PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY: We preview Saturday’s six Premier League games with a recommended BETDAQ bet and extended stats for each match.
WEST HAM V MANCHESTER CITY
12.30pm We kicked off the new Premier League season on Friday night but it’s always a great feeling to have a full list of fixtures on a Saturday! We start with West Ham hosting the Champions Manchester City fresh off picking up the Community Shield last weekend. It’s hard to see anyone stopping Pep Guariola’s men this season, and it will be very interesting to see can West Ham put up a fight. City are obviously heavy odds on favourites as they trade 1.28 at the time of writing. It’s very hard to see past a City win here so we’re going to look elsewhere for a bit of value and we like under 3.5 goals at 1.74. It’s difficult to see West Ham being in attack mode here and we can see them putting 11 men behind the ball for a lot of the game – it’s early in the season and City might not be at their brilliant best yet. We can see a routine City win, but West Ham can keep the scoreline in check. Under 3.5 goals looks ten ticks too big at the current 1.74.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Under 3.5 goals at 1.74.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQWhuMcy
MATCH STATS
- The reigning Premier League champions have only lost their opening match of the next league season on two previous occasions: Leicester City in 2016-17 (1-2 away at Hull City) and Chelsea in 2017-18 (2-3 at home to Burnley).
- Manchester City have won their last seven competitive matches against West Ham United by an aggregate score of 23-3.
- Manchester City have won more competitive games at the London Stadium against West Ham than any other away team (4).
- Manchester City have scored 17 goals against West Ham at the London Stadium; eight more goals than any other opposition side away at the Hammers in this ground.
- For the sixth consecutive campaign, West Ham are kicking off their Premier League season against one of the ‘big six’ sides, with Man City being the sixth different side they’ve faced in that time. The Hammers have lost four of their previous five, with the exception being a 2-0 win at Arsenal in 2015-16.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 10 opening Premier League fixtures (W9 D1), winning each of the last eight. Victory here will see them equal Chelsea’s Premier League record of nine successive opening day wins between 2002-03 and 2010-11.
- West Ham United have won three of their last five home matches against reigning Premier League champions (L2), though they did lose this exact fixture 0-4 last season.
- Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has scored six goals on MD1 of previous Premier League seasons; more than any player still playing in the Premier League. The only players with more MD1 goals in Premier League history are Wayne Rooney (8), Alan Shearer (8), Frank Lampard (8) and Teddy Sheringham (7).
- West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has faced Manchester City six times in the Premier League without scoring – against no side has he played more without finding the net (also six vs Arsenal). However, all six of these appearances have been as a substitute.
- Manchester City’s David Silva has scored in four of his last five games against West Ham in all competitions, including in all three of his appearances at the London Stadium. He’s scored more goals against the Hammers for Man City than he has any other side (six, including five in the Premier League).
CRYSTAL PALACE V EVERTON
3pm It’s been a very hectic few days for both of these clubs as the transfer window closed. Everton have had a very good transfer window; however they did similar a few years ago and had a terrible start. Surely they will be a better side this season after their spending over the summer. Crystal Palace have spent the last few days trying to keep hold of Wilfried Zaha who must be in a bad state of mind to start the season – he tried everything to get away from Palace and now he has to face the season ahead. He was their main man last year, and if he is in poor form it could be a very long season for Palace. Everton are in way better shape coming into this game and given how poor Palace were at home last season, we’re happy to back an away win here at 2.5.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Everton to beat Crystal Palace at 2.5.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQCplEve
MATCH STATS
- Everton are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace; winning four and drawing five.
- Crystal Palace have won just one of their previous 10 Premier League matches against Everton at Selhurst Park; this coming in October 1994 thanks to a solitary Andy Preece goal (1-0).
- On the only previous occasion that Crystal Palace and Everton played each other on the opening matchday of a league season, Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Goodison Park but ended the season bottom of the league (Premier League 1997-98).
- Crystal Palace have never won on the five previous occasions they’ve kicked off a Premier League campaign at home, drawing one and losing the last four in a row.
- Five of Everton’s last six Premier League openers have finished level (W1), with four of those draws ending 2-2. Indeed, the Toffees have drawn their opening Premier League match more often than any other side (11).
- Everton have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 11 Premier League games. Indeed, in 2019 so far, only Man City (12) have recorded more clean sheets in the competition than Everton (10).
- Though they finished the campaign with a home win against Bournemouth, only relegated and bottom side Huddersfield (9) won fewer Premier League home points than Crystal Palace in 2018-19 (20).
- Including four at the end of last season, this will be Everton’s fifth consecutive Premier League away match in London. Only Leeds (five between April-September 2001) have had as long a run in the competition’s history.
- Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson has been directly involved in seven Premier League goals against Crystal Palace (3 goals, 4 assists) – only against Manchester United (9) has he had a hand in more.
- Roy Hodgson has won 25 of his 72 Premier League games as Crystal Palace manager – one more victory will take him ahead of Alan Pardew for most wins at the club in the competition.
BURNLEY V SOUTHAMPTON
3pm It’s a bit harsh on these two sides, however this is probably the least exciting fixture of the day. There isn’t much new to expect from these two and it’s more than likely that they will be battling it out to avoid the drop at some stage – although ultimately finishing in 14th to 17th place. Southampton improved towards the end of last season, and Burnley had some very impressive performances along with some dreadful ones. The last five fixtures between these two have had under 2.5 goals and it’s hard to see anything other than a very close and hard fought battle again here. It’s not a surprise to see such an open match odds market; however we can’t get away from under 2.5 goals here at 1.8. We can’t see anything changing after the recent fixtures between the sides; this one will be a quiet start to the Premier League and unders looks cracking value.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Under 2.5 goals at 1.8.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQBlySou
MATCH STATS
- This is the second successive Premier League season that Burnley and Southampton have met on MD1. Southampton hosted Burnley last season on the opening weekend in a 0-0 draw.
- Burnley are unbeaten in their last five competitive meetings with Southampton (all in the Premier League), winning twice and drawing three times.
- The last five Premier League meetings between Burnley and Southampton have produced just six goals (four for Burnley, two for Southampton).
- The last two meetings between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor have finished 1-1, with Southampton netting a 90th minute equaliser in February 2018 and Burnley netting a 90th minute equaliser in February 2019.
- Seven of the eight Premier League meetings between Burnley and Southampton have been goalless at half-time (87.5%) – the highest percentage among all Premier League fixtures to have been played at least six times.
- Southampton haven’t won their opening Premier League fixture in a season since 2013-14, when they defeated West Bromwich Albion away (1-0). They have since lost one and drawn the last four MD1 matches they have played.
- Southampton’s last two opening Premier League fixtures have finished 0-0 – only Ipswich (1969-70 to 1971-72) have kicked off three consecutive top-flight campaigns with a 0-0 draw.
- Burnley have only won one of their five MD1 matches in the Premier League (D1 L3) and have lost both such matches played at Turf Moor.
- Ashley Barnes has scored Burnley’s last two Premier League goals against Southampton, with both of those strikes coming at Turf Moor.
- Under Ralph Hasenhüttl, Nathan Redmond has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other Southampton player (10 – 6 goals, 4 assists).
BOURNEMOUTH V SHEFFIELD UNITED
3pm Sheffield United start life in the Premier League away to Bournemouth and they will fancy their chances of coming away with something. Sheffield United play an exciting brand of football; however how that goes in the Premier League remains to be seen. They could easily ship plenty of goals and end up like Fulham last season. Bournemouth started last season very well before falling away and we expect a good game of football here with plenty of action in front of goal. Under 2.5 goals looks massive at 1.97 looking at the way these two teams set up and we can only see goals here. Bournemouth look worth backing at 2.06 too given their home record last season; however we prefer the overs.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Over 2.5 goals at 1.97.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQBouShe
MATCH STATS
- This will be the first competitive meeting between Bournemouth and Sheffield United since February 2013, while both sides were competing in League One. The Blades won 1-0 away from home.
- Bournemouth and Sheffield United have met in the second, third and fourth tiers of English League football, but this will be their first-ever top-flight league meeting.
- On the only previous occasion that Bournemouth and Sheffield United played one another on the opening matchday of a league season, Sheffield United were relegated from the second tier that campaign (1987-88).
- Sheffield United have won each of their last eight competitive meetings with Bournemouth. They’ve also won each of their last five away games against the Cherries in all competitions.
- Bournemouth won their opening Premier League fixture last season, which also came against a promoted side (2-0 vs Cardiff). They had lost each of their previous three opening day games in the competition.
- Sheffield United have lost four of their last five opening league fixtures (W1). However, they’re unbeaten in all three of their Premier League openers (W2 D1), with only Leeds having a better unbeaten record in the competition (12 – W5 D7 L0).
- Bournemouth have only lost one of their 11 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W7 D3), though this did come in their last such match against Fulham in April (0-1).
- Sheffield United have lost nine of their last 10 Premier League away games (D1), with their last such victory coming in December 2006 at Wigan (1-0).
- In their last Premier League campaign in 2006-07, Sheffield United scored just eight goals in their 19 away games, and never more than once in a match. They last scored more than once on the road in the top-flight in May 1994, in a 2-3 loss to Chelsea which saw them relegated.
