Home of football statistics and historyFootball fans are in for a treat this weekend with the eagerly anticipated 2024/25 Premier League season scheduled to begin.
The opening round of fixtures are guaranteed to spark a flurry of activity in online betting circles as punters strive to kick off the campaign on a winning note.
The best rated bookmakers rank reigning champions Manchester City as the favourites to retain the title, and it would be a brave move to back against them achievement the feat.
Read on as we look at the Matchday 1 fixtures, starting with what could be a tricky test for a team who have plenty to prove this season.
Manchester United vs Fulham
Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League last season and will be desperate to enjoy a more productive campaign this time around.
However, with injuries continuing to impact Erik ten Hag’s squad, they may find it difficult to make a winning start against Fulham on Friday evening.
The visitors triumphed in the corresponding fixture last term and are fancied to claim a hard-fought draw on their latest visit to Old Trafford.
Ipswich Town vs Liverpool
Ipswich Town have done well to win back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons, but they will likely receive a wake-up call on Saturday.
Liverpool are expected to mount a serious title challenge under new manager Arne Slot and should have little difficulty picking up three points at Portman Road.
The Reds looked impressive during pre-season and look a good bet to reward punters who wager on them to ‘win to nil’ this weekend.
Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
The clash between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers is another fixture that bears all the hallmarks of a one-sided encounter.
The Gunners were pipped to the title by Man City last season and will be desperate to start the new campaign with a comfortable home victory.
Wolves have lost several important players during the summer transfer window and look set to suffer a miserable visit to the Emirates Stadium.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton endured a troubled 2023/24 campaign, with an eight-point deduction due to financial breaches, causing manager Sean Dyche an unwanted headache.
Dyche did well to guide Everton to safety and he will fancy his chances of navigating into the calmer waters of mid-table this season.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last three outings against Brighton and they can enhance that record with another victory this weekend.
Newcastle United vs Southampton
After qualifying for the Champions League at the end of the 2022/23 season, Newcastle United came down to earth with a bump last term.
They finished seventh in the Premier League and were knocked out of Europe after winning just one of their six group stage games.
Despite this, they are a banker bet to kick off their 2024/25 campaign by recording a comfortable home victory over newly-promoted Southampton.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest flirted dangerously with relegation last season and have been tipped by several pundits to ensure another tricky campaign in 2024/25.
However, they have been handed a good opportunity to make a winning start after being paired with Bournemouth on the opening weekend.
The Cherries recently sold star striker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur, and that decision could impact their chances of winning at the City Ground.
West Ham United vs Aston Villa
The final game on Saturday promises to be a thriller, with West Ham United and Aston Villa harbouring lofty ambitions this season.
Villa have strengthened their squad after finishing fourth last season and are fancied to make further progress under manager Unai Emery this term.
The Hammers have also been busy during the summer transfer window, and could make life difficult for Villa in what may develop into a high scoring draw.
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Brentford were another club who sailed fairly close to the wind last season, and they will be keen to steer clear of trouble this term.
They have retained striker Ivan Toney despite interest from other clubs and he will be crucial to their hopes of forcing their way back up the table.
However, they could have their work cut out against Crystal Palace, who looked a different proposition after Oliver Glasner was appointed manager in February.
Chelsea vs Manchester City
The standout game of the opening weekend is undoubtedly on Sunday as Chelsea and Man City go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge.
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is already under pressure after his team struggled in pre-season, and he needs to spark an immediate improvement against City.
That will be easier said than done against a team who are strongly fancied to win the Premier League title for the fifth consecutive season.
Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s aforementioned acquisition of Solanke will not only have sports bettors rubbing their hands with glee but will also have Fantasy Premier League managers purring.
Solanke weighed in with 175 points last season and looks a steal at £7.5 million to improve on that tally after signing for Spurs this summer.
Ange Postecoglou’s attacking style of play should suit Solanke down to the ground, and Spurs look a good bet to triumph at the King Power Stadium.
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