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Liverpool v. Burnley
Liverpool were back up to their old tricks in the opening weekend winning 3-0 against newly promoted Norwich City. Last season saw Liverpool struggle at times with lesser competition but when this squad is fully fit they roll over bottom table teams with consistency. Burnley got an early lead against Brighton last week before squandering it and losing 2-1. Blowing leads is very unlike Burnley as they typically go into a shell anytime they strike first. Burnley is likely to come out and play a guarded, defensive game and force Liverpool to beat multiple players around the box to score. There is no doubt the Reds will win, but how close will it be in the end is the key question.
The Bet: Burnley to Cover 2.5 Goals
Alternate Bet: Sadio Mane Anytime Goalscorer (If He Starts)
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Burnley
Aston Villa v. Newcastle United
Aston Villa had a dreadful start to their season last time out as they conceded 3 first half goals to newly promoted Watford. Villa mounted an admirable comeback but still lost in the end. The historic club has suffered a tough loss of their best player, Jack Grealish, who moved to Manchester City in a record deal. The boyhood star led their team for several seasons but the board has done well to reinvest that money in new attacking threats and we are likely to see some of those new squad members in this matchup. Newcastle got out to an early lead on West Ham last week before crumbling at the back and losing 4-2. I think the Magpies are a dreadful club full of aging, average talent and a terrible manager. Their style of play is outdated and boring and if it weren’t for dynamic star players like Allan Saint-Maximin creating goals and Callum Wilson banging them in, this team would go down this year.
The Bet: Both Teams to Score
Alternate Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v. Brentford
Crystal Palace started a new leaf in their club's chapter by getting thoroughly demolished by Chelsea last weekend. It is hard to have a new, inexperienced manager show up and go toe-to-toe with the reigning European Champions. Palace has tried to enfuse youth around an aging squad in desperate need of a rebuild but the dividends could take months to pay off. Brentford opened their Premier League account with a remarkable 2-0 win over Arsenal on Friday Night. The win was their first in top-flight league football in over 50 years and the scenes afterward were emotional, even for a neutral. It will be hard to replicate that performance, especially on the road, which is why I see a share of the spoils here.
The Bet: Draw
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford
Leeds United v. Everton
Leeds did well to avoid the drop and stay up last season but they didn’t do so well in their season opener against Manchester United. The Whites were thrashed 5-1 as Man United exposed their over aggressive and expansive style of football. Leeds needs to find a better balance between pressing and playing smart if they want to stay in the Premier League again. Everton put up 3 in their season debut and took home all 3 points as well against Southampton. Everton has gone through a regime change this summer and are hoping to come out on the other side once this transfer window closes. Any team with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front is a danger to score and with the space Leeds gives opponents we could see fireworks at Elland Road.
The Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Leeds United 1-2 Everton
Manchester City v. Norwich City
The King is dead, long live the King! Okay, maybe not yet, but the reigning Premier League Champions dropped all 3 points against Tottenham to start the new campaign as they lost 1-0. It has been a summer of drama for the Blue side of Manchester as the $100+ million dollar transfer of Jack Grealish plus the persistent Harry Kane rumors have clouded the squad. It was clear last week why Man City is so interested in Kane as they dominated possession but couldn't find an end product. Norwich City didn’t play all that bad in their 3-0 loss to Liverpool at home to open their first Premier League season in 2 years but you know it is tough when you can play decently and still lose 3-0. This is a get right game for Manchester City and I fear for Norwich as no matter what they do in this game they will likely still get killed.
The Bet: Manchester City to Cover 2.5 Goals
Alternate Bet: Kevin De Bruyne Anytime Goalscorer (If He Starts)
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Norwich City
Brighton & Hove Albion v. Watford
Brighton secured a comeback 2-1 victory over Burnley to kick start their year. Brighton struggled with the final product last season as they were a top half team in XG (expected goals scored) yet a bottom half team in the table. If Graham Potter’s club can continually figure out how to finish their chances then they should have no problem securing a mid table finish. Watford joined Brentford as a newly promoted team that took home all 3 points after matchweek one. Watford jumped on Villa playing in front of their home fans and rode a 3 goal first half home to an opening day victory. I think Watford will be playing second tier football next season but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a good start to the season.
The Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals
Alternate Bet: Draw
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Watford
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Transfer of the Week: Konstantinos Tsimikas, D, LIverpool
Normally relegated to the bench, Tsimikas has become a starter for Liverpool due to an injury to starting leftback Andrew Robertson. Robertson has started training again but Tsimikas is expected to start one more time this weekend. He had a great preseason, finishing the tuneup games with several assists, and had a strong first game as well. He helped his team keep a clean sheet and created 2 chances for a total of 6 fantasy points, a strong tally from the defender position. He comes at a very cheap backup price of $4.0 and is a good bet to keep another clean sheet against a scoring deficient Burnley side.
Rest of World Round-Up:
LaLiga:
Espanyol v. Villarreal
The Bet: Villarreal to Win
Granada CF v. Valencia
The Bet: Draw
Athletic Club Bilbao v. Barcelona
The Bet: Barcelona to Win
Bundesliga:
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Monchengladbach
The Bet: Draw
