Last weekend, the English Premier League returned, bringing us exciting fixtures and a chance to see our favourite players back in action. There were some standout results from opening weekend, including Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Enzo Maresca’s chaotic Chelsea, and Jamie Vardy's sensational return to the top-flight, capped off with a goal and a memorable celebration. Now, it's time to gear up for another action-packed weekend of football. Stick around as we guide you through the key matches and give you expert betting tips.
**₦691,672.90 Booking Code - FDXUF**
**Brighton vs Manchester United** Brighton kicked off the new season and life under Fabian Hurzeler in style with a dominant 3-0 victory over Everton to go top of the Premier League. The German tactician couldn’t have hoped for a better start and the seagulls should be even more potent in attack after the £40 million addition of Georginio Rutter from Leeds. Hurzeler will certainly be hoping to make it consecutive wins, but Brighton must improve on their dismal home form towards the end of last season, where they lost four of their final five Premier League matches, failing to score in each defeat. Notably, one of those defeats came against this weekend’s opponents Manchester United on the final day. That loss was a departure from a recent trend, where Brighton had won four consecutive head-to-heads against the Red Devils across the last three seasons. Visiting United boss, Erik ten Hag, earned a 1-0 opening-day win against Fulham, thanks to a late strike from new boy Joshua Zirkzee, who followed in the footsteps of fellow Dutch legends Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie by scoring on his Old Trafford debut. Ten Hag described the result as "a foundation to build on” and he will be hoping to make it two from two. United have struggled in opening away matches, winning just once in the last six attempts (D2, L3). However, that solitary victory came against Brighton in the 2020/21 season and they’ll be hopeful of replicating that again this weekend. **Prediction: Brighton have had the better of this fixture in recent times and looked far more dangerous in their league opener than United did. Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro are a scary trio, and the Amex crowd should have them playing at their best. Our bet of the day is a home win for Brighton.**
**Manchester City vs Ipswich** Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. The champions now host newly promoted Ipswich at the Etihad, aiming to win their opening two games for the third consecutive season. City are riding a 30-game unbeaten streak at the Etihad (W24, D6), and the return of former captain Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona is sure to electrify the home crowd this weekend. While there is no such thing as ‘sure odds’, City extending their unbeaten run to 31 games is as close to a sure thing as you can find. Pep Guardiola’s men have beaten eight of the last nine newly-promoted sides to visit the Etihad Stadium by at least two goals and this is likely to be no different. Ipswich’s return to the top flight has been a baptism of fire. After the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend, the Tractor Boys come up against an even tougher opponent in the reigning champions, looking to defy online betting experts and pull off an incredible upset. To their credit, Ipswich competed fiercely in that game against Liverpool and were perhaps unlucky not to score. Kieran McKenna’s side will be backed by a sold-out away end in their first Premier League away game since May 2002, but the visitors are unlikely to spring any surprises against the champions. **Prediction: City are almost unbeatable at home, and Erling Haaland just loves playing against newly-promoted sides. The Norwegian has scored at least once against all promoted sides in his two seasons in England. Our bet prediction for this one is a comfortable home win with Haaland on the scoresheet.**
**Aston Villa vs Arsenal** Aston Villa kicked off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory at West Ham, courtesy of Jhon Duran's late winner. The Colombian youngster, who nearly joined the Hammers this summer, ensured the perfect start for Unai Emery’s men. Villa will now be looking to secure three consecutive league wins against Arsenal for only the third time in Premier League history and given their impressive home record (3 defeats in their last 26 matches) it is hard to bet against them. They have also scored two or more goals in each of their last five home league games, which should make the goals market excellent value for our online betting community. Despite Villa’s strong home record, they have become quite vulnerable at the back, conceding nine goals in their last four home games, a weakness Arsenal will look to exploit. The Gunners made light work of Wolves in their season opener, winning 2-0 thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. Mikel Arteta's side are unbeaten in their last nine away league games (W8, D1), built on solid defensive foundations. Seven of those matches saw Arsenal keep a clean sheet, carrying on from last season where they finished with the most clean sheets in the league (11). **Prediction: The goals market should provide great value here as Villa averaged 4 goals per game in home games last season, the joint highest in the league. Arsenal will also be looking to avenge the two defeats last season, and with Kai Havertz in excellent form, (8G+A) in his last 6 EPL games dating back to last season, backing the German to score is a safe bet prediction. Our full time prediction is for both teams to score and Havertz to get on the scoresheet.