Premier League Betting Tips 21/22: Match Day 1

Tottenham v Manchester City

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• Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Sunday 15th August
• Referee: Anthony Taylor
• Quick Glance OddsH: 9/2 D:333/100 A: 11/20

About the Game:

Nuno Espirito Santo commences his campaign as Jose Mourinho’s successor for Tottenham Hotspur. He will have a tough job motivating the team and, more importantly, handling Harry Kane situation amid serious transfer speculations. He should keep Harry Kane; he is a proven striker and the reigning top scorer (twenty-three) and top assist (fourteen). Heung Min Son, who managed seventeen goals, and ten assists, is another prospect in front of goal.

A solid defence is key for Nuno’s team and will improve the twelve clean sheets they did last season to match the lethal attack. Christian Romero, who won the best defender in the Italian league, joins Atlanta to replace Toby Alderweireld. The Portuguese manager boasts a commendable record against Pep Guardiola, winning four and drawing one of the seven games against him.

A fantastic match to kick start a season that brings back the normal order of life and quickly keeps up to the speed of the top six rivalries we will enjoy in the best league in the World. They have to improve on a seventh-place finish last season with their primary objective a trophy to dust of the cabinet and Champions League qualification. A win at home against City will entice the fans, but they need to work on consistency, having led the table last season but drifting further and poor performances.

Bet on Tottenham v Manchester City at bet365

Manchester City has been the pacesetter in the Premier League in the last decade. The highest-scoring team netting eighty-three goals coupling up a lethal attack with a solid defence has yielded great results. Ruben Dias won the player of the season after his performances and making his teammates, particularly John Stones, look better.

Pep Guardiola’s team is the most consistent in the Premier League table to pull out a string of consecutive wins, earning them three league titles in the last four years. However, they lost the Premier League curtain-raiser against Leicester City and did not look anywhere close to sharp. Their most valuable player Kevin De Bruyne is still nursing an injury, and their best young talent Phil Foden from their Euro endeavours.

The absence of key stars will open the door for summer signing Jack Grealish to impose himself to the team after making the big-money move from Aston Villa. On the other hand, Ikay Gundogan, who played deep or forward last season, scored thirteen goals as their top goal scorer.

Prediction: Manchester City to win.

Brentford v Arsenal

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• Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
• Friday 13th Aug, 20:00
• Referee: Michael Oliver
• Quick Glance OddsH:16/5 D: 11/4 A: 83/100

About the Game:

It is a wonderful time to be a Brentford fan securing promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the clubs’ history. The Bees won the play-offs against Swansea one year after losing the play-off to Fulham coming stronger despite losing key players. Ivan Toney, who replaced Villa’s Ollie Watkins, scored thirty-three times last season, is one man that will give defences in the league a tough thought. Thomas Frank’s set up his team to play attacking football and was the highest-scoring team in the Championship last season with seventy-nine goals. However, they failed to hit the back of the net in nine of their forty-six games, showing a side that plays on the front foot and could fancy their chances against the Gunners. Bryan Mbeumo was influential to the side’s promotion managing eight goals and providing ten assists with a combined twenty-four goals and seventeen assists over the last two seasons.

Arsenal has dropped their standards from a Champions League side to Europa League and now can’t even qualify for Europe, finishing a disappointing 8th last season, just ahead of newly promoted Leeds and a point behind their hated neighbours Tottenham. Nicholas Pepe has scored a brace in each of the last two Premier League games and could match Van Persie record of three games. The form of their captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is significant to their performance. The Gabon striker scored twenty-two goals in two consecutive seasons before last season. Alexandre Lacazette was a standout performer last season, banging thirteen goals. It would be interesting if all the three forwards hit the ground running and share their goals. Emile Smith Rowe is likely to have a big season; the creative talent scored two and assisted four in eighteen starts. At only twenty-one, plenty is expected from the young Englishman. Arsenal has been busy in the transfer market, spending £75m on three players. The biggest signing is Ben White for £52.65m from Brighton. They also signed central midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from RSC Anderlecht for £15.75m and left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica for £7.20m. As both players are 21-year-old, they are signings with the future in mind.

Prediction: A draw.

