The focus was on the Football League last weekend, but now attention turns to the Premier League. After almost three months the top flight returns on Saturday, with a very high level of expectation waiting to be met. After the incredible rise of Leicester City last term and the addition of several top managers we’re expecting a lot this season.
The intrigue starts from midday on Saturday, as the Foxes travel to Hull City. Pep Guardiola meets David Moyes in the late game, before Jose Mourinho makes his Premier League return on Sunday. The highlight of the weekend sees Arsenal hosting Liverpool on Sunday. With so much to look forward to we’ve gone through each of the live games and picked out our best betting tips for each.
Saturday 13th August 2016
Hull v Leicester (12:45) – Leicester to win (11/10 with Sky Bet)
The idea of Leicester as Premier League champions is still settling in. Their situation has completely changed heading into the new season, as they are going to be a huge scalp. While they’re soon going to have Champions League action to distract them, they’ll be desperate to make a strong start. They’re not expected to push for the title again, especially after losing N’Golo Kante. Could the struggle in their opening game of the new season? No defending champion has ever lost their opening Premier League match, and Claudio Ranieri will not want his side to be the first.
Luckily, they’re up against possibly the most dysfunctional side in the top flight. Having lost Steve Bruce weeks ago Hull are still without a new permanent boss. They’ve not made a signing since winning the play-offs and they’ve lost their Wembley hero Mo Diame. They’ve been hit with injuries and are said to have just 13 available players. They look destined for a quick return to the second tier. Given all the problems the Tigers are facing, Leicester look to be fantastically priced at 11/10 with Sky Bet. Not only is history on their side, but this is the perfect opener for them.
Manchester City v Sunderland (17:30) – Man City to win both halves (6/4 with Coral)
The Premier League title favourites kick things off in Saturday’s late game. Two new managers get used to their posts in this clash at the Etihad, with David Moyes aiming to continue Sam Allardyce’s fine work. The Black Cats only just made their first signing of the summer, and there’s still quite a few holes they need to plug. This squad only just survived last season, so they need re-enforcements. Given how they’re shaping up ahead of this game, it’s no wonder that City come in as heavy favourites. It’s hard to see anything but a winning start in England for Pep Guardiola.
City have been busy this summer and there are more signings on the way. John Stones has just been brought in for a whopping £47.5m, while they’re also busy shifting the deadwood. Guardiola is looking to transform the team, and the bookies are confident he’ll lead them to Premier League glory. While it’s too early to tell just where they’ll finish, we’d be shocked if they don’t comfortably take maximum points on Saturday. With Sunderland not in great shape at the moment we’ve gone for City to win both halves as our tip here. It’s priced at 6/4 with Coral, and we can see City winning this by a handsome margin.
Sunday 14th August 2016
Bournemouth v Manchester United (13:30) – Over 1.5 United goals (Evens with Coral)
City’s title rivals kick off on Sunday, with Jose Mourinho already demanding the Premier League trophy from his players. They lifted the Community Shield last weekend, but can they kick on and win the league? They start things off against a Bournemouth side who are looking to negotiate their second top flight campaign. Eddie Howe has spent big, but can he guide the Cherries to safety once again? He’ll hope to have Callum Wilson available all season, alongside Benik Afobe. This opener is essentially a free hit for them, but Howe will have his side highly motivated here.
The Red Devils will be looking to continue their form from Wembley last weekend, and Mourinho tends to start campaigns well. The Portuguese made winning starts to both his Chelsea spells. This seems like a straightforward game for the Portuguese coach to start with. It’s unlikely that Paul Pogba will be available for this game as he’s just returning to training, but we don’t see United needing him. They’ve added enough firepower with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which should lead to goals. With the attack they’ve got we’re backing the Red Devils to score at least twice at evens with Coral.
Arsenal v Liverpool (16:00) – Liverpool to win (5/2 with Betfair)
This game is easily the biggest of the weekend, it’s the first of the big managerial battles this season. Arsenal threatened to buy big this summer, but that failed to materialise. A bid for Jamie Vardy and the signing of Ganit Xhaka were followed up by rumours of further signings. Those never happened, and once again it seems like we’re seeing what is basically the same Arsenal side that has fallen short in recent seasons. They’re lacking at the back and up front, which will probably stop them from winning the title once again this term.
Can Liverpool get close to the title? They finished eighth last year, but they’ve had a first pre-season under Jurgen Klopp which gives him a chance to get his ideas across. The Reds also have no European football, which should prevent a repeat of their injury crisis last term. Speaking of injuries, Arsenal are without quite a few stars themselves. Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Alexis Sanchez are expected to miss this one. Wenger is without any of his main central defenders, so expect a makeshift defence here. We think Liverpool can take advantage of that and claim three points here. They’re priced at 5/2 to win at the Emirates.