Premier League Matchday 1 Preview
Premier League Matchday 1 Preview
The Premier League kicks off on Friday night as Burnley host Manchester City! This gameweek provides every team the chance to start with a clean slate, what happened last season is in the past, all that matters now is what happens in the next 38 Premier League games.
Friday night sees Vincent Kompany take on his former side Manchester City and if the Belgian can get a glimpse of the success his side had in the Championship, he'll be content. However, the step up to the Premier League now couldn't be steeper with his side taking on the very best the league has to offer.
Premier League Betting Tips
The first Premier League football weekend of the season is approaching with prospective title contenders Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all on the lookout for positive starts.
Burnley v Manchester City – Under 2.5 Total Goals @ 6/5
The statistics point to a landslide away victory here, with Manchester City having won 11 games in a row against Burnley, scoring 40 goals in the process and conceding just one.
The Turf Moor club have only won one of their last 23 league matches against the Citizens, while Pep Guardiola's men gave the Clarets a lesson in last season's 6-0 FA Cup quarter-final annihilation at the Etihad Stadium.
That was a one-off game where Vincent Kompany gave his team licence to press City high up the pitch and take risks at the back, but a more pragmatic approach is likelier on this occasion because Burnley can ill-afford to start the campaign with a morale-sapping loss.
The Clarets kept clean sheets in six of their last seven home games of the 2022-23 season and could ensure things remain tight for long enough for this clash to go under the 2.5 goals mark at a decent odds-against quote.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 3-Way Handicap Arsenal (starts 0-2) @ 11/8
Forest secured their Premier League survival with a backs-to-the-wall 1-0 win over Arsenal last May in which they had only 19% of possession and completed a league-low 46% of their passes.
Therefore, they have a blueprint for success, although the Gunners will be in no mood to allow lightning to strike twice when they take to the field at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side look stronger on paper after a massive summer spending spree and will be buoyant after beating their Premier League title rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.
Arsenal have won their last two home encounters against Forest by 5-0 scorelines and the Gunners currently have enough firepower to claim a victory by at least three goals on Saturday too.
Man Utd v Wolves – Bruno Fernandes to score @ 11/8
Erik ten Hag's side are fancied to get up and running with three points from this Monday night home fixture against troubled Wolves.
The Dutchman has strengthened the spine of his team with the additions of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund this summer, with the arrival of the ex-Chelsea man potentially affecting the role of newly-appointed club captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese maestro has often been the key to United's pressing game under Ten Hag, but that role should now fall to Mount, with Fernandes able to sit deeper and capitalise on any loose opposition passes the pressure creates.
A tempting play at generous odds to get on the scoresheet, Fernandes has tended to begin with a bang after scoring in three of United's first four games of the 2020-21 season before claiming a hat-trick in their memorable 5-1 opening-weekend rout of Leeds a year later.
No one started last season well for a United side in transition, but there are signs that the team are growing in stature again and could get off to a flyer against the men from Molineux.
Back Bruno to score for Man United
Betting Tips for the Remaining Fixtures
- Sheffield United Vs Crystal Palace - Draw
- Brighton & Hove Albion Vs Luton Town - Brighton & Hove Albion Win
- Everton Vs Fulham - Fulham Win
- Bournemouth Vs West Ham United - West Ham United Win
- Newcastle United Vs Aston Villa - Draw
- Brentford Vs Tottenham Hotspur - Tottenham Hotspur Win
- Chelsea Vs Liverpool - Draw