- Since the start of the 2005-06 campaign, Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has scored more league goals than any other player in the top four tiers of English football (218).
WATFORD V BRIGHTON
3pm Watford finished last season very poorly and dropped out of the top ten after looking like they could finish 7th. It’s highly likely their attentions were turned to the FA Cup Final and we shouldn’t take away from the fact that they had a very good season. They have added to their squad during the summer, with Welbeck a good signing if they can keep him fit. It will be very interesting to see how Brighton start their Premier League campaign this year as they were so close to going down last season. They were definitely one of the worst teams in 2019 but they had enough points from early in the season to just barely survive. We expect Watford to have too much class for this Brighton side, especially with home advantage, and the home win looks at least ten ticks too big at 2.04.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Watford to beat Brighton at 2.04.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQWatBha
MATCH STATS
- This is the second successive season that Watford have hosted Brighton & Hove Albion on MD1 of a Premier League season. Watford defeated the Seagulls 2-0 at Vicarage Road last August thanks to a Roberto Pereyra double.
- Brighton have failed to score in five of their last seven competitive matches against Watford; including in both matches last season.
- Watford haven’t lost their opening league game of the season since 2006-07 (1-2 away at Everton) – they have since won six and drawn six of their opening league games in the last 12 seasons.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have won just one of their opening league fixtures to a top-flight season; this was in 1980-81 (2-0 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers). They have lost three and drawn two of the other five.
- Watford finished the 2018-19 Premier League campaign with three consecutive defeats – they’ve not lost four in a row in the competition since December 2017.
- Brighton are winless in their last nine Premier League games (D3 L6), with their last victory in the competition coming on March 9th 2019 away at rivals Crystal Palace (2-1).
- Excluding the teams who were relegated in 2018-19, no side has conceded more (33) or scored fewer (13) Premier League goals in 2019 than Brighton.
- After scoring in his each of his first four league games against Brighton (with Brentford and Burnley), Andre Gray has failed to score in any of his four appearances against the Seagulls for Watford (255 mins).
- Glenn Murray has scored 36% of Brighton’s Premier League goals (25/69), the highest ratio scored by one player at any club in the competition’s history.
- Brighton manager Graham Potter is taking charge of his first ever Premier League game. As a player, he made eight appearances in the competition, all for Southampton in 1996-97 (W1 D2 L5), with his only win coming in a 6-3 victory against Manchester United in October 1996.
TOTTENHAM V ASTON VILLA
5.30pm Aston Villa fought very hard to get to the Premier League! They could have been given an easier start but here we are. Spurs will want to start challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the title; however they just look short of the top two at the moment. Champions League football will again be the target and a possible run at winning it again given they reached the Final last season. They should get off to a winning start here with home advantage against Aston Villa and we expect a tough start to life in the Premier League for Villa today. Spurs are currently 2.0 to cover the 1.5 goal handicap and that looks massive. Harry Kane and Co should get off to a good start.
BETDAQ BEST BET:
Tottenham -1.5 goals to beat Aston Villa at 2.0.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQTotAsv
MATCH STATS
- Tottenham Hotspur will start a league season at home for the first time since 2010, following eight successive seasons with an away match to start their league campaign.
- Aston Villa have won just one of their last 17 competitive meetings with Tottenham Hotspur (W1 D3 L13); this coming in a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane in April 2015 thanks to a first-half Christian Benteke goal.
- This is the sixth time Tottenham are playing their opening game of a Premier League season against a promoted side. They’ve won four of the previous five, with their only defeat coming in 2007-08 against Sunderland.
- When playing their first game of the Premier League season at home, Tottenham have lost just once (W2 D3), with that defeat coming against Manchester United in 1997-98.
- Aston Villa have won their last three opening Premier League fixtures, with all three of these coming away from home (Arsenal in 2013-14, Stoke in 2014-15 and Bournemouth in 2015-16).
- Aston Villa are winless in their last 18 Premier League away games (D3 L15), losing their last seven in a row between February-May 2016.
- After winning their first four games without conceding at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs are winless in their last three at their new home (D1 L2).
- Tottenham have lost 13 of their 29 games in all competitions so far in 2019, more than any other current Premier League side (W14 D2). They last suffered more defeats in a single calendar year in 2014 (16).
- Tottenham’s Harry Kane has scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Aston Villa, including two goals in their last such meeting: a 2-0 win for Spurs at Villa Park in March 2016.
- Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has lost two of his three home Premier League games against Aston Villa (one with Southampton, one with Spurs). He’s only lost more home games in the competition against Liverpool and Manchester City (3 each).
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