Manchester United v Leeds United

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• Venue: Old Trafford
• Sat 14th Aug, 12:30
• Referee: Paul Tierney
• Quick Glance OddsH: 1/2 D: 7/2 A: 19/4

About the Game:

The Red Devils have surprised plenty of people in this transfer window, including their own fans. Reports in the press state even those involved in the Raphael Varane transfer were surprised when it actually happened. United are used to being used as a pawn in player contract negotiations, so reports linking the player to a move to Old Trafford were treated suspiciously. But with the deals signed and the medical done, we believe it’s just a conversation about image rights preventing the announcement. Varane could be a great partner for Harry Maguire and reduce the number of goals conceded. The forty-four goals conceded was the highest of the teams finishing in the top four. This season we will also see the introduction of Jadon Sancho, who finally made his long-awaited move in a £76.50m deal from Borussia Dortmund. Although Manchester United finished second and went unbeaten on the road, they never really challenged for the title, finishing twelve points behind Manchester City, who had taken their foot off the gas by then. They were disappointed not to secure silverware, losing the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties. Bruno Fernandes fitness is admirable featuring in thirty-seven league games scoring eighteen goals and assisting twelve. Edison Cavani is a goal poacher and could perform better than the ten goals he scored with the quality of services around him as Sancho, who provided twenty-seven assists in the last two seasons for the German outfit. Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial will provide auxiliary pace on the counter-attack; with the defence reinforced and solid, United could be a big threat this season.

Leeds fans will be hoping to see an end to a sixteen game winless run at Old Trafford (six draws, ten defeats), their worst travel destination. Marcelo Bielsa’s side ended last season on a high, winning the last four consecutive games. They have imposed their style and identity in the Premier League and look like a complete top tier team. Patrick Bamford was a consistent performer for the team scoring seventeen goals and providing seven assists playing in all the thirty-eight games for his side. Raphinha was a standout performer in his breakout season, providing nine assists and has got the pace to burn a great threat on the counter-attack. Bielsa sets up his team to be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Even though their relentless attacking football exposes their defence and concedes, they have not changed their game. Leeds have made two major transfers, signing left-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona for £13.50m and Manchester City left-winger Jack Harrison for £11.52m.

Prediction: A Manchester United win.

Burnley v Brighton

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• Venue: Turf Moor
• Saturday 14th Aug, 15:00
• Referee: David Coote
• Quick Glance OddsH: 11/5 D: 21/10 A: 11/8

About the Game:

Burnley have earned all three points just once against Brighton (four draws, two defeats), however, matches against Brighton are games that Chris Wood dreams about, having netted eight goals against them, more than any other side he has faced. The Clarets collected two points from the opening seven matches last season. Sean Dyche side will have to push for a win playing at home as they face Liverpool, Leeds, Everton, Arsenal, and Leicester in upcoming fixtures. The longest-serving manager in the Premier League has built the team into playing a unique style of play as a unit that he can get the best out of. They were the third in the lowest-scoring teams behind relegated sides Sheffield United and Fulham. Ashley Barnes scored just three goals last season was their second-highest scorer behind Wood, who bagged twelve. They have to improve on goal scoring as they can put in good performances with their defence.

A tough battle between the two sides that occupied the two positions above the drop zone will hopefully have a progressive start and avoid the relegation tussle. Brighton is a slow starter losing the opening fixture in three of the last four campaigns. They earned the nickname of draw specialists marshalling fourteen draws last season, two of those against Burnley. The Seagulls have lost Davy Proper to PSV, and Ben White to Arsenal changes the team shape with Enock Mwepu, Kjetil Scherpen, and Jeremy Sarmiento coming in first have to adjust to the Premier League. Neal Maupay has to let go of his disciplinary issues and take responsibility as their best goal scorer with eight goals last season. Lewis Dunk is a leader in defence, keeping twelve clean sheets and marshalling the attack scoring five goals. He is their most important player on the pitch, influencing both areas of the field.

Prediction: A draw.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

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• Venue: Stamford Bridge
• Saturday 14th August, 15:00
• Referee: Jonathan Moss
• Quick Glance OddsH: 11/50 D: 5/1 A: 12/1

About the Game:

The Blues are the reigning European Champions and this week beat Villarreal to win the UEFA Super Cup. An incredible start to life for Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge with a scheduled tournament at the World Club Championship that would increase the number of silverware he has won in his short Chelsea career. The best achievement for the former Dortmund and PSG manager is getting the best out of last summer’s expensive acquisitions. Hakim Ziyech scored the only goal in the Super Cup, while Kai Havertz scored the winning goal in the Champions League final. Timo Werner, you would feel you can have a better season, and new signing Romelu Lukaku has matured in his gameplay and will be a serious golden boot contender this season. They face Arsenal, Liverpool before playing Spurs, and Man City before the end of September.

Crystal Palace has won just four of the last twenty games against Chelsea, and even more worryingly, they have lost the last seven consecutive games. They have lost the last four games at Stamford Bridge by an aggregate score of 11 – 2. As a player, new Palace manager Patrick Viera had an invincible personal record against Chelsea, winning six and drawing four of the ten games he played against them. Viera will be hoping to kick start his managerial campaign with a win, especially with the Blues tired after playing extra time in their Super League win. Palace has never had a serious relegation scare under the four-year stewardship of Roy Hodgson and will be hoping to keep the same level of football. They have lost some senior players, most significantly Andros Townsend, Scott Dann, Patrick Van Aanholt. However, Wilfred Zaha has been their best player and scored eleven goals last season, is still at the club and is likely to be one of the danger men in this game.

