* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Ah, the opening Saturday of the Premier League season. There probably isn’t a greater pleasure in life bar when the kids go back to school, when you find a fiver in your arse pocket or every time Charlie Nicholas says “I’m sitting there thinking”.
And you know – for all the TV deals and countless methods in which we can see these games of football due to spacing of time – there’s something quite romantic about siting down, checking the 3pm kickoffs and waiting to see the scores come in.
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As you know, we can often sit on a result acca and be absolutely blown out of it when the opposition score twice early doors and you’re sat there with a sulk on your face four minutes into a promise of 90 minutes worth of entertainment.
Well fear no more, my good friends. I’ll be using insights to tell you just what you need to be backing in each of the Premier League 3pms every week from here-on in – but for both teams to score markets. That way, no early disgust. Every kick is important. Especially the kick you give your mates when you’ve landed the multiple and they didn’t listen. Without further ado.
The below picks in a Paddy Power Acca will give you odds of around 18/1. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Burnley v Brighton – BTTS: Yes
When you think of these two, you consider both to be goalshy. That’s a fair assumption, but for very different reasons. Burnley rely on structure while Brighton refuse to score imperfect goals. Brighton, in particular, produced in the final third – creating a higher xG rate than Everton last year, as well as being just a touch behind Arsenal.
They haven’t yet signed a striker which worries me, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt here. And Burnley? Well they shocked the planet last year by being functional away from home and they’ve held onto their goal threats. I’m happy to push goals from both sides here.
Chelsea v Palace – BTTS: No
Teams will ultimately fall victim to the juggernaut that is Chelsea now. Thomas Tuchel showed us that controlling a game doesn’t mean sacrificing the focus of your backline and if Man City’s quick movement off the ball doesn’t trouble them, then I don’t think for one second that they’ll have an issue with a Palace team going in a new, confusing direction. Nice and simple. Both Teams to Score? No is the way to go here.
Everton v Southampton – BTTS: No
New managers make me nervous. Rafa Benitez might be considered a good appointment for Everton, but that’s largely due to the fact that he’s defensive-minded and he’ll hold onto more results than actively getting them. The long road to exceeding expectations begins now, but it’s arduous enough to begin with. Southampton actually shipped the most goals over expected last year in the league.
If we were going on the probability of their goals being conceded, they’ve got 14 goals in hand this year, meaning they’re more solid than they’re given credit for. But to counter that, they’ve been fortunate in front of goal – scoring five more than expected last year – the seventh-best mark in the league. I don’t think both sides have it in them to net here.
Leicester v Wolves – BTTS: No
New manager alarm. But some games do genuinely just fall victim of the averages. In the opening gameweek’s set of fixtures (skewed last year due to Covid outbreaks and some ‘opening games’ being played midway through the year), there’s been a notable drop-off in recent times.
Teams are cautious – particularly ones that know they can afford to feel their way into new seasons. Wolves fall into that category. They got fairly much what they earned last year in terms of expectancy at both ends – a rare consistency. But for now, they’re best watched while Leicester begin to plan for distribution outside of Wesley Fofana. It’s Both Teams To Score? No for me here.
Watford v Aston Villa – BTTS: Yes
When in doubt, back a newly-promoted side to be full of running on opening weekend. Watford will attack a Villa side who now that the fella with the dopey haircut has joined Pep and co, could struggle for fluency in attack. One of the only ways they could be saved is by playing a weak side on the opening day.
Ah, here we are. I just have concerns about morale at Villa Park now, too. You could rarely think of a better example of a one-man side than Villa were last year, and for them, even defensively, to harness energy, will be tough. Expect some woeful defending to compound a game that nobody should see. At least Both Teams Will Score, though.
BTTS 3pm Premier League acca
Burnley v Brighton – Both Teams to Score: Yes
Chelsea v Palace – Both Teams to Score: No
Everton v Southampton – Both Teams to Score: No
Leicester v Wolves – Both Teams to Score: No
Watford v Aston Villa – Both Teams to Score: Yes
The below picks in a Paddy Power Acca will give you odds of around 18/1.CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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MORE SATURDAY FOOTY BETS
- EFL PREVIEW: 2 best bets from the TV games + a 24/1 acca
- ACCA: Paddy’s 40/1 punt from the big clubs across Europe
- NORWICH v LIVERPOOL TIPS: Our 27/1 Bet Builder for the 5.30pm kick-off
- PHIL THOMPSON: My best bets for Saturday’s big matches
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