English Premier League Betting Preview, Saturday 23 August
Week 2 of the English Premier League continues this Saturday, with five matches scheduled for the day. We take a look at each game from a betting perspective and offer a suggested bet for your consideration.
Looking at the outright betting, Liverpool are trading as favourites at 15/8, followed by Arsenal at 2/1 and Manchester City at 11/4. Chelsea have drifted out to 10/1, while the rest of the field can be backed at 28/1 or greater.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
MANCHESTER CITY v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – Click here to bet
Manchester City return to the Etihad this Saturday for their first home match of the campaign, hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the early-afternoon kick-off. Currently first in the table, they’ll be looking to build on a 4-0 opening-day away win over Wolves, a performance that saw Erling Haaland back among the goals with a brace, as Guardiola’s side looked clinical and sharp, the perfect way to set the tone for a long season. The memory of last season’s 4-0 home defeat to Spurs will certainly be fresh in their minds, but City rarely make the same mistake twice, losing just three times at the Etihad last term and closing the season with five straight home wins.
Tottenham Hotspur arrive at the Etihad in third place following a 3-0 home win over Burnley under newly appointed head coach Thomas Frank, a performance that showed a spark that was evidently missing last season. This will be their first away game of the campaign, and while Spurs hold a respectable record in recent league visits to the Etihad, two wins apiece and a draw in their last five trips, their overall away form last season was poor, with twelve defeats from 19 matches, making it one of their worst top-flight campaigns on the road.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Spurs claimed all three points with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at the Etihad, while City returned the favour in the reverse fixture in London, edging out a closely contested 1-0 win.
Betting
Manchester City 40/85
Draw 4/1
Tottenham Hotspur 11/2
Verdict
Both sides come off convincing wins and will be brimming with confidence heading into the weekend. With neither expected to back down, both are likely to find the back of the net, making this a potentially high-scoring affair.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 and Yes at 17/20
BURNLEY v SUNDERLAND – Click here to bet
Burnley host Sunderland at Turf Moor following contrasting opening-day results. The Clarets suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving them in 18th place after week one and with plenty to ponder, particularly in defence. Last season, Burnley’s home record in the Championship was rock solid, going unbeaten and conceding just eight goals. Returning to familiar surroundings against a team they faced last term provides an ideal opportunity to reset and claim their first points of the campaign.
Sunderland arrive in high spirits after a perfect start, thumping West Ham 3-0 at the Stadium of Light, placing them 2nd in the early standings. Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor all found the net, giving Régis Le Bris’ side a deserved confidence boost. The Black Cats also carry the psychological edge of having gone unbeaten against Burnley in the Championship last season, adding an intriguing dynamic to this early-season encounter.
Head-to-Head
Last term, these two teams met twice in the Championship, with Sunderland remaining unbeaten, claiming a 1-0 win at home before drawing 0-0 at Turf Moor.
Betting
Burnley 29/20
Draw 22/10
Sunderland 85/40
Verdict
While Burnley will be eager to respond in front of their home fans, Sunderland’s electric start to the campaign makes this an intriguing clash. Considering their recent history, which often produces few goals, this encounter is likely to be much tighter than the high-scoring affairs both teams were involved in during week one.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Under 2.5 and No at 1/1
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AFC BOURNEMOUTH v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS – Click here to bet
Bournemouth, currently 16th in the early standings, return to the Vitality Stadium after a spirited 4-2 defeat away to Liverpool last Friday in the season opener, having clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit only to concede two late goals. The Cherries showed plenty of fight, particularly up front, with Antoine Semenyo impressing by netting a brace. Despite the loss, Andoni Iraola’s side will be eager to build on that performance in front of their home fans and register their first points of the season. Back on familiar turf, where they went unbeaten in 12 of 19 home fixtures last season (W8, D4, L7), Bournemouth will be hoping to regain confidence and kick-start their new campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive at the Vitality Stadium after a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Manchester City, leaving Vitor Pereira’s men at the foot of the table in 20th place after Week One. Wolves showed glimpses of quality but were repeatedly caught out by City’s pace and movement. Last season, they went winless in their opening five away matches, securing just six victories on the road overall, so Pereira will be looking for a stronger defensive showing while hoping his side can capitalize on Bournemouth’s early-season defensive struggles.
Head-to-Head
Last season in the EPL, both teams claimed a win apiece, with Bournemouth taking a 4-2 victory on the road, while Wolves responded with a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. Their most recent meeting came in March during the FA Cup Round of 16, where Bournemouth triumphed on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Betting
Bournemouth 8/10
Draw 3/1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 33/10
Verdict
Despite last season’s outcome between these two in this fixture, Bournemouth’s performance against Liverpool suggests they can bounce back this week. The Cherries look set to claim their first league win and hand Wolves their second consecutive defeat of the season.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Bournemouth at 8/10
BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
Brentford return to Brentford Community Stadium this Saturday following a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest on opening day, leaving them in 17th place on the table. Chris Wood’s double, coupled with a late first-half strike from Forest, saw the Bees trail 3-0 at the break. However, Keith Andrews will take heart as Brentford claimed the second half by registering a goal of their own, adding some respectability to the scoreline for the travelling side. Back on familiar turf, having scored 40 goals at home last season, the Bees will be hoping to regroup and get their campaign back on track.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, currently sit 10th after a goalless draw at home against Newcastle United. While not a perfect start, Villa showed defensive solidity and resilience, claiming a point and a clean sheet despite a second-half red card reducing their numbers. They will be keen to improve on last season’s away record, having lost nine times on the road while scoring 24 goals overall, but they will be buoyed by their league double over the Bees last season, both home and away, which contributed to just eight league wins on the road last term.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Aston Villa completed a league double over Brentford, winning 3-1 at home before following it up with a 1-0 victory in this fixture.
Betting
Brentford 9/4
Draw 26/10
Aston Villa 12/10
Verdict
Having sold off key personnel over the summer, and with Keith Andrews yet to fully convince in the dugout, Brentford look set for a difficult season. Villa may not have had the perfect start themselves last week, but they should respond far more positively in Round 2.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Aston Villa at 12/10
ARSENAL v LEEDS UNITED – Click here to bet
Arsenal, currently 6th in the early standings, host Leeds United for their first home game of the season, having opened with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United. The Gunners’ corner routine proved decisive, though they were tested throughout, revealing areas that still need tightening. Last season, Arsenal were difficult to break down at the Emirates, conceding just 17 goals and losing only twice, while also taking maximum points against newly promoted sides, a record they will aim to maintain this weekend against league newcomers Leeds.
Leeds United, meanwhile, make their first road trip to the Emirates since returning to the Premier League, having beaten Everton 1-0 in their opener. The Whites showed smart defending and composure to convert a late opportunity, helping them climb to 7th in the early table. Stepping up from the Championship presents a challenge, and it’s difficult to gauge how strong Leeds will be away from home this season. The last time they featured in the Premier League, they struggled on the road, losing 14 of 19 away matches.
Head-to-Head
These two teams last met in the 2022/23 Premier League season, when Arsenal completed a league double with a 1-0 win on the road, followed by a more comprehensive 4-1 victory in this fixture. The Gunners have also won their last six consecutive matches against Leeds across all competitions.
Betting
Arsenal 2/7
Draw 5/1
Leeds United 9/1
Verdict
Leeds appear light on options upfront this season and could find quality sides like Arsenal even harder to break down, having had to wait until the 84th minute to claim their first league goal and win against the Toffees. For that reason, I’ll be siding with the hosts to make it two wins from two this campaign, securing consecutive clean sheets.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal to Win to Nil – Yes at 11/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
