Week 2 Premier League Betting Preview
By Covers.com
They say the Premier League is a marathon and not a sprint, but over the last few years the pressure on managers and players for short term success has become so heavy. Teams no longer have the time to find their stride early on and have no option other then to hit the ground running.
It’s only the second week and already we are presented with key games that could make all the difference when the league finishes next May.
Goalscoring fireworks set for Monday fixture
Manchester City somewhat pinched the Premier League from Liverpool last season and now the two will face-off in our first exciting ‘Monday Night Football’ encounter.
This is by far the game of the week and Liverpool will come to the Etihad with all guns blazing. Nevertheless, champions Man City - in their first home game - will have what it takes to get over the line. It’s a game where you’re likely to see goals and it could be a case of who can score more.
Swansea on the rise after great first week
Watch out for Swansea this week! They are the team on the rise and having stuck with their successful philosophy, they were deservedly conquerors of Old Trafford one week ago. Now they return home to Wales where they take on a Burnley side who are certain to be in the famous ‘relegation dogfight’ this year.
Arsenal in tough at Goodison Park
One of the most exciting games of the weekend will take place at Goodison Park where Everton will host Arsenal Saturday. The Gunners return to the scene of a 3-0 defeat last year and even though they are boosted by their new signings, they are still blighted by injuries. Mikel Arteta and Yaya Sanogo are doubtful for the clash and with this fixture sandwiched between their Champions League games with Besiktas, it is very hard to call an Arsenal win. They will trouble Everton but a draw is a result that Everton boss Roberto Martinez would live with.
United could be ripe for the picking for Black Cats
The underdog of the week has to be Sunderland. They take on Manchester United, a team in transition under new manager Louis Van Gaal. The Stadium of Light will be rocking for this one. Gus Poyet knows his Sunderland side have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on Man United. They are low in confidence and if Sunderland organize themselves defensively, it could be another hard day for the Red Devils!
EPL Best Bets - Week 2
By Toby Maxtone-Smith
VegasInsider.com
Week 1 of the English Premier League saw four of the five genuine title contenders seal wins, although only Chelsea's 3-1 win at Burnley came with any conviction. The Blues roared back from behind with a powerful performance putting fear into the hearts of those who have opposed them.
The major shock came as Swansea City beat Manchester United at Old Trafford 2-1, but when the United teamsheet came out, it seemed almost inevitable. Swansea made a mockery of United's 4/1 quotes on winning the league. As well as Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Swansea, there were also wins for Hull, Aston Villa and Spurs.
Let's handicap Week 2.
Odds provided by Sportsbook.ag
The Banker: Southampton to beat West Bromwich Albion at 17/20
Any worries that Southampton's summer exodus could seriously threaten their Premier League status were quelled as the Saints put in an excellent display away to Liverpool, where they were unlucky to lose 2-1. Dusan Tadic, in particular, looks like a superb signing, skilfully setting up underrated right-back Nathaniel Clyne for their goal. There are still improvements to be made on the squad and, while it is unlikely they will finish as high as last year, they are just far too good to go down.
They look well set to keep hold of Clyne, as well as Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and James Ward-Prowse - all key parts of their success. Their style will not change under Ronald Koeman, who looks a sterling appointment from Feyenoord in Holland.
West Brom, who were my tip for relegation, played reasonably well in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland. However the team is desperately uninspiring and that result can hardly be called 'good'. No team won fewer games than the Baggies last season (seven), and it is hard to see much creative spark in that team.
The Solid Bet: Everton to beat Arsenal at 7/4
Everton are a continually underrated team by bookmakers, and they should not really be outsiders here. Only seven points separated the teams last year, and it looked like Everton might pip Arsenal to fourth when they thrashed the Gunners 3-0 seven games from the end of the season. Everton won 13 of their 19 home games, averaging two goals per game at Goodison Park - a big contrast to the successful, but cautious days of David Moyes.
