The Premier League is BACK! And the return of the English top-flight means many things including a packed Saturday 3pm schedule for the opening weekend of the season.
Ahead of the big kickoff, Paddy Power tipster Sam Farley dives into the four matches at 3pm, including Mikel Arteta’s title-hunting Arsenal hosting Wolves and new-boys Southampton heading up to Newcastle.
Here’s his Multi-Match Bet Builder tips for the opening afternooon of the campaign.
Premier League Betting tips
Arsenal v Wolves
Both teams to score (N0)
Everton v Brighton
Under 2.5 goals
Newcastle v Southampton
Alexander Isak to score
Ben Brereton Diaz to have 1+ shot on target
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
Under 2.5 goals
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 17/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Arsenal v Wolves: Both teams to score (No)
Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last season by two points and have hopes of going one step further this year. They’ve not been that active in the transfer market yet with the exception of the signing of Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year old arrived after a strong season for Bologna and impressive showing at Euro 2024. While he isn’t a new signing Jurrien Timber is now available having missed the bulk of last season with injury.
Those two players should improve a defence that was the meanest in the Premier League last season, giving up just 29 goals in 38 games. That’s five less than Man City and 12 less than the next best team, Liverpool. They face a Wolves team who struggled for goals last year, scoring just 50 times, a number only four other teams failed to meet, of which two of were relegated. A mediocre attack, against a great backline, at home at the Emirates, that’s a clean sheet for William Saliba and co.
Everton v Brighton: Under 2.5 goals
We’re looking forward to an exciting Premier League season but let’s not get too carried away. After all, Everton v Brighton is primed to be low scoring. Everton weren’t the most expansive team in the Premier League last season, scoring just 40 goals in 38 Premier League games, with only a terrible Sheffield United getting less. Despite that poor attack, they gave up just 51 goals, which was the fourth fewest, despite finishing 15th. There’s nothing to indicate Sean Dyche will change his tactics ahead of this season.
Then we have Brighton, who are under new management with Fabian Hurzeler replacing Roberto De Zerbi, arriving from St Pauli who won Bundesliga 2 last season. The Hamburg-based side won the title by being compact. They gave up the fewest goals in the league and were sixth in terms of goal scored. It’ll take him time to get Brighton playing fully in his mould so expect it to start off tight.
Newcastle v Southampton: Alexander Isak to score
Newcastle’s centre forward Alexander Isak scored 21 EPL goals last season, and finished third in the race for the Golden Boot, as he performed brilliantly for the Magpies. He’s had a summer off, thanks to the Swedes missing out on Euro 2024, which means he should be fresh and ready to fire his team back to the Champions League.
Southampton gave up 63 goals in 46 Championship games last season, a full 22 goals more than league winners Leicester. They generally won games by outscoring teams, something that will leave them open against teams of the quality of Newcastle and Isak will fancy his chances of notching on the opening weekend.
Ben Brereton Diaz to have more than one shot on target
When Sheffield United signed Ben Brereton Diaz on loan last January it gave them another dimension in attack as he helped them make their points total look respectable, even if they still got relegated. He’s now joined the Saints, who were very good at creating goals in the Championship, scoring 87, the third highest amount in the second tier last season.
Now Brereton Diaz is a Southampton player and he’s likely to step straight into the team on Saturday. He scored six in 14 games for the Blades last season, but what was hugely impressive is that he took just 24 shots in those 14 games, and managed to get 19 of them on target. That bodes well for his chances of a shot on target here, even against a good Newcastle backline.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth: Under 2.5 goals
We could be set for another low scoring game at the City Ground in Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth. Nuno has had a full preseason with his team and that should mean he’s been able to fully install his ideas, which is likely to mean they improve defensively, with a reliance on a strong backline being key in his Wolves and Spurs teams. Not only that, they were the fourth lowest scoring team in the league last season.
Bournemouth were strong going forward last season, scoring 54 goals as they finished 12th, however they’ve now lost Dominic Solanke to Spurs. Solanke was key in how they played as their main goal threat. Last year he scored 19 of those 54 goals and without him they’re going to struggle to be as dangerous in front of goal.
Premier League Saturday Betting tips
Arsenal v Wolves
Both teams to score (N0)
Everton v Brighton
Under 2.5 goals
Newcastle v Southampton
Alexander Isak to score
Ben Brereton Diaz to have more than one shot on target
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
Under 2.5 goals
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 17/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD 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.
READ MORE
- Man United v Fulham tips: Sharp Shooter Fernandes leads 7/1 shots on target bet builder
- Football Tips: 4 best bets from the EFL games on the box this weekend
- Premier League Tips: Our tasty 19/1 treble for this weekend’s biggest games
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
