Proper football is back, and we don’t mean just Our League, but also Italy and France.
There are more and more picks to sift through and ponder upon, but EPLNews.org is always there to help you find the best value for any given week’s slips.
As usual, do make sure to check out our YouTube channel for the best content related to the Premier League and beyond.
Let’s get on with it then.
Hull vs Manchester United – Over 1.5 goals for Manchester United (1.50)
While the home fans will be heating up the atmosphere, Hull City are about to get a frosty welcome back to the Premier League, at least in terms of the result.
Hull were one of the worst defending teams in the Championship last season and have not sufficiently strengthened this summer, while Manchester United’s fluid attack should be able to put at least 2 goals past them.
Toulouse vs Lyon – Over 2.5 goals (1.72)
These are two sides that love to score against each other, with 8 of the last 10 head-to-heads featuring at least 3 goals.
Genoa vs Napoli – BTTS (2.05)
Over to Italy and it’s a huge value tip here for a BTTS.
Each side has played 5 friendlies this summer, with Genoa scoring and conceding in 3 of them, while Napoli have done the same in 4. BTTS has also landed in all of the last 6 H2Hs.
Sporting CP vs Alverca – Sporting to win on a -1.5 Asian handicap (1.60)
One of Portugal’s biggest teams takes on minnows Alverca and it’s only going one way.
Sporting have won all 3 head-to-heads against this weekend’s opponents last season and all 3 victories came by a margin of 2 or more goals.
Brighton vs Aston Villa – Double chance of Brighton or Aston Villa win (1.30)
Two of the EPL’s European representatives are coming face-to-face on Matchday 1 and we simply can’t see a draw happening.
Brighton have not registered a draw in any of their last 10 matches on home soil (or where they were designated as hosts), with the last draw at the Amex coming at the end of January. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are also without a draw in their last 9 fixtures on the road and have registered 3 draws in the last 20 games on their travels.
Newcastle vs Liverpool – Over 2.5 goals (1.45)
We’re certainly expecting fireworks at St. James’ Park.
3 or more goals were scored in 6 of the last 7 H2Hs, with this being one of the most goal-rich fixtures in the Premier League.
Torino vs AC Milan – Over 3.5 goals (3.20)
Yes, the odds are quite long for this, so take it with a pinch of salt, but we can’t ignore the fact that 4 or more goals were scored in 5 of the most recent 6 head-to-heads.
PSV vs Groningen – PSV to win on a -1.5 Asian handicap (1.85)
There is a strong note of dominance here for the Eindhoven side.
PSV have beaten Groningen in all of the last 5 H2Hs and 4 of those wins were by at least 2 goals.
Venlo vs De Graafschap – Over 2.5 goals (1.43)
As you probably know by now, we love an over in the goals market. And very few leagues are more reliable in delivering that than the Dutch second division.
All of the most recent 5 direct meetings between these teams ended with 2.5+ goals landing.
Fulham vs Chelsea – Under 3.5 goals (1.50)
Ok, back to the Prem. And from an over to an under.
The West London Derby is usually not short on drama, but goals tend to be there only in moderate supply.
None of the last 13 H2Hs had more than 3 goals, with the most recent time 3.5+ landed being in March 2014.
Everton vs Crystal Palace – BTTS (1.76)
Matchday 1 brings face-to-face the teams who finally offered us a good, old-fashioned swap deal this summer, as Brennan Johnson went to Merseyside and Dwight McNeil went south of the Thames.
In each of the last 5 head-to-head meetings between the teams, both teams have scored at least 1 goal.
Who knows, maybe it’ll even be these two guys scoring them.
Brentford vs Tottenham – Double chance of draw or Tottenham to win (1.56)
Spurs will be hell-bent on not finishing 17th again this season after a summer of huge investment. They will be looking to start the campaign well and they have a good chance against an opponent who they have historically done well against.
Tottenham have lost only 1 of 15 matches against Brentford, and that loss took place more than 3 years ago.
Lens vs Auxerre – Lens to win (1.60)
Back to France for this pick and it’s a straightforward one.
Lens have lost only 1 of their last 8 home matches (W5, D2), and have also won 2 of their last 3 head-to-head meetings with Auxerre in Lens.
Man City vs Bournemouth – BTTS (1.58); Over 2.5 goals (1.45)
After Arsenal’s season-opening win over Coventry last night, Man City will want to keep up for as long as possible. It all starts at home against Bournemouth.
In 7 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings between the teams, both teams have scored at least 1 goal, and in 6 of those matches, at least 3 goals have been scored.
Atlético Madrid vs Villarreal – Over 2.5 goals (1.87)
Over to Spain for what should be a cracking game between two very good teams.
In 6 of Atlético’s last 8 matches, and in 5 of Villarreal’s last 7 matches, at least 3 goals have been scored, including 7 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings between the teams.
CSKA Moscow vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Under 3.5 goals (1.50)
We end our European weekend tour in Russia with a Moscow derby.
In none of CSKA’s last 6 matches, and only 1 of Lokomotiv’s last 6 matches, have more than 3 goals been scored, including 5 of the last 7 head-to-head meetings between the teams.