The long wait is finally over as the 2018/19 Premier League season gets underway this weekend. Manchester United and Leicester City get the action up and running with a match at Old Trafford on Friday night. Liverpool host West Ham United, while Arsenal and Manchester City lock horns on a mouth-watering Sunday in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Derby County and Leeds United, who both won their opening EFL Championship fixtures last weekend, go head-to-head in the standout game in the second tier on Saturday.
Premier League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/08/18 | 20:00 | Man Utd v Leicester | Man Utd to Win -1 |
| 11/08/18 | 12:30 | Newcastle v Tottenham | Tottenham HT/FT |
| 11/08/18 | 17:30 | Wolves v Everton | Everton Win |
| 12/08/18 | 13:30 | Liverpool v West Ham | Liverpool to Win 3-0 |
| 12/08/18 | 16:00 | Arsenal v Man City | Man City to Win 3-1 |
Pep Guardiola’s Man City are once again the strong favourites to lift the Premier League title. However, with Liverpool spending the big bucks over the summer, Jurgen Klopp’s men could close the gap on the Citizens this season. Arsenal and Chelsea have new managers, while Tottenham Hotspur and Man Utd will be looking to finish in the UEFA Champions League places again. Get ready for what promises to be another thrilling season in the Premier League.
Manchester United v Leicester City
Friday 10th August, 20:00, Sky Sports
Jose Mourinho’s Man Utd welcome Claude Puel’s Leicester to Old Trafford to get the new Premier League season started on Friday night. Despite some off-field unrest, the Red Devils are the strong favourites to begin with a win.
It’s no secret that Jose wanted more signings this summer, but that looks increasingly unlikely with the window shutting on Thursday. Leicester’s Harry Maguire, who impressed for England during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester but at the time of writing the move has not materialised.
Nonetheless, United still have a very strong squad, and they should take all three points from this one. Have a punt on the hosts to win with a -1 goal handicap at 13/10 with BetVictor.
Manchester United to Win -1 – 13/10 at BetVictor
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 11th August, 12:30, Sky Sports
Tottenham begin their Premier League campaign just like they did last season, with a trip to St James’ Park to play Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United. Spurs are once again the strong favourites to win in Tyneside.
Tottenham may have made no signings, but their squad looks strong enough to compete for the top four again. As for the Magpies, staying in the Premier League will be the number one priority for Benitez.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Lilywhites should be too good for their hosts on Saturday, and we like the look of Bet365’s 12/5 for Spurs to be winning at half time and full time in this one.
Tottenham Hotspur HT/FT – 12/5 at Bet365
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Saturday 11th August, 17:30, BT Sport
Wolverhampton Wanderers start life back in the top tier of English football with a tough home game against Marco Silva’s Everton. This is an intriguing-looking fixture at Molineux, especially as Nuno Espirito Santo’s troops are the favourites.
Wanderers were outstanding in the Championship last year, going on to win the title on a staggering 99 points. As for the Toffees, they will be eyeing up a European place after a pretty average campaign last year.
This is a tough one to call, but we can see Everton nicking a narrow victory in the Midlands. Betfred are offering the tempting odds of 9/4 for Silva’s side to come out on top.
Everton Win – 9/4 at Betfred
Liverpool v West Ham United
Sunday 12th August, 13:30, Sky Sports
Liverpool and West Ham go head-to-head at Anfield in Sunday’s early Premier League kick off. The Hammers will be looking for a positive result in Manuel Pellegrini’s first match in charge, but the Reds are the clear favourites.
Liverpool have bolstered what was already a very strong squad, which could make them title challengers this season. Meanwhile, West Ham have also splashed the cash over the summer, with Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Issa Diop arriving for big money.
Liverpool will back themselves to secure a comfortable home win on Sunday. The hosts to win 3-0 is available at the nice price of 15/2 (Bet365).
Liverpool to Win 3-0 – 15/2 at Bet365
Arsenal v Manchester City
Sunday 12th August, 16:00, Sky Sports
The standout game of the opening weekend in the Premier League is the last one to be played as Unai Emery’s Arsenal entertain champions Man City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It will be fascinating to see how Arsenal fare without Arsene Wenger in the dugout, but Emery is certainly a worthy replacement. Man City have been tipped to win the lot this year, but improving on last season will take some doing.
Man City beat Arsenal three times last season, scoring three goals in each. Check out Betfred’s big price of 14/1 for the Citizens to run out 3-1 winners at the Emirates on Sunday.
Manchester City to Win 3-1 – 14/1 at Betfred
Championship
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/08/18 | 17:30 | Derby v Leeds | Draw HT/FT |
In usual Championship fashion, the first weekend in the second tier produced plenty of thrills and spills. Derby kicked off life under Frank Lampard with a last-gasp win over Reading last Friday night. Meanwhile, Swansea City came from behind to win, while West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City were both beaten. Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were one of the standout performers, easing to a 3-1 win over the Potters at Elland Road. What lies in store in the Championship this weekend?
Derby County v Leeds United
Saturday 11th August, 17:30, Sky Sports
In the Championship on Saturday evening, Derby and Leeds square off at Pride Park. This should be an entertaining affair between these two promotion rivals. County are favourites, but the Whites will fancy their chances with Bielsa at the helm.
Derby started life under Lampard with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Reading. Meanwhile, Leeds beat Gary Rowett’s Stoke 3-1 in Bielsa’s opening match in charge. Both Derby and Leeds have been tipped for a top-six finish this season.
This one could go either way at Pride Park, so we’re backing a draw. The stalemate at half time and full time is available at 17/4 with BetVictor.
Draw HT/FT – 17/4 at BetVictor