The English Premier League showed why it really is considered the most competitive league in world football, with just two teams winning both of their opening two games, namely, Arsenal and Liverpool, who meet in this weekend’s headline fixture at Anfield.
Champions, Manchester City, fell over their first hurdle, drawing at home to Tottenham, while Frank Lampard remains in search of his first win as Chelsea boss. After producing a whopping 12/1 treble last weekend, let's hope the luck hasn’t run out with gameweek three producing arguably the best round of action yet!
Friday 23 August
Aston Villa 43/20
Draw 26/10
Everton 12/10
Aston Villa and Everton kick-start the program in this weekend’s Premier League action. The Villans are winless in their opening two games and are still in search of their first point after losing at home to Bournemouth last Saturday.
Everton have been the complete opposite and are one of the early pacesetters in the league, drawing and winning once each from their opening two encounters, while the Toffees are also yet to concede a goal this campaign. Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi are hoping for their first start in the famous blue colours of Everton, while Lucas Digne should shrug off a knock he took in the Watford game to return to the line-up.
Put your money on the away win here.
Saturday 24 August
Norwich 3/1
Draw 29/10
Chelsea 8/10
Fireworks are expected when Norwich and Chelsea do battle at Carrow Road in Saturday’s early kick-off. Thus far, Norwich and Chelsea have been arguably two of the most entertaining teams to watch, although the Blues don’t quite have the results to show for it. It seems the players are still biding into Frank Lampard’s high-intensity game-plan, with Chelsea looking burnt out around the 60th minute onwards for the second consecutive Premier League game.
Norwich come into this game oozing with confidence after humbling Newcastle 3-1 last Saturday, with star striker Teemu Pukki bagging a hat-trick.
You’re never going to get a better chance to back this market, so take Both Teams to Score First Half & Second Half at an astonishing 17/2!
Watford 11/10
Draw 26/10
West Ham 24/10
Watford seek redemption on home soil when they welcome West Ham to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets are bottom on the table after two games, failing to find the back of the net so far. West Ham were hammered for five by Manchester City on day one, but quickly turned their fortunes around with a commendable 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend.
Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson are expected to come back for West Ham after missing out against the Seagulls due to injury, while we’re still yet to see Ismaila Sarr in Watford colours. Teams look a lot more cagy in the first few games of the season, so you can expect no different this time around.
Back Under 2.5 Goals here at 11/10.
Sheffield United 49/20
Draw 43/20
Leicester City 5/4
It’s been a glorious start to the campaign for Sheffield United who are yet to taste defeat in both of their opening two games. The Blades were impressive in their 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, but impressed even further, nullifying Crystal Palace’s attack in their 1-0 home win last Sunday.
Like Sheffield United, Leicester City are also unbeaten in the season and come off the back of a respectable performance against Chelsea, drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in a game the Foxes feel they could have got more from. Brendan Rodgers’ men really impressed at Chelsea, a UEFA Champions League team, so going away to Bramall Lane shouldn’t be too much of a hurdle.
At 5/4, Leicester City should inflict Sheffield United’s first Premier League defeat.
Brighton 14/10
Draw 9/4
Southampton 2/1
Brighton have a second bite at the cherry to win their first home game of the season after being held 1-1 last weekend to West Ham at the Amex Stadium. Graham Potter has got Brighton playing a completely different brand of football, and although many expected his tactics to take time, the Englishman has got his players playing the way he wants them to.
Southampton fell to their second defeat in a row after going down against Liverpool, although the Saints did manage to give the Reds a late scare. Its only two games in so far but Brighton have certainly looked the part.
In what is largely considered a ‘six-pointer’, Brighton are tipped to come out on top.
Manchester United 7/20
Draw 39/10
Crystal Palace 15/2
Despite Paul Pogba missing a penalty on Monday night against Wolves, Manchester United could still feel like it was a point gained, rather than two points dropped. After earning four points in their opening two games against Chelsea and Wolves, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made massive progress with this Manchester United team.
Crystal Palace tend to do well away at the big grounds, but after a dismal start in their opening two encounters, failing to beat Everton at home, while the Eagles also lost at Sheffield, Roy Hodgson’s men will be dreading the trip to Old Trafford.
Back Man United on the (-1) Handicap here at a generous 19/20.
Liverpool 5/10
Draw 15/4
Arsenal 9/2
The headline fixture in the Premier League this weekend sees European champions, Liverpool, do battle with UEFA Europa League finalists, Arsenal. Two colossal football names fighting for contrasting fortunes with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool fighting for the title, while Unai Emery’s Arsenal will just be happy to get back into the UEFA Champions League.
A home trip against the Gunners has always been a fixture that the Reds favour, although with this being the season of transformation, perhaps Arsenal will be looking to take advantage of Liverpool’s recent errors in defence and give them a game to remember.
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Sunday 25 August
Bournemouth 13/1
Draw 6/1
Manchester City 1/5
Bournemouth have the unwanted task of facing Manchester City so soon after they seek a return to winning ways. The champions were held at their own backyard, ending their superb winning run of 15 Premier League matches. Pep Guardiola’s men now travel to the Vitality to square up against the Cherries who come off the back of their first win of the season, downing Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.
In City’s last away outing, they smashed West Ham 5-0, and after suffering their first setback of the season and playing early catch-up, the Citizens should go back to their ruthless ways of battering teams up for fun.
At 5/10, backing Man City on the (-1) Handicap seems the most sensible bet to take.
Tottenham 1/4
Draw 52/10
Newcastle 11/1
Tottenham showed that they’re capable of going toe-to-toe with the big guns in world football and that reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League was not by luck. After earning a point at Manchester City last weekend, Spurs now host struggling Newcastle, who have been out of sorts in their opening two encounters.
Steve Bruce and his boys know that spoiling the party for Spurs seems highly unlikely here, especially as the Lilywhites look set to welcome back Heung-min Son for the first time this campaign.
Tottenham on the (-1) Handicap at 6/10 looks a banker bet for all multiples here.
Wolves 17/20
Draw 24/10
Burnley 37/10
Many questions pondered over Wolves’ capability this season as they juggle between Premier League football, whilst also competing in the UEFA Europa League. Monday night’s draw with Manchester United proved that they really are the real deal.
Burnley come off the back of a decent showing against Arsenal, losing 2-1, and just like they did against the Gunners, Sean Dyche’s men will give Wolves a physical game of football which will be difficult for them to handle with ease.
With home advantage, Wolves should pick up their first win of the campaign.
LAST WEEK'S TREBLE WON @ 12/1
Arsenal Score Both Halves 1/1
Everton Win 7/10
Norwich (-1) Handicap 29/10
THIS WEEK'S TREBLE TIPPED @ 7/1
Leicester City Win 5/4
Manchester United (-1) Handicap 19/20
Wolves Win 17/20
