The Premier League is back! While the close season wasn’t exactly painful given the thrills and spills of the World Cup in Brazil (well, except for England fans!), it is always a pleasure to welcome back the rough and tumble of the Premier League. With a few new faces to get to know and a title race that looks like being the most competitive in years, we can’t wait for the action to get underway. And here we focus on four of the biggest matches of the opening weekend as we bring you our first batch of Premier League betting tips for the 2014-15 season.
Saturday 16th August 2014
Manchester United v Swansea (12:45) – Man United to win by three or more goals (11/4 with Sky Bet)
The early kick off on Saturday – and hence the opening match of the new Premier League season – sees Man United take on Swansea at Old Trafford. With former Dutch national team boss Louis van Gaal having replaced the hapless David Moyes in the manager’s seat, the Red Devils are hoping for a far better season this time around after finishing seventh in the 2013-14 campaign.
Given United won 4-1 at Swansea on the opening weekend of last season, we think Garry Monk’s side could be very much up against it here. It is likely Robin van Persie won’t feature due to a lack of match fitness, but with Wayne Rooney and the rest of the squad aiming to impress their new boss we feel the home side will regain their form of the Ferguson era and put Swansea to the sword.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace (17:30) – Arsenal to win both halves (15/8 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal have a spring in their step at the moment after winning the FA Cup in May and the Community Shield on Sunday (after beating champions Man City 3-0). But – as they found out last season when going down 3-1 at home to Villa on the opening day – you have to have your wits about you in the Premier League. We feel Arsene Wenger has a great chance of taking his team all the way this season, the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona having improved further an already impressive attacking line up.
Palace, under Tony Pulis, are a tough nut to crack, but the Gunners beat them 2-0 home and away last term and we fancy at least as good a result here for the home side. After the impressive manner of their victory over the Citizens, Wenger will want to maintain the momentum and we feel Arsenal will have all the ammunition they need to win both halves of this one, despite the brave defending we have come to expect from the Eagles.
Sunday 17th August 2014
Liverpool v Southampton (13:30) – Draw at half time (8/5 with Bet365)
Liverpool fell just short of Premier League glory last season when they finished a mere two points behind Man City, and – given they have since sold Luis Suarez to Barcelona – we feel their best chance to become champions has now passed. While Daniel Sturridge is an undoubtedly talented striker, there is also little doubt that he benefitted massively from the runs and assists from his partner in crime (literally in the Uruguayan’s case!) and we can’t see him being as effective this term.
Southampton, meanwhile, seem to have sold half their squad during the summer months – including Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana to Liverpool – and have also seen the departure of boss Mauricio Pochettino to Spurs. But with former Ajax and PSV boss Ronald Koeman now at the helm, we think the Saints still have the capacity to pull off some big results. They were one of only two sides (along with Chelsea) to earn victory at Anfield in the league last season and though we can’t see them repeating that feat here, they could nick a point. To play it safe, however, we’re opting for the match being all-square at the break, but the brave should back the stalemate in the 90 minute market.
Newcastle v Manchester City (16:00) – Man City to win to nil (11/5 with Coral)
Champions Man City may have been humbled somewhat by their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, but with a run of nine league victories against Newcastle Manuel Pellegrini will be confident his side can get a positive start to the defence of their Premier League title at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Newcastle are one of the most unpredictable sides in the division, and despite some woeful performances last term they still managed to finish 10th. But City have class in every area of the pitch and with the Magpies no longer having Loic Remy leading the line after he returned to QPR we think the Citizens will cruise to a 1-0 or 2-0 victory in the North East. There is a chance the home side could find a big performance from somewhere, especially after City lost four of their first six away matches last season, but Pellegrini won’t settle for a similar run this year and we think his side will be prepared effectively and will get the three points they desire.