Premier League GW1 bets: Back Jesus at Selhurst Park; Bees to sting Leicester
After a summer bereft of a major men’s tournament with the World Cup now just a little over three months away in Qatar, football fans can rejoice as the new Premier League season begins in earnest on Friday night.
Opening the new campaign at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace host Arsenal as Patrick Vieira is once more reunited with his former side.
For the Eagles it has been a summer of consolidation as Vieira looks to build on an impressive first term in south London. In the case of the Gunners, meanwhile, the visitors have had a busy summer headlined by the summer arrival of Gabriel Jesus. Scoring seven times in pre-season including a hat-trick versus Sevilla last weekend, Arsenal are being backed to do very well this season but must overcome a tricky test first up.
Indeed, Palace were 3-0 winners in the corresponding fixture last campaign, whilst in the opening game of last season, Arsenal lost 2-1 at newly-promoted Brentford. A repeat looks less likely here with the huge improvements Arsenal have made, indeed, a reversal of the scoreline may not be far off the mark. Jesus features heavily in our opening flurries; for the Brazilian to score anytime can be snapped up for 29/20 with SpreadEx, whilst for Jesus to score, BTTS and Arsenal to win is teased at 6/1 with William Hill. Alternatively, for Jesus to have 2+ SOT, a 3/1 boost with SkyBet should appeal.
North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur open their campaign at home to Southampton and eyes will again be on the Lilywhites’ attack. With Richarlison suspended for kick-off, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min will look to pick up where they left off back in May and a goalscorer double can be had at 3.51/1 with Coral.
If we are looking at potential away wins for GW1, Brentford might just supply something of a surprise at Leicester City. With the Foxes having parted ways with Kasper Schmeichel and as a number of first-teamers are linked with moves away, Brendan Rodgers side could be primed to be stung by the Bees. With full-back Aaron Hickey set for a Premier League debut, Brentford can cause the hosts problems with Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa up top and to spring a win are available at 11/4 with BetUK.
Before Sunday’s action however, Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday lunchtime to begin their latest top-flight stint under Marco Silva. This could be another baptism of fire for the Whites however, and after Jurgen Klopp’s side were too much for Manchester City in the Community Shield, an opening day message will be sought by the Reds. Goals look the order of the day here – potentially with the odd one for Fulham – and a punt of over 3.5 goals at 25/19 with SBK should be pondered.
Liverpool’s now perennial conquerors City meanwhile, travel to the capital for a clash with West Ham United. All eyes at the London Stadium will be on Erling Haaland but after falling rather flat last weekend in the season curtain-raiser, will the Norwegian be in the mood here? A brace at 3/1 may interest. For the hosts, Gianluca Scamacca is likely to be given a first appearance off the bench and for the Italian to hit the ground running and score anytime is on for 4s – both with Betway.
