CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL
We’re set for a spectacular matchup on the opening game week of the 2023/24 English Premier League season as Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The hosts begin their campaign with the Mauricio Pochettino era well and truly underway following the debacle of the 22/23 season where a disappointing 12th place finish was the final verdict to a particularly forgetful campaign.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, another member on the list of last season’s underachievers, resume life in the League with a new look squad after parting company with six members of the side that maintained consistency from 2018-2022, signaling a new era for the Merseyside Reds.
The last five meetings between both side’s churned out some considerably uneventful results, with all five games ending in stalemates; four goalless draws (some knockout games) and a 2-2 draw.
PREDICTION: Both sides may have cancelled themselves in a couple of their previous tossups but if preseason games are anything to go by, free-flowing offensively-minded football should be expected from each team, the consequence of such will mean ‘goal-glazed’ action would be on the cards but given the previous results, it is likely this tie will end in a stalemate. Either way, we predict a GG outcome at 1.47 odds @Bestbet360.
MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES
The inaugural game week of the 2023/2024 EPL season reaches it’s peak on Monday night as Manchester United host Wolves.
Erik ten Hag’s United begin their campaign with some exciting new signings set for their competitive debut at Old Trafford, but on the flip side, have parted ways with some key players, with the biggest name being record appearance (for a United goalkeeper) holder, David De Gea after 12 seasons at the club.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanders ahead of their season opener, appear unstable after the club mutual parted company with Julen Lopetegui after just 9 months at the club, few days to the start of the league and appointing former coach Gary O’Neil as his replacement.
The previous five clashes between both teams has seen the hosts claim the better of results, winning four times and losing once to the visitors.
PREDICTION: It remains to be seen how Wolves coach Gary O’Neil intends to approach this daunting trip to Old Trafford as Manchester United appear the clear favorites and for justifiable reasons due to the myriad of attacking options fielded by Mancunian outfit. It seems unlikely that Wolves will cause an upset at Old Trafford so we predict a home win at 1.35 odds @Bestbet360.
BRENTFORD v TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS
The first, albeit not major London Derby of the 2023/24 season takes shape as Brentford host Tottenham Hotspurs at the GTech Community Stadium this weekend.
Brentford will be hoping to do better than a 9th place finish last season but will have to navigate potentially tricky opposition early on, starting with city rivals Tottenham Hotspurs. The Bees, led by Thomas Frank, will unfortunately have to pull it off without top goal scorer Ivan Toney who is facing a lengthy ban on the sidelines.
The opposition, meanwhile begin a new era at the club with former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglu hired to steady the ship and record a better finish than the 8th placed finish the side recorded in a truly tumultuous campaign last term.
The last five clashes between both sides have been close with two draws recorded, Brentford recording a solitary win while Spurs have two victories and will fancy the chance to claim a third against The Bees on opening game week.
PREDICTION: With the news of the potential exit of Spurs legend Harry Kane to Bayern Munich rife ahead of this clash, Spurs will have to prosecute this tie without the services of their most cherished son away at Brentford. Spurs, however, have recorded just one defeat in their last seven season openers while the hosts haven’t been defeated in their last two season opening ties, setting the stage for a cracking fixture and with a good amount of goals too. We feel this game will involve goals from both sides so a GG outcome at 1.49 odds @Bestbet360 should do the trick.
ARSENAL v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Having already claimed the first piece of silverware in the new season, Arsenal begin their league duties at home, hosting Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
The Gunners defeated Manchester City 4-1 on penalties after 1-1 in regular time to win the Community Shield, ending a poor run against City and in the process, boosting the confidence levels of last season’s runners up in the process.
The Tricky Trees meanwhile had an uneventful preseason run; winning twice, drawing once, losing four times and scoring three goals in seven games ahead of their season opener against an Arsenal outfit gunning for revenge against the side that heralded the capitulation of the league honours last term.
The previous five clashes between both sides has seen the Mikel Arteta-led side claim three wins, one more than Steve Cooper’s charges with two wins.
PREDICTION: Arsenal are a side high on confidence following Community Shield success along with positive preseason results, unlike the visitors who recorded few goals in tune up games ahead of the new campaign, which may be due, in part to an ongoing injury crises to some forward players, an unfortunate situation that could spell doom for the team making the trip to Arsenal. We feel the hosts will have a comfortable win over the Tricky Trees who recorded the poorest away record last term, hence, we predict a combo option of home win & over 2.5 goals scored (1 & ov. 2.5 G) at 1.41 odds @Bestbet360.
BRIGHTON v LUTON TOWN
Brighton begin their 2023/24 league campaign, playing hosts to league debutants Luton Town at the Amex Arena this weekend.
The Hatters travel to Brighton for their first ever Premier Legaue tie after gaining promotion from the EFL Championship last term.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls play their first ever season with European action following a stellar campaign last time out in the League, where they finished sixth, booking their place in this season’s Europa League.
Both sides will clash in a league fixture for the first time since the 2007-08 season when they were both competing in League One, the third tier of English football. The hosts won both home and away fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-2.
PREDICTION: Rob Edwards’ side will hope to begin their adventure in top tier football on a “bright” note against a Brighton side led by Roberto de Zerbi on opening day – a task which will be no mean feat by any means and while Luton will try to trouble the Brighton backline we feel, the hosts will ultimately take maximum points, so we predict a combo option of home win and over 1.5 goals scored (1 & ov. 1.5 G) at 1.34 odds @Bestbet360.
This week’s entire selection leaves you with a sempe ACCA combo of 7.06 odds thanks to your preferred bookmakers Bestbet360.
Remember to always bet responsibly and may the odds surely be in your favor this weekend. Kpoko!!!!!