English Premier League Week 1: 3 Must Bet Games on the Pitch

It’s back baby!

The English Premier League is back for another rip-roaring season of incredible soccer for the next 9 months and it all starts this weekend.

The season got off to the preliminary start last weekend, as the Premier League champions from last season, Manchester City, took on runners-up Arsenal in the Community Shield game, which kicks off every Premier league season.

Community Shield winners for a 17th time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YHXMcMsiai

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 6, 2023

Arsenal came out on top in penalties, and this game set the tone for what should be a fascinating 2023/2024 Premier league season and battle for the Premier League title.

It all starts this weekend and I am going to give you a break down of the Top 3 Matchups to Watch, all the Game Information and Odds, and, of course, the Best Bet you can take in each game.

I will be doing this piece all season long so be sure to stay tapped in here at Betting News for the best bets you can make on the pitch every single weekend.

We are all about the game, don’t forget.

Ok, without further adieu, here are the 3 Must Bet Games in the Premier League this weekend!

Let’s go!

---

Best Sportsbooks to Bet the Premier League

---

Friday Night Lights: Manchester City vs Burnley

Game Information

• Date & Time: Friday, August 11th, 2023. 3:00 PM EST
• Location: Turf Moor, Burnley, United Kingdom
• Where to Watch: USA Network

The Season gets underway in Burnley, England as the defending Premier League champions in the powder blue travel to Turf Moor to take on the up and coming Championship Champions, Burnley.

It is Champion on Champion to kick off the season, what else could you ask for?

Pep Guardiola’s men are coming off of a sensational 2022/23 campaign, which saw them win the coveted ‘Treble’: The Premier League Title, the FA Cup, and the Champions League Trophy.

After their league dominance over the past few seasons, winning the Champions League last year was yet another impressive feather in their already full cap of the Spanish manager and the blue and white in Manchester.

But, that’s a memory from the past.

A new season is upon us and that starts with a challenge from the winners of the Championship, the division below the Premier League in the UK, Burnley.

Burnley are managed by former Manchester City captain and spectacular Centre Back, Belgian Vincent Kompany and his time at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola definitely rubbed off on him.

Kompany led Burnley to a Championship title in the 2022/23 campaign in absolute style, as they finished 10 points clear of the field and racked up an incredible 101 points in the Championship last season.

They lost 3 games all season and only 1 at home.

Burnley will have their hands full in the first game back up in the League with the defending champs, but if anyone knows how to battle Guardiola and City, it is one of his best and most trusted former players.

There is so much to unpack with this game but all in all, you came for the pick. So let’s get to business. Here are the odds for the game and the best bet to take!

Betting Odds via Bovada Sportsbook

Money Line

• Manchester City -360
• Tie +500
• Burnley +900

Manchester City vs Burnley Best Bet

Both Teams to Score (-110) BetUS

As you can see above, the odds for betting a side in this game are not a good investment. I think Man City should be able to handle their business on the road to open the season but this is not the Burnley of years past.

As I mentioned, Vincent Kompany will lead his men into battle and they have every reason to believe that they can play with the League champs for the full 90 minutes, especially at home.

I am not going to bet on a Burnley upset here but I would not at all be surprised if we saw some opening day surprises in North England.

That being said, the value lies in both teams to score at -110. Manchester City is a powerhouse and I don’t see a world where Erling Haaland and company don’t find the back of the net.

Here are 3 stats that make this the best play for me in this game.

• Man City have scored three or more goals in three of their last six matches against Burnley.
• Burnley have scored in five of their last six competitive and non-competitive matches.
• Both teams have scored in five of Man City’s last six outings in all competitions.

All in all, the Champions should take this game. Which Champions, you might ask?

The ones from Manchester.

But don’t be surprised if it’s a close one.

I’ll happily bet on the goals and sit back and enjoy the beginning of what should be a spectacular season.

---

Saturday Morning Footy: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Game Information

• Date and Time: Saturday, August 12th 2023. 7:30 AM EST.
• Location: Emirates Stadium. London, England.
• Where to Watch: TNT Sports

On Saturday, Week 1 continues with 6 more games to take in all across the UK, starting with the runners up in the Premier league last season, Arsenal, looking to start strong at home against tough Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal are coming into this season with high aspirations and rightfully so. The Gunners finished 2nd in the league last season, and had it not been for a late season collapse, could have very well won the league.