That performance was among the best I have ever seen from Everton, and it was the culmination of a season of massive continual improvement under Roberto Martinez. They have done quietly encouraging summer business, and have pulled off a major coup in signing Romelu Lukaku permanently.
Arsenal bossed the Community Shield against a second-string Man City side, but City did not take the game seriously and more consideration has to be given to how Wenger's side struggled to break down Crystal Palace. They were disjointed and lacked ideas, and the defence struggled against an attack far more limited than what they will face in blue at Goodison.
The Outsider: Sunderland to beat Manchester United at 13/4
It just has to be Sunderland. They are one of my picks to do quite well this year after recovering what seemed like a lost fight against relegation last season after the appointment of Gus Poyet as manager. But this pick is far more based on the woeful Manchester United performance in their loss to Swansea.
Seeing the 18 players in United's first team and bench really emphasised how much they have fallen, and how stupidly overrated bookmakers have made them. There is still a scary lack of quality in the squad. Ashley Young is still there, as is Shinji Kagawa. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones just are not good enough without senior partners alongside them. Youngster Tyler Blackett was hopelessly exposed. Then there is the problem of who plays behind the striker. United have four players (Rooney, Mata, Kagawa and Fellaini) who make the number 10 spot their preferred position. That conundrum is still far from being solved.
There was a great sense of unity at Sunderland last year and, while off-field issues are never far away at the Wearside club, it is easy to foresee them starting well. They beat United 2-1 on the way to the League Cup final last year and could well make United's start even worse.
The First Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero at 9/2 for Manchester City vs. Liverpool
Easily the game of the weekend in the Premier League takes place on Monday night as Liverpool travel the short distance to face Manchester City. With City the 8/11 favourites there is little room to manoeuvre in the betting, but Sergio Aguero looks a fair bet at 9/2 to break the deadlock. Aguero played only seven minutes from the bench on Sunday but that was enough for the Argentine to net his first goal of the season and, in so doing, seal the win for City.
Of Aguero's 75 goals for City, 48 have come at the Etihad - a rate of 64%. His World Cup was pitifully and sadly crocked by injury, but he is returning to full fitness and, on his day, is the best striker in the league. Liverpool's defence still does not look good enough for a title challenge and they will find it difficult to keep out Aguero.
Premier League Betting Preview
By James Kempton
Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Villa gained a fantastic win at Stoke last weekend and did so while keeping a clean sheet, of huge importance to the team’s overall confidence. Newcastle showed some creative spark in their season opener at home to Man City but wasn’t able to tally against the defending champions. It is a tough job though to break down the Champions back line and the Geordies should find the defense of Villa easier to unlock. With Villa looking like a side more equipped to play away from home, I’m leaning to Newcastle here.
Chelsea v Leicester City
The Blues of west London should make it two wins from two when they host newly promoted Leicester this weekend. Will they cover the prohibitive handicap line? That remains the much bigger question being listed as 2 goal favorites in some locales. The fighting spirit of Leicester was displayed on opening day as they drew two apiece at home to Everton. However, Chelsea are a different attacking threat to that of the men from Goodison so I take Chelsea to win and cover here. Jose Mourinho will be wanting his men to put a show on in their league home opener.
Crystal Palace v West Ham United
The post Pulis era started (is it really over?) well at the Emirates last weekend even in defeat. However, these are the games they need to gain results from during the season. West Ham nearly frustrated Spurs into submission first time out until an injury time Tottenham winner denied them a point. Both games finished 1-0 to Palace last season and I doubt this meeting will erupt with goals. I don’t like West Ham greatly but on the handicap line receiving a small start of +0.25 I’d want to side with them if betting this fixture.
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
The Saints were very impressive last week away to Liverpool but I sense when teams sit off them at St Mary’s they may struggle. The loss of so many key attacking players will limit their offensive threat and make finding the back of the net a tough ask for the Saints. Southampton did the double between the teams last season winning each game 1-0. Despite the Baggies scoring twice at home to Sunderland last weekend, give me an unders ticket in this match.
