here and win well…0-3
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Jesse Lingard just inside the top-100 and worth a watch