Two games into the 2014-15 Premier League season and there are only four teams with a 100% record: Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and – surprisingly – Swansea. With plenty of unpredictable results so far we are looking forward to another action-packed weekend of football, and here we bring you our latest batch of Premier League betting tips to help you make some money from betting on the best league in the world.
Saturday 30th August 2014
Burnley v Manchester United (12:45) – Draw (10/3 with Bet365)
Newly promoted Burley might have lost both their games so far, but they were far from disgraced in either game. They went down 3-1 at home to Chelsea after taking the lead and were edged out 1-0 away to Swansea after not quite having the cutting edge to find the net. Man United, meanwhile, also lost to Swansea, but at Old Trafford, making Louis van Gaal’s first match in charge something of a damp squib. They followed that with a rather limp 1-1 draw at Sunderland and the Dutch boss will demand more here.
The Red Devils’ cause could be helped by the £59.7m signing of Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, who might be in place in time to feature here. But we think Burnley could have enough spirit and defensive solidity to get something out of this game, not least because they conceded an average of just 0.61 goals per home game last season. Backing the home side to win looks just a little too outlandish, but the draw offers decent value in our eyes as United once again fail to impress.
Everton v Chelsea (17:30) – Under 2.5 goals (5/6 with BetVictor)
Everton boss Roberto Martinez will be disappointed to say the least after watching his side throw away a two-goal lead against Arsenal at Goodison last time out. The second 2-2 draw of the season (the first being away to Leicester) is far from a disaster, but the inability to see out victories is a bad habit to acquire in the top flight, and something that would certainly be punished by Chelsea on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s men have faced and beaten two newly promoted sides thus far, new striker Diego Costa netting in both games. But a trip to Everton is a much tougher test of their title credentials and given the Toffees won the corresponding fixture last season by a goal to nil the home side will have some confidence coming into this one. Having said that, with Mourinho keen to avoid defeat at all costs we wouldn’t be surprised if he set his team out to nullify the opposition, and with Everton looking to tighten up after conceding two in each of their games so far we anticipate another low-scoring affair. Backing under 2.5 goals looks a real steal here.
Sunday 31st August 2014
Tottenham v Liverpool (13:30) – Both teams to score: No (13/8 with Coral)
Spurs took a battering when Liverpool visit White Hart Lane last season, losing 5-0. Two of the five goals that day were scored by Luis Suarez, who has obviously since jumped ship, but Spurs will still be wary of the attacking talent Brendan Rodgers has at his disposal, especially if new signing Mario Balotelli features. Whether the Italian bad boy can fill the boots of the Uruguayan bad boy whose departure has left such a gaping hole remains to be seen, but it will be fun for the neutrals to see what happens along the way.
Under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, however, Tottenham have started to thrive and have won their opening two matches without conceding a goal. The structure of the side looks a lot more solid and without the ball the players look more purposeful than they did last season. This is a tough one to call (as exemplified by the betting odds with Spurs at 13/8 and Liverpool at 7/4 for the three points) so we will give the match betting a miss and instead back against both sides scoring in what will be an intriguing tactical battle.
Leicester v Arsenal (16:00) – Arsenal to be winning at half time and full time (7/4 with Bet365)
Arsenal got themselves out of gaol last weekend as they battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point form a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. The point will feel like a win to Arsene Wenger who will have vivid memories of being 2-0 down at half time in the corresponding fixture last term before his side lost 3-0. The Gunners are yet to really show themselves at their creative best this season, but we fancy they will turn on the style against newly promoted Leicester on Sunday.
Leicester also earned a 2-2 draw against Everton, but then went down 2-0 to Chelsea, and though Nigel Pearson’s men should have enough to stay in the Premier League we feel they will struggle against the dynamic and inventive Arsenal midfield, inspired by Aaron Ramsey who already looks to be in great form. With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil yet to really find their feet, this could be the game in which it all comes together for Wenger’s men and we think backing a solid win for the visitors will pay handsome dividends. Backing Arsenal to be ahead at half time and full time is the call here.