Manchester City begin their defence of the English Premier League title at West Ham and we also take a look at a number of betting markets for selected matches taking place on Saturday 10th August.
Let's begin with a look at the weekend match result and under / over 2.5 goals coupon.
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West Ham v Manchester City
West Ham finished tenth last season with 52 points, 10 more than they earned in the 2017/19 campaign. They won 9 of 19 home games, drawing 4 and losing 6. When hosting top 6 finishers they drew 0-0 with Chelsea, beat Manchester United 3-1, lost 1-0 to Spurs and 4-0 to City. They beat Arsenal 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Liverpool. New arrivals have been recruited from abroad rather at home and there is a lengthy list of departures including striking options Marko Arnautovic , Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez.
Manchester City pipped Liverpool to the title by just a single point last season and they also won the League Cup and FA Cup in addition to reaching the semi finals of the Champions League. City won 32 of 38 matches, drawing 2 and losing 4 and on the transfer front Vincent Komany has departed and recruits have currently being limited to Rodi (Atletico) and Angelino (PSV). Aguero 21 and Sterling 17 were top scorers in the league for City last season,
Relevant Outright Betting Markets
As far as the betting to win the title is concerned this is how Sportingbet have it priced up right now.
A City treble of the EPL title, FA Cup and Champions League is currently trading at 33/1. Aguero is 11/2 to finish as top goal scorer with Sterling a 14/1 chance.
As for West Ham they can be backed at 12/10 for a top 10 finish and 12/1 to be relegated.
Verdict:
It will be worth keeping an eye on how the new West Ham signings settle in but I think we can expect business as usual from City and I'll go with the visitors to score in both halves of football.
Elsewhere on Saturday newly promoted Sheffield United head to Bournemouth and I would be inclined to side with Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace, who have struggled to make an impression in the transfer market and finished last season with the third worst home record, could be vulnerable against Everton.
Only a point separated Burnley and Southampton last season and Watford's home game against Brighton also looks tricky to me. I could see at least one of those games finishing all square.
Saturday evening's game sees Spurs begin at home to newly promoted Aston Villa. It should be a very watchable game and I expect Spurs to make a winning start in a game of 3 goals or more in total.
Saturday's bets:
West Ham v Man City, City to score in both halves? (yes) at 8/10
Bournemouth v Sheffield United, Home win at 19/20
Crystal Palace v Everton, Away win at 27/20
Burnley v Southampton,Draw at 22/10
Watford v Brighton, Draw at 24/10
Spurs v Aston Villa, Home win and over 2.5 goals at 17/20
Note, all odds quoted are subject to change.
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Remember you can have your own say on all this week’s matches on our discussion forum
