The 2024-25 season kicks on into Matchday 3, and we’re here with five top-shelf Premier League tips for the weekend ahead.
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have already become a personal favourite here. A positive start to the Premier League season has already inspired an investment for Brighton to finish in the Top 6 at $3. If that is to ring true by the end, Fabian Hurzeler’s side needs to start proving it against Arsenal this week.
Arsenal is a major contender to win the title and is strong at home. They beat the Seagulls twice last season and are $1.30 favourites to make it three in a row here. However, this is a better Brighton outfit. They’ve picked up two wins already this season. While against a poor Everton and unconvincing Manchester United, Brighton have looked the goods.
They will need to get past the best centre back pairing Arsenal has ever produced. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have played a leading role in Arsenal completing 30 clean sheets in 63 Premier League starts. However, the pressing of Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro will cause problems. For Gabriel on the ball, in particular.
Per PremierLeague.com: “Both of Brighton’s front men are averaging around 300 intensive runs apiece per 90 minutes.”
This will be Arsenal’s toughest test so far this season. Expect Brighton to keep it close despite being a significant $8.75 underdog.
Best Bet BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION - ASIAN LINES +1.5 @ $1.73*
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers
In a similar theme to below, where Chelsea wasn’t quite as good as the 6-2 score suggested, Wolverhampton Wanderers weren’t that bad either.
Wolves were the better team for large periods of the game. They went into the break level but hit the crossbar and had a goal whipped off the board just before halftime. The two goals Wolves conceded came from a lapse in concentration at a set piece and a wild long goal kick they didn’t handle.
“Chelsea were the beneficiaries of chaos and made the most of their opportunities at an exceptional level. In fact, Wolves finished with a higher xG at 1.92 to Chelsea’s 1.56 despite losing 6-2.” – Matchweek 2 Review
An incredible 14-minute period inspired by Cole Palmer proved too much for Gary O’Neil’s side in the end.
Nottingham Forest doesn’t have a Cole Palmer.
A win in the Carabao Cup will help Wolves build some confidence. Regardless of the positive periods against Chelsea, the result will have had an impact. Expect it to show against a Forest team that is there to be beaten.
Best Bet WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS TO WIN @ $3.30*
Brentford v Southampton
Both teams picked up EFL Cup second-round wins during the week, so come in full of confidence.
We’re going purely off the Premier League numbers here…
It’s the overreaction portion of the Premier League season. Nothing is simple. With Southampton without a goal in their opening two fixtures, some Saints fans will be wondering if that goal will ever come.
The Saints haven’t been without chances, but as it stands, they’re last in goals vs. xG at -1.91. They’re playing with more possession than ever but haven’t been able to convert it. Putting five past Cardiff City mid-week will help build confidence, though.
In a team that is a more cohesive unit than most promoted clubs, expect a sharp improvement sooner rather than later. At the very least, Saints should trouble the scoreboard against Brentford, who have allowed 33 shots in two games (2nd-most in the Premier League).
Best Bet SOUTHAMPTON TOTAL GOALS - OVER 1 @ $1.93*
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea thumped Wolverhampton 6-2 last week. Cole Palmer dished out three assists and scored one himself. Noni Madueke, after insulting the whole of Wolverhampton, scored the first hat-trick of his Premier League career.
Following a summer chaos on the transfer market and a poor performance against Manchester City on Matchday 1, Chelsea looked the part against Wolves, and excitement is building.
Cole just keeps on adding to his highlight reel. 🤩#CFC | #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/9PTgF75mIq
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is without a point in two games. The Eagles came into the season full of confidence to the point we had them circled for a top-half finish. While they’re languishing towards the bottom of the ladder, Palace hasn’t been without opportunity. Eberechi Eze quite literally scored what could have been a winner before it was wiped off by a referee error against Brentford. They created good chances in the first half against West Ham, too.
From an expected goals perspective, Palace is mid-table with 2.5 expected goals; Chelsea is only one spot above them with 2.6 expected goals.
Palace haven’t shown enough to be confident in a win at Stamford Bridge. Still, should they finally turn their strong chances into a goal or two.
A goal ($2.70) or assist is coming for Eze, too…
Best Bet DOUBLE CHANCE - CRYSTAL PALACE WIN OR DRAW @ $2.15*
Manchester United v Liverpool
Despite some relative optimism about a rejuvenated Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has done little to inspire improvement after two games. Unsurprisingly, a club that looks to buy its way out of every problem with a steady influx of new players produced a squad that lacks cohesion.
Meanwhile, Arne Slot has kicked off his tenure at Liverpool where Jurgen Klopp left off. Managers can get caught out trying to change too much early on. However, Slot has taken the blessed situation he inherited to claim six points across the opening two fixtures. He has them defending a little bit more soundly, too.
Given what we’ve seen from the two teams to start the Premier League season, Liverpool are deserving $1.85 favourites at Old Trafford. Given United’s inability to defend the cross last week, Mo Salah is primed to make it three in three, too.
Two in two for Mo 🫡 pic.twitter.com/dtioUbQtMK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 25, 2024
Liverpool leads the Premier League in xG after two games. They won’t be short of opportunities even if United can put some pressure on with the ball themselves. It’s only a matter of time before Salah is presented with a shot that should find the net.
Best Bet ANYTIME GOAL SCORER - MO SALAH @ $1.90*