WE’VE got another bumper set of Premier League fixtures to get our teeth into this week after the top-flight returned in style.
New-look Chelsea did the business at Brighton on Monday Night Football, Liverpool were pushed all the way by Leeds and Arsenal were ruthless as they swatted aside newly promoted Fulham.
It was a winning start for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win at FulhamCredit: Getty
This weekend we’ve selections for you from three big matches, starting at the Theatre of Dreams…
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace, Saturday 5.30pm (Sky Sports)
They’re a week late to the party, but will Man Utd be worth the wait?
Expectations are high at Old Trafford after Ole’s men stormed into the Premier League top four with a superb run of form post-lockdown.
We’re not going to read too much into the friendly defeat to Aston Villa last weekend – although plenty of fans did – but do keep in mind that Solskjaer might be without ELEVEN players.
Palace were absolutely dismal in the post-lockdown world but Roy Hodgson, calm as ever, refused to panic.
His patience was rewarded last weekend as the Eagles began the new season with three points, beating Southampton 1-0 at Selhurst Park.
The visitors have great memories of a shock victory last time they came to Old Trafford – but we’re not backing them to repeat the trick.
United are a measly 1/3 to win the game and that’s a low price for a side who might be rusty after such a bizarre pre-season.
But Palace drew a blank in four-straight Premier League games between June and July, going down to Liverpool, Leicester, Aston Villa and Wolves without landing a blow.
And on six of their last seven visits to this ground, they’ve failed to score – we just don’t fancy them to do the business.
Everything points to a comfortable afternoon for United – injuries aside – with a win to nil for the home side a tasty 23/20.
We’re also a big fan of United/United on the half-time/full-time market at evens.
You could get 3/1 on Bruno Fernandes netting on his United debut against Wolves earlier on this year.
The bookies aren’t daft and now the Portuguese star is just a 6/5 shot for a goal in this opening fixture after finding the net 12 times since that cold February evening.
With the Red Devils winning penalties for fun, their resident 12-yard specialist really should be an odds-on shout anytime to score – so don’t miss out.
SunSport’s best bets
- Man Utd to win to nil: 23/20 (BET HERE)
- Red Devils to be winning at half time and full time: EVENS (BET HERE)
- Bruno Fernandes on the scoresheet again: 6/5 (BET HERE)
Arsenal vs West Ham, Saturday 8pm (Sky Sports)
An early-season London derby at the Emirates – and a chance to make a few bob on West Ham’s struggles.
On paper this is the home-banker of the weekend, with the Hammers in an absolute state and the Gunners buoyed by an excellent opening day win over Fulham.
Willian was particularly impressive in that 3-0 victory, while Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng has now put pen-to-paper on a bumper three year contract.
That could be the biggest signing of the summer for Arsenal, who have kept hold of their prize asset while strengthening in weaker areas.
Usually a recipe for success – and the complete opposite to West Ham.
Fans and players alike were up in arms at the decision to sell Grady Diangana to West Brom and morale is at an all-time low in East London.
And that definitely showed on the pitch in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle last week, where the Hammers failed to get our of first gear.
Arsenal would have been locked in a relegation battle without Aubameyang in 2019-20
They’re a basket case on and off the pitch at the moment – and we reckon 1/2 on an Arsenal win should be jumped on before it goes.
We can see that price shortening before kick-off and considering the Hammers have won just one of their last 13 meetings with Arsenal in the North of the capital – losing the last five in a row – it looks a cracker.
We can see the Gunners flying out of the gate, straight on the offensive.
That makes the price of 10/11 on Arsenal to score first in the opening 45 minutes a brilliant price.
There’s plenty of positivity around the Emirates after last week’s performance and the hard work that’s gone into this transfer window.
But Willian could be potentially the bargain of the summer if he continues to pull the strings as he did at Fulham.
Aubameyang will get a lot of attention from punters to score – and is odds-on as a result – but we like the Brazilian to open his account with a home debut goal.
Priced up at 23/10, that’s the value.
SunSport’s best bets
- Arsenal to beat West Ham: 8/13 (BET HERE)
- Gunners to net first in opening 45 minutes: 10/11 (BET HERE)
- Willian on scoresheet for new club: 23/10 (BET HERE)
Chelsea vs Liverpool, Sunday 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
How about this for a Sunday treat?
New-look Chelsea host the champions in the first big heavyweight tussle of the new season.
And this one really has potential to be a stormer.
Liverpool were all over the place at the back against Leeds last weekend, conceding three goals despite the West Yorkshire side mustering just three shots on target.
Frank Lampard will have studied that game and will hope his expensively-assembled frontline can do similar damage.
It wasn’t quite as comfortable for the Blues down at Brighton as the scoreline suggested, but Lampard will take every hard-fought victory no matter how it comes.
New-boy Kai Havertz had a baptism of fire and didn’t quite look up to speed, at one point pinging a cross-field ball straight into the posh seats under no pressure at all.
And there are doubts over Timo Werner’s fitness after he picked up a knock.
We said in our preview last week that this Chelsea experiment will take time – and we’re leaving along the 21/10 on a home win as a result.
That’s a massive price and some will be tempted, but we’d much prefer to play this one safe and back goals.
We went for over 3.5 goals in the Leeds match and that had won before 35 minutes, with the price on lightning striking twice a very tempting 6/4.
It might be the history books swaying this one a bit, but only one H2H between the clubs here at the Bridge has featured four or more goals since 2015.
At that price though – and with these players on show – we say go for it.
Three of Liverpool’s five away matches in the post-lockdown schedule saw over 3.5 goals win, while nine of Chelsea’s 19 home matches saw a goal frenzy.
With both sides going for early season bragging rights, it definitely won’t be dull.
Especially with Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation still up in the air.
If Kepa starts, you back the Blues to concede, it’s that simple.
The Spaniard has let in nine goals from the last 13 shots on target he’s faced in the Premier League. Pretty grim stuff.
Klopp will have his men shoot on sight and we don’t see how the home side can escape with a clean sheet – so back Chelsea to concede two or more against the champions.
Werner’s injury situation is one to monitor but the German is expected to feature in Sunday’s showdown.
He showed flashes of brilliance in the Brighton win but didn’t get a guilt-edged chance to showcase his lethal finishing.
If Werner starts, you’re backing him to score at 6/4 anytime which is a monster price.
And for those of you feeling brave, 4/1 on the former RB Leipzig man to net the opener is tempting too.
SunSport’s best bets
All odds from Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
