Premier League
Premier League preview: Who you got in 2023/24?
The wait is over. The Premier League is back! Who you got this season?
Champions Man City kick things off with a trip to newly-promoted Burnley, while top-four hopefuls Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.
Let’s take a closer look at three standout clashes in the top-flight this weekend:
BURNLEY v MAN CITY
Turf Moor
Friday, 11th August @ 20:00
Vincent Kompany has not had to wait long to reunite with Man City as his runaway Championship winners welcome them to Turf Moor in the opening game.
City have said goodbye to Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan over the summer, with Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol moving to the Etihad. They’ll be looking to win a 12th game in a row against Burnley (all comps), a run that has seen them score 40 goals. Get EVS on City to win with our first Epic Odds of the Premier League season.
Burnley won the Championship title by 10 points last season. That was Kompany’s first in charge at Turf Moor. Can he mastermind an opening weekend upset against his former club? It’s 15/2.
Key stat:
Man City have won their opening Premier League game in 12 of the last 14 seasons.
Latest odds:
Man City to score in both halves – EVS
Burnley to lead at half time and not win – 9/1
NEWCASTLE v ASTON VILLA
St James’ Park
Saturday, 12th August @ 17:30
Newcastle and Aston Villa shared six goals during the recent Premier League Summer Series. Will their opening weekend game see more of the same? It’s 4/1 there are five or more on Saturday evening.
There were plenty of goals when the sides met last season, although only for the home teams. The Magpies won this fixture 4-0 thanks to a Callum Wilson double, while Villa were 3-0 winners at Villa Park in April.
This could be a competitive game with both sides full of confidence after pre-season. Both are unbeaten ahead of the big kick-off, with Newcastle beating Fiorentina 2-0 and Villarreal 4-0 in a double-header last weekend.
Key stat:
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa (W8 D6) since a 3-0 loss in April 2005.
Latest odds:
Both teams to score in both halves – 9/1
CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL
Stamford Bridge
Sunday, 13th August @ 16:30
It’s all change at Chelsea this season with Mauricio Pochettino taking the top job at Stamford Bridge, while his squad has been overhauled.
Gone are Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ethan Ampadu.
In their place come Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Lesley Ugochukwu and Brazilian teenager Angelo, while the likes of Levi Colwill, Ian Maatsen and Callum Hudson-Odoi are back from loan spells.
But despite all the upheaval, Chelsea have settled well under Pochettino and won the recent Premier League Summer Series in the USA. Can they get one over on top-four rivals Liverpool first up? It’s 7/4. The Reds have also seen players leave this summer, including midfield pair Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
Key stat:
Each of the last six meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool in all competitions have been drawn, with the last four ending 0-0.
Latest odds:
The match to finish 0-0 – 14/1
Nicolas Jackson to score first – 11/2