Prediction: Chelsea win.

Everton v Southampton

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• Venue: Goodison Park
• Saturday 14th Aug, 15:00
• Referee: Kevin Friend
• Quick Glance OddsH: 10/11 D: 13/5 A: 29/10

About the Game:

The Toffees have lost just one of their twenty-three Premier League games against Southampton (fifteen wins, six draws). They are unbeaten at Goodison Park in the last sixteen games. Rafael Benitez has a personal unbeaten four home games record against the Saints. Carlo Ancelotti had developed a strong team with Everton to bring out the best in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored sixteen career goals last season. They started the season winning the first seven games and were topping the table for a better part of the first half of the season before a spectacular fall from grace. They have been busy in the transfer window bringing in Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray, and Asmir Begovic to provide a new dimension. Benitez has inherited a strong squad and, with his appointment dividing opinions, the new man needs wins to win over the Merseyside blue fans after his spell at Anfield.

James Wards Prowse was involved in fifteen goals (eight goals, seven assists) for the Saints. They have, however, won just one of the last fourteen Premier League opening fixtures. Southampton had their moment of fame at the top of the table last season, but injuries sent them to the relegation squabble in a flash. They lost Danny Ings, a potential twenty goal a season attacker, leaving Che Adams as the main man upfront. Armando Borja signs on loan from Chelsea, having scored eleven goals in thirty-four appearances last campaign for Vitesse. Adam Armstrong also signs from Blackburn with a £15.93m pricetag to bolster the attacker. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side collected just sixteen points from the possible fifty-seven on the road, including a 9 – 0 defeat against Manchester United.

Prediction: Everton to win.

Leicester City v Woves

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• Venue: King Power Stadium
• Saturday 14th Aug, 15:00
• Referee: Craig Pawson
• Quick Glance OddsH: 3/5 D: 3/1 A: 9/2

About the Game:

Leicester are kings of the winning underdogs, winning the Community Shield against Manchester City 1-0 and, more importantly, claiming the FA Cup with the same scoreline against Chelsea. Winning the FA Cup was more than adequate compensation for again suffering an end of season blip that saw them fall out of the Champions League places by finishing 5th. The Foxes looked like a side ready to have an explosive start to the season with almost a full camp already settled in and looked fit mentally and physically. Brendan Rodgers side has crumbled from a potential Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season. They, however, won the FA Cup, which is much more than a consolation prize. Jamie Vardy is ageing like fine wine still going strong was the top goal scorer last season with fifteen goals and provided nine assists. Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored the winning goal in the Community Shield, is proving himself as a worthy replacement as well as new signing Patson Daka. The twenty-year-old Zambian scored twenty-seven goals and provided four assists for RB Leipzig last season. Ryan Bertrand is the exciting addition to the park who will sparkle the left wing with dangerous crosses.

Wolves let their big man Nuno Espirito Santo go to Tottenham Hotspurs and enter a new era under Bruno Lage. Lage had success in his time at Benfica with intensive attacking football and has English football experience in his time as assistant coach of Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday. The return of Raul Jimenez is exciting news for football and the Wolves fans after missing out on most of the last season’s games with a serious head injury. In addition, Francisco Trincao is an interesting addition to the squad; the 21-year-old right-winger is valued at £20m and joins on loan from Barcelona. Wolves are unbeaten in the least eight opening matches; they have, however, failed to score against their hosts in five of the six meetings (one win, three draws, two defeats), the exception being a 4 – 3 home win in January 2019. They have a tough test to end a six-game winless run at the King Power Stadium but would concentrate on getting their mojo and rhythm under the new manager.

Prediction: Leicester to win.

Watford v Aston Villa

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• Venue: Vicarage Road
• Saturday 14th Aug, 15:00
• Referee: Mike Dean
• Quick Glance OddsH: 12/5 D: 12/5 A: 23/20

About the Game:

Watford is back in the Premier League, boasting a record of the best defensive side in the Championship. The Hornets has the best defensive record in the top four tiers of English football (winning nineteen, drawing two, losing two), collecting fifty-nine points from twenty-three games. They won six of the last eleven games at Vicarage Road. Xisco took over the managerial job in December and has had an exciting spell but will face a tougher challenge against some of the best managers in the world. Captain Troy Deeney has scored in all four games against Villa netting six goals, including three match winners. Ismaila Sarr, famous for his two goals and an assist against Liverpool in the 2020/21 season, was the team’s top goalscorer with thirteen goals. Watford has plenty of options in the squad; they have signed eight players and have nine players returning from loan spells. The biggest spend was on Imrân Louza, who signed from FC Nantes for £9.00m. Joshua King signing on a free transfer from Everton is also interesting.

