PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY: The Striker previews Saturday’s Premier League games starting with IPSWICH v LIVERPOOL all with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
IPSWICH V LIVERPOOL
12.30pm It’s the first Premier League Saturday of the season and we have a wonderful day ahead on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! There’s been a lot of change over the summer, and we kick off the day with Liverpool as they start life with Jurgen Klopp away to Ipswich. Arne Slot has some massive shoes to fill that’s for sure, but he does have a fanbase who will give him time to settle in. The signs in pre-season have been impressive, but at the same time it is hard to see Liverpool maintaining the level they had under Klopp. In my opinion they will be expected to go a little backwards this season, but they should still hold onto their Champions League spot. They finished last season with an average xG created of 2.08 which was the best attacking figure in the Premier League – that was 0.05 ahead of Manchester City too – as I said it’s hard to see them holding that level without Klopp now but with all the issues Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs are having it’s hard to see Liverpool out of the Top Four. They will be fully expected to start their season with a win here against an Ipswich side coming up from the Championship – as we saw last season the gap between the Premier League and the Championship has grown to a point where it really is becoming difficult to stay up. It was always tough, but with the money Premier League clubs have now it’s exceptionally difficult.
Liverpool come into the game as the odds on favourites at 1.38 with Ipswich 9.0 and the draw is 6.0 at the time of writing. That 1.38 is the shortest price of any away side over the opening weekend, indeed the only shorter price is Arsenal at home later against Wolves. It will be interesting to see how Ipswich get on here after their excellent battle with Leeds for second spot last season. They finished the season with the third highest xG created behind Southampton and Leicester, and it wasn’t that high either at 1.59 but they massively over-performed in front of goal with an actual average of two goals per game scored. They were solid at the back, and they will need that here! It’s hard to see past a Liverpool win given the gulf in class between the sides, but I wouldn’t be rushing to back them at 1.38 on the opening day of the season. Things will take time to bed in under Arne Slot, and we do know Liverpool are very open at the back. Over 2.5 goals is trading 1.47 and that looks the best value in what should be an open game.
The Striker Says:
Two points win Over 2.5 goals at 1.47 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/IpsLiv
ARSENAL V WOLVES
3pm We have a busy opening Saturday afternoon with four fixtures kicking off at 3pm. The highlight is definitely Arsenal hosting Wolves, and that’s where my focus will be. All eyes will be on Arsenal as they begin another Premier League campaign closer than ever to breaking their long wait for a title. They definitely improved again last season, but the reality is it’s so hard to compete with this Manchester City side. With Klopp leaving Liverpool and 115 charger hanging over Manchester City, things could work out for Arsenal this season. They can’t focus on the other sides though, they just have to keep playing good football. They will be fully expected to start their season with a win here – they are trading as short as 1.22 at the time of writing with Wolves 16.5 and the draw is 8.2. That’s the shortest price of the opening weekend. Arsenal created less chances than Liverpool and Manchester City last season, but they were the best side at the back. It was only marginal compared to Manchester City, but we all know you have to be rock solid at the back to win a title. Arsenal finished the season with an average xG conceded of 0.92.
It’s very hard to see past a comfortable Arsenal win here, and although I’m not going to recommend backing 1.22 because no prizes for that, they are definitely a side that you want in your weekend Acca on Betdaq! We’ll have to look around the side markets on the Exchange for some value, and goals is a good place to start. The market is expecting goals with Over 2.5 goals trading 1.55 but it’s also expecting Arsenal to do all the work there with Both Teams Not To Score trading 1.73. Wolves might be in trouble this season – obviously the three sides who came up this season are the favourites to go back down, but they finished last season with the third worst attacking figure in the Premier League. They do have a new manager, and it will be interesting to see what they can create here. With Arsenal being the best side at the back last season and Wolves so limited going forward, Both Teams Not To Score looks a nice option at 1.73.
The Striker Says:
Two points win Both Teams Not To Score at 1.73 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ArlWlv
WEST HAM V ASTON VILLA
5.30pm We finish Saturday from the Premier League with West Ham hosting Aston Villa. This might not be the most glamorous TV game to finish the opening Saturday, but it is a fascinating market. There’s plenty of questions ahead with these two sides this season too. West Ham sacked David Moyes last season and it will be interesting to see how they start now – they finished last season with an average xG conceded of 1.85 which was the second worst defensive figure in the Premier League. Only Sheffield United conceded more chances, and we all know how bad they were! West Ham massively over-performed in front of goal, and that’s what kept them in the top half of the table. Their performance level was relegation standard however, and these days with football being so data driven the manager is always in trouble with those type of figures – even if the side is getting results! It’s a fascinating season for Aston Villa too; they have Champions League football to look forward to and the question is how are they going deal with those extra fixtures along with trying to hold their place in the Top Four. They aren’t exactly well fancied in the Top Four market!
With Chelsea, Manchester United, Spurs and Newcastle all having their issues though, any side that is consistent has a chance and that will be the goal for Emery. We have a very open betting heat, West Ham come into the game as the favourites at 2.55 with Aston Villa 2.8 and the draw is 3.85 at the time of writing. Aston Villa massively over-performed in front of goal last season – their average xG created of 1.46 was mid-table level and their actual goals scored average of two a game boosted them into fourth spot. While you could easily pick holes in that and say they will fall out of the Top Four this season – that is very likely – I still wouldn’t have West Ham as the favourites here. I would have the sides closer together in the betting, and the draw a little shorter. Villa were very solid away from home last season – they finished in fourth on the away table and I feel that they can get a result here. The 2.55 is just too short on the Hammers in my opinion and I’m happy to have the Villa win along with the draw on our side here in what should be a very close game.
The Striker Says:
Two points lay (liability) West Ham to beat Aston Villa at 2.55 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/WhuAvl
