The English Premier League is one of the national competitions that start the earliest in Europe thanks to the fact that they have 20 squads in their top tier level meaning that they need more time in order to play out all 38 rounds of the season. League officially started on August 6th with a FA Community Shield game (match between league winner and FA Cup winner from the season before) and the first round took place last weekend.
As we can imagine, week 2 is in front of us and it’s time to take a closer look at the possible solutions when it comes to picking bets this weekend. There will be many exciting matchups especially on Saturday but here we’ll keep our attention on the matches that will be played on Sunday in order to enrich your piggy bank.
Huddersfield vs. Newcastle United
Three-Way: 1: Huddersfield +160; X: +231 Draw; Newcastle United +225
Spread 0: Huddersfield -128; Newcastle United +127
Total +2.5: Over +127; Under -133
HUDDERSFIELD
The three-time English Champion Huddersfield Town finally managed to get back to the Premier League after winning English Soccer League playoffs in May. They finished the season ranked fifth in the Championship (Second tier of English soccer) and had to attend a mini tournament that features four teams that are ranked between No. 3 and No. 6 spot in the Championship League table. Along with the champion and the runners-up, the team that wins the tournament gets promoted to the English Premier League next year. The Terriers won both duels against Sheffield Wednesday and Reading after the penalty kicks.
The team spent almost 45.00 Mill Euros on arrivals during the offseason and most expensive one was the addition of Centre-Forward Steve Mounie who signed from French side Montpelier (13.00 Mill. Euros). Midfielders Aaron Mooy and Tom Ince came from Man City and Derby for 9.10 Mill. Euros each while Left-back Scott Malone strengthened the defense (3.90 Mill. Euros – Fulham).
On the other side, only central midfielder Kyle Dempsey left the team by signing for a League One side Fleetwood Town for a fee worth 455.000 Euros. Week one went very well as the team defeated Crystal Palace on the road (3:0) with two goals by the summer signing Mounie.
Martin Cranie (hip) will be out until at least September 16th while Jonathan Hogg (ankle) is expected to be back on September 11th. Nakhi Wells (ankle) is also out with return date set in late September while Jon Stankovic (ACL knee) has no return date set.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Newcastle United is also back in the Premier League but their week 1 performance didn’t go well as their next opponents’ one. To be fair, they had a lot stronger rival to square off with, the last season English Premier League runners-up Tottenham team and the result after the final whistle was 2:0 in guests from London favor. Still, the Magpies showed some spirit especially in the first half and proved that the Championship title last year was well earned.
During the offseason manager, Rafael Benitez managed to acquire several solid players that should make an instant impact on the squad including winger Jacob Murphy who came from Norwich with an 11.30 Mill. Euros price tag. The defense has been strengthening with additions of Florian Lejeune from SD Eibar (10.00 Mill. Euros) and Javier Maranquillo from Atletico Madrid (5.00 Mill. Euros) while defensive midfielder Mikel Merino was signed as the part of a loan deal with Bor. Dortmund (3.00 Mill. Euros loan fee).
On the other side, six players left the team, mostly on a free transfer basis while winger Florian Thauvin and center-forward Daryl Murphy signed with French team Marseille and Championship rival Nottm Forest for a fee worth about 13.50 Mill. Euros combined.
Florian Lejeune (ankle) and Deandre Yedlin (hamstring) will not be available on Sunday with returning dates set in late August while Jamie Sterry (groin) is listed as a slight doubt.
Huddersfield vs. Newcastle United – Match Prediction
Matchups between two newly promoted teams have tendencies of finishing peacefully and when I say peacefully I mean with a draw. Still, the safer bet would be putting money on a both teams score pick and that will be my first prediction for this game.
My pick: Both teams score YES (-105)
Tottenham vs. Chelsea
Three-Way: 1: Tottenham +123; X: +260 Draw; Chelsea +275
Spread -0.5: Tottenham +118; Chelsea -122
Total +2.5: Over -103; Under +100
TOTTENHAM
It looks like the Spurs will continue to present a formidable force in English Premier League this year too and disturb the “big four” or “big five” constellation of power. In week 1 they defeated the newcomers in the League, Newcastle United on the road with goals by D. Alli and B. Davies. This week they will face a much greater test as the defending champions Chelsea team comes at White Hart Lane to lock horns.
During the offseason, Tottenham didn’t spend a cent on the arrivals and only addition to the first team was promoting Right-Back Kyle Walker-Peters from their U23 squad. On the other side, they earned big money by selling Right-Back Kyle Walker to Man. City for a fee worth 51.00 Mill. Euros and selling guys that spent last season on a loan deal like Nabil Bentaleb (FC Schalke 04 – 19.00 Mill. Euros), Clinton N’Jie (Marseille – 7.00 Mill. Euros) and Federico Fazio (AS Roma – 3.20 Mill. Euros).
Kieran Trippier (ankle) will have a late fitness test in order to determine the availability while Georges N’Koudou (foot) Danny Rose (MCL knee) and Erik Lamela (hip) will not play on Sunday.
CHELSEA
The Blues from south London didn’t enter the season successfully as they suffered a surprising defeat in the week 1 at Stamford Bridge. The Premier League defending champions got outplayed and outscored by Burnley team (3:2) with two consolation goals scored by Alvaro Morata and Felipe Luiz. They’ll have the chance for redemption against the Spurs on Sunday. Still, if we’re going to judge the day by morning, it looks like the Blues are not the same team they were last season.
As always, their transfer transactions during the offseason were enormous as they spent 140.00 Mill. Euros on arrivals and earned 122.80 Mill. Euros by selling a couple of players. Most notable additions were Alvaro Morata who came from Real Madrid (65.00 Mill. Euros) and Tiemoue Bakayoko from AS Monaco (40.00 Mill Euros) while Centre-Back Antonio Rudiger signed from AS Roma for a fee worth 35.00 Mill. Euros.
On the other side defensive midfielder, Nemanja Matic was sold to league rivals Manchester United (44.70 Mill. Euros) while defender Nathan Ake and goalie Asmir Begovic signed with Bournemouth for fees worth 34.30 Mill. Euros combined. After spending last season in Juventus on a loan deal, winger Juan Cuadrado was sold to Italian side for 20.00 Mill. Euros.
Pedro (ankle) and Tiemoue Bakayoko (knee) are out for Sunday while Eden Hazard (ankle) is listed as a slight doubt.
Tottenham vs. Chelsea – Match Prediction.
It’s hard to believe that Chelsea can lose two opening games of the season. Having everything in mind my safe bet here would be under 2.5 goals in total while draw has the most sense when we think about the final result.
My pick: Under 2.5 goals (+100)
Additional pick: Draw (+260)
