Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton: "For us, we're up against top-class opposition that will have more possession than we do. It's going to be a very tough opening game, but we have to play them at some stage.

"It's a wonderful game for the club and supporters, as a first game in the Premier League, but we have to make sure it's a good day for the team as well."

Image source, Reuters

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton & West Brom winger on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

I'm very excited about one particular summer signing. The player who was one of the most exciting last season in Europe was Benjamin Mendy. He has pace and power and will be a great addition to the Premier League and Manchester City.

Manchester City needed some full-backs this summer - so boss Pep Guardiola went on the biggest spending spree of wide defenders the game of football has ever seen.

In came three of them - and out went about £125m. Benjamin Mendy - injured today - cost £52m, Kyle Walker cost an initial £45m and Danilo was a budget signing at £26.5m.

Guardiola said: "Hopefully next season I will be here. If so, we won't spend like this season, I assure you of that.

"The club never bought full-backs in seven years. Man City had one of the oldest teams in Europe. The market is what it is."

Mark Lawrenson
Former Brighton defender

What happens here will be absolutely no indication of what will happen to the Seagulls this season - that will come when they play the teams that I think will be down in the bottom six.

Manchester City look really strong and they are my tip for the title.

Their summer signings have improved the team and I don't think Pep Guardiola has stopped spending yet.

Prediction: City to win 2-0.

Take on Lawro in our predictor game here.

Image source, .

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at the Amex Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The weather today matches the occasion in this seaside city on the first day of the Premier League season - glorious.

Brighton's 34-year wait for top-flight football is almost over - and the Seagulls are definitely ready for take-off.

There's a real buzz about the seafront, and not just because the sun is shining. Whether you pop into a rock shop or take a stroll along the pier, all everyone wants to talk about is the football.

The actual seagulls just want to steal your sandwiches, though.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton isn't exactly keeping faith with the side who got them promoted.

Five new faces make their debuts including former club record signing Mat Ryan in goal. Midfielder Davy Propper, who went on to break that record, starts - as do Pascal Gross, Markus Suttner and Chelsea loanee Isaiah Brown.

Image source, .

Manchester City start Ederson in goal, with full-backs Kyle Walker and Danilo also making their debuts.

Forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus both start, with Bernardo Silva – another summer recruit – on the bench. Benjamin Mendy is injured.

Image source, .

1996-97: Brighton are almost relegated out of the Football League, only surviving on goals scored thanks to a 1-1 final-day draw with Hereford - who go down instead

2016-17: Brighton are promoted to the Premier League with three games to spare

So we come to a day that a generation of Seagulls fans thought they would never see - Albion back in the top flight of English football for the first time since 1983.

Image source, Empics