Podcast – Premier League Matchweek 1 Betting Preview & Predictions

Host Carl Lewis and coach and analyst Grant de Smidt preview Matchweek 1 of the new Premier League season for 2022/23.

We cover:

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Although Arsenal’s fifth-place finish last term represented progress and justified the faith shown in manager Mikel Arteta, for much of the season they seemed on course for a top-four place, so that will be the minimum target for the North Londoners this term. With that in mind, Arteta has refreshed his still-youthful squad in the summer including signing Gabriel Jesus, Fábio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Fulham v Liverpool

A historic 2021/22 campaign saw Liverpool play as many games as possible, picking up two trophies, while agonizingly missing out on a historic treble or quadruple. The question is how will they bounce back this term, but with this being the fourth season in a row they’re playing newly promoted opposition to open their campaign, winning the last three by a combined score of 11-4, a strong start to the season is expected.

Tottenham v Southampton

When Son Heung-min and Tottenham conquered Manchester City in the opening round of the 2021/22 Premier League (PL), only their most pessimistic supporters could have imagined they’d be with a new manager just a few months later. Yet a promising unbeaten run to end that campaign (W4, D2) will soon see them back in Champions League action and on the hunt for their first major silverware in 15 years.

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

Despite a fairly quiet summer in the transfer market so far, fans of Newcastle United will feel an unprecedented level of optimism when they raise the curtain on their 2022/23 season at St James’ Park. Having predictably gravitated away from a relegation scrap following vigorous January investment, the Magpies will hope to capitalise on a brilliant run of home league from – losing just once in their previous ten (W7, D2) – if they are to flirt with ambitions of a top-half finish this campaign.

Everton v Chelsea

While the odds look stacked against them, Everton have had the beating of Chelsea on their own patch in more recent years. Each of the last four PL meetings at Goodison Park ended in victory for the home side, and they’ve also restricted the London club to just a single goal across their last five Goodison Park visits.

Leicester v Brentford

When Leicester City beat Wolves 1-0 on the opening day of last season, fans and pundits alike were marvelling at the success manager Brendan Rodgers, with an FA Cup and Community Shield in the trophy cabinet, was delivering to the King Power Stadium. However, a sobering eighth place finish last campaign presented the Foxes with a dose of reality, with zero summer signings likewise contributing to a sense of apprehension brewing in the East Midlands.

Man United v Brighton

While Manchester United’s rebuilding job continues under new boss Erik ten Hag, his signings of Lisandro Martínez and Christian Eriksen have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future. The manager also had to lay the law down after Ronaldo and others left a pre-season friendly early – hardly ideal preparation for the season ahead!

West Ham v Man City

Scamacca alone may not be enough to see West Ham off to a winning start considering Manchester City are the visitors to the London Stadium. The Hammers have never beaten City in the Premier League (PL) at their new home (D2, L4), but after defeating Newcastle 4-2 on opening day last season, Moyes’ side are going in search of back-to-back PL matchday one wins for the first time since 2013/14.City are no strangers to final day PL drama, and had to turn around a 2-0 deficit against Aston Villa to win 3-2 and secure a sixth PL trophy. Never one to rest on his laurels, Pep Guardiola has gone big in the transfer market this summer, adding Kalvin Phillips and arguably the world’s best striker in Erling Haaland in a bid to secure a third successive PL crown.

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