After a long summer wait, the Premier League finally returns this weekend, with the opening fixtures of the new season. It’s a moment that fans across the country have been pining for, as the game once again takes over our lives for the next nine months. It’s hard to imagine a better way to kick off the year, as there’s a fantastic line up of games coming up.
The season starts with Manchester United hosting Tottenham, before Chelsea get their title defence underway in the late game against Swansea. Sunday sees Liverpool going to Stoke in search of revenge, while Arsenal are looking to get their season off to a strong start against West Ham. Here we have previews of all those key games, plus a betting tip for each.
Saturday 8th August 2015
Manchester United v Tottenham (12:45) – United to win and Rooney to score any time (15/8 with Sky Bet)
The opening game of the new season sees last year’s fourth and sixth meeting at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have spent big over the summer, again, as they look to return to the Premier League summit, while Spurs have had a quiet window by their standards. With United now much improved and still on the hunt for more signings, you’d expect that they’ll get their season off to a great start here. Given their record at home to Spurs, it’s hard to see a shock coming.
In their 23 Premier League trips to Old Trafford, Spurs have lost 18 times. They have won two of their last three, but those were against declining United sides. Now with the Red Devils looking to push for the title, things should go the same way as last year’s meeting, a 3-0 win for the hosts. Given how Wayne Rooney has troubled Spurs throughout his career, we’re backing him to score after being promoted to first choice striker again. He should suit that role, and we think he can inspire United to a great start.
Chelsea v Swansea (17:30) – Chelsea to win and both teams to score (23/10 with BetVictor)
Chelsea are expected to win comfortably in their opening game, but given how Swansea upset United at Old Trafford in their opener last year, it’s not going to be easy. The Blues’ defeat in the Community Shield last weekend showed that they haven’t quite got up to full fitness yet, and that could hurt them in the early stages of the campaign. If Swansea come here determined and press the hosts, they could trouble them. Another week of preseason will have the Blues closer to match fitness, but they didn’t look right against Arsenal.
That lack of sharpness is a worrying problem for the champions, who will want a strong start to their title defence. There was a worry that their lack of transfer activity would see them go a little stale after a great year last year, and they need to put those concerns to bed. With as many as three other sides fighting them for the title, they have to start the season well. We’re backing them to see off the Swans, but the Welsh side can cause some damage here. We’re backing them to score, and the home side to win.
Sunday 9th August 2015
Arsenal v West Ham (13:30) – Arsenal -1 handicap (5/6 with Sky Bet)
Sunday sees the Community Shield winners take on West Ham, as they want to put themselves forward as genuine title challengers. With Petr Cech on board, they’ve made a big statement during the summer, but can they follow up on that? They’re heavy favourites to beat West Ham, and they really should be tearing the Hammers apart if they are serious about winning the title this season. Slaven Bilic hasn’t made the greatest start in the Europa League, and he could well face a fight for survival with his new side this term.
Arsenal’s win over Chelsea last week should boost morale in the camp, and a Wembley victory would have done wonders for them mentally. This is potentially Arsene Wenger’s biggest season at the club, as he finally has the chance to win the title for the first time since their move to the Emirates. While that’s still up in the air, it’s hard to see anything but success for them on the opening day. We’re backing the Gunners to win in style, racking up a few goals and making the perfect start. Their defence isn’t yet solid enough to back them to nil, so our tip is the -1 handicap.
Stoke v Liverpool (16:00) – Both teams to score (17/20 with BetVictor)
After a 6-1 drubbing here on the final day of last season, the Reds return to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke. The game will be a huge one for Brendan Rodgers, as he’ll want to put that thumping defeat behind him with an opening day win. After a busy summer window of comings and goings, Rodgers’ new look squad has their eyes firmly set on the top four. But, with an awful run of away games to start the season, will they be able to keep themselves in the race for the Champions League?
They’ll see a familiar face on Sunday, as Glen Johnson joined Stoke as part of their summer signing splurge. After adding some impressive talent, the Potters will be thinking of Europe, and they’ll be an incredibly tough test for Liverpool this weekend. Their home ground is never an easy place to come to, as the Reds well know. A winner in this game is a tough thing to call and this one could go either way. Given how open Liverpool are going forward and defensively, we’re backing both teams to score in this game, just as they did in their last meeting back in May.