The Premier League season started with a bang. With champions Chelsea struggling to find the sort of form needed to reclaim the title, the race for the top stop is now more open than ever before. Those who predicted an even tighter race for the ultimate crown in English football this time around are certainly in for a treat!
The Red Devils are joint leaders with Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City, having earned a perfect six out of six points so far. Despite their results being favourable, it would be fair to say that their overall performances have been lacking in terms of effectiveness in front of goal and overall brilliance. With his team having only scored twice in their previous two showings, stern-faced manager Louis Van Gaal would be right to expect an urgent improvement from captain Wayne Rooney and hope that star signing Memphis Depay can bring his Champions League form to domestic competitions.
In clear contrast, Newcastle are yet to celebrate their first victory of the season. Manager Steve McClaren is not getting any sympathy for having several key players sidelined due to injury and, although the league campaign has only just started, he is beginning to feel the pressure. Unfortunately for The Magpies, my feeling is that their current 15th position is not likely to improve any time soon.
Betting tip: Manchester United to win at 1/3
Arsenal – Liverpool
Monday 24 August 2015 | Emirates Stadium | Kick-off 20:00
It may be early days in the season, but the Gunners are already ahead of a crucial match that could make or break their year. Arsene Wenger’s men can simply not afford a repeat of their embarrassing 0-2 defeat against West Ham in their previous showing at the Emirates Stadium if they are truly serious about reclaiming a Premier League crown that has been evasive since the 2003/04 season. After his spectacular performance in Week 2, ex-Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has no option but to step up once again to lead the North Londoners’ attack to expose their undefeated visitors.
Despite leading the table after defeating Bournemouth and Stoke, The Reds face their most challenging test of the season so far at the Emirates. Although it is clear that Brendan Rodgers’ constant focus on strengthening his back-line is slowly but surely producing the desired results, the Northern Irish manager should not overlook the fact that his team is not finding enough openings upfront to trouble his rivals as often as needed.
With the Gunners likely to have the majority of the ball, the most quality upfront and the support of their adoring home crowd, I am going for the hosts.
Betting tip: Arsenal to win at 8/11
West Brom – Chelsea
Sunday 23 August 2015 | The Hawthorns | Kick-off 13:30
Nobody can deny that Jose Mourinho is an incredibly successful manager who clearly knows what it takes to be successful. However, the way in which he has blamed his team’s horrendous start of the English Premier League season on doctor Eva Carneiro and captain John Terry is little short of embarrassing. The Portuguese coach would be right to stop searching for enemies within his dressing room and refocus his energy on ensuring his players regain the hunger, discipline and ambition that took them to the title in such commanding fashion last season. The addition of former Barcelona winger Pedro should certainly help.
West Brom have yet to score in the league and are already firmly involved in the relegation battle with just one point to their name out of a possible six. Unfortunately for Tony Pulis’ side, this may be a terrible time to face a title-challenger with a massive point to prove.
Betting tip: Chelsea to win at 4/6
Everton – Manchester City
Sunday 23 August 2015 | Goodison Park | Kick-off 16:00
Without a doubt, Manchester City have been the best team in the English Premier League so far, having achieved an impressive two out of two victories. Despite the undeniable strength of a squad full of talented difference-makers such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva or star signing Raheem Sterling, it is in fact the sheer brilliance of their collective performances that has taken them to their privileged position at the top of the table — and there are no signs of Manuel Pellegrini’s men slowing their pace down any time soon.
Everton supremo Roberto Martinez can also be satisfied with the way his men performed in their previous two showings. Currently sitting 5th on the table, a home win at Goodison Park would see The Toffees overtake the current leaders in the overall standings. Although many believe finishing the season within the top four may be a stretch too far for Everton, a team sporting the ever-improving Ross Barkley and Belgian target-man Romelu Lukaku could be the surprise of the year, especially under the guidance of their tactically-gifted Spanish manager.
This is a game between two confident sides, but I just don’t see how the hosts can stop the Citizens’ momentum.
Betting tip: Manchester City to win at 8/11
Leicester – Tottenham Hotspurs
Saturday 22 August 2015 | King Power Stadium | Kick-off 15:00
Without a doubt, Leicester have been the surprise of the English Premier League season so far. However, The Foxes will find it difficult to keep their 100% record when they host Spurs, especially with the North Londoners still chasing that evasive first victory. I fancy Mauricio Pochettino’s men to learn from their mistakes and kickstart their season with an away win at the King Power Stadium.
Betting tip: Tottenham Hotspurs to win at 8/5
Crystal Palace – Aston Villa
Saturday 22 August 2015 | Selhurst Park | Kick-off 15:00
Both teams can be fairly satisfied with their performances so far and would certainly agree to retaining their status within the top half of the table until the end of the season. I expect a very close battle between two confident sides which could go either way, but I think Palace may just pinch it due to their home advantage.
Betting tip: Crystal Palace to win at 5/6
Norwich – Stoke
Saturday 22 August 2015 | Carrow Road | Kick-off 15:00
Although they have only managed to earn a draw in their two outings to date, Stoke have in fact been playing good enough football and will be climbing up the table if they continue to perform with such courage and decisiveness. After their remarkable 3-1 away win at Sunderland, however, the hosts will be a tough nut to crack.
Betting tip: Stoke to win at 21/10
Sunderland – Swansea
Saturday 22 August 2015 | Stadium of Light | Kick-off 15:00
Dick Advocaat has to find an urgent solution if he wants his Black Cats to avoid relegation from the English Premier League at the end of the season. Their awful start has Sunderland sitting at the bottom of the table with seven goals conceded and two losses in as many matches. Their luck does not look likely to change when they face the on-form Swans on Saturday, especially if The Jacks’ Andre Ayew continues to find his opponents’ net at such an impressive rate.
Betting tip: Swansea to win at 11/10
Saturday 22 August 2015 | Boleyn Ground | Kick-off 15:00
The Hammers opened their season in style, grabbing the three points after a deserved 2-0 away win against Arsenal. Despite their splendid start, the East Londoners disappointed their devoted fans the following week with a 2-1 home defeat against Leicester. Slaven Bilic’s side have a point to prove at the Boleyn Ground and facing 19th-placed Bournemouth is the perfect opportunity to build their supporters’ hopes back up.
Betting tip: West Ham to win at 11/8
Watford – Southampton
Sunday 23 August 2015 | Vicarage Road | Kick-off 16:00
With both teams still chasing their first win, this match could certainly go either way. While it is imperative for Ronald Koeman’s men to bounce back after their severe 3-0 home defeat against Everton in Week 2, I actually expect their record to become even worse in the next few weeks — starting with yet another defeat at Vicarage Road.
Betting tip: Watford to win at 7/4