Aston Villa had a great last season flying off the blocks and even close to qualifying for Europe before taking their foot off the peddle. The main reason for the decline in form was attributed to an injury to their then captain Jack Grealish who has since left for Manchester City. They now have to perform without their maestro over an entire season bringing in Emi Buendia from Norwich who brings creativity, and Danny Ings from Southampton, who has goals in him. Leon Bailey from Bayern Leverkusen is another exciting inclusion with pace to burn and could prove a worthy replacement. Buendia created plenty of chances for Norwich and was the best assist provider with sixteen assists. The Argentine notched the fourth-best tally in chances created (eighty-three) despite his side finishing bottom. Vila lost 3 – 0 at this stadium the last time they played. However, they have won four of the last five Premier League openers.

Prediction: Villa win.

Norwich v Liverpool

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• Venue: Carrow Road
• Saturday 14th Aug, 17:30
• Referee: Andre Marriner
• Quick Glance OddsH: 8/1 D: 19/4 A: 2/7

About the Game:

Norwich begins their Premier League campaign against Liverpool for the second time in three years, having lost the 2019-20 season 4 – 1 to the Reds on the first day. Norwich lost the last ten games in the Premier League that led to their relegation. However, the Canaries won the Championship title and will be full of confidence that they can have an extended stay in the top-flight league. Daniel Farke’s side had a historic 3 – 2 victory against Manchester City when Pep Guardiola’s side was unplayable. Despite losing twenty-seven games, they were competitive with twelve by a single goal margin and a further seven by two goals. They have kept the same squad with only Emi Buendia leaving for Aston Villa. In their last Premier League campaign, Teemu Pukki scored twenty-six goals and provided four assists in the Championship. The Finnish attacker scored eleven goals which were 42% of the team goals and provided three assists. Chelsea wonder-kid Billy Gilmour has joined the team on a season-long loan, and he could be an interesting inclusion to the squad.

Liverpool had an indifferent season plagued with injury, losing their title defence by seventeen points to Manchester City’s rivals. In the last fourteen games against Norwich (winning twelve, two draws), they scored forty-four goals, an average of 3.1 goals per game. Mohammed Salah, Robert Firmino, and Sadio Mane failed to sparkle consistently. Salah finished one goal behind Golden Boot winner Harry Kane. Jürgen Klopp’s side was on the verge of missing out on the Champions League but ended up squeezing their way into position three with an impressive ten-game unbeaten run. The German has been a great starter, unbeaten in all five (four wins, one draw), returning twenty-nine goals. The Red’s lost Georginio Wijnaldum to PSG and Andy Robertson to injury though it won’t be the same as losing Virgil Van Djik on a season-long injury. Liverpool has won their previous seven travels to Carrow Road, five by a single goal margin. The only major addition to the squad is the signing of 22-year-old Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig. The £36.00m signing adds needed cover at centre-back.

Prediction: Liverpool to win.

Newcastle v West Ham

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• Venue: St James’ Park
• Sunday 15th Aug, 14:00
• Referee: Martin Atkinson
• Quick Glance OddsH: 11/5 D: 5/2 A: 23/20

About the Game:

The Magpies triumphed at the London Stadium the last time the two sides met. Callum Wilson loves playing against West Ham, having scored eight goals in ten games, more than he has against any other team. His first goal in the Premier League for both Bournemouth and Newcastle was against the Hammers. The Toon Army overcame an injury-plagued season that caused a relegation scare that was eased by a run of five wins in the last eight games at some point to finish twelfth in the table. Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin fitness will be a great factor in this campaign after being so influential in the survival push. Attacking midfielder Miguel Almirón could also be instrumental; the twenty-seven-year-old scored a goal from his four appearances at the Copa America. Also, after a successful loan campaign for the Magpies, scoring eight goals in fourteen appearances, Joe Willock has signed from Arsenal for £25m to add quality to the midfield.

The Hammers enjoyed a successful campaign last season, qualifying for the Europa League. Michail Antonio has scored forty-six-goal for his side, just one short of making him the joint top scorer with Paolo Di Canio. West Ham is perennially slow starters, having lost the first game in each of the last five seasons but could put in a fight to build momentum ahead of a busy and tough season with European football in the picture. The success was attributed to the loanee Jesse Lingard, who returned to his parent club Manchester United. European endeavours will be great exposure for the team but could hinder their leagues progress if they don’t strengthen the squad. Although signings have been scarce, 31-year-old centre-back Craig Dawson has been signed from Watford, and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has joined from Paris SG on a season-long loan at a cost of £1.8m. However, they will have a tough start against a side they have lost three of the last four games against and conceded the opening goal in all three.

Prediction: West Ham to win.