Premier League Gameweek 1 Preview

The Premier League season gets underway this week and there are 10cracking top-flight contests to look forward to, with anticipation at fever pitch up and down the country. Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United is a highlight on Sunday, while champions Liverpool start their title defence with an Anfield contest with Bournemouth on Friday night.

Tip 1: Sunderland to beat West Ham @ 11/5 with bet365

The Stadium of Light will be full of noise and hope when Sunderland make their return to the Premier League against West Ham and there is plenty of positivity amongst the Mackems this season. The Black Cats have been busy in the transfer market, with Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fée, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka the standout arrivals. 

In contrast, the Hammers have lost key winger Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham, there has been little in the way of replacements and spirits aren’t high in east London. Sunderland may see the Hammers as a target in their bid to avoid relegation and the Black Cats can strike a blow to the Irons on Saturday.

Tip 2: Brentford to beat Nottingham Forest @ 13/5 with bet365

Brentford lost manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham in the summer, while star forward Bryan Mbeumo made a big-money move to Manchester United. However, losing key performers is nothing new to the Bees and things may not be as negative as they appear in west London. Nottingham Forest aren’t clear of issues themselves and Anthony Elanga has departed an attack which scored only 26 goals in 19 home Premier League games last term.

Striker Chris Wood massively outperformed his expected goals numbers last term and Forest appear unlikely to repeat last season’s heroics. Keith Andrews has plenty to prove in the Brentford dugout, but the Irishman can mark his first Premier League game in charge of the Bees with a victory at the City Ground. 

Tip 3: Crystal Palace to win to nil v Chelsea @ 9/1 with bet365

Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season, they lost only 11 of 38 Premier League matches, but still the Eagles remain a hugely underrated side. At the same time, Chelsea lost nine top-flight matches, only scraped a top-four position and they have been massively overrated on the back of their Club World Cup success. Joao Pedro is a useful addition up front for the Blues, but the Brazilian scored only 10 Premier League goals last term and four of those came from the penalty spot. 

Chelsea scored the fewest number of goals of any of the Premier League’s top-five sides last term and there is little to make Enzo Maresca’s men so short against Palace. The Eagles can keep the Blues at bay and win to nil at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.