Wow! What a start to the Premier League. It was everything we hoped it would be, and more. Liverpool kick-started their title defence with a dramatic 4-3 win over Championship winners, Leeds United, while Jose Mourinho’s first full season at Tottenham began with defeat as Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton side claimed maximum points in London. Their London rivals, Arsenal, got their campaign off to a 3-0 victory at Fulham, while Chelsea also managed a 3-1 win at Brighton.
Saturday 19 September
Everton 11/20
Draw 32/10
West Brom 47/10
(13:30)
Everton were arguably the most impressive team from the opening round, fully deserving their 1-0 win at Tottenham. The Toffees look solid defensively with new signings, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, screening the back four, while the likes of James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can venture further up the pitch. Ancelotti has lost just once at home in the league – against Bournemouth on the final day of last season – where the Toffees took their foot off the gas as complacency crept in. West Brom had some decent moments against Leicester City, but couldn’t make their chances count, eventually losing 3-0 at home. Back Everton here at a generous price of 11/20 – one for all multiples as well.
Leeds United 6/10
Draw 3/1
Fulham 9/2
(16:00)
Leeds were very unlucky in their opening game back in the Premier League, losing 4-3 at Liverpool. It was unfortunate that they played the best team in the country, and off the back of that performance, Leeds can have high hopes for this season. They made Liverpool nervy in their own backyard and need a similar performance to brush aside Fulham. The Cottagers had a few good spells against Arsenal, but also suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat on home soil. Their only positive is that Aleksandar Mitrovic made a cameo off the bench and could be fit enough to start against Leeds. The hosts to Win & Both Teams to Score looks massive value at 47/20.
Manchester United 3/10
Draw 9/2
Crystal Palace 17/2
(18:30)
Manchester United get their campaign underway this weekend after being afforded an extra week off due to their run-in last season’s UEFA Europa League. The Red Devils ended last season with a run of 14 league games unbeaten, although signs of being burnt out were slowly starting to creep in towards the end of their campaign. They have freshened up their midfield with the signing of Donny Van De Beek, while the break will certainly benefit the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Crystal Palace proved why they’re considered as one of the best counter-attacking teams in the division, outsmarting Southampton with their tactics, beating the Saints 1-0. Eberechi Eze also looked impressive off the bench, while Michy Batshuayi could be handed his second debut in Palace colours. The Clean Sheet Home Team: No market looks to be one for my multiples here at 15/20, get on.
Arsenal 5/10
Draw 7/2
West Ham 5/1
(21:00)
There’s been plenty of positive vibes in the Arsenal camp in recent months. Since the appointment of Mikel Arteta, the only way has been up for the Gunners with the 38-year-old boss bringing in a feel-good factor around the Emirates, claiming the FA Cup and Community Shield trophies, while the Spaniard also got his first full season off to the perfect start, beating Fulham 3-0 away from home. The same cannot be said for West Ham as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home in their opener against Newcastle. The Hammers looked dreadful and failed to pose any threat towards Newcastle. At home, Arsenal should claim back-to-back London derby victories.
Sunday 20 September
Southampton 2/1
Draw 23/10
Tottenham 14/10
(13:00)
It was a disappointing start to life in the new Premier League season for Southampton and Tottenham as both sides were defeated 1-0 against Crystal Palace and Everton respectively. For Spurs, it was more disheartening as they lost at home in what will be Jose Mourinho’s first full season at Tottenham. They looked jaded, uninspired and Mourinho was full of excuses yet again. Expect more over the course of the week as Spurs travel to Bulgaria on Thursday to face Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the UEFA Europa League qualifying round. That could take even more out from a Spurs side, who already looked like they had little left in the tank. At 15/10, I fancy Southampton to Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score.
Newcastle United 31/20
Draw 21/10
Brighton 2/1
(15:00)
Sunday’s 3pm kick-off promises to be a humdinger as both Newcastle United and Brighton produced decent displays in the opening week of action. The hosts did, however, benefit more from their performance as it was enough to see off West Ham, while the Seagulls were made to pay against Chelsea, losing 3-1. Newcastle United’s new signings settled in perfectly, most notably Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick, while Brighton showed that they’ll be capable of an upset or two this season. Perhaps Both Teams to Score looks the best bet here at 19/20.
Chelsea 2/1
Draw 26/10
Liverpool 12/10
(17:30)
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Leicester City 13/20
Draw 28/10
Burnley 9/2
(20:00)
After a blistering start to the new campaign, where Brendan Rodgers has to prove that his run with Leicester City was no fluke last season, the Foxes look to make it two wins from two after a resounding 3-0 win at newly-promoted West Brom. It’s certainly going to be much tougher this time around with the interruption of European football coming soon. Burnley will begin their season this Sunday after their initial fixture against Manchester United was rescheduled. The Clarets will still be without Ashley Barnes due to injury, and sold one of their most important players in Jeff Hendrick. Despite the Foxes winning 3-0, they didn’t look too impressive for large parts in the game. Back Under 2.5 Goals here at 8/10.
Monday 21 September
Aston Villa 33/20
Draw 22/10
Sheffield United 7/4
(19:00)
Aston Villa have to wait until Monday to get their season underway and have a tricky test at home to Sheffield United. Villa scraped it on the final day last season and will need massive improvement early on in the campaign to avoid another dismal year of top flight football. Sheffield United capitulated in the early stages of their season opener against Wolves, going 2-0 down in the first eight minutes. They failed to threaten Wolves after that and showed that they could be found out this season after such a stellar campaign last term. I fancy a share of the spoils here.
Wolves 5/1
Draw 7/2
Manchester City 5/10
(21:15)
We close the second round of action with one of the most fascinating ties of the season. Wolves have had Manchester City’s number since their return to the Premier League, doing the double over Pep Guardiola’s men last season. It was more of the same in their opening matchday as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men blew Sheffield United away, winning 2-0 at Bramall Lane. Manchester City have a point to prove after falling so far back last season to Liverpool, while the chasing pack have also improved in hope of breaching the gap. City go into the new season with a fully fit squad after having the extra week off, so they’ll certainly be no room for excuses from the Sky Blues camp. Because of how well-drilled Wolves are, and how they’ve always managed to tactically outclass City in recent matches, I’ll take a gamble on backing Wolves to Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score at 11/4.