The wait is finally over, the 2023/24 Premier League season is set to launch this weekend!
Burnley and Sheffield United return to the top-flight following a brief stint in the Championship, while Luton break a 21 year hiatus from the league.
Man City head into Game Week One as red hot favourites ($1.80) to claim their fourth straight Premiership, and sixth in seven seasons.
While Arsenal lead the chasing pack ($5.50), following their breakout 2022/23 season.
Our Offside Oracle has previewed all 10 Premier League Fixtures, including Ange’s first match in charge of Tottenham, providing his best betting plays below!
The 2023/24 Premier League season gets underway at Turf Moor as the Championship Premiers step up a division to take on the best side in Europe.
Pep will be looking to get his league title defence off to a fast start against a side managed by former player and protege Vincent Company.
The Clarets took the Championship by storm last season, playing attractive possession base football, a far cry from the brand of footy they played under Sean Dyche in years gone by.
They might be forced to adapt their approach against a City side who are used to holding the lions share of possession against the best sides in the world.
Man City has won their last seven fixtures against Burnley to nil, scoring 25 times across the trip.
The Cityzens have lost a few attacking assets over the break, but their defence has been bolstered by the record signing of Croatian centre half, Josko Gvardiol.
I’m backing the reigning Premiers to secure all three points combined with a clean sheet.
Community Shield winners Arsenal look to build on their breakout 2022/23 season with a Game Week One victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners head into this fixture off the back of a solid preseason, claiming wins against Barca, Monaco, the MLS All-stars and Man City.
Alternatively, Forest has failed to score in their last four friendlies (1D,3L) despite fielding close to full-strength sides.
I’m backing Arsenal to get off to a flyer here, scoring early in the piece and never looking back.
Sheffield United finished 2nd behind Burnley in the Championship to secure their automatic promotion back o the top-flight this season.
They’re set to play their opening fixture at home to Crystal Palace, a side looking to make a jump up into the top half of the league.
The Eagles possess the talent to do just that, but can they truely soar under the tutelage of old timer Roy Hodgson.
Crystal have been able to find the back of the net on the regular during their preseason, with plenty of firepower to call upon I believe they’ll breach the Blades defences.
Luton are the last of three promoted sides to join the 2023/24 PL season, managing to do so the hard way, though the 3rd-6th playoffs.
Like Burnley, Luton have been dealt a stiff hand in their first top-flight fixture since 1992, facing a lethal Brighton outfit.
The Seagulls finished in 6th place last season (a club record), scoring 72 goals across the trip, only Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool finding the back of the net on more occasions.
They’re attacking style is set to continue under Roberto De Zerbi, with goals on the menu against every side in the league.
I’m backing Brighton to give Luton a rude awakening here.
Everton narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just two points above the drop zone in 17th.
Alternatively, the Cottagers finished comfortably in 10th position, largely propped up by goals from star striker Mitrovic, a player who is on the way out of the club.
Now that Sean Dyche has had a full preseason to sink his nails into the squad, I’m expecting the Toffees to be an extremely difficult side to breakdown, while looking to break quickly through long balls to a busy Calvert-Lewin.
This could well be the most boring fixture of the opening weekend, I get the feeling this will be a first goal wins type content.
Back the unders.
The Hammers look to claim their fourth straight league win over the Cherries when they travel to Vitality Stadium.
West Ham will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign, which saw them flirt with relegation before finishing the season strongly enough to secure 14th place, one spot above Bournemouth.
The Irons will no doubt be buoyed by their European Conference league trophy, although they lost club captain Rice in the offseason, they still possess far more quality across the pitch than Bournemouth.
I’m backing Jarod Bowen to lead from the front and secure the away side all three points.
Top four Toons play host to a hyped up Villa outfit on Sunday morning (AEST).
Newcastle turned St. James’ Park into a fortress last season, losing just twice on home turf (11W,6D).
Meanwhile Aston Villa’s road form was somewhat expected, losing eight of 19 games away from home (6W,5D).
Both sides have looked in tremendous nick in preseason, Newcastle are undefeated in seven (5W,2D), while Villa are unbeaten in six (3W,3D), in fact this pair played out a 3-3 draw two weeks ago.
This fixture produced four goals last season, and I’m backing another high scoring affair to materialise here.
Angeball has reached the Premier League.
Thousands of Australian Football fans will be staying up on Sunday night as Ange Postecoglou prepares Tottenham for their first game of the season.
Regardless of the result, we can all expect this fixture to produce goals.
Ange’s three preseason games in charge of the Spurs have all seen 5+ goals scored, most recently Harry Kane netting four of his own against Shakhtar!
I for one will be backing Ange to make a perfect start to his EPL career, leading the Spurs to a high-scoring victory.
The Blues play host to the Reds in what is set to be match of the round.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool largely underachieved last season, the Blues capitulated to their lowest league finish since 1994, falling to 12th!
Meanwhile, the Reds finished trophy-less and outside of the Champions League positions (5th).
Once again, Todd Boehly pulled out his massive cheque book during the offseason and purchased every young talent on the globe.
Although Chelsea’s squad is full of exciting prospects, I believe it will take some time for Poch to get this young side gelling.
I’m predicting the Reds to bounce back in a big way this season, starting with a victory at the Bridge.
Manchester United welcome the Wolves to Old Trafford in the final fixture of GW1.
The Red Devils were near unstoppable at home last season, losing just one fixture across 19 matches (15W,3D), with only City collecting more competition points.
Ten Haag’s side conceded a league-low 10 goals at home in 2022/23, four less than Newcastle in 2nd.
As good as United were defensively, Wolverhampton were just as bad offensively, scoring a league-low 31 goals across 38 games!
I’m backing Man U to win this fixture comfortably, with Wolves waiting to GW2 and beyond to find their first goal.