EPL 2024-25 curtain raisers: The top 5 opening games of the season

Save the date! The 33rd season of the English Premier League (EPL), kicks off on August 16, 2024, with a lineup of intense opening matches. It's the perfect time to gear up for the excitement.

The 2024-25 EPL season is sure to deliver heart-pounding football moments that fans will love and bettors will find lucrative. Here's a comprehensive overview of the top five season-opening matches to watch and bet on.

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Newcastle United vs Southampton (August 17)

Newcastle United had a disappointing 2023-24 Premier League season, finishing 7th overall. This was underwhelming compared to their previous successes. However, the Magpies are poised for a comeback this season under the leadership of manager Eddie Howe, who has boosted the team's prospects.

Currently, Newcastle are in good form, having won four of their last six matches. The most notable one was their 5-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly last May, where they won by penalties.

Meanwhile, the 2024-25 Premier League season will mark Southampton's comeback after a one-season absence from the league. Looking at their recent form, things are looking promising for the Saints as they won four out of their last five matches. This includes a convincing 7-1 victory over Eastleigh in a pre-season friendly last July, showing off their prowess for high-scoring matches.

In terms of head-to-head record, Newcastle have the upper hand, beating Southampton all four times they've met in the past 13 months. Given this history, predictions are favouring Newcastle for this upcoming match. However, Southampton have also had a strong transfer window, signing players like Adam Lallana, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Charlie Taylor which gave the Saints hope for a successful season.

Bet on the Newcastle United-Southampton matchup here

Manchester United vs Fulham (August 17)

Manchester United have come into the new season in strong form, winning three out of their last four matches. In terms of record, they are looking to extend their unbeaten run in Premier League opening games. They have won their first game 21 seasons in a row, more than any other club. This speaks volumes about their consistency in opening fixtures.

Meanwhile, Fulham enters this match as the underdogs, losing 13 of their last 17 away games against Man United. They have only beaten the Red Devils a handful of times. Recently, things have not been looking good for Marco Silva's side. Keeping a clean sheet against Man United, which is quite unlikely, would be crucial for Fulham to have a chance of turning the script.

Will Manchester United win against Fulham?

Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (August 17)

Arsenal are firmly in contention to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season. The Gunners are here to stay, and manager Mikel Arteta is confident about their prospects. They have won three out of their last three matches, including a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in a friendly on August 1, 2024.

Their most notable defeats in the 2023-24 season were a narrow two-point loss to Man City in the final, followed by a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa in December. This opening match seems promising for Arsenal, who are determined to make a strong statement early on.

On the other hand, Wolverhampton Wanderers may capitalise on any potential Arsenal fatigue or errors in their attacking and defensive play. However, given Wolves' current state, it is less likely that they will be able to take advantage. Under Gary O'Neill's management last season, the team finished 14th in the Premier League and have lost their last six matches against Arsenal.

Can the Wolves deliver an upset? Bet here

West Ham vs Aston Villa (August 18)

West Ham United will start the new season with a fresh perspective, after the departure of David Moyes. Julen Lopetegui has now taken over the reins, and the Hammers are optimistic about an improved campaign under his leadership.

Last season, West Ham finished in ninth place in the Premier League table. Their record was fairly even, with as many wins as losses. However, their goal difference of -14 was the worst among the top half of the table teams.

In contrast, Aston Villa had a strong campaign last season, finishing fourth in the Premier League. They are now aiming to use that as a springboard for a continued upward trajectory in the league. Villa made a good start to the season, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. However, their European dreams were dashed after a 4-1 loss against Tottenham. Undeterred, the Villains bounced back, securing a 4-0 win against Ajax in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Aston Villa have not won an away match against West Ham since 2011. West Ham leads the overall head-to-head record with 45 wins, while Aston Villa has 39 wins and there have been 35 draws between the two teams. Unai Emery's side may need to rely on Ollie Watkins' prowess to turn the predictions around.

West Ham vs Aston Villa: Which team wins?

Chelsea vs Manchester City (August 18)

The opening games may only represent a small fraction of Manchester City's overall outlook for the current season. The question is no longer whether they can win their opening match, but rather if they will extend their championship streak.

Man City is the strongest favourite, having won four consecutive EPL titles and boasting a talented roster, including players like Erling Haaland, who can make winning look effortless. However, a closer look at their recent results shows a mixed performance. Out of their last four matches, they have suffered two losses, one draw, and just one win, which was against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Chelsea has faced a series of managerial changes, which could heavily impact their momentum. Despite finishing sixth last season, which was a reasonable start considering the shock of Mauricio Pochettino's departure, Chelsea has had its fair share of struggles.

However, Chelsea’s ability to take two points against Manchester City last season shouldn’t be disregarded, and they have a good chance of performing even better against them in the opening game. Moreover, it's worth noting that out of Chelsea's 32 Premier League opening matches, they have won 20 and drawn seven.

Bet on this Chelsea-Man City faceoff here

Early EPL 2024-25 favourites as the campaign kicks off

The top five opening games for the 2024-25 Premier League season look intense, with some strong teams already establishing their position. However, it's still early to say for sure, as underdog teams have a chance to turn the tables. To assist with your EPL betting, here are some of the early favourites to watch:

• Manchester City: The reigning champions need no introduction, as Man City's record speaks for itself. They have won six out of the last seven Premier League titles, four of them consecutively. At the moment, they are undefeated. They enter the new season as the strongest favourite team to win, with many predicting their fifth consecutive EPL title.

• Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's team have been up there, continuously bringing all their might to try and snatch the crown away from Man City. The fact that they can get close to winning speaks volumes. They would have to capitalise on even the slightest error from Man City to break their title-winning streak.

• Liverpool: Known for disrupting Man City's winning streak in the past, Liverpool is poised to challenge once again under new manager Arne Slot. Liverpool still boast a deep roster, including stars like Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, making them a strong contender to emerge on top and reclaim their place at the summit of English football.

Golden Boot predictions

With the upcoming Premier League season shaping to be a thrilling one, the race for the Golden Boot is set to be fiercely competitive. Here’s a look at the predicted top scorers for the 2024-25 EPL season:

• Erling Haaland (Man City): Haaland has been the Golden Boot awardee for the past two seasons, proving his prowess to score a high volume of goals. He scored a record-breaking 36 goals in his maiden EPL season, and ended last year with 27 more, contributing to Man City's success. Haaland remains unstoppable and is expected to continue his goal-scoring dominance in the upcoming season.

• Cole Palmer (Arsenal): Last season, Cole Palmer emerged as a top goal-scorer, netting 22 goals and finishing just behind Haaland in the goal-scoring charts. His dramatic hat-trick performance against Manchester United had helped catapult him up the top goalscorer table. Palmer’s current form suggests he will be a strong contender for the Golden Boot this year.

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle): After an impressive 21-goal season last season, Alexander Isak is poised for another great campaign, being one of the biggest contributors for Newcastle United. He is firmly in the mix for the Golden Boot predictions, slotting in just slightly behind Haaland and Palmer.

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