Following the success of England’s women’s team at Euro 2022, attention now turns to the domestic season and the English Premier League. Manchester City will once again be the side to beat, following another last day of the season triumph last year and the blues know they will be facing stern competition from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea. Arsenal and Manchester United headline the next tier of runners and riders that will be in the chasing pack, whilst at the bottom, survival will be the order of the day for the newly promoted clubs in Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Fulham.
Here are our picks for the opening round of fixtures in the Premier League:
EPL Week 1 Predictions
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Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace ($4.7)
Arsenal ($1.95)
Draw ($3.75)
Arsenal will be looking to continue their superb pre-season form as they travel to Crystal Palace. The Eagles enjoyed a super campaign under Patrick Vieira last year and will be hoping to build on that in the 2022/23 season. Vieira takes on his former side Arsenal, who are in fine fettle under Mikel Arteta and there is a real sense of optimism building around the Emirates. With the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksander Zinchenko in their ranks, the Gunners will believe they can push for the top 4 this season and they look well set to get off to a winning start.
Betting tip: Arsenal to win the match ($1.95)
Arsenal to win 2-1
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Fulham vs Liverpool – Craven Cottage
Fulham ($12)
Liverpool ($1.3)
Draw ($6.2)
Newly promoted Fulham take on Liverpool in what should be a rude awakening in the Premier League. The Cottagers blew away all before them in the Championship last season, but this is a serious step up and a good early test for Marco Silva’s men. Liverpool meanwhile, finished with two trophies last season and their Community Shield win over Manchester City last weekend put down a real marker. This should be a decent game in West London, with Liverpool running out as the comfortable winners.
Betting tip: Liverpool to win the match ($1.3)
Liverpool to win 3-1
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Bournemouth vs Aston Villa – Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth ($4)
Aston Villa ($2.1)
Draw ($3.6)
Bournemouth will be hoping to hit the ground running in the Premier League, as they welcome Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. Scott Parker quietly went about his business last season, propelling the Cherries back into the top flight but this is a marked step up in quality. Aston Villa meanwhile have developed under Steven Gerrard, but they need to start stringing some results together and putting points on the board. This could be a tight one, but Aston Villa are a dangerous side, and they should prevail here.
Betting tip: Aston Villa to win the match ($2.1)
Aston Villa to win 2-1
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Leeds United vs Wolves – Elland Road
Leeds United ($2.4)
Wolves ($3.3)
Draw ($3.4)
Leeds will be hoping to build on the dramatic survival on the last day of last season, as they welcome Wolves. Jesse Marsch is the man in charge at Elland Road and he will need to start putting points on the board quickly, having seen Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha leave the club in the summer. Wolves always go quietly about their business and Bruno Lage will be eager to put down a statement from the off here. This should be a tight game, with the draw looking the most likely outcome.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.4)
1-1 Draw
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Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest – St James’s Park
Newcastle United ($1.7)
Nottingham Forest ($6)
Draw ($3.95)
Optimism is in the air for Newcastle United, who take on Nottingham Forest on the opening day in what should be a good game at St James’s Park. A summer of spending has been had in the North East once more and the Magpies will be looking to sneak into the top 6 this season under Eddie Howe. For Nottingham Forest, this opening day fixture is a free hit, and they too will be keen to start picking up points where possible. Steve Cooper looks to be onto something good at the City Ground, but this is a step up and Toon should win well at home here.
Betting tip: Newcastle United to win the match ($1.7)
Newcastle United to win 3-1
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Tottenham vs Southampton – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham ($1.4)
Southampton ($9.6)
Draw ($5.5)
Tottenham will be hoping to push for a top 4 finish this season and they kick off their campaign against Southampton. Spurs have huffed and puffed in recent seasons, but the arrival of Antonio Conte looks to have changed the narrative surrounding the club and they look well placed to challenge properly this term. Southampton meanwhile have done enough in the past few seasons to avoid any relegation fears and that will be their priority once again this term. Tottenham will want a good start to the season, and they should get one here.
Betting tip: Tottenham to win the match ($1.4)
Tottenham to win 3-0
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Everton vs Chelsea – Goodison Park
Everton ($6)
Chelsea ($1.67)
Draw ($4.1)
Everton will be looking to avoid a repeat of last season, as they take on a Chelsea side that will have one on a title challenge this term. The Toffees really struggled last term but stayed up when it mattered, and Frank Lampard will be eager to build for the season ahead here against his former club. Chelsea have spent big once again in pursuit of Liverpool and Manchester City, but the gap looks to have widened rather than shrunk. This is a game Chelsea should win however, certainly if they have title aspirations this term.
Betting tip: Chelsea to win the match ($1.67)
Chelsea to win 2-1
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Leicester City vs Brentford – King Power Stadium
Leicester City ($2.05)
Brentford ($3.8)
Draw ($3.8)
Two sides who will be looking to get off to a good start this term face off as Leicester City take on Brentford. The Foxes have had a quiet summer of incomings and with a couple of key players sneaking out of the door too, Brendan Rodgers could have his work cut out this term. Brentford meanwhile will be keen to avoid the second season syndrome that grips so many clubs and they will have survival on their mind once more. There is very little to split these sides and a draw could be on the cards here.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.8)
1-1 Draw
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Manchester United vs Brighton – Old Trafford
Manchester United ($1.67)
Brighton ($6.1)
Draw ($4.2)
The Erik ten Hag reign at Manchester United gets underway with a tricky looking opening day task against Brighton. United have hit rock bottom over the past few seasons and they look to be steadily rebuilding this term. Brighton meanwhile continue to punch above their weight under Graham Potter and enjoy being the underdog in games such as this. Brighton will trouble United, but momentum looks to be slowly turning at Old Trafford and United should get an opening day win.
Betting tip: Manchester United to win the match ($1.67)
Manchester United to win 2-1
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West Ham United vs Manchester City – London Olympic Stadium
West Ham United ($9)
Manchester City ($1.4)
Draw ($5.6)
Manchester City get their Premier League title defence underway with a trip to West Ham on the opening day. David Moyes has done an excellent job with the Hammers in recent seasons, and he will be looking to build on that this year, but he will be all too aware of the task at hand here. Manchester City looked a little undercooked in the Community Shield last weekend but tend to step it up when it matters and new signing Erling Haaland will be eager to open his account, in what could be a cagey City win.
Betting tip: Manchester City to win the match ($1.4)
Manchester City to win 2-1
EPL Week 1 multi bet
We’re backing four results this week as a four-leg multi with a betting stake of $50:
Tottenham vs Southampton – Tottenham to win
Fulham vs Liverpool – Liverpool to win
Everton vs Chelsea – Chelsea to win
Manchester United vs Brighton – Manchester United to win
A $50 wager would pay out $254.00 if successful at the current odds.