**
**Tottenham vs Everton** Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs welcome Everton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, looking to bounce back from an underwhelming start to the new season last weekend. The hosts only managed a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Leicester City, despite bossing the game for long periods. Postecoglou was honest in his assessment, labeling the result "disappointing" and starting the season without a win in the opening two games could have them playing catch up. Spurs have an impressive record in opening home league games, winning five of their last six (L1), which should offer a boost ahead of this one. Although their sole loss in this run came against Everton (1-0), the hosts have been utterly dominant in the head-to-head, boasting an unbeaten streak of seven league matches against the Toffees, and an even more impressive overall record of one defeat in 23 Premier League encounters (W11, D11) Everton's campaign got off to a disastrous start after a 3-0 loss at home to Brighton. Manager Sean Dyche called it “a horrible game” and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The home side had a goal ruled out for offside, a penalty overturned by VAR and a red card shown to defender Ashley Young, to round off a disappointing afternoon. Losing at home on opening weekend is bad but their recent away record is also troubling, failing to win any of their last 9 games on the road (D4, L5). **Prediction: Everton’s lack of summer investment and injuries in defence have left them seriously short in key areas. Tottenham created more than enough chances to beat Leicester and on any other day, may have scored 3 or 4 goals. The hosts have also scored more goals against Everton than any other EPL team (102). Our bet prediction is a home win with a first Spurs goal for new boy Dominic Solanke.**
**Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea** Wolves played well against Arsenal last weekend, but ultimately succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, their fourth consecutive matchday one defeat. Their aim will now be to get back on track and manager Gary O'Neil will remind his players of their 2-1 victory over Chelsea last season, which completed Wolves' first league double over the Blues since 1975. The club's record in this fixture is strong, with just one loss in the last eight head-to-heads (W4, D3), and no defeats at home to Chelsea in the last four meetings (W3, D1). Meanwhile, Chelsea are in a constant state of chaos with new boss Enzo Maresca dealing with a bloated squad and player discontent. Raheem Sterling went public, calling for clarity after being left out of the league opener against Manchester City and was promptly banished to train with the reserves for his troubles. Maresca must rally his team after the 2-0 defeat to the champions and avoid the Blues starting a season with consecutive defeats for the first time in their history. Getting a clean sheet would at least eliminate any chance of defeat, but Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 16 league away games, and their defensive performance last weekend showed nothing to suggest they can stop Wolves from scoring, especially at the Molineux. **Prediction: This should be a fairly tight game as Chelsea can really turn on the heat on their day. Wolves have lost some big players including Pedro Neto who swapped the Molineux for Stamford Bridge last month. Wolves may have the recent historical advantage but our full time prediction is for the Blues to avoid defeat.**
**Liverpool vs Brentford** The Arne Slot era at Liverpool got off to a flying start, thanks to a convincing 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich on the opening day. Mohamed Salah set up Diogo Jota to open the scoring before finishing up a flowing move to set the record for most goals in the first game of a Premier League season (9). This triumph also made Slot the first Liverpool manager since Graeme Souness in April 1991 to win his first game in charge and he will be looking to make it two out of two against Brentford this weekend. The new Reds boss will be warmly welcomed by the Anfield crowd, who will undoubtedly provide strong support to ensure their team continues an impressive run of 10 wins in the last 11 opening home league fixtures (D1). Brentford will be aiming to spoil the party atmosphere at Anfield and will have the wind in their sails following an impressive 2-1 win against Crystal Palace last week. Yoanne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo found the net in an all-action, counter attacking display without talisman Ivan Toney, who is expected to depart soon. Despite their opening day win, there is little cause for optimism ahead of this one as Thomas Frank's side have struggled against Liverpool since their promotion, with just one win victory in six meetings (L5). The Bees have found the going even tougher at Anfield, failing to register a goal at the iconic stadium, and they must expect a difficult afternoon against Salah and company. **Prediction: Liverpool were slow to get into their stride against Ipswich but once they gained momentum, there was no looking back. Brentford showed their counter-attacking strengths in the win against Palace, but facing Liverpool at Anfield is an entirely different ball game. Enjoy the best odds by backing the Reds to win big at home.**
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