EPL Round 1
It’s great to have the Premier League season back in full swing…although sometimes it feels like it really just ended. As he will every week this year James Kempton is back to offer his game capsules of every fixture on the betting board.
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Looking to do more digging and bet lower division football this season? The stat packs are a very affordable and useful tool for bettors of all ability levels.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Man U -0.75 and 2.5 goals
A new season means new hope has descended over Old Trafford as their big name impressive signings could lead them to challenge for the title. Spurs also appear to have recruited well as coach Pochettino looks to further drill his philosophy into this side. On the match line I will pass but lean towards the overs on the goal market.
AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa
AFC -0.5 and 2.25 goals
This looks a good opening day opportunity for both sides to start the season with a victory. The small ground on the south coast will feel more like an FA Cup trip for the big boys this season and they could spring plenty of surprises. However on opening day I can’t lay half a goal with a newly promoted side, even if they are playing Aston Villa!
Everton v Watford
Everton -0.75 and 2.5 goals
The Toffees and Roberto Martinez sides always look vulnerable early in the season so Watford will travel north with great belief. Martinez is 1-3-4 on opening day as manager so giving up three quarters of a goal on the handicap line does not appeal to me. With the goal markets looking like a mystery as well I will take a watch on this one rather than investing.
Leicester City v Sunderland
Leicester City -0.5 and 2.25 goals
The Foxes embark on the new campaign without boss Nigel Pearson who masterminded their survival last season and I sense they will struggle quite a bit without him. The obnoxious Pearson fell on his sword after his son, a former Leicester player, was involved in a Thai sex scandal. I’m not very keen on Sunderland this season but on this market line you have to favour the away team when looking to make a wager.
Norwich City v Crystal Palace
Norwich -0.25 and 2.25 goals
It’s great to see Norwich back in the Premiership as East Anglia needs a representative in the EPL. They host a Palace team looking to make that next step forward under Alan Pardew. The price of the outright draw appeals to me in this fixture as this could be a cagey opening day affair where both teams seem happy to find a result.
Chelsea v Swansea City
Chelsea -1.5 and 2.75 goals
It is rare for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho to either start or finish the season poorly so I expect a strong display here. Repeating last seasons success of an eighth place finish will be on the mind of Swansea coach Monk and at this handicap level I’m not rushing to the counter to back the home team. Laying a goal and a half on opening day does not fill me with joy and the fear of a 2-0 home win makes me swerve the goal markets. Pass on this one for me…
Arsenal v West Ham United
Arsenal -1.5 and 2.75 goals
Arsenal begin their challenge for the title with what should be a regulation home victory over West Ham. Especially now they have a proven shot stopper in Petr Cech although against West Ham you could probably put a mannequin between the sticks! Without Alexis Sanchez they are not as big a bet as they could be but it’s still the home win and cover for me as my favourite bet of the week.
Newcastle United v Southampton
Southampton -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Steve McLaren takes over the hot seat at St James’ Park and he has the coaching know how to make a success in the north east. Many experts are predicting a second season syndrome for Ronald Koeman at Southampton but I am not so sure. The last six meetings of the sides have seen at least two goals with over 2.5 goals going 4-2. On this goal line I lean heavily towards the overs.
Stoke City v Liverpool
Liverpool -0.25 and 2.25
Liverpool return immediately to the scene of their horror ending last season where they conceded five goals in the first half to Stoke. The line that day was Liverpool -0.5 and the punters got crushed so here the books have hung an even more tempting line. Again I will swerve that as the only value is with the home side but it’s not great value!
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City
Manchester City -1 and 2.5 goals
Albion have their first full season under coach Pulis and it will be interesting to see how their style of play changes. We know how City will play but can their aging team press for another title over the full season? These are the types of games City struggled in last season so with a full goal start I will take the home dog.