Swansea City v Burnley
Personally I felt Swansea would struggle this campaign but last weeks early signs at Old Trafford already have me reassessing that view. They should win games like this if they want to fully establish themselves as an EPL force for the long haul rather than fighting relegation every year. Burnley poked the tiger too early last week scoring in the opening minutes against Chelsea. They ended up losing the game 3-1 but showed great spirit in the game when they went behind so I’m tempted to take Burnley +0.75 here. Without seeing how Burnley cope on the road in this league I cannot support them with cold hard cash. This should be an open game though so I’d want an over 2.5 goals ticket if I’m headed to the window.
Everton v Arsenal
Everton won this game 3-0 back in April but before that they had gone thirteen games without defeating the Gooners. I will take Arsenal here to gain at least a share of the spoils despite them limping over the line in their season opener 2-1 at home to coach-less Crystal Palace. Conceding two goals at newly promoted Leicester makes me fear for the home sides ability to keep out a potent Arsenal strike force. On the Pick Em Line I will take the away side even after a mid week UCL trip to Turkey.
Hull City v Stoke City
Can you go under 0 goals? This match up finished 0-0 in Hull last season and I can seriously see that result re-occurring here. Hull squeaked out a 1-0 win at QPR last Saturday whilst Stoke lost by the same scoreline at home to Aston Villa. Both are functional and pragmatic teams who are very difficult to score on when they meet similar opposition. Even with a goal line set at 2 I’m tempted to go under but it’s such a low number I just can’t do it.
Tottenham Hotspur v QPR
Last season Mauricio Pochettino went 6-2-2 at home to the bottom half whilst at the helm at Southampton. With better players at his disposal at White Hart Lane, I see Spurs being very strong in these types of games under his control. With a handicap line of Tottenham -1 I’d normally stay well clear in the early weeks of the season. However, Spurs themselves were 8-1-1 at home to the bottom half last season and let’s be honest, QPR are poor. Give me the home team to win and cover.
Sunderland v Manchester United
The obituaries are being written already for Manchester United and ‘Loser’ Van Gaal, as the English media have already christened him, tells us he needs more defenders. I could have told him that three months ago! United will be better suited to playing on the road away from the melting lot of Old Trafford. Take them on here at your peril but I just cannot take them on the -0.75 goal line. Last week we saw how difficult it will be for United to keep a clean sheet so I will settle with an over 2.5 goal ticket in this one.
Manchester City v Liverpool
Last week I waxed lyrical about how Man City had scored at least two goals in each of their last twelve fixtures against Newcastle. They then went on to win 2-0. City have scored at least twice in each of their last five games against Liverpool as well. It concerned me how Southampton were able to control the middle third of the pitch against Liverpool on opening day. If the Reds give City such time and room they will get sliced and diced by the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva. Unfortunately there won’t be any sitings of Mario Balotelli just yet to help in backing Pool or the overs.City -0.75 is the side of the handicap line I’d lean towards but with the goal line set at 3, this puts me off betting overs.
Bettors like high scoring in this match
By Andrew Avery
Covers.com
In one of the higher-profile matchups of the early days of the Barclay's Premier League season, Everton plays host to Arsenal at Goodison Park in the late game Saturday.
Everton played to a disappointing 2-2 draw away to newly-promoted Leicester to open the campaign, while Arsenal plays this fixture sandwiched between Champions League qualifiers versus Turkish club Besiktas.
According to sources from Pinnacle Sports, bettors are behind a high-scoring affair with Over 2.5 goals seeing heavy action. Despite the parade of Over bets, the line movement is still moving the other way.
"Over has been the choice at a rate of 87 percent of all bets, which makes line movement towards under all the more interesting," Pinnacle's source says. "After opening at +109, Under has moved to -102. Needless to say, the 13 percent of the betting population on Under have been forceful with their bet-sizing."
The Gunners, a popular pick to challenge Manchester City and Chelsea for the Premier League title, are seeing 48 percent of bets in three-way markets, Pinnacle's source says. The Toffees are seeing just 20 percent while 32 percent of wagers are backing the draw.