English Premier League 2015-16 is now upon us, with matchday one to kick off this Saturday, August 8. Here’s our overview of all 10 match-ups for the first round, featuring match odds and special bets from our trusted Premier League betting sites.
Manchester United – Tottenham Hotspur
12:45pm local time on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Old Trafford
Manchester United – $1.65 at www.CrownBet.com
Draw – $4 at Bet365
Tottenham Hotspur – $6 at Sportsbet.com
The 2015-16 English Premier League season begins with two teams who finished fourth and fifth last term, but bookies and punters alike are expecting a big gulf in class at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. Man United appear to have signed well with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, and they should be too strong for a Tottenham side which presently lacks quality support for Harry Kane up top.
Our top picks:
– Man United to lead at half time and full time ($2.52 at CrownBet)
– Memphis Depay to score the first goal ($6.50 at Sportsbet)
– Man United to win to nil ($2.84 at CrownBet)
Everton – Watford
3:00pm local time on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Goodison Park
Everton – $1.73 at Sportsbet.com
Draw – $3.80 at William Hill
Watford – $5.25 at www.Bet365.com
The Toffees were poor last season and will be eager to put away Watford – the least rated of the promoted clubs – without any hassle on home soil. The Hornets have had a big overhaul in the summer transfer window, but there are doubts about the makeup and depth of their revamped squad. Everton should get the job done here.
Our top picks:
– Everton to lead 1-0 at half time ($3.75 at Sportsbet)
– Everton to score in both halves ($2.72 at CrownBet)
– Kevin Mirallas to score the first goal ($7 at Bet365)
Bournemouth – Aston Villa
3:00pm local time on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Dean Court
Bournemouth – $2.05 at Sportsbet.com
Draw – $3.40 at CrownBet
Aston Villa – $3.80 at www.WilliamHill.com
Widely regarded as the pick of the promoted teams, Bournemouth have added familiar names such as Artur Boruc, Sylvain Distain and Max Gradel to a squad that performed superbly in the Championship last season. They should be a red hot chance against a Villa side which can no longer call on Christian Benteke to bail them out of trouble.
Our top picks:
– Match drawn at half time ($2.10 at Bet365)
– Callum Wilson to score the first goal ($5.50 at Sportsbet)
– Most goals in the second half ($2.10 at CrownBet)
Norwich City – Crystal Palace
3:00pm local times on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Carrow Road
Norwich City – $2.60 at Sportsbet.com
Draw – $3.25 at William Hill
Crystal Palace – $2.90 at www.Bet365.com
It’s a battle of the birds at Carrow Road. Having bounced straight back up after one year in the second tier, the Canaries will be all about survival this time around. The Eagles, on the other hand, will be aiming to break into the top 10. The match betting markets are tight on this one, but it’s hard to ignore Palace’s potential – especially after signing French international midfielder Yohan Cabaye.
Our top picks:
– Crystal Palace draw no bet ($1.99 at CrownBet)
– Level at half time, Palace to win ($6.50 at William Hill)
– Yohan Cabaye to score anytime ($4.75 at Bet365)
Leicester City – Sunderland
3:00pm local time on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at King Power Stadium
Leicester City – $2 at www.Sportsbet.com
Draw – $3.40 at Bet365
Sunderland – $4.20 at WilliamHill.com
Leicester have had a funny old summer in which their manager, Nigel Pearson, was sacked despite pulling off one of the great escape acts in EPL history. It’ll be interesting to see where they’re at under new coach Claudio Ranieri. Sunderland, meanwhile, have added Jeremain Lens and Yann M’Vila to a midfield that struggled to create much of worth last term. Still, the home side looks the stronger here.
Our top picks:
– No goals to half time ($2.67 at Sportsbet)
– David Nugent to score the first goal ($7 at CrownBet)
– Leicester to keep a clean sheet ($2.39 at Sportsbet)
Chelsea – Swansea City
5:30pm local time on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea – $1.37 at Luxbet.com
Draw – $5 at Sportsbet
Swansea City – $11 at www.Bet365.com
Chelsea jogged almost unopposed to the EPL title last season, and not a few pundits are tipping a similar situation this term. The Blues’ day-one opponents, Swansea, will be looking to better last season’s eighth-place finish – their highest since moving up to the top tier. They shocked Manchester United on matchday one in EPL 2014-15, but the chances of repeating such a feat at Stamford Bridge are slim to none.
Our top picks:
– Chelsea to beat a -2 handicap ($4.15 at CrownBet)
– Eden Hazard to score the first goal ($5.50 at Sportsbet)
– Chelsea to win 4-0 ($19 at Bet365)
Arsenal – West Ham United
1:30pm local time on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal – $1.30 at www.Sportsbet.com
Draw – $5.90 at CrownBet
West Ham United – $12 at Bet365.com
Arsenal were the best of the rest for large spells of the 2014-15 Premier League season, and manager Arsene Wenger hasn’t changed much over the summer – besides the roundly applauded signing of goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea. The Hammers will look to a fresh start under Slaven Bilic after sliding from the top four to the bottom half at the back end of last season. Although they can be dicey starters, you have to back Arsenal here.
Our top picks:
– Arsenal to lead at half time and full time ($1.87 at CrownBet)
– Olivier Giroud to score the last goal ($4.75 at Bet365)
– Both teams to score ($2.10 at CrownBet)
Newcastle United – Southampton
1:30pm local time on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at St. James’ Park
Newcastle United – $2.87 at www.Bet365.com
Draw – $3.25 at Bet365
Southampton – $2.70 at Bet365.com
The Saints couldn’t quite hold on for a fairytale top-four finish last season, but those Champions League spots will be firmly in Ronald Koeman’s sights once more. Newcastle, by contrast, barely avoided relegation in 2014-15 and could well be paddling in those muddy waters again come May. Tyneside isn’t the easiest place to visit, however, so Southampton will have their work cut out.
Our top picks:
– Southampton to win 1-0 ($8.50 at Bet365)
– Jay Rodriguez to score the first goal ($7.80 at CrownBet)
– Southampton to keep a clean sheet ($3.25 at Bet365)
Stoke City – Liverpool
4:00pm local time on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Britannia Stadium
Stoke City – $3.40 at Bet365.com
Draw – $3.40 at Bet365
Liverpool – $2.30 at www.Sportsbet.com
The Potters just kept on keeping on in 2014-15, recording a ninth-place finish for the second year running, while Liverpool ricocheted between the brilliant and the bewildering as they missed out on Champions League qualification. This is a tough opening fixture for Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, but they are one of the few teams who have had some joy at the Britannia in recent years.
Our top picks:
– Liverpool to win and both teams to score ($4.50 at CrownBet)
– Liverpool to win 2-1 ($10 at Bet365)
– Christian Benteke to score the first goal ($5.50 at William Hill)
West Bromwich Albion – Manchester City
8:00pm local time on Monday, August 10, 2015 at The Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion – $5.50 at www.Luxbet.com
Draw – $4 at William Hill
Manchester City – $1.63 at Crownbet.com
Man City faltered when it mattered last season, so they need a strong win on day one to announce their candidacy for the 2015-16 Premier League title. All eyes will be on England winger Raheem Sterling, the £49 million summer signing from Liverpool. They shouldn’t be troubled by West Brom, who will be happy to concede such clashes as long as they win their share of mid-table battles and avoid the relegation dogfight.
Our top picks:
– Man City to lead at half time and full time ($2.56 at CrownBet)
– Sergio Aguero to score two or more goals ($5 at Sportsbet)
– Raheem Sterling to score anytime ($3.20 at Sportsbet)
