It’s hard to believe that the 2018-19 EPL season is already upon us. After a thrilling World Cup and off-season transfer window that produced some intriguing moves, the EPL season officially kicks off at 5am on Saturday morning (AEST) with Manchester United taking on Leicester City. We take a look at some of the key games of the weekend and give our betting tips below.
EPL Week 1 Betting Tips
Manchester United vs Leicester City (Saturday 5am AEST)
Old Trafford will host the first game of the 2018-19 EPL season as Manchester United face off against Leicester City early on Saturday morning. The Red Devils were fairly quiet in the off-season and will head into the 2018-19 season with the same core as last year. However, one key signing was Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar, who should add valuable depth to the midfield.
The Foxes will be disappointed after losing one of their star midfielders in Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City but picked up a few defenders who should add depth in Ricardo Pereira from Porto and Jonny Evans from West Brom. However, I think the Foxes start a bit of a downward trend this year after their miraculous run saw them win the title three years ago.
Manchester City start as $1.45 favourites here and it’s always tough to get a read on teams coming out of the blocks. However, they will be disappointed with their early exit from the Champions League last season as well as finishing second to their cross town rivals in the league. I expect them to come out firing here and earn a win. Three of the last four games between these two clubs have resulted in three or more goals.
Over 2.5 goals + Man U win
$2.32
Liverpool vs West Ham (Sunday 10.30pm)
Liverpool managed to hold onto their top four position in the last few rounds of last season’s EPL team, finishing five points above Chelsea and will thankfully hold onto their position in the Champions League this year. They were acive in the offseason, picking up Swiss midfielder/forward Xherdan Shaquiri from Stoke and Fabinho from Monaco as well as a new goalkeeper in Brazilian Allison Becker.
West Ham to were extremely active in the offseason, adding a bunch of talent that they will hope can propel them into the top ten. Luke Wilshere joins the squad from Arsenal while Ukranian winger Andriy Yarmolenko joined from Borussia Dortmund and could be one of the underrated signings of the season.
Liverpool deserve to be favourites here there is no doubt about that. However, the $1.20 price tag in game one of the season seems a little low in my opinion, especially considering some of the moves West Ham made in the off season. I like the goal handicap line for West Ham here.
West Ham +1.5 Goals
$2.17
Arsenal vs Manchester City (Monday 1am AEST)
The game of the round will see last year’s EPL Champions, Manchester City, travel to London to take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. The Citezens were absolutely dominant last season, dropping points in just six games throughout the year and finishing 19 points clear on top of the EPL table. They were the first team in Premier League history to score 100 points in a season and their goal difference at the end of the year was a ridiculous +79.
Manchester City captured arguably the biggest EPL off season signing with the acquisition of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester. Mahrez will add valuable depth on the right side which was arguably Manchester City’s least stacked position. Arsenal’s signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a big one back in the mid-season window of last year, and he will get his first full season for the Gunners in 18-19.
Really tough game to call here. Manchester City start as $1.92 favourites away from home and it’s hard to look past them after their dominant form last year. City have won the last three games against the Gunners, scoring three goals in all three games, the most recent coming at Emirates Stadium. We like the champs to get off to a good start in 18/19 here.
Manchester City to win
$1.92
