The Premier League is back! Now painfully referred to as the ‘super league of managers’ the English top flight is set for a fascinating campaign. As a result of the hefty new TV deal, the clubs have had the freedom to spend in a way never seen before. Transfer records have been crashed through with ease and several squads look substantially different to how they did just a few months ago.
The return of top level football is a glorious thing, isn’t it? So, to welcome in the new season, here is a 16/1 accumulator to get your campaign off to a winning start…
Manchester City to beat Sunderland and have over 3.5 goals
Of all the bets on offer this weekend, this one stands out. Even with odds so heavily heaped in City’s favour, Pep Guardiola’s side are absolutely nailed on for victory at the Etihad when they clash on Saturday. Although Guardiola’s unique tactical demands will take some time to properly take effect, they will have far too much for a Sunderland side that have found themselves with a new manager despite avoiding relegation last season.
Whether Manchester City play a variation of Guardiola’s 3-4-3 or a more conventional 4-3-3, the superb Sergio Aguero will terrorise Sunderland’s defence, however well organised they may be. Even if City’s defence leaks goals, which it may well do if last year is anything to go by, it is hard to see anything other than a goal fest for the Citizens.
Turmoil for Sunderland this summer, combined with a rejuvenated and talented City squad, should see an emphatic score line for the home team.
Southampton to beat Watford 4/5
Watford’s new manager, Walter Mazzari, is going to shake things up in the Premier League. Despite Mazzarri’s arrival, Claude Puel’s Southampton side should come out on top at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Nathan Redmond will be the new signing star to look out for in this game, with the former Norwich man signed as a replacement for the inconsistently devastating Sadio Mane. For Watford it will be about the footballer with the name of victory, Isaac Success, a forward who arrived from Granada earlier this summer.
Both teams are somewhat unknown entities, with this fixture being our first glimpse of either side in a competitive match. Southampton, however, possess a squad with greater depth and proven quality than Mazzarri’s Hornets. The road-running pace of Shane Long, combined with a solid defence make the Saints understandable favourites, particularly with home advantage.
Southampton will aim to replicate the consistent performances that saw them become a top half stalwart under Ronald Koeman throughout this season. Their guests this weekend will hope that their summer rest can see their attack return to the sharp goal-scoring machine that fired them to such a successful first half of the 2015/16 campaign.
Everton and Spurs to draw 12/5
Two of the most impressive managers in the league go head-to-head at Goodison this weekend, Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino.
Everton, boasting new investment, are beginning to flex their financial muscle with the additions of Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams, whilst Spurs have stuck to their tried and tested transfer policy in signing Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama this summer.
We can expect much of the same from Pochettino’s side, lots of energy, Harry Kane leading the line and a narrower three behind the striker with marauding full-backs. There is a chance that Everton will setup in Koeman’s tried and tested 3-5-2. The Merseyside club are waiting on news of the fitness of wantaway striker, Romelu Lukaku, and we could see Gerard Deulofeu play as the number nine if Lukaku is unavailable.
