English Premier League Betting Preview, Sunday 24 August
Week 2 of the English Premier League rolls on this Sunday with three fixtures to round off the weekend’s action. We take a look at each of the matches from a betting perspective and provide a suggested play for your consideration.
In the outright market, Liverpool remain favourites at 15/8, with Arsenal close behind at 2/1 and Manchester City at 11/4. Chelsea have eased to 10/1, while the rest of the field can be found at 28/1 or bigger.
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CRYSTAL PALACE v NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Click here to bet
Selhurst Park provides the backdrop on Sunday as Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest in their first home outing of the campaign. Oliver Glasner’s men were well-organised and defensively disciplined at Stamford Bridge last weekend, holding firm against Chelsea’s big summer signings to secure a valuable point that leaves them 12th in the early standings. Palace’s home record last season was steady, six wins, seven draws, and six defeats, with 24 goals scored across 19 matches, though it’s worth noting they actually claimed more points on their travels than in South London, something they’ll be eager to improve this time around.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, arrive in buoyant mood for their first away trip of the season after a 3-1 win over Brentford that lifted them to 5th in the early table. Chris Wood’s brace, along with Dan Ndoye’s strike, put the Tricky Trees in firm control with a 3-0 lead at half-time, giving them the sort of start that mirrors their competitive form at the top end of the table last season. Away from home last campaign, Forest were solid, registering ten wins, three draws, and six losses — a record that suggests they can trouble Palace if they maintain that same intensity.
Head-to-Head
Encounters between these two sides have often been tight affairs, with goals hard to come by. In their last seven league meetings, no match has seen more than two goals. Last season, Forest narrowly claimed a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture, while this matchup ended in a 1-1 draw, underlining just how closely contested these games tend to be.
Betting
Crystal Palace 13/10
Draw 23/10
Nottingham Forest 23/10
Verdict
I expect a similar trend to continue between these two quality sides, with neither team likely to give an inch. Historically, their encounters have been tight affairs, and with the current odds for unders looking fair, that’s the option I’ll be backing in this one.
Suggested Bet: Totals – Under 2.5 at 8/10
EVERTON v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION – Click here to bet
Attention turns to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, where Everton play their first match of the season in front of their home supporters against Brighton. The Toffees can feel aggrieved after Monday’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Leeds United, undone by a contentious 84th-minute penalty that denied them a share of the points. David Moyes’ side looked organised but again lacked a clinical edge in the final third. With their home form proving patchy last term, just 5 wins from 19 matches and 24 points from a possible 57, making Hill Dickinson a tougher place to visit will be crucial if they are to improve on last season’s 13th-place finish.
Brighton, meanwhile, travel north for their first away fixture of the new campaign, sitting 8th after a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham last weekend. Fabian Hürzeler’s men led 1-0 at half-time but were pegged back deep into stoppage time at the Amex. The Seagulls will be eager to replicate their excellent away record from last season, when they ranked 5th in the league with 8 wins and 5 draws on the road. This fixture will also bring fond memories for Brighton, when they opened their away campaign at Everton last season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Head-to-Head
These two teams faced each other twice last season, with each side winning on their travels. Brighton secured a 3-0 victory at Everton, while the Toffees claimed all three points with a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium.
Betting
Everton 2/1
Draw 23/10
Brighton & Hove Albion 29/20
Verdict
With both teams aiming for their first win of the season, and the hosts especially eager to avoid defeat, I expect a tight encounter. Everton are a far stronger side than the blowout we saw last season under the previous setup, and with David Moyes in charge, it wouldn’t be surprising if this one proved much more competitive, with both sides possibly balancing each other out.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Draw at 23/10
FULHAM v MANCHESTER UNITED – Click here to bet
Fulham welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage this Sunday for their first home game of the season, following a 1-1 draw with Brighton on the opening weekend. Trailing 1-0 at half-time, the Cottagers showed true character to fight back and salvage a late equalizer deep into stoppage time, securing their first point of the campaign and placing them 9th in the early league standings. At home last season, Fulham were solid, going unbeaten in 12 of their 19 matches (W7, D5, L7), including an undefeated start in their opening three home fixtures and losing just twice in their first 11 matches in West London.
Manchester United will travel to Fulham on Sunday for their first away match of the season, sitting 15th in the early standings after a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal. Ruben Amorim’s men struggled to turn possession into goals despite creating chances, and while there were flashes of promise, greater sharpness in attack and more discipline at set pieces will be needed. Away form was a major weakness last season, with United winning just four times on the road and losing four of their final five trips, something they’ll be desperate to improve this time around.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Manchester United completed a league double over Fulham, winning 1-0 both at home and away. Their most recent meeting came in March during the FA Cup Round of 16, where Fulham triumphed on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Betting
Fulham 22/10
Draw 26/10
Manchester United 5/4
Verdict
I’m siding with Manchester United here. They were extremely unlucky not to claim at least a point against Arsenal last weekend, and while Fulham secured a draw in their opener, I’m not convinced they can hold off the Red Devils, even with home advantage this Sunday.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Manchester United at 5/4
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
