The second round of English Premier League matches get underway on Friday and continue right through to Monday night when Liverpool head to Newcastle. We pick out a few bets for selected games.
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Monday 25th August
Newcastle and Liverpool is the final game of the round. At the time of writing the build up to their clash at St. James Park is being dominated by the situation concerning the future of Isak which has descended into a farce. Newcastle started Anthony Gordon as centre forward in their 0-0 draw at Villa, a game they really ought to have won.
Liverpool scored twice late on in their 4-2 home win over Bournemouth. Ekitike impressed and grabbed the first goal, their defence was exposed as Bournemouth fought back from 2-0 down but Chiesa and Mo Salah made sure of a winning start for last season's title winners.
As far as the team news is concerned Newcastle still have no out and out centre forward unless they turn to William Osula (2 goals in 20 appearances). Ryan Gravenberch is available to return to action for Livepool but Jeremie Frimpong is out with injury and Conor Bradley is reportedly not yet up to full fitness.
Newcastle are trading at around 9/4 to win the game with the draw at 29/10 and Liverpool at even money.
Sportingbet price boosts include Mo Salah, 2 or more shots on target at 17/10 from 14/10.
Newcastle are short of options up front whilst Liverpool's defence has been vulnerable in pre-season and Gameweek 1.
Cody Gakpo has been a little under the radar with Ekitike arriving and the continued saga involving Isak but he had decent game against Bournemouth and gets my vote to score anytime.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Cody Gakpo at 29/10 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Sunday 24th August
Crystal Palace came away from Chelsea with a 0-0 draw and probably had the better of the game, another decent show after their Community Shield penalty shoot out win over Liverpool a week earlier. Palace host Notts Forest who began their campaign with a 3-1 home win over Brentford with Chris Wood scoring early and late of a dominant first half showing. With Eze leaving Palace and Forest having done plenty of business over the last few days I'm unsure of where to go here and will swerve this one.
No Bet
Everton are at home to Brighton and Moyes' side looked undercooked in their 1-0 defeat at Leeds on Monday night where Grealish featured off the bench. Brighton had to settle for a point after they were pegged back late on in their 1-1 draw at home to Fulham. The home side offered little last week but this marks their first game in their new stadium and I expect a decent contest, hopefully with 3 goals or more
Bets: Total goals over 2.5 at 21/20 with WSB
Last up on Sunday Fulham host Man United. Muniz scored late on to earn Fulham a point from a 1-1 draw at Brighton but they remain very quiet on the transfer front. United lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal, a goalkeeping error led to them conceding an early goal and that remains an area of concern. However they played pretty well with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha impressing and Benjamin Sesko got some minutes off the bench.
This is the sort of game where Fulham can be a handful but I was impressed enough with Man United last week to give them the vote
Bets: Away win at 23/20 with WSB
Saturday 23rd August
Man City host Spurs in Saturday's early kick off. City were 4-0 winners at Wolves on the opening weekend including a brace for Haaland. Spurs were 3-0 winners at home to Burnley with Richarlison on target twice to get Thomas Frank off to a winning start. A good test for both sides after comfortable wins last week. I can see it being lively and Pape Sarr is my choice to pick up a card.
Bets: Pape Sarr to be shown a card? Yes at 2.15/1 with Betway
Bournemouth, who lost 4-2 at Liverpool last weekend, are at home to Wolves who failed to lay a glove on Man City in a 4-0 home defeat. There was plenty to like about Bournemouth's display with Semenyo scoring twice and their new look defence won't come up against that sort of quality every week.
Semenyo looks worthy of support to pop up anytime.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Semenyo at 1.85/1 with WSB
Brentford entertain Aston Villa. The home side lost 3-1 away to Forest last week, they were 3-0 down at half time and and after losing some key men in pre season they are another side with plenty of question marks surrounding them. Villa had Konsa sent off and rode their luck in a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle and were generally well below the level we have seen in the last 2 seasons. I'd rather sit this one out.
No Bet.
Burnley have home advantage against Sunderland in the battle of the newly promoted sides at Turf Moor. Burnley went down 3-0 at Spurs whilst Sunderland impressed in the second half of their home fixture against West Ham to come out on top 3-0. A big game for both sides which will tell us who has recruited the better after a busy window. Habib Diarra was quite superb for Sunderland last week and had a couple of attempts on goal. He can pop up anytime at a nice price.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Habib Diarra at 8.75/1 with Sportingbet
Saturday's later kick off sees Arsenal host Leeds. The Gunners ground out a 1-0 win at Man United last weekend, scoring early on but creating later thereafter and the likes of Gyorkes and Saka were very quiet. Leeds marked their return to the top flight with a 1-0 home win over Everton. The winner came courtesy of a controversial late penalty but on the balance of play they were value for the 3 points.
Arsenal looked like they “needed the run last week” and although I expect Leeds to be busy I'm with home side to score 2-3 in their multigoals market.
Bets: Home team multi goals 2-3 at even money with Sportingbet