Manager Mikel Arteta has brought back the winning spirit and belief to North London and Arsenal fans (myself included) rejoice at the sight.

Winning the Community Shield was a fantastic way to kick off this season with a bang and the Gunners will be looking to build on that momentum on their home turf Saturday against Forest.

Betting Odds via Bovada Sportsbook

Money Line

• Arsenal -550
• Tie +600
• Nottingham Forest +1400

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Best Bet

Arsenal & Over 3.5 Total Goals Scored (+120) Bovada

I think the Gunners come out absolutely flying to start the season.

There is obviously no value betting on them to win at -550 and the spread at 2.5 goals.

No, thank you.

Give me the plus money on the Gunners to get the job done at home and show off their free-flowing offense, run by Captain Martin Odegaard and showcasing superstars Bukayo Saka, new signing Kai Havertz and the rest of the Gunners arsenal.

See what I did there 😉

I am backing a big opening day performance from the Gunners and for plus money, I love this prop bet on Bovada.

The Gunners could score 4 on their own but if Nottingham Forest does sneak one in, I see Arsenal still getting the win and scoring 3+.

---

Sunday Morning Showdown: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Game Information

• Date & Time: Sunday, August 13th, 2023. 11:30 AM EST
• Location: Stamford Bridge, United Kingdom
• Where to Watch: Peacock

Let’s round up the weekend on the pitch with a fantastic showdown between two powerhouse clubs set to go head to head at Stamford Bridge on Sunday morning.

It was a disappointing season last year for both of these teams, as they both finished outside of the top 4 and Chelsea missed out on European football all together, finishing 12th in the league.

Liverpool was able to sneak into the Europa League, finishing 5th in the League but it was a disappointing campaign if you look at the previous 4 seasons under manager Jurgen Klopp.

This season feels like a make or break season for the Reds, as they need to climb back into the top 4 and compete for a title to restore that they are a force to be reckoned with in the league. Or a rebuild might be in order.

On the other side of things, Chelsea completely fell apart last season and have acted accordingly since.

They have revamped their entire squad and brought in former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to revamp the vibes at Chelsea and bring back championship caliber football to Stamford Bridge.

With no European soccer to have to worry about during the season, Chelsea can totally focus on the Premier league and reestablish themselves as one of the top dogs.

In this battle of two teams that are desperate to get this campaign started on the right foot, there are so many narratives and ways to attack this game.

But for me…there is only one bet worth taking.

Betting Odds via Bovada Sportsbook

Money Line

• Chelsea +180
• Tie +260
• Liverpool +140

Liverpool vs Chelsea Best Bet

Chelsea Moneyline (+180) MyBookie

This game is a toss up for me. Both of these teams have massively revamped their lineups and are looking to start fresh this season and build on the newness around their clubs.

In these situations, I love taking the home team for plus money.

It always scares me taking a money line in soccer betting because of the ever-present “Draw” but I am willing to risk it here on the home Blues.

Chelsea has looked very aggressive and in good form in the pre-season under the control of Pochettino and I think that momentum carries over into the opener with a big win in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

---

Thanks for stopping by! We are in for a wild ride in the Premier League and I will be covering it every weekend!

See you next week 😉

Follow me on Twitter for more sports bets and just overall vibes. I have some fun…come hang with me!

Interested in More Content?

Also, be sure to check out all things Betting News on Twitter and Twitch!

Tune in to one of our several weekly streams. Come for the Winners, Stay for the Vibes!

☀️SUMMER STREAM SCHEDULE☀️

📅MONDAY-FRIDAY📅

⌚️5:30 PM EST⌚️

💥Come for the Winners, Stay for the Vibes 💥@SweatpantJesus @Shaggy_Bets @WMMacMiller @vsaaauce@SukhBrar4 @gretzkybetzkys @notamush

👉🏽https://t.co/8Ch59SLUJA👈🏽 pic.twitter.com/X9qObsxvOV

— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) July 10, 2023

Still Here?

Check out everything we have to offer at Betting News!

We really are All About the Game!